It sure is but im sure a spec'd cam will get him some better HP.

 

Well of course, that same theory applies for any application. But OP is trying to budget. LS7 and LS9 cams work with the stock LS3 valvetrain and are cheap to come by. Plenty of people here running LS9 cams with turbo setups

 

I understand what you are trying to say. Its a good advise for the OP that is on a budget build.

 

3k will vanish horribly fast.. Even if you're doing an all motor build.

It adds up so fast it is unreal.

 

He must be some buddy to fab up full turbo piping including the metal for $400!

 

Lol... Lets see what he can do under $3k

 

Good luck. My LS1 to LS3 conversion so far has cost me $50k and it is still not finished. Stock 2013 LS3 other than mild cam (211/222), springs, ARP, thinner MLS head gaskets to tighten quench, HD pushrods. And I already had the turbo, exhaust and intake system!

Nothing fitted re accessories, had to forgo all the nice new LS3 accessories and run the old LS1 AC pump (which I had to rebuild), old alternator (which, you guessed it, I had to rebuild), old power steering pump (which....bla bla), and the old brackets - because NOTHING fits from LS1 to LS3 in my car. Then there is the loom, knock sensor relocate etc because I could not run the 2013 ECU either and had to convert the LS3 to LS1 ecu in the car.

The 4L60e was over its limit with the LS1 turbo so went to a 700rwhp rated RPM trans built one. Pulled the converter out and had it cleaned and checked. Then we ran out of fuel on the 044 pump so added a 2nd, then a new fuel line to make the old one a return line to stop the vapor locking on hot starts, ...and a very long list of other things.

Now my STS BB turbo looks like it needs rebuilding after only 18 months and 12,000 miles work on the old LS1, so there's another $800 assuming I can rebuild it and it's not some cheap Chinese crap with odd parts, otherwise I'll upgrade to a bigger unit, then have to pioneer a size because rear mount LS3's are not common and I don't want another STS unit that may only last another 18 months. So far I've had to upgrade just about every STS part on the car, including the expensive water/meth because it kept leaking and turned the old LS1 into a steam engine more than once and hurt #3... nothing an even more expensive Aquamist HFS4 won't fix lol, then the scavenge pump to Turbo WRX ERX as the STS one made me nervous, then Kurts steam system, then new intake into oval pipes to gain some clearance for upcoming road racing event, bla bla

Turbos on a tight budget are a recipe for frustration. But if you are patient, it'll be worth it in the end, that's what she said anyway.

Starting to lose patience with mine, but in too deep to stop so nearly nearly there. It better be worth it

 

^^^all that for 50k? You must have some crooks for friends or mechanic helping you out. Why would you spend 50k on an LS1 to Ls3 conversion?

 

These things quickly get out of hand, even on a budget when you depart from a package deal (like a bolt on and tune blower deal) and decide you need something different or custom.

But to answer your question directly:

1 - because I can

2 - they are not crooks, they are good tradesmen who spend the time to do it right, because they stand by their work and want me to be happy with it.

3 - as I don't wrench or fabricate, I have to pay for everything, every little hour spent on the finishing touches, making brackets, bla bla. They've given me several free whole days. Almost everything is custom or they'd have done the swap in 4 days.

4 - 2013 LS3 alone was $11k landed plus importing another $16k in parts (incl trans) across the world, losing 20 cents in dollar just on conversion rate alone....

it adds up.... I just didn't want to drop an extra 50lb on top of my engine because I like the balance of the car as it is and I want to be able to tune the boost

next time maybe I will join you on a package deal. The C7 is looking promising