So I picked up a decent 1988 Trans Am rolling chassis. It's got no engine or trans, a 9 bolt rear diff with 3.27's, SFC's, LCRB's welded on and an adjustable panhard bar. Other than that it's stock.

I'm looking to get a 4.8/5/3/6.0 LS engine with head studs and rod bolts, also widen the ring gap and running a big single turbo.

I'd like to see somewhere around 700hp to the rear wheels.

I've been looking around a lot lately and I'm just not positive on what turbo I should run on this setup to hit my goals. I'm looking for the best all around turbo for my plans. Would a MP T76 be the way to go? If so, what configuration should I look into? AR, what trim wheel?
Or would I be better off paying extra and getting a better quality turbo? (Faster boost, better longevity?).
Would a bigger turbo be a better idea?

I think I'm going to go with the Holley Dominator EFI to run the whole setup. It's a little on the spendy side but I really like the features that it offers.

What size and brand of fuel injectors would be idea for this setup?

Would any of the hot side turbo kits from the LS1 F-bodies work with the LSx engine in the 3rd gen platform? Or should I just build a truck manifold hotside for it?

I just want to be sure I spend my money as wisely as I can on the project and avoid wasted money on stuff I won't be happy with.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

i recommend using a either a SBC or BBC. LSx are prone to lifting heads and are a waste of money. Once you decided on an engine ,give turbonetics or precision turbo a call. money wise your looking to spend atleast $25k on a decent turbo setup. There is alot that goes into a turbo car.

 

a 76mm turbo is going to be pretty much maxxed out at 700whp or a bit more, but it should get you there.

don't quote me on this but i believe the truck manifolds work on the passenger side, but run into clearance issues with the steering box.

go away troll, lsx is not a "waste of money"

I will agree with the money firgure, a decent high power turbo car ain't cheap

 

SSW build turbo headers for 3rd/4th gens that are interchangable. The rest of the plumbing is up to you. Truck manifolds absolutely wont work in any orientation short of upside down with no hood

Check out some pics of the LS4 FWD manifolds, 4th gen Fbody, C6 and 2010 camaros. The LS4 front manifold looks the most like a conventional log manifold of any LSx pieces out there

 

76 is gonna be pushing it to get to 700whp depending on which motor you start with. It should do it tho. Its a great budget to start with tho, i'd try a Q-trim .96 a/r if possible for a single.

My buddy made over 700whp on a 4.8 lsx with nothing more than rings and rod bolts. 23psi, 88mm turbo. Ported 317 heads, 230/236 cam. Had alittle lag but rev'd to 7500 rpm.

Your best bet is a 5.3 or 6.0 if you can find them. They can do 700whp with rod bolts and rings but the tune needs to be spot on. Borg Warner S400 series is a good idea for a turbo. Great price and make proven power. There were quite a few 6.0 builds on the turboforums website.

I sold my old twin MP T4 T60's to a guy with a 5.3 motor I believe, and he ran bottom 6's in the 1/8 mile. Thats 2 tenths faster than my 401 motor with the same turbos!!! Granted i think he was on better gas and using meth injection, i cant remember. Thats around 700whp

 

wrong they are not prone to lifting heads and how many sbc and bbc are running stock cranks and getting over 1000 hp


get a 6.0 12cc dish forged pistons and rods stock 317 heads pt88 loves the 6.0s you will get great spool and be in the 75 roughly effeciency range of that turbo go with the proflow xt or edelbrock single plane injected manifold because they will hold boost better than a composit where they are always chasing boost leaks you should be good to aroun 14 to 16 psi safe with good tuning and that will put you in your hp range

I can give you a parts list if you want I have helped build one setup like this and im starting on another for a customer and have researched to build my own

I also have a 6.0 complete its broken down and the heads have been to the machine shop already I might be selling

 

dont go with a turbonetics, anymore they really are junk entry level turbos. if you want a good turbo then go with precision cea or the new redesigned gtx(not the old gtx that dont flow anymore then the gt series) borg warner has some nice billet turbos too but the exhuast housings are more suited to smaller engines. personally i would say precision 7675 cea, rated to 1200 hp, the 6768 cea is rated to 930 and the 7175 is rated to 985 but the billet wheels really shine above 20 pounds of boost so you wont max them on any of these engines. prob get the most out of one of them running a 4.8, even with a 6.0 though you should be able to get 700 our of the 7175 but will be close to maxxing it for the shaft speeds it will be running at on that engine, the 7675 will give you wiggle room if you decide to upgrade, flow of an 88 with the spool of a 76.