86White_T/A305

Ive been gone from the boards for a while and working hard.Life happens..with that said Ive come across buying this on ebay and should be receiving int in a week or 2. Ive seen lots of you gurus build some amazing turbo ls cars on the board making astounding power and being fuel efficient for the most part....and I want in the club lol.

Problem..I know sweet nothing of building a turbo car.I do know that my current setup as much fun as it is for a daily street machine just barely making its 400rhp has me bored.I want to hit over 500+..my goals arent crazy and Im not seeking alot of boost either.I do want to do this build slowly over winter and acquire parts and have things mocked up.For now the goal is to literally boost my car as it sits for maybe 6-8lbs just to work out the bugs of any build before I make major changes to the internals like my lovely non boost friendly heads and cam.

I see alot of boost camaro ls swaps here but few birds and my concern with that is mainly for intercooler placement and size.Looking for ideas there as i want to retain my fog lights..but i also have a non a/c car.

So anyone with ideas on helping my build a stockish looking turbo t/a then i welcome any and all advice.

shawnc16

That should be relatively easy to package. Hotside options are pretty limited. I'd figure that out before IC placement.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Relatively small turbine for a 6.0. May have some backpressure issues on higher power levels. But it will make 500's whp on low boost figures.

86White_T/A305

I do want to keep things pretty simple and not have to change much.Thats where the hot side will be hard and trying to decide on what size pipe is adequate.

86White_T/A305

I know its small for now..but it should spool early and given im not changing my motor internals as it sits..low boost is what i need before i try to grow. I certainaly want to take my baby steps getting up in power and strengthen other areas of the car to match.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Yeah well that turbo wont leave alot of room to grow imo. I think it needs a larger turbine if you want to start stretching the power numbers

cam-

Bored already?

Only advice I can say without a doubt that is worthwhile is go for overkill on the fuel system. Dont cheap out there. Tuning as well is especially important if you want it to live on the street. Even at low boost if its not tuned right? Bye byeee short block.


I cant tell from that info but that turbo is T4 yes? If so its very easy to upgrade to a better unit later.

Proven upgrades;

LS9 head gaskets
ARP head bolts or studs

You might get away with 6-8lbs on pump 94 and no meth. E85 is the way to go imo, if you can get it that is.

86White_T/A305

Yes,thats all I want for now to start with.I can always switch out the turbo later.This was cheap and seeing soo many boosted cars popping up around here has me wanting my own. 500whp shouldnt be hard to obtain and would be an all new experience. The car as it sits now is still fun but it doesnt have the wow factor anymore and the kill list is getting repeatative lol.

Jay_rich

iTrader: (4)

If you wanna stick with that "size" turbo for packaging issues look into the new ON3 performance with the 75mm turbines. You are going to have some massive backpressure issues with that tiny 64.5 turbine. My buddy runs a Turbonetics TC78 with is a 68mm turbine on his 6.0L and it has big issues on the top end. Will it work? Sure, but I would look into upgrading now unless you plan on keeping the RPM real low. BTW the new version is a direct bolt on to the old 64.5mm.

Looking forward to the build.

Jay

86White_T/A305

Im still learning and wrapping my head around how to size a turbo properly...been reading alot till my eyes bleed lol. I know this turbo is small.. but if its going to be more headache than its worth for a small turbo build on low boost then ill look into something bigger.

Im heavily studying how things were made and mounted from project pita that we all know and love. Id make a few changes to suit me but the overall idea will mimic that build. I plan on a single walbro 450 pump.bigger injectors. Probably follow suit with the alt relocation and use the fbody/truck manifolds with vbands. Piping size i dont know yet as i plan to retain bot stock coolant/washer fluid reservoirs.

The goal right now is to make the turbo system and be up and running..fine tuning on very low boost since my heads and cam are not going to change as of yet. When i recoupe funds will be the time to lower compression again and either a ls9 cam and 317 head with my current valve springs. Up the boost and see how i fair.

