My C4 has been a good DD logging 205k miles in 18 yrs with the stock L98. Its time for a lil more HP. I was planning a LS6 swap and ran accross the fairmont in a search and led me here. I have been reading a lot of post and realize the 5.3 can make some good power. I have decided a 5.3 w/turbo will be the best bang for the buck. I have never done any cars with turbos, they all have been NA w/carbs. So i am headed into the two things I have never done. 1st being a turbo motor and 2nd being Mega Squirt. As far as building headers and general fabing is not a problem, I do it ever day.

I have read the turbo bible and kno there are more than meets the eye on turbos. So I cant just pick up the phone and order becos I dont kno whats available and what works. Plans are 5.3 on the cheap to learn with. T70 seems to be a good start with a turbo. The things I dont kno is pipe sizing hot/cold and the best place to purchase. BOV's and other items and best placement are a concern to me, thats why i am here.

Seems the zo6 cam/springs/intake are a good combo which are available to me fairly easy. My goal is 500 rwhp. I have road in several vettes that have turbos. One was 8psi and the other was around 12-15. So 12psi is where i would like to be to start. My car is a 6 spd w/3.45 so i dont have to worry about a stall.

Are the ppl who are making 500 rwhp using stock heads on the 5.3? If not which head are being used? Rather use junkyard heads to learn on.
Any one using a aluminum flywheel? Can get one on the cheap along w/LS7 clutch from a good bud.
Which TB is being used? LS6??
What MS is used? noticed they have boost contol available now along with several other products that are way cheaper than fast/accel.


Thanks
Andy

 

welcome to the site. Have you also checked out ls1tech.com? you can also find some good info there.

 

I'm still learning alot around here too, so I can't answer any of your questions, but if you're considering a 5.3, you might want to just start with a 6.0L. The cost isn't that much more and you can/would get more power out of it, especially with FI. The additional power would outweigh the additional cost.

Good luck to ya' and welcome to pt.net

 

Pm sent, I agree with the 6.0.

 

Figured i would come over here as more ppl use the 5.3. I have considered the 6.0. Local yard i can get 5.3's for 300 as compared to 1200 up on the 6.0. I thought i'd blow up several before i got it all worked out.

 

+2 on the 6.0 , but if you really need to save some money the 5.3 will work fine. Your probably gonna want an ls6 intake since the trucks will be too tall to fit under the hood. Either way you go that car should be retarded fast.

 

stocks heads will work fine . if you plan on running alot of boost Id get some meth also.

 

it will still run high 13 on a good day with 205k. seems most prefer the 6.0

meth on the list as most C4's that use intercoolers mostly run hot.

 

I would do a 5.3 with a zo6 cam(can also be found for cheap and are great for turbo motors).
500hp is a reasonable goal, a few have seen that with 4.8s. what do you have planned for tuning?

 

Mega Squirt is what i have been reading about. So i have a lot to learn.