Hey looking at buying a single for my 5.3. Going in a 72 C10, running a log manifold. Only looking to run 8psi. I am eyeing a 76/65 on3 charger t4 with a .68AR. planning on running 3.73 gears, 31" rear tires, 4l80e with a 2800-3200 stall converter.

My goal is a fun street truck, unlikely to ever go to the track. Will rarely if ever see about 6k rpm. Only looking for 500-550 to the tire. Engine is decently built, BTR forged pistons, gen 4 rods, PAC 1211 valve springs, rings gapped, running a TSP MaddMaxx cam (bought this before planning boost, have no idea how well it will go with boost).

So I know it should light pretty quick I just don't want it to fall on its face below 5500. Also considering running no intercooler, I know there are opinions there but wouldn't mind hearing setups that are non intercooled.

 

I would put a little bigger a.r. myself, your motor will handle it and in my experience you will want more. I had a 76mm with .83 ar on my silverado and took it off after maybe a month on the truck, also if anything it would fall on it face after 5500 not before at least from ny experience.

 

That will be a "insta-boost" turbo especially with your stall converter. Would be pretty fun to drive.
I think you will be able to get your goals with that turbo. It would probably be done near that point though.
I would heavily recommend an intercooler. They aren't much money.

 

I'd look at a borg or clone in a s363 or s366 size with the 73/80 trubine for that level it should spool well and reduce egt/backpressure.. I'm not a fan of the big compressor/small turbine deal.

I believe you can get turbonetics pretty cheap now also and a billet6868 would work well also, but I'd look for a .81 or .96 housing.

 

For the street, I would lean smaller for less lag, and midrange.

 

Installed $250 ebay 78/75 with a .68. its great on a 5.3 under 10lbs. Might consider that over the smaller exh wheel 76/65. It pulls to redline just fine.

 

Well I got a good deal on a new in the box 76/65 .96ar VS racing unit. Ended up paying $220 to my door. So I'm going to run that and see how it acts, if I need more or want to grow I'll step it up, not into it for much. Planning on around 10psi as the engine will handle it. Planning to set the shift point around 6k so would like to pull up to that.

While I have some audience, this is my setup I'm planning at the moment. 5.3, head studs, balanced rotating assembly, pac1211, gen 4 rods, BTR forged pistons, TSPmaddmax cam, intercooler (not sure size), 4l80e with transgo HD2, total transmission chicago 2500-2800 stall, 12 bolt rear end.

Couple questions:
-intercooler, what size? I know "as big as you can fit" but if I get bigger do you lose flow compared to the smaller units? Or just cooling? I considered no intercooler and doing water meth or e85 (in west Michigan e85 is plentiful but I have a 13 gallon tank so there is that.)

-Driveline, with the 2500-2800 stall I'm am good on the street but I have 3.07 gears open diff and 31" tires (305/40/22). I am thinking I may just toss in a lunchbox locker and see how it does with the 3.07's. I don't really want to spend $1500+ on 3.55 or 3.73's and a LSD plus labor. The lunchbox I can do myself. I think the 3.07's wouldn't be too bad as it would load up the charger and give a nice highway RPM (converter would be locked so not too concerned about low highway RPM). Any thoughts or feedback?

-DBC or DBW? I am leaning toward DBW as it will be a bit cleaner of an install and I won't have to mess with the cable stuff. Going to likely run Holley Terminator, I have heard throttle response is good with the aftermarket ecus.

Last question! Is a boost reference regulator required? Or should I do 60 psi and forgot about? I like the idea of the ecu not increasing pulse width under boost however to compensate for the fuel pressure not raising.

I have been around turbos in the diesel world (Cummins primarily, had a 95 12v running 450hp/720ft-lbs, triple disc billet convert, billet input, billet input, etc. and a 07.5 6.7 with just tuning) the gas world is a different ball game and setting up all this I want to do it right. Street driven truck, will drive it quite a bit in the summer as I have a 2 mile commute. Would like to to be streetable and have the low end grunt. Hence the desire to light quickly.

Thanks in advance!

 

I think that .68 might have been close to choke point (high back pressure) at the upper RPM so the .96 should work well and still spool good.

You have a solid plan in terms of the engine build, that cam seems like it'll be pretty stout in a 5.3.

IC, you don't need anything crazy or exotic especially if you are considering running e85. Something 3-3.5" a2a core that will fit should be more than adequate. looks like CX racing has a kit: https://www.cxracing.com/intercooler...C-C10-6772-KIT
That 3" should get you to your goal.

The 12b should hold up fine for your goal and you'll just have to see about the 3.07 as I'd bet the 3.55 would be the sweet spot.

Either TB will work at that power level just fine, if you are picking up a Terminator X Max it will control DBW and the 80 so that is win-win.

Get the boost referenced regulator as you'll be running a return style fuel system (do it once). When talking about running E85 that makes you reach into your pocket a little bit deeper in terms of fuel system as you can run out of pump/injector quickly. I'd think that something like a Walbro 450 or the 525 would be enough pump to keep things simple and get the best set of injectors you can afford. I'm an ID snob so something like the 850's but i have no doubt that an equivalent FIC would do the things.

Should be a fun setup.

 

Yea I was thinking it would be one of 3 options in regards to fueling/intercooler.
1. Pump Gas with an intercooler
2. Pump Gas no intercooler with water/meth injection that would come on at a set boost level (would need to monitor IAT to determine the best boost PSI threshold to start spraying water/meth (windsheild washer fluid haha)
3. E85 with no intercooler

I think either would work the cheapest would likely be to just run an intercooler, I have deka 80's that I intend to run that would run decent with e85 or pump gas so I am good there the pump would need to be upgraded regardless I think.

 

Where at in West Mich are you? I'm building a turbo 5.3 right now, might be able to help you out with some ideas.

 

I am in Fruitport by the water.

 

Oh, okay. A buddy of mine lived over there. I was just over that way ( Muskegon ) to pick up my block from Steve Morris Engines.

 

Yea nice! Prolly a pretty high horse bike it Steve Morris is doing your engine

 

I'm shooting for 750-800 RWHP to start, but hopefully tune it up to 850 or so once I get everything dialed in. I've known Steve for a long time, and while he doesn't do many basic builds, he hooked me up. I just wish I could afford one of his SML engines! 3200+ HP out of a 427 LS.

 

Boost reference is not required, you can run the factory truck fuel rails and stock regulator as is. Works good for me with low boost.
All the boost referencing is good for is having the ability to lower the base fuel pressure so you can get more out of the pump. Since you will only be running low boost, a couple of psi isnt going to matter.
I dont see you mention a fuel pump anywhere. With ethanol you will need a big ole pump. Think walbro 525 or aem400. The deka 80s should be plenty.
I am local to West Michigan as well, Alto area. Southeast of GR a few miles.

 

My truck build is very similar. 4L80E, 28-3000 stall, 31" off road tires, big bed tool box lol, billet VSR 7665 running about 16 psi max shifting at 6k. It's a riot on the street, super responsive and fund to drive. Destroys tires at anything under about 40 and this is with a little 4.8.

 

I think I met you at cars and coffee off Clay Ave. a year or so ago. You had your Firebird there?

 

Its possible, I dont normally make it to many car shows if any at all. Life is too busy.
What month was that show in?

 

I couldn't tell you, lol. It's the first and third Saturday of every month during the spring/summer. I don't get out there often, but I do recall seeing a really nice 3rd Gen bird with a turbo LS swap there. Is yours caged? This one had what looked like an 8.50 cage installed.