This build will be the longest build for sure since i will have to farm alot of it out to be.completion time..hopefully next spring. I got the turbo lsx bug and dont wanna be part of the common 4.8/5.3 turbo group. 6.0's can hang too lol

BDR

I'm doing the same thing you are, except in a Camaro.

rebuilt stock LQ4 with a TU2 turbo cam. Going to run flipped truck manifolds with v-band flanges welded to them, single s475 turbo.

If you want to do the budget thing, run the turbo you have, regardless of what anyone says. It will make the 500 rwhp # you want easily.

If you have room for flipped truck mani's, then do it, it'll work fine. Some dude on this forum had to notch his k-member to clear the truck mani. Before I saw that I wanted cheap also, just to see how well this would run, so I googled and found a cheap brand set of turbo headers, forward facing for around $300. OBX? I think was the brand. I wouldnt mount any turbo to a manifold and expect the manifold to hold the weight so make sure you mount your turbo on its own bracket somewhere.


Oh..and if you need a fbody oil pan..dont spend the $300 or whatever it is to buy it from JEGS..
I bought a oil pan swap kit for LS muscle cars, part # 19212593 $169.99....saved a few bucks on that.. www.improvedracing.com is where I bought it.

shawnc16

The turbine is too small but for now on your goals, run it. I'm on Stock bottom 6.0 with an S480, had it turned up to 15 psi so far. No problems. Toss in a cam, head studs, LS9's and a nice set of springs. You don't need to upgrade rockers however, you can do a trunion upgrade if you'd like. EDIT. Saw you have milled 243's. You may want to put on a set of 317's

As far as exhaust goes, manifolds flipped, the OBX units, build your own or have some made. The OBX ones suck due to wrong pipe sizes. They're way too large. Run a 2.0-2.25" hotside into the t4 flange with a single 44mm gate. That should get you started!

Also, the muscle car pan hangs lower than the k member FYI. My 4th gen pan is parallel with it and that's scary enough! You don't want an aluminum oil pan being your lowest scrape point, do you?

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Make your own. Buy a flange, buy a straight piece of 2.25-2.5" pipe. Come straight off the header flange with 1 5/8 straights. Basically connect directly into main log feed. Log style, cheap simple and works

BDR

^^^ good idea.

shawnc16

Weld el manifold like mine was pretty damn easy compared to an actual header

86White_T/A305

Ok i decided since the turbo I got isnt going to be all that efficient Im selling it to a friend and picking up one of the cheapy ebay gt45's which should be a better fit for me and reduce back pressure issues from happening.These turbos are all over the place for budget builds.

cam-

^ Wise. If you havent seen it yet, this thread has a LOT of helpful info for building your own boosted LS on the low buck. Plenty of single GT45 builds

http://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-ind...2-13-13-a.html

shawnc16

I'd try this one out

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...d=141360142393

86White_T/A305

I was looking at that turbo and this also:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110896617790?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I think the On3 would be a much better choice of the 2.

cam-

http://www.motorhed.com/xf/threads/f...04/#post-89997

86White_T/A305

I put the money down for the On3 78/75 turbo. Reading alot of Denmah's threads and his youtbe channel has always been on my feed im going to be using alot of parts he suggests because they simply work.i still have lots to learn and ask questions but When i start tearing into things is when Ill ask. For now the things i plan on getting over the course of time will be :

- 317 heads- reuse my current pac springs and my 228r cam
- 6.0 truck manifolds flipped and vbanded
- single walbro 450 intank pump.ditch the vette fuel filter/regulator and go to an areomotive piece. From what ive seen I dont have to use a boost reference for the regulator for low boost.i could be wrong
- fair size intercooler
- 2-3 bar map sensor
- 44-60mm wg and bov
- 60-80# injectors on stock rails
I want to retain the washer fluid and coolant tanks under the hood and this is where space is cut down for piping.Same for the rest of the drivetrain will remain as is.I think i have to relocate my alternator aswell. Just like many of you..this will probably be version 1.0 and as things break etc will come the following upgrades.

shawnc16

Killer! Looks like you have a decent direction now. If you dont plan on running over 15 PSI, a 2 bar will be fine. Go with the 80's over the 60's. Also, grab a boost referenced regulator, no point in cheaping out just to buy the same thing twice. You'll turn it up once things get sorted out.

