For sure! Don't forget a good fuel setup. 
$11K to spend......
I'd say get a forged shortblock with some 6.0L heads to lower compression. This should cost you around 3500. Then sell your stock longblock and recoup some money. Once you break your engine, you won't be able to get much at all by reselling any of the parts. But you can easily get $1000 AT LEAST from your stock longblock. That drops the net cost of the forged engine to 2500. So that leaves you with 8500. Now you can buy that D1 kit and have some money left over to do at least a clutch and a few suspension mods for now and save a little more for when your 10 bolt breaks. As long as you don't put sticky tires on it, you can drive on the 10 bolt for a while until you save for a 9" or 12 bolt. .02
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
Again, thanks to all of you for your input. I think I am sold on the APS. I am have always wanted to try a turbocharger.....
I will post up as we move forward and let you guys know how this goes.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot..... I am sure I will also be asking plenty of stupid questions!!!
I will post up as we move forward and let you guys know how this goes.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot..... I am sure I will also be asking plenty of stupid questions!!!
GO APS!!!
I would go Aps Twin turbo. I was in the market for turbo or turbos as well and could not make up my mind. The website and the people at APS sole me. Check it out. WWW.Airpowersystems.com
They know their stuff, price is fair, real dyno numbers!!!! Completely upgradable kit. The whole bit. Talk to David. he helped me out alot. And you can tell that they really know what they are doing, and he will personally compare his product to others like STS and others. Once you hear what he has to say, you will be an aps turbo customer too!!!! Im certain of it!!!
Take it from me. i had a procharger!!! Turbos blow them out of the water. S/c take power to make power. i don't know about you, but if im spending top dollar, i want my damn power!
I would go Aps Twin turbo. I was in the market for turbo or turbos as well and could not make up my mind. The website and the people at APS sole me. Check it out. WWW.Airpowersystems.com
They know their stuff, price is fair, real dyno numbers!!!! Completely upgradable kit. The whole bit. Talk to David. he helped me out alot. And you can tell that they really know what they are doing, and he will personally compare his product to others like STS and others. Once you hear what he has to say, you will be an aps turbo customer too!!!! Im certain of it!!!
Take it from me. i had a procharger!!! Turbos blow them out of the water. S/c take power to make power. i don't know about you, but if im spending top dollar, i want my damn power!
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
GO APS!!!
I would go Aps Twin turbo. I was in the market for turbo or turbos as well and could not make up my mind. The website and the people at APS sole me. Check it out. WWW.Airpowersystems.com
They know their stuff, price is fair, real dyno numbers!!!! Completely upgradable kit. The whole bit. Talk to David. he helped me out alot. And you can tell that they really know what they are doing, and he will personally compare his product to others like STS and others. Once you hear what he has to say, you will be an aps turbo customer too!!!! Im certain of it!!!
Take it from me. i had a procharger!!! Turbos blow them out of the water. S/c take power to make power. i don't know about you, but if im spending top dollar, i want my damn power!
I would go Aps Twin turbo. I was in the market for turbo or turbos as well and could not make up my mind. The website and the people at APS sole me. Check it out. WWW.Airpowersystems.com
They know their stuff, price is fair, real dyno numbers!!!! Completely upgradable kit. The whole bit. Talk to David. he helped me out alot. And you can tell that they really know what they are doing, and he will personally compare his product to others like STS and others. Once you hear what he has to say, you will be an aps turbo customer too!!!! Im certain of it!!!
Take it from me. i had a procharger!!! Turbos blow them out of the water. S/c take power to make power. i don't know about you, but if im spending top dollar, i want my damn power!
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TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,341
Likes: 1
Without having read the responses here is my two cents:
Do the build in stages.
Number 1: Determine your power goals and or ET goals (ie: 600RWHP, 800RWHP etc)
Do the fuel system, clutch and motor first…
For the motor I’d do a budget forged shortblock. (9:1 347ci forged with good rods, decent cam and S1 heads) will be ~5K
Fuel system depends on goals, I’d do dual pumps if you are BIG power or at minimum a single Walbro with KB boost a pump. 65# injectors if you are staying stock PCM. Stock lines/rails are good for decent power. ~1200.00
Clutch – Spec 3i is a great clutch and wont break the bank – not sure on price? 650?
