Typical cost of a turbo setup?
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 3
From: NYC metro area
Typical cost of a turbo setup? What is the complete cost of a typical twin-turbo kit for an LT1? I'm thinking of swapping to the setup in a few years (Far off, I know, but I can't quit thinking about it! 
)
My motor is already built with about a 9:1 CR, how much would the turbo and the exhaust piping/mounting cost? What other parts should I be concerned with?
)My motor is already built with about a 9:1 CR, how much would the turbo and the exhaust piping/mounting cost? What other parts should I be concerned with?
I was pricing through Pro Turbo Kits.com as a general (prior to my shortblock crapping out) and came up with the following:
Low compression short block built for high boost: $4000
Turbo Kit with a Q-Trim Ball Bearing T-76 turbo from the above mentioned place: $6,200.
I figure ballpark about $10K for an off the shelf setup. More for something custom probably, like that NASTY SS from Speed Inc.
Expensive?? Oh hell ya. Worth it?? Oh HELL ya.
Low compression short block built for high boost: $4000
Turbo Kit with a Q-Trim Ball Bearing T-76 turbo from the above mentioned place: $6,200.
I figure ballpark about $10K for an off the shelf setup. More for something custom probably, like that NASTY SS from Speed Inc.
Expensive?? Oh hell ya. Worth it?? Oh HELL ya.
There was a TT kit available for the LTx, but it was about $7k. Dont even know if its still made and cant remember who made it. For the most part unless you go with the PTK kit or STS turbo kit, its going to be custom. I could see a custom TT kit being fabbed for around $5k if you do all your own work or at least most of it.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Houston/ Austin, TX
I dont really think you would need a whole new shortblock unless you want some SERIOUS power.
I would do a single turbo. TT is purely ***** envy to say you have 2 turbos. With the advancement of turbos, unless you are goin for a track car that runs crazy boost, a single turbo should MORE than get the job done for ALOT cheaper.
The LT1 should be able to handle about 5-9 lbs pretty easily on pump gas. I would make sure you get a MSD boost timing setup. Its prety tight, it adjusts spark timing with respect to boost.
Like the previus guy said, I would go for a proturbo kit. thier web site www.proturbokits.com has them for a decent price and look pretty nice.
It runs around 3k for the kit, ~1000 for the turbo (not included in kit), injectors would run about 400, pump about 150, MSD boost is about 300 i think (tops), and about 300 for a custom tune.
That should put you around 5-6k for the whole project if you install yourself. Im thinkin about doin it myself, so tell me how it goes.
I would do a single turbo. TT is purely ***** envy to say you have 2 turbos. With the advancement of turbos, unless you are goin for a track car that runs crazy boost, a single turbo should MORE than get the job done for ALOT cheaper.
The LT1 should be able to handle about 5-9 lbs pretty easily on pump gas. I would make sure you get a MSD boost timing setup. Its prety tight, it adjusts spark timing with respect to boost.
Like the previus guy said, I would go for a proturbo kit. thier web site www.proturbokits.com has them for a decent price and look pretty nice.
It runs around 3k for the kit, ~1000 for the turbo (not included in kit), injectors would run about 400, pump about 150, MSD boost is about 300 i think (tops), and about 300 for a custom tune.
That should put you around 5-6k for the whole project if you install yourself. Im thinkin about doin it myself, so tell me how it goes.
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 3
From: NYC metro area
Originally Posted by disco192
Oh i forgot that you had 9:1 CR, you could run even higher boost if you wanted.
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When you guys are ready for a proturbokit system let me know. I am a dealer for them and get the kits at very good prices. Also the CAS kit is to my knowledge no more. I actually ordered one, then got spooked after all the problems they had been having. Now I just went to a PTK race setup for the LT1. BTW, pm me if you are interested in the kit.
Jose
Jose
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: MI
Disco is right, you wont see much improvement with a tt over a single set up if it is set up properly. There are a couple of very big differences though... double the price and twice as many chances for something to fail. The other major expense that merits some serious thought is a charged air cooler. My personal preference is a liquid to air setup for drag racing, it gives you the opportunity to pack the reservoir with ice before a run. It is also easier to package depending on the volume you are looking for. Hot Rod did a very general write up on turbos earlier this year if you are looking for some guidelines. Just my 2 cents, I'll also looking a doing a single turbo setup at the end of the season.
