Turbo 5.3
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Turbo 5.3 I've been following this site for a while troubleshooting different things over the years and it's been very helpful, so first off thank you guys for that!!
Now down to business, I have a 74c10 that I tossed a 5.3 and built 4l60 in with 12 bolt rearend and 3.73s in it. Fun truck but want more power so figured I would turbo it. I've spent days searching around and there is to much info on the internet it's overwhelming. I am not looking for a a ton of power, around 500hp and want to keep it street able so looking to see if I could get some input on what turbo to go with. There are quite a few threads on here and have gone through a ton of them and if I could get a direction to head or a thread to check out that would be awesome. New to the forced induction game so all the numbers that go along with different size turbos can get confusing and figured I'd get on here instead of poke and hope, thanks in advance!!
Mike
Now down to business, I have a 74c10 that I tossed a 5.3 and built 4l60 in with 12 bolt rearend and 3.73s in it. Fun truck but want more power so figured I would turbo it. I've spent days searching around and there is to much info on the internet it's overwhelming. I am not looking for a a ton of power, around 500hp and want to keep it street able so looking to see if I could get some input on what turbo to go with. There are quite a few threads on here and have gone through a ton of them and if I could get a direction to head or a thread to check out that would be awesome. New to the forced induction game so all the numbers that go along with different size turbos can get confusing and figured I'd get on here instead of poke and hope, thanks in advance!!
Mike
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: NB, Canada
What you are experiencing is is referred to as the “paradox of choice” it leads people to believe that with so many options there must be a “perfect option” when in reality nothing is perfect.
It sounds like you have already done lots of reading, you have your hp goal at a very reasonable 500 the only question left is what’s your budget?
An eBay gt45 will meet your goals. Other manufacturers distribute branded Chinese turbos with a little better quality and some support for a few extra dollars. Or you could go all out and buy a genuine garret.
Just depends how much you want to spend.
It sounds like you have already done lots of reading, you have your hp goal at a very reasonable 500 the only question left is what’s your budget?
An eBay gt45 will meet your goals. Other manufacturers distribute branded Chinese turbos with a little better quality and some support for a few extra dollars. Or you could go all out and buy a genuine garret.
Just depends how much you want to spend.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 48
Likes: 25
From: BC Canada, Eh!?
I'm doing an LQ4 and Billet 7875 in my '61 Chevy pickup.
I've scoured a lot of threads, and I -think- this will be a decent "street" turbo. There are bigger turbos that will give you bigger power, but really, 95% of my driving will be below 5000 rpm. My truck will be 100% daily driven, with zero racing.
I'm keeping the stock cam until I've driven it for a while and know what I really want for a cam. I do NOT want to go so big that I need a high stall converter (my current daily has a high stall and I'm getting tired of the sloppy nothingness between idle and stall). This will cost ultimate power, but be far more streetable.
I also know horsepower is like crystal meth - you never get that same rush again. So if I can be disciplined enough to run like 5psi boost until it's boring, then run 7psi, then 10psi, and so on. I gapped the rings to go upwards of 22psi boost, but I bet I'll never get there due to traction issues.
Don't get sucked in to trying to make 1000hp right off the hop. It'll be cheaper, easier, and more reliable to just pick a proven combination and stay within it.
It's interesting to go through the Sloppy Mechanics dyno tunes on Youtube on cars with the combination you're looking at.
I've scoured a lot of threads, and I -think- this will be a decent "street" turbo. There are bigger turbos that will give you bigger power, but really, 95% of my driving will be below 5000 rpm. My truck will be 100% daily driven, with zero racing.
I'm keeping the stock cam until I've driven it for a while and know what I really want for a cam. I do NOT want to go so big that I need a high stall converter (my current daily has a high stall and I'm getting tired of the sloppy nothingness between idle and stall). This will cost ultimate power, but be far more streetable.
I also know horsepower is like crystal meth - you never get that same rush again. So if I can be disciplined enough to run like 5psi boost until it's boring, then run 7psi, then 10psi, and so on. I gapped the rings to go upwards of 22psi boost, but I bet I'll never get there due to traction issues.
Don't get sucked in to trying to make 1000hp right off the hop. It'll be cheaper, easier, and more reliable to just pick a proven combination and stay within it.
It's interesting to go through the Sloppy Mechanics dyno tunes on Youtube on cars with the combination you're looking at.
TECH Resident
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 994
Likes: 120
From: Mechanicsburg, PA
Look up the Sloppy Mechanic's "Don't BS me build". Sounds right up your alley and Matt is about as straight a shooter as you'll get.
Good luck on the upgrades and feel free to post some pics!
Good luck on the upgrades and feel free to post some pics!
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 676
Likes: 72
Id go 7875 billet in your shoes. 500 will come easy and you will quickly get bored and turn it up and this turbo will be happy at low boost and turned up. I know someone will jump on here and say im full of crap but id be ready to go 4l80 soon. Any turbo lsx in a truck that heavy that gets traction is going to eat 4l60s for lunch. Go 4l80 and sell the 4l60 while it still works. Dont wait to kill 4l60 to make the change. Just my opinion though.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Lol so I've heard, the transmission guy I've used for over a decade warranties it up to 500 hp and since I'm have no hope of traction at this point I'm no to worried. But once I get it to hook up that's the plan, no sense in tearing up a perfectly good trans. Doubt if I'll sell it just put it into another project not pushing as much power lol
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