91 Z 6.0 turbo project
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
91 Z 6.0 turbo project
Just thought I would show you guys what i've got going on, Im building a 91 Z with a 6.0 LQ4, T56 and a single T76 turbo.
I allready painted the engine bay,modified the lower radiator support to mount the intercooler and moved the radiator about an inch back. I've got the motor and trans in, I dropped the tank tonight to start on a dual intank pump set up and I will be starting the turbo build as soon as a flange comes in that im waiting for. Im shooting for no less than 550 RWHP.


I allready painted the engine bay,modified the lower radiator support to mount the intercooler and moved the radiator about an inch back. I've got the motor and trans in, I dropped the tank tonight to start on a dual intank pump set up and I will be starting the turbo build as soon as a flange comes in that im waiting for. Im shooting for no less than 550 RWHP.


Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,029
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From: Ohio
Car: 88' Iroc-Z
Engine: LQ9
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
do you have any pictures of the radiator support modification? I'm doing the same thing except my lq4 i bought ended up being an lq9 so i'm getting a different set of pistons to lower the compression.
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
Ive allready got the inercooler mounted so I cant really show you exactly, but basically underneath where the condensor would go theres a hump in the lower radiatior support. So I cut and welded it in two spots where the intercooler mounting bungs are. For the radiator I extended the lower support just enough so it would fit. Its not too hard and it still looks factory. I will get you pics of that though. I started on the turbo header tonight and just about have it done, I will post some pics.
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
Heres are a few update pics and a pic of the lower support for 87ciz.




Last edited by 82z28man; Mar 26, 2009 at 09:40 PM.
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 1986 Camaro IROC-Z
Engine: 357 LTx
Transmission: T-56 6spd
Axle/Gears: GM 7.5 10 bolt with 4.10 richmonds
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
looks awesome so far! can't wait to see the finished result!! Good Luck!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,029
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From: Ohio
Car: 88' Iroc-Z
Engine: LQ9
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
what are the dimensions of your intercooler? That looks like a perfect fit. I take it there wasn't a way to flip some stock manifolds around? I've got some ls3 manifolds off of a vette i was hoping i could flip around and they would clear.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
The intercooler is a 31x12x3 that I got off ebay pretty cheap. It fits great and actually seems to be of good quality. You could probably flip some manifolds forward and do it that way if you either relocate the alternator or use a corvette accy. drive. Theres a ton of room in front of the engine but I didnt really want all that heat between the radiator and engine, so im glad I did it the way it is.
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
I have the turbo hot side done. Now I just need to clean up the welds and wrap it up. Here are a few pics.






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From: Houston TX
Car: 02 SS
Engine: 408 TT (1108rw-93/m1)6700rpm
Transmission: TH400(slipping)
Axle/Gears: 12bolt/3.42(whines😠)
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
very nice!
i would wrap the starter with a blanket as well as the dp
plug access looks like it may be a lil hard from the top for 2,4,6
going in thru the bottom? or make your dp a 2 piece with vband, to remove for easier plug access.
0.02$
i would wrap the starter with a blanket as well as the dp
plug access looks like it may be a lil hard from the top for 2,4,6
going in thru the bottom? or make your dp a 2 piece with vband, to remove for easier plug access.
0.02$
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
The angle of the picture makes the plug access look worse than it actually is. It shouldnt be too bad with a good set of gloves if im doing it while its hot. I will definetly take your advice and wrap the starter. Thanks for your input.
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From: New Mexico
Car: 87 Firebird,
Engine: lq4
Transmission: gto t56 (mn12)
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 580
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From: Elk City OK
Car: 92 25th anv z28
Engine: 346 TC78 Turbo
Transmission: 4L80E
Axle/Gears: 3.25 9"Nodular, Strange axles
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
You have all my attention! Looks good. Your giving me motivation to start mine.
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
Its taking me longer than I thought but im getting alot done. Its running pretty good but I still have alot of tuning to do on it. I did LS1 brakes all around along with an LS1 axle. I also repainted the front clip so that took some time. The car is pretty dirty but heres a pic of what it looks like now
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From: NE Ohio
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: TT LS
Transmission: 4L80E
Axle/Gears: S60 3.54's
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
I'm thinking of doing just the same thing, all depends on if my buddy can buy his truck back from the insurance people and sell me the stuff out of it. What are you using to tune on that? Is it much good or easy? I have a Big Stuff 3 on my car now, but haven't seen any LSX tuning stuff.
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
I'm thinking of doing just the same thing, all depends on if my buddy can buy his truck back from the insurance people and sell me the stuff out of it. What are you using to tune on that? Is it much good or easy? I have a Big Stuff 3 on my car now, but haven't seen any LSX tuning stuff.
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From: NE Ohio
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: TT LS
Transmission: 4L80E
Axle/Gears: S60 3.54's
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
Did you just edit out the MAF from the computer then, kind of like I've heard you can do with post-cat o2 sensors?
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
Well kinda, you read your current factory or MAF tune to the software then you write over it in a 2 bar map speed density operating system. Then you would tune your VE table in place of the MAF, then the OS adds a boost enrich table which is nice as well. I believe Hp tuners is the only software that makes it that easy to switch to speed density, I think it would take alot more work if you had another software but I could be wrong, this is the only software i've worked with.
Joined: May 2006
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From: Elk City OK
Car: 92 25th anv z28
Engine: 346 TC78 Turbo
Transmission: 4L80E
Axle/Gears: 3.25 9"Nodular, Strange axles
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
Really like the turn out! You have any more pics how you routed the intercooler piping? You think the down pipe would fit a car w/ac? Any woreds of advice? I'm gonna start a build with a t76 on my ls1
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: upstate new york
Car: 91 camaro rs
Engine: 355, blowthru, 78mm turbo
Transmission: th350, art carr converter
Axle/Gears: stock 7.5, 3.23s, minispool
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
this looks like a nastyyyy setup! how did i miss this? is it posted under power adders? i didnt see it there.
i just broke at least 1 connecting rod in my turbo camaro (gen 1 sbc) and am thinking of either a 5.3 or 6.0.
i believe a 5.3L would be slightly more effiecient through my .96a/r t-4 housing and would still easily meet my hp goals of 550+/-rwhp.
im using a tc-78.
great job man!
i just broke at least 1 connecting rod in my turbo camaro (gen 1 sbc) and am thinking of either a 5.3 or 6.0.
i believe a 5.3L would be slightly more effiecient through my .96a/r t-4 housing and would still easily meet my hp goals of 550+/-rwhp.
im using a tc-78.
great job man!
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: O'Fallon, MO
Car: 1991 Z28 convertible built 3/1/1990
Engine: Cammed 6.0L LSX
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: custom Ford 8.8", 4.10 gears
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
That looks great. Care to tell us what the cam of choice is?
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
Its an EPP blower cam. Im happy with it, and it sounds great. It did make the idle tuning a little bit of a chore for me but its getting there.
Thats a professional products rail set up, you cant beat it. Its pretty cheap, looks great and even comes with a boost referenced regulator since its made specifically for the early ls1 corvettes that had a return line.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,258
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From: O'Fallon, MO
Car: 1991 Z28 convertible built 3/1/1990
Engine: Cammed 6.0L LSX
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: custom Ford 8.8", 4.10 gears
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
Can we get some audio and/or video footage sometime soon?
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
Well here are a few new pics, its pretty much finished up for now.








