5.3L Turbo Questions

[lts70]

Recently purchased a 5.3L/4l60E setup out of a 2007 2wd Silverado with 60,000 miles on the clock. I am in the process of pulling my 327/nv3500 out of my 70 SWB Chevy to make room for the new power plant. The new to me 5.3l already has a new GM performance oil pan to clear the cross member, new motor mounts, wire harness repin and computer reprogram. I have a Boyd welding gas tank prepped for EFI ready for install. And I am building a new gauge cluster using an 96 s-10 speedo.

I thought I was all ready but then I got my latest issue of Classic Trucks and now want to install a turbo after seeing it done on 67 C10. I tried searching the forum but couldn't find much more than started projects. Anyone know of any build threads that would help. Or have any good advice?

[Heavymetl]

Yeah, I've got a 5.3 turbo setup in my truck.

Things for a turbo build:
1) Fuel system. You're gonna need a good one capable of pumping a lot of fuel. I run E85, so I went overkill....and it works perfectly. Holley 12-1800 pump, -10an feed, -8an return, 1:1 Holley Fuel Pressure Regulator, 16 gallon Summit fuel cell. Solid fuel delivery make things great.

2) Engine management. The stock ECU "works" but mostly sucks for turbo applications. All WOT fueling is "open loop" so any sort of fuel pressure error (say, I reference line to the regulator popping off) will mean the engine dies. Aftermarket ECU's (Holley, even Microsquirt I believe) have protections.

3) Torque converter/trans. Turbo engines make bonkers torque, so you'll need a good converter for the application as well as a trans that can handle it. I'm running a 4L80E.

4) Exhaust. Run the biggest downpipe (after the turbo) you can make fit. I've got a 3.5" pipe to a 4" section with a dump. Turbos hate backpressure post-turbine. Preturbine, keep it small to spool. It's about heat energy to the turbine more than the traditional thoughts of flow.

The rest of the work is basic LS swap type of stuff. For the pipes, I flipped the truck manifolds, cut then welded a 2.5" V-band, reduced to 2", then bought a bunch of 2" piping (J bends, straights, 45s, etc) and started welding.









The results are (in my opinion) amazing. The truck idles at 650rpm, drives smooth as a stock vehicle, and pulls like a freight train on the boost. At 10psi I've been a best of 11.44@117.1, 4100lb race weight. Turbos don't need deep rear gears, I'm running a 3.25 in a 9" and have sixty foot times in the 1.63-1.65 range footbraking to 4psi. I ran Hot Rod Drag Week and averaged 11.58@116.5 for the week on low boost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DCkwtT71E0

Buy good brakes and steering though. On 13psi my truck will spin from a 50+mph kick. I'm hoping to head back to the track soon and use 15psi, going for that 10.99.

[trkfrk]

^^^ That looks killer! Nice work! I want a turbo

[68 short step]

ive done a TT 5.3 in my sleeper nova..

[HSRACER]

Ok here is mine in a 1969 3 door sleeper suburban. I have a 5.3 with a 76mm turbo on basically a stock engine and transmission. The fuel system has been upgraded and I am only running 7 pounds of boost with a 3.07 rear end. All I can say is mama hold on when she is under load! I can't even imagine what it would be like at 10 let alone 15 psi.

This system already exceeds the suspension and braking system I have in the massive suburban. It is a great combination!

[EARNHARDT#3]

I'd love to do this to my 2002 Tahoe when it's retired from being my daily driver. Nice turbo setup, lowered a little with some late model Tahoe 20" wheels and a fresh paint job. I already love that old Tahoe so much, can't imagine it like that!

[HSRACER]

Here is the suburban in all its glory!

[BR3W CITY]

Whatever your budget, add 30-50% for changes, incidentals, and the first few things that you'll inevitably break when adding that much power.

Find a good tuner. Not a mailorder tune. Not a "3-pulls and your done" tune. A real, logged on the street and tested on the dyno, tune.

[king-918]

Originally Posted by lts70

Recently purchased a 5.3L/4l60E setup out of a 2007 2wd Silverado with 60,000 miles on the clock. I am in the process of pulling my 327/nv3500 out of my 70 SWB Chevy to make room for the new power plant. The new to me 5.3l already has a new GM performance oil pan to clear the cross member, new motor mounts, wire harness repin and computer reprogram. I have a Boyd welding gas tank prepped for EFI ready for install. And I am building a new gauge cluster using an 96 s-10 speedo.

I thought I was all ready but then I got my latest issue of Classic Trucks and now want to install a turbo after seeing it done on 67 C10. I tried searching the forum but couldn't find much more than started projects. Anyone know of any build threads that would help. Or have any good advice?

Fairmont 5 build up: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...QDWhnBfX_rasnJ

Here you go

[Kainedogg]

Originally Posted by HSRACER

Ok here is mine in a 1969 3 door sleeper suburban. I have a 5.3 with a 76mm turbo on basically a stock engine and transmission. The fuel system has been upgraded and I am only running 7 pounds of boost with a 3.07 rear end. All I can say is mama hold on when she is under load! I can't even imagine what it would be like at 10 let alone 15 psi.

This system already exceeds the suspension and braking system I have in the massive suburban. It is a great combination!

Great build. Can you share details on your ac setup. I plan to twin turbocharge my C10 but want to have a/c as well. I don't have room at the bottom to mount the compressor.

[HSRACER]

Originally Posted by Kainedogg

Great build. Can you share details on your ac setup. I plan to twin turbocharge my C10 but want to have a/c as well. I don't have room at the bottom to mount the compressor.

Ac is a stock LS compressor in the stock location which fits between the frame rail. Front system is vintage air and the rear is teed into the same hoses for the stock unit in the rear.

[nsulacountry]

I'll bite. Subscribed to this one!

CT

[matt_l]

Subscribed. Great builds. I am putting a 5.3 with turbo in my 66 so this is great info.

[matt_l]

What is the advantage of welding V bands on the truck manifolds vs using the flange that comes on there?

[Wasted Income]

Here is my turbo setup in my sleeper blazer, and the full build thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=529064

Turbo Clunker Dyno Oct 2015 @ Herring Performance...

[Heavymetl]

Originally Posted by matt_l

What is the advantage of welding V bands on the truck manifolds vs using the flange that comes on there?

In my case, space and packaging was way easier after cutting the manifolds. Besides, V-bands don't have a gasket or place to fail and they're easy to work with. I don't even run flanges on N/A exhaust these days...

[aknovaman]

Nevermind.

[69trk]

mine should be done in a couple months... in my sig....