ls turbo build
 

I'm trying to get as much info as i can on building a 800rwhp turbo build for my truck. I'm wanting to know which year and what size of ls motor would be best... I was also told that a stock ls motor with new springs and a cam swap and some tuning on the fuel injection with bigger injectors is about all the engine will need. Will the bottom end handle this kind of power? I'm also wanting a 4l80e to go with it.. Which harness would be best for this... I'm hoping to be able to make this kind of power when needed and be able to get in the 20mpg range and reinstall ac and power brakes back on the truck and drive the dang thing more that what i do....

Re: ls turbo build
 

I'm no expert on LS based engines but you will need forged blower pistons and a cam with an LSA of like 112-115. The neatest 4L80E I have found is this one:http://www.tciauto.com/tc/6x-six-spe...e-shifter.html Its what I plan to use as I think a paddle shifter will keep my cab cleaner and let me keep both hands on the wheel. I plan to go with these guys:http://wrenchrat.com/company/ for my turbo setup.

Re: ls turbo build
 

You can make 1200hp with a turbo 4.8 No crap! Google search, LS, big bang theory.

Re: ls turbo build
 

I think i posted in your other thread but I'll post here too. I'd start with a 6.0, as the most displacement will be your best starting point. Forged pistons for sure, then rod bolts at least (forged rods would be great too). Forced induction cam will be meeded, along with the matching valve train upgrades (springs, retainers, pushrods and maybe better lifters, to ensure you don't spit a needle bearing into your combustion chamber).
I'm not sure at what point the stock heads may get in your way. Most folks would also do a high volume oil pump while your in there.

You'll need enough fuel to run it also; twin 255's, or maybe something big like an a1000 pump. 60lb/hr injectors would be along the right lines also.

Turbo needs to be decently sized for a big single, you'll want to run an intercooled setup and possibly meth depending on what kind of driving you want to do, and how much boost you plan to run to achieve your goals. You may also need to consider running Speed density (no MAF) with the big turbo, as I've heard it can make tuning for big fi power easier.

The stock 4l80e will be a great starting point, but you'll want to get a properly sized converter for your gears and tire size to take advantage of the new power band.

This is only a starting point for ya, and I really recommend checking out ls1tech for more technical info on the topic. If you really want to see some of the boys making HUGE power (not all LS powered, but all eye candy) check out Yellowbullet.

Re: ls turbo build
 

Just read that article sign me up!!! I was plannin on doing an ls swap with a carb, and toying with the idea of a turbo, I will be curious on the info that is materialized in this thread.

Re: ls turbo build
 

Thanks I will get on the turbo forums and start reading... I thought about running twins, but looks like more headache on plumbing...

Re: ls turbo build
 

Man, after reading that, a stock ls with just some porting on the heads and a different intake and injectors and a little larger ring gap is all you need. That thing made 60 pulls and still looked like nothing touched it!!! I would be happy with just 800 hp. It seams to me that you can find a ls motor for around $1000 and have it worked for mabey another $1000. Then find a 4l80e and have it worked for somewhere around $2000, then turbo headers and a turbo kit for around another $5-6k. SO looks like for mabey around 8-10k installed and everything? what do you guys think...

Re: ls turbo build
 

I'm a little out of the game to speak matter of fact, I think any money put into the engine for upgrades will add even more life. A stock engine that is gone over to make sure there is nothing that can sneak up and cause a failure, evidently will hold up. Maybe not forever but for awhile, Ithink the article stressed the importance of the tune. $2k for an engine that can hold up to 800hp would be a good start, last a couple of years or more then build a block that is even more stout. I am a little hesitant to buy the story that a stock ls would hold up indefinatly, but who knows?!
I say do it witha stock block but be prepared to build an engine in the future. If you find out 800 not enough put together an lsx stroker down the road! That's just my nickle worth of thoughts for the day...

Re: ls turbo build
 

A wise man once told me

"If it has boost or a bottle, double your budget."

Its never as easy as the magazines say. Yes it can be done for that price range, but usually the lack of shop access and "hookups" they get makes things stretch on the home mechanic. for 8-10 you could setup an ls motor and trans with boost for sure...but when you ad in ALL your costs, things that get done over because goals changed etc...it always costs more. Not trying to discourage you, just making sure its a project that can be completed. I'm ALL for doing it!

Re: ls turbo build
 

I read a good artical in superchevy today and its so true any thing over 600 hp starts becomeing hard on drivetrain and all other parts.you also then hit the point where traction is a problem. Many big hp cars are beat at the track by less money and hp cars.my advice buy a blowef or sts turbo kit and then throw all the money into suspension and light weight parts.you have much more enjoyable truck to drive more reliable and probably faster than ever. I would venture to say your probably pushing more hp and tq then the hotchkis truck now but witch is faster and more fun to drive the artical in sc is a 11sec camaro with very close to stock ls1
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Re: ls turbo build
 

My thoughts start with a 6.0 lq4 or lq9, lq4 has flat top pistons which some say is better for boost as compared to the dished lq9 pistons, plenty of 5.3/6.0/6.2 making that much hp on stock internals really depends on how hard you are gonna drive it and how much boost. Leave the intake alone and put the money into the heads such as Mast motorsports ls heads if you can afford them. You could hypothetically run it without an intercooler to save money my dad has been running his whipple supercharged 5.3 suburban for........ about 6 or more years without an intercooler or any aftermarket injection i think it runs at 6-8lbs i would have to ask, meth injection is not needed i don't think unless its more track orientated.

