After a long time thinking about it ive decided to build a front mount turbo kit simply because I cant affored the 4-5 thousand bucks for a kit. The only few things I havent figured into my plan is what size turbo to use, (04 5.3l) and how exactly the wastegate opperates, wont I jast have too run a vaccume line to it from the boost controler? Other than that Im just waiting on the money and a cheap place to buy a turbo. And to find a mandrel bender I can rent or somewhere that I can have parts made. O yeah, I want to run about 5-6psi what size injectors do I need? Thanks guys

 

you need 42lb./hr. injectors ( 8.1L marine injectors)

 

A mandrel bender is a $30K+ piece of equipment; I don't believe you'll find one you can rent. You could however purchase various 180 degree pieces of pipe and cut what you need from it.

Don't skimp on the turbo. You'll feel pretty bad if you get it all done just to have the turbo give up the ghost because you wanted to save a few bucks, you know?

And on the wastegate, you are correct. Vacuum/boost line from the controller.

 

Trick just sells the Hot pipes if you wanna piece a kit together.

 

And they have a layaway plan!! Lol, I wonder if we should get commision for this stuff??

 

You'll wind up spending close to 4-5k on a custom kit if you use high quality parts and count the hours you spend working on it.

Do you have all the tools already? Welder, grinder, drill press, saws, cut off wheels etc?

 

I plan to be doing almost the EXACT same thing. I don't see why you can't build a perfectly good turbo setup for under $2500

A guy off another website I know won this yesterday: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-...QQcmdZViewItem
So he's gonna have the STS pipes duplicated for around $500.
You can get a brand new intercooler(that is perfectly sufficient) for around $300-350.
Oil system for around $300.
42lbs injectors for about $200.
Turbo(something around a t67-t76) and wastegate for around $500-700

On the high side that's around $2000 plus factor in $200-400 for other stuff and you can have a badass rear mount kit for under $2500. Hell maybe under $2000 if you find good deals.

 

He's right. A good TIG welder will run you around $1K. You can get cheaper ones, but it's not worth it. You will spend a lot of time working on the fitment too. It's not an easy task. It looks more appealing in the beginning, but it starts to tarnish as you run into issues. And you will run into issues, everyone does.