Hey guys I've been out of the turbo truck scene for about five years since I sold my 10 second 5.3 Silverado. I am now building an L86 powered '77 C10 with a 10L80 transmission. I bought a 7k mile pullout from a 2020 Escalade 2wd. And I want to throw anywhere from 6-10psi at it from probably a small single turbo kit. Can anyone chime in on advice and also whether you think the stock 10L80 torque converter would be a good match for a single turbo. I'm not looking to build a race truck just something that can spin the tires effortlessly and make cool turbo noises. I'm probably looking to make no more than 600 WHP. I'm debating doing drop-in rods and pistons but I'm definitely doing a dod delete with an LT5 cam, and an LT4 hpfp and injectors. Someone talk me out of doing a Gen V turbo setup lol. My 5.3 build was sooooooo easy and reliable. Am I asking for a pita project with this L86?

 

Just drop a supercharger on it and be done if you want it easy.

 

Not looking for hard or easy. They're all a hassle with tuning, ironing out bugs etc

 

smokinlmm is right

 

Since it's not a high hp build as efficient as the blowers are nowadays I probably have to agree. 600 is easily within reach on 93 with a good tune and the converter would be fine with a 2650 or a 3.0 Whipple. A turbo is going to need one. Likely 7-8 lbs with the LT4 hpfp and inj. will get you there with that cam. There are better choices on the cam though. You don't need the drop ins at 600 on 93 with a spot on tune but you know how this crap is. May want to turn it up later to 750-850 or more so honestly? Do drop ins from Gwatney, +38-43 cam lobe (cam motion), Lingenlfelter big bore, + 30's FIC or ExtremeXDI, 525 lpfp or twin 450's...depends. If you just want a turbo don't even think about it just give Rick at Trick turbo a call. He is awesome to deal with and extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommended by everyone. I am doing his twin kit on my 2016 RCSB. My port fuel setup has just been shipped so another hurdle done Next: engine decisions.

 

Great info! I'm quite confident the motor won't see more than 600-650whp so the stock pistons should be adequate. I've actually heard from guys on the Gen V Boosted trucks page on Facebook that there's not much difference between the stock L86 injectors/hpfp vs LT4 and that there are several guys over 600whp on stock L86 stuff. I'd love to be able to run E30, E40, E50, or E60 though. Z06Ted it sounds like you have plans to run full E85 with your port injection setup? Toohighpsi is in my town so maybe I should consider his kit. Although maybe port is overkill for 600-650whp? Or is port a good way to run pure E85? I ran Trick's kit on my 2005 truck and it was great. I would have no reservations on running another Trick setup but there's no way to know if his hotside will fit an older 70s square body. The cold side will obviously need to be all custom. What made you decide on twins vs a single and I'm guessing you'll be running a built 6L80+ converter? What made you switch from pd blower to turbo? I definitely plan to do a stock-sounding cam with a larger fuel lobe while the motor is apart for the dod delete. Still on the fence about the pistons though.

 

I'd still do a converter and cam. The power would be more useful and not just fry the tires down.

 

No need for a converter with a 10L trans as they can foot brake to 2700ish or going over 800whp which you aren’t. I do have an edelbrock 2650 blower that I’m selling for a l86. It’s the 570whp kit if you decide to go that route. Turbo on the LT stuff does work good also!
if you don’t already have the harness and ECM side figured out, go with speartech as they have done many of the LT and have all those bugs worked out. Gen V swaps are a whole new ballgame compared to 3 and 4

 

2650 at 10 psi you at 600+ at the tire and it aint even getting hot.

 

I think it's not so much the stall speed but the longevity of the stock truck converter that needs fortifying. I'd love to skip the converter as they're over $2k lol.