Reliable turbo setup for 4.8?
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Reliable turbo setup for 4.8? Hi everyone I recently got a new to me 4.8 2008 Silverado 1500 and I’ve always seen everyone online push these motors to crazy horsepower numbers I was wondering if anyone is running a simple turbo setup that will keep my truck reliable as it’s my daily but I want to make it a little faster and have fun with it as I’ve always loved the idea of a turbo truck
Don't take chances on a daily driver unless you have a backup vehicle. There are plenty of reliable turbo truck setups, but almost none of them got that way without several bugs having to be worked out along the way. Since a backup vehicle is needed anyway, it is usually a much better idea to use that as the power toy. I refer you to this thread regarding what can happen when things go sideways on a build.https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...orsepower.html
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Definitely read that and any other threads that are close to what you want to do. Ddnspider did a 4.8 truck a few yrs ago . Hp goal ? Et goal ? What vehicle? Trans ? Gearing ? All factors . Read the sloppy mechanics wiki page . If you can weld and fabricate get a denmah ( aka Matt aka sloppy ) kit from VS racing. Keep the cam on the small side - really depends on goals . Can make a reliable daily driver , just not in a weekend. Need a good tuner if not doing it yourself
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From: Mefis
Hi everyone I recently got a new to me 4.8 2008 Silverado 1500 and I’ve always seen everyone online push these motors to crazy horsepower numbers I was wondering if anyone is running a simple turbo setup that will keep my truck reliable as it’s my daily but I want to make it a little faster and have fun with it as I’ve always loved the idea of a turbo truck
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/04...999-gmc-sierra
Last edited by Keith; Nov 5, 2025 at 09:22 AM.
Don't take chances on a daily driver unless you have a backup vehicle. There are plenty of reliable turbo truck setups, but almost none of them got that way without several bugs having to be worked out along the way. Since a backup vehicle is needed anyway, it is usually a much better idea to use that as the power toy. I refer you to this thread regarding what can happen when things go sideways on a build.https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...orsepower.html
Above all else the DD needs to be reliable especially if no backup vehicle is available because something will happen.
Now once you work out all the little bugs in your turbo truck, then you can DD it and really enjoy it but don't put yourself in a bad spot transportation wise for it.
Poor Tommy really went through the wringer on that deal, but he came out alright in the end and seems to be enjoying his fast turbo truck now.
Too bad these guys are no longer around, I always like this idea for a DD.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/04...999-gmc-sierra
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/04...999-gmc-sierra
A little S366 on 4.8 in a DD would be fun, super responsive and easy to package.
Don't use the CX Racing kit though, a member on here started with one of those kits and ended up heavily modifying it to work.
Huron Speed makes good stuff, I'd use one of their hotsides, you can cobble together the rest.
Don't use the CX Racing kit though, a member on here started with one of those kits and ended up heavily modifying it to work.
Huron Speed makes good stuff, I'd use one of their hotsides, you can cobble together the rest.
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From: Mefis
Spool time? Or general aftermarket quality?
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Verdad Gallardo The pump is what always concerned me about these setups because at the time they were not very reliable iirc.
He's got a truck so there is plenty of room in the engine bay for a small turbo, hell even a VS 70/70 would work really well and be even smaller than a S366.
Spool time and the need for a scavenger pump to bring the oil back up front from the rear.
The pump is what always concerned me about these setups because at the time they were not very reliable iirc.
He's got a truck so there is plenty of room in the engine bay for a small turbo, hell even a VS 70/70 would work really well and be even smaller than a S366.
The pump is what always concerned me about these setups because at the time they were not very reliable iirc.
He's got a truck so there is plenty of room in the engine bay for a small turbo, hell even a VS 70/70 would work really well and be even smaller than a S366.
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Long story short, nothing on that truck can support high horsepower numbers and be daily driven. Trust me I went through it but my truck was not my daily driver just a weekend cruiser. Built motor, built transmission, built rear end, holley terminator x max, fuel system, lots of junk turbo parts in my shed. All part on my learning curve, but I now have a bad *** truck at home that I can home and crank up and drive around town knowing if someone pulls up beside me ill smoke there ***. Was it worth it? Yes. Would i go a different route if I had to do it again? 100 percent.