66c10

Hey guys, new to the ls scene and needed some advice. I have a complete, high mileage 4.8 that was given to me. I want to put it in my 66 c10 rat rod and turbo it. What I want to know is what would be the bare minimum you would do to this little motor before throwing boost to it? I was thinking a Lil john or tick performance cam package, head studs, head gaskets and a microsquirt ecu. I'm not looking for 700 whp or anything crazy. This is just going in a weekend toy, so 500-550 hp would be great. My father in law gave me the motor since it was too "weak", and I wanted to show him what it was capable of. The dang sloppy mechanic videos have me hooked on wanting to do a budget turbo build. Let me know what you guys would put your money toward on a build like this.

jborders

I have a 68 c10 with a 5.3 . I've had the 5.3 in for a couple years but now I'm in the process of a turbo build myself . Same power range you are looking for. I have a gt45 . I talked to the guys at vsracing he's a vendor on here and that's what he suggested for that power level. All I did was a cam and matching springs. I'm running the stock ecm because I got it all and I have hptuners. I can't say that head gaskets and studs is bad but not sure its necessary . Head gaskets on some years not sure which are better than the early vortec because the early ones were just paper where the later years like maybe 2002 or 2003 were mls from the factory I think. Maybe someone else knows for sure. I don't think you could go wrong with a cam from lil john or tick performance both seem like great guys.

66c10

At what boost levels does one need to install head studs?

JoeNova

Somewhere around the boost level that causes them to start lifting..

denmah

iTrader: (2)

small cam and pac1218 springs, nothing else, dont spend any money on pushrods, studs, rockers or any other bullshit
7665 turbo and then setup with a decent tuner and you are done

66c10

Thanks denmah. I was hoping you would chime in. Would you go with a tick or Lil john cam, or look for like a stock ls6 cam? Thanks for all your r&d and help. Your vids and sloppy mechanics pages are the main reason I want to go this route. Next question is would you use the factory ecu and get tuned or get a microsquirt with one of your tunes? Thanks for your help in advance!!