86White_T/A305

Ive got the turbo itch..I cant stop reading and looking through build threads now omg. What did I get myself into lol...

86White_T/A305

On 3 is damn fast for shipping Ill say that much..and the turbo looks good,no shaft play etc That i can tell. This bad boy is sitting dead center infront of my tv stand to motivate me to build the car.

86White_T/A305

Ive been steadily researching many builds,asked advice from my tuner aswell because its good to know what hes used to tuning or recommends for my application.hes got some cool turbo stuff Im going to try out aslo.In the meantime I dont have any progress to report other than I got my boost gauge in which only shows vacuum..for now.And a quick video of a drive with my cutout opening on a nice quiet sunday afternoon.

Enjoy.

cam-

Sounds good!

86White_T/A305

Just missing a pssssshhhhhh sound.Otherwise it sounds ok,I am curious if the turbo will quiet down the car some on the exhaust.

cam-

Gonna find out soon enough

86White_T/A305

These are the times I wish I had unlimited funds and resources to have it done in a week or 2 and roast those tires off in a few seconds with turbo power.

cam-

Ha yeah well we all wish we had that. Buy a lotto ticket perhaps?

86White_T/A305

Well Im aquiring parts here and there and have decided on a shop to fab things up for my hotside that is local and I have seen the work done on a few friends cars that thoroughly impress me..especially for the price.

So Im hoping the end of next month to have enough funds gathered to drop the car off for a weekend and get the hot side all fabbed in stainless and vbanded.Then I can paint and maybe heat wrap everything.

I bought lq9 manifolds in very good shape.
Godspeed 50mm bov and wastegate
Seimens deka 80* injectors
T4 transiton flange to 2.5" pipe
Efisource 3bar map sensor
6 port vacuum block..makes things easier and cleaner to setup.
AN fittings for the oil feed/drain lines

I need to get my walbro 400lph intank pump, run new lines front to back and a adjustable fpr and fuel filter.Ill be using a cxracing intercooler 31x12x4. That should be ok for the small boost ill be running.

86White_T/A305

Car is now scheduled next week to be fabbed for the hotside.I changed my decision on the cxracing intercooler infavor of a slightly larger vsracing cooler which is 33x12x4. I also ordered a turbo blanket,new pump/filter,braided lines and 2 rolls of heat wrap should be enough to cover the hotside and more. I may just have this thing done and back up running by may and take it out for the first armdrop event on the 23rd of may. Not expecting big power with the cam i have and low boost..if its close to 500rwhp and runs strong..giddy up!

86White_T/A305

So Im having things being made and its coming out very nice looking.Im not relocating anything and going to be high temp paint and heat wrapping my hotside. Im using 2.5 coldside also thats going to be black.

Finally..enough talking...How about some progress pics!

86White_T/A305

More to come in the next week.

HP52TA

iTrader: (4)

Looks like you have a quality welder there, nice work! Found that log modification interesting, should look good under the hood.

Any mods to the LQ4? What compression you shooting for?

86White_T/A305

I can honestly say Im more than happy with the work being done and at a price that is beyond fair. I bought used truck manifolds on ebay cheap,the turbo was failry cheap also. I got a really nice stainless steel transitional flange for a t4 to 2.5 inlet. Told him I give him free reign to cut up the manifold and mock up the turbo,keeping my hotside piping tight to the motor and not relocate my alternator.Retaining both o2 sensors and have my downpipe connect to my existing 3 inch exhaust all vbanded.He is making things very clean so far.I gave him 2 weeks so that he can work on it slowly during his off time.Should be done by the weekend.Once I pick it up Ill take plenty more pics as I heat wrap all that shiny stainless lol.