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From: Winchester, VA
Car: 1991 Camaro RS/1989 Vert RS
Engine: 355/350
Transmission: T-5/T-5
Axle/Gears: BW9bolt3.45posi/3.23 Posi
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
What was the total cost including engine, trans turbos tubing and such?
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From: shawnee, ks
Car: 87 Firebird
Engine: 5.3 76mm
Transmission: Rossler TH400, PTC converter
Axle/Gears: Strange 12bolt, 3.08s
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
Looks good. Im sure you will make the power you are wanting, reminds me of my set up.
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From: Kansas City
Car: 1991 Trans Am
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
That looks amazing. I can't stop looking at this thread. Hats off to you!
Also, you mentioned ealier in the thread about building another setup over the winter, any ideas on how much you would charge for something like that? Depending on price I would have to give this some real thought.
Also, you mentioned ealier in the thread about building another setup over the winter, any ideas on how much you would charge for something like that? Depending on price I would have to give this some real thought.
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From: New Mexico
Car: 87 Firebird,
Engine: lq4
Transmission: gto t56 (mn12)
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
looks awesome. Are you worried about heat warpage on the crossover pipe? There is going to be a lot of heat going through that beast. And how are the exhaust flanges holding up? They look nice and thick but i would check into slotting them between cylinders to see if it might help you with flange warpage.
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
That looks amazing. I can't stop looking at this thread. Hats off to you!
Also, you mentioned ealier in the thread about building another setup over the winter, any ideas on how much you would charge for something like that? Depending on price I would have to give this some real thought.
Also, you mentioned ealier in the thread about building another setup over the winter, any ideas on how much you would charge for something like that? Depending on price I would have to give this some real thought.
looks awesome. Are you worried about heat warpage on the crossover pipe? There is going to be a lot of heat going through that beast. And how are the exhaust flanges holding up? They look nice and thick but i would check into slotting them between cylinders to see if it might help you with flange warpage.
Im planning to end up at abut 10lbs of boost. I've seen ls1's with 10lbs running from 550-600rwhp at that boost level so i guess it depends how aggressive I want to go with the tune. But i'd like to be somewhere in that range.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 118
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 464
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From: Crestline,OH
Car: 1987 Formula 350
Engine: 6.0 boost and smak
Transmission: 4l80e
Axle/Gears: 9bolt 3.27
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
I shouldn't look at this, its like looking at my own future !!!!
read my sig, you can see my future too....
Nice build
are you still running the 72cc 317's?
if so you do will probably make more power then ls1's at that boost level because you can run more timing, I have seen it first hand, multiple times....10.45:1 (ls1) to 9.41:1 (lq4)
5literTPIterror; I feel your pain, if you built the turbo setup, this is cake (6.0swap)
read my sig, you can see my future too....

Nice build
are you still running the 72cc 317's?
if so you do will probably make more power then ls1's at that boost level because you can run more timing, I have seen it first hand, multiple times....10.45:1 (ls1) to 9.41:1 (lq4)
5literTPIterror; I feel your pain, if you built the turbo setup, this is cake (6.0swap)
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (4)
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 118
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From: Marine City, MI
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0 LSX Single turbo
Transmission: 4l80E
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.55
Re: 91 Z 6.0 turbo project
I shouldn't look at this, its like looking at my own future !!!!
read my sig, you can see my future too....
Nice build
are you still running the 72cc 317's?
if so you do will probably make more power then ls1's at that boost level because you can run more timing, I have seen it first hand, multiple times....10.45:1 (ls1) to 9.41:1 (lq4)
5literTPIterror; I feel your pain, if you built the turbo setup, this is cake (6.0swap)
read my sig, you can see my future too....

Nice build
are you still running the 72cc 317's?
if so you do will probably make more power then ls1's at that boost level because you can run more timing, I have seen it first hand, multiple times....10.45:1 (ls1) to 9.41:1 (lq4)
5literTPIterror; I feel your pain, if you built the turbo setup, this is cake (6.0swap)






Nice plans you have going there. 