Looking to install a S476 turbo setup in my 02' HD.

All motor is really cool, but it doesn't do much in a 6,600lb brick-mobile.

I would like to keep my ARH LT headers (I'll make a new 2-1 pipe and get rid of the duals out back of course) but I was wondering if anyone has made or makes a rear mounted style turbo kit?

Kind of like the ol STS stuff? Or does someone make a single turbo kit for the 99-02 guys that comes with nice exhaust manifolds and all the other stuff you would need to convert?

I do tow and DO use my stock waterpump mounted fan- and its not going anywhere. I will NOT change to E-fans. Any kit out there needs to be either a rear mount or "like factory" fit quality. I don't want to relocate heater hoses, remove reservoirs, chop **** out ect ect.

Also putting a call out to STS today to see what they say about it.

 

With that large of turbo. and the requirements you have listed.
Rear mount is your option.

All front mounts on the market require a give and take.

Exp. with our kits.
*You will need to pull the ac line over a little. For clearance.
*Heater hoses. Have to be rerouted. We do supply hose for this.
*Clutch fan is workable just adds cost to the build.
And it costs you hp.
On a 5.3 we have seen 20 hp to the ground loss with a clutch fans.

 

It sounds like you should just put a blower on your truck instead. If it were me, I'd sell those expensive headers to help fund a front mount kit. Rerouting the heater hoses and bending the AC line isn't a big deal. Some would argue that drilling a hole in the oil pan is though

 

I second the notion for a blower instead.

 

Seems like turbo is cheaper than blower IMO (or at least from what I've looked at)

Blower- 6,500 new

Turbo-2,000 new + piping, wastegate, intercooler, ect (2,000) and easy to make more power with just turning up the wastegate, or bolting on new turbo.

I completely agree the clutch driven fan eats serious power. Went out last week to a friends dyno day and took off the drive belt for a pull (mind you thats water pump, fan, alternator and power steering) and went from 330rwhp to 354rwhp. 24rwhp gain just from driving no accessories (a/c was off and just free spinning). I know the fan was the majority of that.

Does anyone make a blower that bolts down to the LS3 square port heads or do I need something less "engine specific" like a procharger that just bolts up to a 92mm throttle body?

 

Magnacharger, and whipple make popular kits for those heads. You can usually find a good deal on them used.

When its all said and done the costs will be about the same , or a little cheaper for the blower.

 

I think the turbo kit will be cheaper then a blower.
But have not done a side by side but last owed kit I looked up was well over 6K.

 

I was in the same boat as you, I thought a turbo would be cheaper too, im at least 6k into my build including the tuning quote

E fans really arent that big of a deal, I got some generic ebay ones that are about the width of my radiator for like $70 and a temp switch from FAST and they work mint so far. It frees up so much room to run the piping too

 

my currant project truck came with a rear mounted setup that he had installed but it was removed when i purchased the truck, he based it off a STS system he told me the total cost was just under $1,500 turbo was used and some other stuff he bought used too

I'm new to turbo's trying to find out all i can about what i need to do before i bolt the turbo back on (injectors, fuel pump, head gaskets & etc.)

I was going to install headers and had a bunch of guys tell me keep the manifolds the turbo works better with them, from what i'm hearing there is a down side to running a rear mount turbo the biggest being driving in wet condition water can travel up to the MAF and trough codes if the air filter gets wet, I dont use the bed on this truck so i'll most likely make a box in the bed for the filter and come up with a way to get dry fresh air to it?

here a link to the truck i got it has some info and a pic with the turbo installed

Homebuilt Turbo Chevrolet Silverado - GM High-Tech Performance All Pages

 

There are a lot of little costs associated with a turbo kit that you won't calculate for. And IMO you might as well upgrade the kit to at least a 3.5" down pipe and get the entire kit in stainless. Just do it right the first time.

How often and how far do you usually tow? What are you pulling? If you are worried about heat then why not go ahead and upgrade to the 34" radiator anyway? Stick with the factory efans and wiring harness. With forced induction you need to have a 160* thermostat too.

Magnacharger blowers have been proven to last almost forever. You could definitely buy a used unit and maintain your reliability.