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Ls3 Budget Build

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Old Feb 15, 2013 | 03:58 PM
  #1  
chrisgonz29
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Question Ls3 Budget Build

Gents,

Good afternoon, just wanted your opinion i just bought an ls3 engine and want to get the most HP but at the same time keep it in the budget range i am going to go the turbo route i was told to go with a 74mm or 76mm but what else do you recommend? I am planing on porting the heads and putting ARP studs/bolts on main, rods, and heads. I was told i can push give or take 800hp to the wheels... I will appreciate all your feedback thanks!
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Old Feb 15, 2013 | 06:03 PM
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chrisgonz29
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Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
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Old Feb 16, 2013 | 06:17 AM
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BODUKE's Avatar
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I just completed a ls3 swap and theres nothing budget about it lol. What
are your goals street car race car?
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Old Feb 16, 2013 | 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by BODUKE
I just completed a ls3 swap and theres nothing budget about it lol. What
are your goals street car race car?

Mostly street but plan on taking it to the track here and there... And ya i know it will start getting pricey but just want to keep it under control if u understand what i mean lol i want to put the necessary parts but keep it as stock as possible. I do want a mild cam to hear a lil chop in the motor even tho i know a turbo cam doesn't chop but i figured the lost of horsepower i got for not using the right cam i cam make up by putting ARP main, rod, and head bolts!
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Old Feb 16, 2013 | 09:35 AM
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x2^ lol

Im thinking you are going in the street and strip route? Or at least more street route than strip. When it comes to turbo the most budget build route you can go is doing everything on your own at home, such as doing all the installing yourself and stuff. Are you going with a ebay turbo? Some ebay turbos can meet your HP goals while not spending soo much on a turbo. Check in the parts classifieds, you can always find great prices on stuff such as injectors, turbos, turbo manifolds, etc. Plus at that HP the suspension is a big deal also if you want to put that HP down to the ground

Last edited by Blackpanther99; Feb 16, 2013 at 09:37 AM. Reason: Grammar error.
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Old Feb 16, 2013 | 11:40 AM
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chrisgonz29
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Originally Posted by Blackpanther99
x2^ lol

Im thinking you are going in the street and strip route? Or at least more street route than strip. When it comes to turbo the most budget build route you can go is doing everything on your own at home, such as doing all the installing yourself and stuff. Are you going with a ebay turbo? Some ebay turbos can meet your HP goals while not spending soo much on a turbo. Check in the parts classifieds, you can always find great prices on stuff such as injectors, turbos, turbo manifolds, etc. Plus at that HP the suspension is a big deal also if you want to put that HP down to the ground
My buddy is a turbo freak so he is going to fab the piping once I buy the car but I'm going with a turbonetics turbo 74mm or 76mm...
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Old Feb 16, 2013 | 08:58 PM
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Well at least you got the fabrication part knocked down good. What is your budget limit? If you dont mind me asking.
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Old Feb 17, 2013 | 12:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Blackpanther99
Well at least you got the fabrication part knocked down good. What is your budget limit? If you dont mind me asking.

Man I'm really hoping no more than 3k
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Old Feb 17, 2013 | 05:44 AM
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Originally Posted by chrisgonz29
Man I'm really hoping no more than 3k
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Old Feb 17, 2013 | 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Dyno Junkie
LOL... Thats a crazy tight budget. Fuel system, suspension and turbo kit under $3k is pretty tough to accomplish. Are you just trying to keep it below $3k as far as the turbo and fabrication goes? Or overall? Im sure you can find a used turbo kit at a low price on here for less than $3k with BOV and a wastegate, but then again your buddy might give you a better deal.

What parts do you have at the moment?
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Old Feb 17, 2013 | 08:21 AM
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3k budget on a turbo? Not going to happen, sorry but not going to happen.
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Old Feb 17, 2013 | 11:28 AM
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chrisgonz29
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Originally Posted by jdub38672
3k budget on a turbo? Not going to happen, sorry but not going to happen.
Well I got the motor already I'm not factoring in that cost and I know the turbo is going to cost me 1k so I figured I have to buy the ARP studs (complete) should run around $600 and a cam lets say $400 and let's say my buddy charges me another $600 to build all up and fab and another $400+ on misc I should stay in a descent budget... Definetly not in a rush to build it.
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Old Feb 17, 2013 | 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by chrisgonz29
Well I got the motor already I'm not factoring in that cost and I know the turbo is going to cost me 1k so I figured I have to buy the ARP studs (complete) should run around $600 and a cam lets say $400 and let's say my buddy charges me another $600 to build all up and fab and another $400+ on misc I should stay in a descent budget... Definetly not in a rush to build it.
Seems like a good deal. Pretty tight budget though, lets see what you can do under $3k
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Old Feb 17, 2013 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Blackpanther99
Seems like a good deal. Pretty tight budget though, lets see what you can do under $3k

After that then I got to buy a 4l80e and build that up to spec that's why I got to be on a budget lol
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Old Feb 18, 2013 | 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by chrisgonz29
After that then I got to buy a 4l80e and build that up to spec that's why I got to be on a budget lol
LOL seems like a tough challenge!
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Old Feb 18, 2013 | 06:36 PM
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ughhhhh....horrible budget

Don't forget you need to tune it. I would just do a nice full suspension and bolt on's. Sound awesome, drive great.
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Old Feb 19, 2013 | 05:28 AM
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chrisgonz29
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Originally Posted by J_O_E
ughhhhh....horrible budget

Don't forget you need to tune it. I would just do a nice full suspension and bolt on's. Sound awesome, drive great.
Tuning part I'm not worried my mechanic does all the tuning himself... Like i said it can go over my budget im just trying to be conservative in order to purchase tranny and other necessary items. I told myself im not going to rush it i just want to build it right!
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Old Feb 20, 2013 | 05:04 PM
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What about fuel system? pump, injectors? like mentioned above ewhat about intercooler bov Westgate? dyno tune? software if your doing your own tuning? if your on a budget why not start n/a?
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Old Feb 20, 2013 | 10:36 PM
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Originally Posted by chrisgonz29
Tuning part I'm not worried my mechanic does all the tuning himself... Like i said it can go over my budget im just trying to be conservative in order to purchase tranny and other necessary items. I told myself im not going to rush it i just want to build it right!
Just do what you can for that $3k and save up more since you arent in a rush, and do it right the first time
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Old Feb 21, 2013 | 03:47 AM
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LS7 or LS9 cam is a cheap option for a cam upgrade...
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