TSK-REAPER22

Hey LS1 Tech users. I know this topic has been addressed multiple times and I've been doing some searches but I need more of a specific opinion from you guys who are experienced with this kind of thing. So, I just got my license and i have $5500 which I have been promised will be matched by my parents to buy me a first car. Normally they wouldn't help me, but they love the idea of me "building" my own truck so i have $11000 to work with here. I need something that can haul dirtbikes and tow smaller trailers. Trans Am can't do that so I need a truck. Now, i will be using the Sloppy Mechanics turbo kit (DENMAH) on a 5.3 engine (maybe a 6.0 but unless i get a killer deal, I'm not on the 6.0 train). So, what would be cheaper and easier. A 2000 (+/- a few years) silverado single cab short bed with the 5.3 already in it, or a 70's C series Chevy that i can grab a junkyard 5.3 and (very cliche-ly) turbo it. Im looking for 500ish HP out of either of these builds which i know is reachable with this setup. I'm not decided on a transmission but I'd like a manual (T56 maybe?). Another question, could I keep either of these under a budget like that? If I went the C series route, I'd be painting it and doing some interior work as well assuming that kind of truck would need it, so that must be worked into the cost as well. I also want to know if the stock drivetrain on either of these trucks could handle 500hp? If not, i may be hosed right away.
Really my main question here is could this be done with either of these builds? Could I make 500hp on a pickup truck all total for 11000?
Thanks!

jasonlg83

Look up Spike Tuning and Performance in south Texas. They have good turbo kits for any gm vehicle and can also tune after installation.

Allen Messmer

I've done my own stuff but I've always said if you had 10 grand together and we're patient and weren't in a hurry you could find an awesome vehicle for $10,000 I think you can find pretty much exactly what you want already done for $10,000 you just have to be patient look on turbo bullet and other websites and get it out there you might even find it through a friend of a friend maybe go to LS fast and see what's for sale there I highly recommend just buying one as close to what you want as possible and then just changing it in a few ways to make it your own that's coming from an old man that's been there done that so take my advice or not it's up to you but either way good luck with that however you do it some people need to make their own mistakes so I understand that.

Y2K_Frenzy

I think the hardest part might be finding a truck for $11k that doesn’t have 200k miles on it. Maybe it’s good to go but I don’t think I’d turbo one that’s close to being due for a rebuild. Don’t forget the fuel upgrades and tune.

Ls7colorado

iTrader: (3)

A T56 swap is gonna cost half your budget.
Cheapest route would be to find a 1500HD or 2500 truck that has a 6.0/4l80e already in it, and do a fuel system and turbo.
A 200,000 mile 5.3 will be fine but a 4l60e that comes with them in a cheaper truck is not gonna last at all.

theunderlord

this thread is like 7 years old guys. lol. the new guy bumped up a thread from 2015. (when a thread has 3 posts, but like 1500 views, it's old as *****)

Ls7colorado

iTrader: (3)

lol!!!

Y2K_Frenzy

Ha! Then maybe a truck for $11k was possible….