Turbo Time:)

[john_bratten]

Hey, my name is john I have a 2000 Silverado with the 5.3. I'm wanting to go turbo on a budget build. My engine is all stock besides tbss intake swap and cai and long tubes on it now. I have been reading a lot on here bout turbos and set up. my engine has a few miles on it too. I wanna run somewhere between 8-10 lbs. I know i will need to run twin 250's or a single 340 fuel pump with 60 lb injectors. what is a good turbo to use? I have some friends that have ran the on3 70mm. and also have read on here to where some people run them being that you can get them for $350. whats yalls input on them? im probably goin to build a 5.3 or do a 6.0 swap later on down the road.

[kerrige]

Welcome. These motors love turbos however budget builds aren't as cheap as one might think here is a short list.
Fuel pump for your build I suggest the aeromotive stealth 340
Injectors 60s should be decent for your build and affordable
Turbo kit
Turbo on3 performance makes some decent Chinese turbos for reasonable money, however the 76mm from cxracing is a better deal and option in my opinion.
Hot pipes Down pipe crossover and manifold
Cold pipes and intercooler
Waste gate
Blowoff valve
Oil lines
Gauges boost fuel pressure and AFR
Tuning custom live tune is best
For reliability reasons I would improve the valve train ls7 lifters hardened pushrods good valvesprings LS2 style timing chain trunion upgrade for rockers.
I would say best cause scenerio you are looking at $5k.
Best of luck and keep us in the loop.

[jansen]

Welcome. These motors love turbos however budget builds aren't as cheap as one might think here is a short list.
Fuel pump for your build I suggest the aeromotive stealth 340
Injectors 60s should be decent for your build and affordable
Turbo kit
Turbo on3 performance makes some decent Chinese turbos for reasonable money, however the 76mm from cxracing is a better deal and option in my opinion.
Hot pipes Down pipe crossover and manifold
Cold pipes and intercooler
Waste gate
Blowoff valve
Oil lines
Gauges boost fuel pressure and AFR
Tuning custom live tune is best
For reliability reasons I would improve the valve train ls7 lifters hardened pushrods good valvesprings LS2 style timing chain trunion upgrade for rockers.
I would say best cause scenerio you are looking at $5k.
Best of luck and keep us in the loop.

Lets not forget transmission and rear end upgrades to handle the power. Stock tranny won't last long on 10 lbs . Ask me how I know lol

[darnie1987]

i got a hell of a deal on my " budget build.... to make it reliable your still looking at 8K or so. thats will tranny,motor, fuel, converter, gauges and turbo set up. but bust is the way to go

[Trick1]

Welcome to the boost.
A build Can be done way cheaper then. 8k.
Stay under 475-500hp the stock tranny will work but will need a shift kit and servo.

I can do a kit with injectors and a walbro 255 for under 4k.
Would be limited to the 450 range on power.

Then as funds allow upgrade the turbo and go up in power.
Then you'll need an 80 tranny, etc and all the goodies.

If I can help with your build call or pm.
Me.

Rick

[darnie1987]

Welcome to the boost.
A build Can be done way cheaper then. 8k.
Rick

true, i was factoring in the fact of a converter- $1200, tranny- 1000, cam-$1200 rear end- $1000 and gauges and fuel. adds up fast.

[kelsey_canard]

I agree with rick. People always factor in all supporting mods when someone asks about the costs of boost. I really think it scares a lot of people away in the beginning.

[ss454327]

I agree with rick. People always factor in all supporting mods when someone asks about the costs of boost. I really think it scares a lot of people away in the beginning.

Better than tearing up a transmission/rearend and having to do it later. A working used trans/rear is worth some money...a broken one isn't and you might break something else in the process.

[darnie1987]

I agree with rick. People always factor in all supporting mods when someone asks about the costs of boost. I really think it scares a lot of people away in the beginning.

na to a point i agree.... but i was under the same impression when i took the plunge. and i hate doing things twice and well the 4k turned into 9k fast! haha

but will say Rick and his crew make some great quality kits and have some awesome prices as well

[Trick1]

Thanks for the props.
The end bill will depend in each person and final goal.
The kicker is most seem not happy with 400-450 in the turbo works and its so easy to up the power
7psi becomes 9 , become 11, then 13 and shoot got a race with a buddy or want to scary the women. 15psi. And so on.

We have been kicking the idea of a budget build for the DIY guy.