I'm still in "body shop jail", but am trying to do some research to game plan my powertrain. The given is that it will be a manual. Beyond that? Pretty wide open. I have access to an L33 at a pretty good price. I have been considering a NA build, but am afraid that the power level I'd be hoping for might mean that it would be fairly high strung (my wants are modest- goal is at about 450 whp, or enough to put a 3600 car and driver at about 115-120 trap speed).

A small centrifugal would get that done, but I was wondering if I were to use something like ON3 turbo(s), if I might could do it cheaper? I would have to do a fair bit of fabricating, because to my knowledge, there aren't any LS turbo kits for a 57 chevy 150.

So the idea is a modest turbo system with good throttle response. Could this be done for less than, say, a Torq Storm centrifugal? (head unit and brackets are about $3K). And figure that system will need a set of long tubes, which are $600-900...so I figure it's about a wash between that and turbo manifolding. It seems like I could spend less on a turbo system, and have some upside for if/when I get stupid with it.

It looks like Hooker has come up with a nice solution for the manifolds. But what would recommendations be on how to handle the down pipe? I can generally get two pieces of metal to stick together, but welding at that level and making it presentable might be a bit beyond me. I suppose I could get a shape that works from a bunch of pipe sections, then have it welded up professionally? I think it likely that an down pipe for other cars would work (the early chevy's are fairly generic in their design, and there isn't anything in the way that isn't on any other mid size GM car), but I'd rather not spend several hundred dollars finding out. Also, having it done for me doesn't appeal (expensive, Id rather do it myself, and I would wind up having to tow the car a fair distance to have it done). Would small twins be a better option if throttle response is the goal? More expense, but it doesn't seem like THAT much more. More complex in some areas. Less in others (at least in my head as I game plan this).

So, to summarize. Could it be done for less than a centrifugal? Would twins be a viable option or needlessly complex and expensive (sure do look cool, though!). And what would be he best way to manage the down pipe?

Ive done some searching, but most builds are more ambitious than mine, and while I see a few guys on here with tri-fives, I didn't find many details on how they did what they did. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

If you're worried about overall cost do a single turbo. I made my own using cast manifolds, V-bands and mandrel bends.

You'll be a good welder by the time you're done

 

Good point about getting better at welding; when I started the floors on my car I’d never welded; by the time I got to the quarters, I was still incompetent, but I’d gotten pretty good with a grinder