Another 5.3 Turbo Question
If your 5.3 is a 2004.5 and older.... limit the power to around 650rwhp.... if it's newer than that... the magic safe number seems to be closer to 900rwhp. There was a connecting rod change to a much beefier one.
Just add some LS9 head gaskets, some cheap head studs (eBay), cam, and get a quality turbo with good injectors/tune/fuel and surprise yourself. The stock truck intake has been low 8's... stock TB also. The TC series turbos do spool well... but their top end punch is pretty weak. Tradeoffs like in anything.
Just spend a day on the heads cleaning them up since you are familiar with the process. It's free HP
Just add some LS9 head gaskets, some cheap head studs (eBay), cam, and get a quality turbo with good injectors/tune/fuel and surprise yourself. The stock truck intake has been low 8's... stock TB also. The TC series turbos do spool well... but their top end punch is pretty weak. Tradeoffs like in anything.
Just spend a day on the heads cleaning them up since you are familiar with the process. It's free HP
If your 5.3 is a 2004.5 and older.... limit the power to around 650rwhp.... if it's newer than that... the magic safe number seems to be closer to 900rwhp. There was a connecting rod change to a much beefier one.
Just add some LS9 head gaskets, some cheap head studs (eBay), cam, and get a quality turbo with good injectors/tune/fuel and surprise yourself. The stock truck intake has been low 8's... stock TB also. The TC series turbos do spool well... but their top end punch is pretty weak. Tradeoffs like in anything.
Just spend a day on the heads cleaning them up since you are familiar with the process. It's free HP
Just add some LS9 head gaskets, some cheap head studs (eBay), cam, and get a quality turbo with good injectors/tune/fuel and surprise yourself. The stock truck intake has been low 8's... stock TB also. The TC series turbos do spool well... but their top end punch is pretty weak. Tradeoffs like in anything.
Just spend a day on the heads cleaning them up since you are familiar with the process. It's free HP
Right now I'm just shooting for around 650whp, but I have always had a sickness with this type stuff and I'll get the 650 and then I'll want 750 and then...
Stock 5.3 L33 with a small cam.
Borg Warner S474 with a billet wheel, 87mm 1.10 AR T4 turbine from Apex (ForceFed86 mentioned these guys).
Stock 160k mile 4L80e (no rebuild) with a transgo HD2 kit installed and Circle D converter.
Incredibly basic setup. Stock intake manifold, throttle body, heads, pistons, rods, crank, block, etc etc etc. Stock computer with HPTuners.
Made 575 hp/650 tq to the wheels on 14 lbs. Makes 700 hp at the wheels on 20 lbs with a super conservative tune on pump gas. 11:1 AFR, 12 degrees of timing, 50/50 water/methanol sprayed through the biggest nozzle that came with my kit.
Borg Warner S474 with a billet wheel, 87mm 1.10 AR T4 turbine from Apex (ForceFed86 mentioned these guys).
Stock 160k mile 4L80e (no rebuild) with a transgo HD2 kit installed and Circle D converter.
Incredibly basic setup. Stock intake manifold, throttle body, heads, pistons, rods, crank, block, etc etc etc. Stock computer with HPTuners.
Made 575 hp/650 tq to the wheels on 14 lbs. Makes 700 hp at the wheels on 20 lbs with a super conservative tune on pump gas. 11:1 AFR, 12 degrees of timing, 50/50 water/methanol sprayed through the biggest nozzle that came with my kit.
Thanks. The BW S400s seem to really do well.
Good to hear that it's that dependable, but I hate to hear about the block of wood.