Not an expert either just have done exhaustive amounts of research and asked my dad more questions than humanely possible but here is some ls engine info if needed http://pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/LSPrimer/Part1/ check out part 2 for truck stuff

Re: ls turbo build
 

I think i found a good start.. A complet ls engine and a 4l80e with computer and everything for $1000...

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Re: ls turbo build
 

I have a pretty good foundation on drivetrain, moser 33spline axles, billet 1350 yokes on a 3.5" aluminum driveshaft..I will need different springs, shocks and trailering arms that will give me some adjustment. Eventually i'm going to build a ford 9" with disk brakes...

Re: ls turbo build
 

thats a big hp number but certainly obtainable with an LSx. I'd think you'd want to go with a complete forged bottom end tho to have it live for any length of time.

Re: ls turbo build
 

Lq4 has the dished pistons, lq9 runs flat tops.

You don't have to intercool a supercharger if you can keep IATs down, but most of the centri hairdryers on late models benefit a lot from it... As for a turbo, intercooling is damn near a requirement; if you want to drive it on the street, or do a few passes before full heat soak. Non intercooled turbo cars are usually track only, and are also running either meth or nitrous to cool the air charge and prevent detonation. Otherwise they may be running race gas.
(before anyone says it, yes there were non-intercooled turbo cars from the factory in the 80's....they were replaced for a reason :lol::metal: )

Meth can be used on track or street vehicles, and for the low cost (less than $300 bough, less than $150 built) its a budget way to keep the boost up without knocking. The only downside is to keeping a meth tank full (still pretty damn cheap.)

Re: ls turbo build
 

My thing is, so many people say "I want to build a 600-1000 HP engine for my truck. But how many of you have driven something with that kind of power? I would bet if you drove something with a honest 400-500 HP you would be more than happy for a weekend toy/daily driver. 800HP IS going to break rear axles, transmissions, mounts, crossmembers, etc, etc, if it ever starts to think about hooking. 500 horsepower in anything on the street is STUPID fast! Most people dont consider the things like upgraded brakes either. Not saying 800hp isnt cool (it definately is) but think about what you want to use the truck for. You can build a 500 horse 6.0 LQ9 with stock everything and a small single turbo.

Re: ls turbo build
 

How much power do you think my truck is making now? All i'm wanting is something that i can put ac, and power disk brakes back on my truck, drive it 500 miles if i want to and get close to 20 mpg and put some serious power to the rear wheels. Yea, i can drive my 600hp big block 500 miles, but i'll have to stop a couple more times for fuel. Plus a turbo powered ls in a 69 chevy truck will turn more heads than a $50000 camaro, mustang or challenger with less power.... What i want is a dual purpose truck (show and strip)...

Re: ls turbo build
 

^ I don't think 'supercheyenne was trying to talk down to ya; just seems that a lot of the "I want xxx hp" threads on any forum seem to be based more in numeric ideals than reality.
Based on the stuff in your sig I'm sure you're more than capable of operating her.

Your goals for a street strip truck with all the goodies are defintiely do able, regardless of any "number" you choose to shoot for.

I should mention hydroboost also (you might be familiar with it already). If you want to run the power brakes its a nice option without having to worry about having enough vacuum, or clearance for the booster. Some of the truck engines had power steering pumps with 3 hoses, specifically for that setup. Its not needed, but nice to know when your looking.

Re: ls turbo build
 

thats always been the plan for my truck...street/strip....as in I want to drive it to the strip and still count on it to get me back home. Besides getting it dialed in, I still need a few upgrades tho.

I would guess mines close to 500hp now...and yes traction definitely becomes and issue! :lol:

Re: ls turbo build
 

Did you weigh your truck when you went to the track? If so, what did it weigh?

Re: ls turbo build
 

I should have...but wasn't that familiar with that particular track and never saw any scales.

guess is around 3800lbs....but thats just a guess.

Re: ls turbo build
 

If you want to have a reliable turbo LS engine that will live up to abuse then I would suggest replacing the pistons at a minimum and even the rods for the insurance. Sure there are plenty of builds out there where they take a 100% completely stock LS and throw huge lbs of boost at them and they make insane power. How long do you think that is going to last in a real world vehicle?
I also have plans to put a turbo on my 85 with a 6.0l swap in it but I am going to replace at least the rods and pistons and possibly the crank if I want a little more CI. Your prices seem to about right but don't forget about tuning. That will make or break the whole project. Like mentioned earlier, ls1tech has alot of good information on boosted LS applications. Good luck with your build and plz keep us updated bc I would really love to see this. Not too many turbo'd classic trucks out there.

Re: ls turbo build
 

If you are wanting show and go, I think you should go with similiar setup like I have in my 69 Burb - 5.3 with magnacharger. With some small upgrades you will be close to 500 hp and you'll get good fuel mileage. Everyone I know with a 6.0 complains about their mpg even in a stock motor...
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Re: ls turbo build
 

Then they don't deserve the 6L, they should surrender all 6L engines directly to my PO box :devil: I will gladly exchange them for some 4.8's I saw sitting around.

Re: ls turbo build
 

:lol:, they weren't complaining about the power, just the mpg.
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