That leaves you about 5K to play with or save and put towards a D1SC or similar…
It’ll save you labor this way….If you install the blower/turbo on the stock motor and end up popping a ringland or deciding to upgrade later you’ve added unnecessary labor costs. Better to do it once and do it right imo
Do the build in stages.
Number 1: Determine your power goals and or ET goals (ie: 600RWHP, 800RWHP etc)
Do the fuel system, clutch and motor first…
For the motor I’d do a budget forged shortblock. (9:1 347ci forged with good rods, decent cam and S1 heads) will be ~5K
Fuel system depends on goals, I’d do dual pumps if you are BIG power or at minimum a single Walbro with KB boost a pump. 65# injectors if you are staying stock PCM. Stock lines/rails are good for decent power. ~1200.00
Clutch – Spec 3i is a great clutch and wont break the bank – not sure on price? 650?
That leaves you about 5K to play with or save and put towards a D1SC or similar…
It’ll save you labor this way….If you install the blower/turbo on the stock motor and end up popping a ringland or deciding to upgrade later you’ve added unnecessary labor costs. Better to do it once and do it right imo
If you are only looking for 500-550rwhp and don't want to spend much more than 11k I would suggest building a nice NA setup and building up the drive train to handle it. I still think you will come out over budget. My goals are a good bit higher than yours but I already have over 30k into my build. The engine/fuel system alone is over your budget.
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: cleveland/dayton/cincinnati, ohio
since you not going to build the motor first atleast invest $300 in an alky/water/meth injection kit. I don't have a f/i car right now (i'm hoping to though) i do know that one of thoes kits is cheap insurance on out shity stock internals. Also no sticky tires with the 10 bolt either!
I'd say get a forged shortblock with some 6.0L heads to lower compression. This should cost you around 3500. Then sell your stock longblock and recoup some money. Once you break your engine, you won't be able to get much at all by reselling any of the parts. But you can easily get $1000 AT LEAST from your stock longblock. That drops the net cost of the forged engine to 2500. So that leaves you with 8500. Now you can buy that D1 kit and have some money left over to do at least a clutch and a few suspension mods for now and save a little more for when your 10 bolt breaks. As long as you don't put sticky tires on it, you can drive on the 10 bolt for a while until you save for a 9" or 12 bolt. .02
once you break something its worthless, and theres always a truck guy who wants an ls1, and some schmuck who keeps breaking 10 bolts who gets another one...build then boost, or boost then break
one way gets you fast the other way gets you broke :-)
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
Hey guys, here is the dig on what is up with our TA.
I kicked around either heads/cam, ProCharger or Turbo. I had already bought (1) Procharger from Bob (WHAT A GREAT GUY!!!) for my IROC, but had just sold that to fund what I am up to with the TransAm.
I really wanted a FI car and decided to do the turbo instead of the Procharger this time. Nothing against the Procharger at ALL!! as it is awesome, I just wanted to try something different.
After alot of research I decided to go with the APS kit. I am working through Mike Norris as he is close to me geographically and I hear VERY good things about him here. We are doing a Textralia clutch, upgraded fuel system, etc. with a mild 5-7 lbs. of boost. I have found a steel 6.0 truck block that I will be building on the side as time and money allow.
I have boxed LCA's, autometer vacuum/boost, fuel pressure and wideband O2 gauges. Also have a TA differential cover for the stock 10 bolt ( I know I will get flamed here, but financially I have no choice right now) and we are buying subframe connectors.
So, that is it right now, I will keep you guys posted as we move forward. I am excited to say the least.
I kicked around either heads/cam, ProCharger or Turbo. I had already bought (1) Procharger from Bob (WHAT A GREAT GUY!!!) for my IROC, but had just sold that to fund what I am up to with the TransAm.
I really wanted a FI car and decided to do the turbo instead of the Procharger this time. Nothing against the Procharger at ALL!! as it is awesome, I just wanted to try something different.
After alot of research I decided to go with the APS kit. I am working through Mike Norris as he is close to me geographically and I hear VERY good things about him here. We are doing a Textralia clutch, upgraded fuel system, etc. with a mild 5-7 lbs. of boost. I have found a steel 6.0 truck block that I will be building on the side as time and money allow.
I have boxed LCA's, autometer vacuum/boost, fuel pressure and wideband O2 gauges. Also have a TA differential cover for the stock 10 bolt ( I know I will get flamed here, but financially I have no choice right now) and we are buying subframe connectors.
So, that is it right now, I will keep you guys posted as we move forward. I am excited to say the least.
