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I'm looking for around 550rwhp for my 82z28. Is it possible for me to get that with a turbo 5.3 and 4l60e or th400? What recipe will get me there for the cheapest but reliable. Also what gauges are decent for a good price? And 02 sensors I can get by with 2 wide bands in the front? First turbo build all info will be appreciated.
I want quality but on budget and stock internals and bolt ons. What route would you take if you were boosting a stock 5.3 and had roughly 4k for a motor. I through the other grand at the transmission but we can figure that out after this haha
Kind of a loaded question. How much you can do yourself is going to have a major impact on the final cost. Can you do the trans? Can you assemble the engine? Can you fab up a hot/cold side? Etc. it all adds up. Short answer, yes, a 5.3 with a turbo can make that power easily and be reliable depending on the shape of the engine you start with (Rebuilt or untouched). You need to think of a fuel system and an ecu to use as well. Nuts and bolts can nickle and dime you to death. If you're a gear head, I'd say yes, bit you'd have to do your homework for parts (finding the best deal). The next thing is you're talking 550 to the wheels. Add another 20-30%, you're talking 650-700 horse at the flywheel. That's a lot of power. You need to make sure the car can handle it. That kind of power is no joke. Good luck. Keep us posted.
Dont go with a 4l60e, get a 4.8 or 5.3, a s366, a walbro 450lph, siemens 80#, a ebay 3 or 4 inch A/A IC and go with the th400 or possibly a powerglide, if you can still buy a boost cam even better
Dont go with a 4l60e, get a 4.8 or 5.3, a s366, a walbro 450lph, siemens 80#, a ebay 3 or 4 inch A/A IC and go with the th400 or possibly a powerglide, if you can still buy a boost cam even better
Thanks for the input can you elaborate a little bit I'm new to the whole boost game but it seems old sbc's are like **** carpet these days what all parts would I need and is this reliable and would it come close to reaching my goals for price range? Do you know anyone or any links to a build like this?
At 550 whp, a pretty much stock 4.8 or 5.3 can be reliable with some care and an excellent tune. Stock everything. The first thing you'll need to change would be valve springs, but you might be able to get away with the stock springs if you stick with the stock cam. There's an 800 WHP bone stock 4.8 on here (stock cam and valve springs also), so it just goes to show how far a really well matched combo can go.
Like they said earlier, don't go with a 4L60e. Powerglide or TH400 can be had cheap on craigslist with a decent converter. If you want something with overdrive, a 4L80e is the go-to for big power.
If you can weld yourself, you can do it cheap. I spent $900 on a log manifold and a crossover pipe before I bought my welder. I could have fabricated the same thing for $200.
Can somebody name setups they've built or seen? I've researched a lot and still am unsure on the "parts list".. should I do any type of internal upgrades? What bolt ons should I go with.. it's going into an 82z28 89,xxx all original if anybody was wondering. Any other suggestions are appreciated
Dont go with a 4l60e, get a 4.8 or 5.3, a s366, a walbro 450lph, siemens 80#, a ebay 3 or 4 inch A/A IC and go with the th400 or possibly a powerglide, if you can still buy a boost cam even better
Can somebody name setups they've built or seen? I've researched a lot and still am unsure on the "parts list".. should I do any type of internal upgrades? What bolt ons should I go with.. it's going into an 82z28 89,xxx all original if anybody was wondering. Any other suggestions are appreciated
Start reading. I can name all the parts on my car and tell you everything I did but it's not going to mean **** until you understand how boost works. A lot of dynamics change going from N/A to boost. Especially if you're new to ls motors. The good news is they re very user friendly. If you can weld you can Turbo a 5.3 for about 2k. Less if you use a eBay Turbo. DONT skimp on wastegates or your fuel system. Start researching
Fresh rebuilt 4l80e
HD2 shift kit
Billet triple disk converter and tci flexplate
Turbo setup built myself
Flipped and modified truck manifolds
2.25" 14awg mild steel (twin scroll)
2- Tial 38mm MV-S gates
Ebay GT45
Jodar 50mm BOV (race parts solutions)
Ebay 4" intercooler
Ebay Intercooler Piping
Thanks for your help man. What did you do exhaust and o2 sensors wise? ? I have a set of lq4 manifolds would that be better? I got so many questions for you haha nice car btw!
Last edited by kohltonr1993; Jun 26, 2015 at 03:36 AM.
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5k for turbo 5.3 and Trans?? 