Motor itself Im not touching for now as it sits with my mods in sig.Compression is around 10.5 iirc. I will be running maybe 7-10psi boost.500whp is the goal which Im told is being very conservative.

86White_T/A305

My exhaust guy is just killing me with these pics lol.I cant wait to pick it up.Almost there,making my downpipe tomorrow hopefully and then figure out placement of the o2's and a bung for a wide band.Then i can take her home and plan for the coldside and some fuel upgrades.

92ZZ3RS

iTrader: (2)

looks awesome so far. looks just like my piping

86White_T/A305

I should be picking up the car on sunday night and then off to another shop so I can work on the coldside. For now whats left to do is weld up the wastegate and dump into the exhaust,wrap it all up. I really dont want to cover all those pretty welds with wrap but its needs to be done lol.

And yes My current floor pans are done,I do have replacements for the winter project and ls1 brake upgrade.For now..I dont need a floor pan to go fast weight reduction!

86White_T/A305

Such a fine piece of art lol

86White_T/A305

Picked the car up tonight and all I can say is wow..the hotside is too pretty to cover up but I must.I had a bitch of a time getting my front bumper off so I can see if this cooler would fit.Its a fair size and I wish the in/outlet were on the lower half of the cooler and not located center but meh it will sit low but just above the airdam.Once I get it mounted..things will start coming alive with making a cold side.Big concern is drilling for an oil drain with the motor in the car :S. Ive been told the front timing cover is a nice spot but it looks really close to the crank pulley.

More pics:

R13_Braz

Gorgeous! Wish I had your guy down here lol... it's going to be interesting when I start my turbo build.

86White_T/A305

So tonight I started roughing in the cooler and I gotta say..its BIG.But it does sit on an angle nicely and up high enough that is almost flush with the bottom of the bumper cover.I had to mount the airdam directly to the radiator support and up higher since alot of the original mounts were broken and used to hang down and scrap everything.If this was an a/c car I wouldve been screwed for getting that cooler to work without major cutting of something lol.next few days will be the not so fun parts..drilling/tapping the front timing cover with the motor in the car,cutting holes in the battery trays for charge piping and then start mocking up the coldside.

Pics:

Jay_rich

iTrader: (4)

Wow looking good! Nice welds!

Jay

86White_T/A305

Not much to report tonight other than starting to mock up the charge pipes and had fun wrapping the manifolds..Realize for sure id need to pull the crank pulley to drill the timing cover. Hoping by the weekend having the bumper on,car running etc..then get it tuned

Rich92 RS

iTrader: (16)

Wow cant wait to see it finished, its looking really good so far. Im in the same boat and getting board with all motor, looking into FI.

Was wondering if you had anymore pics of the manifolds? Hows the clearance by where the stock ls ac compressor mounts?

86White_T/A305

Well I dont have a/c on this car so I cant say how well it would fit. I just put on the pass side manifold and seem I got a fair bit on room.Im struggling to remove my driver side longtube header and seem the only way out is from the bottom which I need a higher jack to get enough ground clearance.Once I get it off and mount the driver side manifold Ill take some detailed pics of fittment on the car.Bolt on the crossover pipe and then check clearance for the chargepipes on the driver side..seem it will be alot more compact in that are.

Here are some pics from header wrapping tonight...which 50' roll was not enough for needed to cover lol.

86White_T/A305

Here it is...first startup. Few things went wrong but can be fixed asap.

Ps....The car is quieter now and throttle is snappy.Trying to get more turbo noise but didnt want to rev it too hard without being tuned and my oil leak.

Alice89

iTrader: (6)

Your gonna take a video of it being dyno tuned right? I can't wait to see what kind of #'s you put down... you have a nice build!

86White_T/A305

Certainly will.its a budget build but Ive never been soo nervous to strap the car down for a tune till now.Boosting a motor that was happy n/a and jamming 7-8psi has me concerned.If I make over 500whp id be happy.Or I run out of fuel pump and just gotta switch my pump out for the 455lph asap.