BanditDave

iTrader: (11)

There's a lot of stuff you want to look at here beside it being cheap...you can throw something together that is "cheap" but the likelihood of it lasting is low. You have to think about the rest of your drivetrain as well. Slamming 600 hp into a stock G-body rear is a recipe for disaster. An 8.5 rear upgrade is a good start but launching with slicks is going to shorten its and the transmission's life if not properly set-up. Suspension on the G-body is also something else to look at. Not a lot of effort needs to go into it but you aren't getting down the track with a bone stock G-body suspension (I have an '84 Cutlass racecar). The 5.3L turbo set-up is not a bad route, but remember you need a radiator, fuel system, intercooler or alcohol, etc...It is not going to be as cheap as you are expecting.

For the 10 sec slip....you don't need 600 hp...A good friend of mine is getting a '69 Chevelle with a 6.2 L, Carbed, 200R4 in the 10s and driving that pig to the track. No special weight reduction...I doubt he is making 600 horse. His recipe is simple...but it works well.

Good luck with what you decide to do but you definitely do NOT need boost to reach your goals...doesn't hurt but does add another layer of complexity to deal with.

Unknown User

Main reason I was thinking turbo is, well, easy power and I have done quite a few cheap turbo setups. I have done a few setup on different cars all right around the $1k range. When I say that, I am NOT counting the fuel system (other than bigger injectors) because I'd need to change the fuel system anyways to do the swap at all. So, turbo, WG, BOV, IC/piping, injectors, exhaust. I'd buy used turbo, WG and BOV, probably $500 in that. IC/piping in the $200-$300 range and used injectors probably $200ish as well.


I have made one decision, I am going with the LM7. I found a handful of them at a local yard in the $300-$500 range all running/driving with 100K or less on them. So, that being said, are there any good junkyard mods for the LM7 I should know about?

McNasty

iTrader: (1)

Very untrue. A 5.3 properly boosted will last a long time, just because 90% of the people that throw a turbo on their **** *** motor blow up doesn't mean it isn't done on a regular basis by others. Do you research and decide which route is for you. For me, it all comes down to what you are familiar with, if you've never touched a turbo in your life before, I'd shy away from it and go with spray.

Edit: Just to throw it out there though, if you think 1,000 bucks is going to be enough, you're fooling yourself.