Hopefully I don't get flamed for this, but im looking for any threads, links, how tos, sites etc etc etc for building a front mount single turbo using factory reversed manifolds with the crossover pipe across the front of the motor instead of behind the rear like most kits for fullsizes ive seen.. (not a fullsize build)

I know several have been done, but I cant seem to find any builds, pictures would help greatly, my main research point currently is A) cost effectiveness and B) space.. im working with very limited space and trying to get all my ducks in a row of wether im going to boost or not..

thanks for any and all help, hope what im asking for was clear..

 

If your working with limited space, mounting the crossover in the front wouldn't be the best idea. There is a thread asking the same question right now here also, I think it has pics. Also, look up bluechevypick or something like that, I know he built a turbo kit like what your wanting to do and posted pics of it. If space is really an issue you should consider a rear mount

 

I have plenty of room for the turbo, and I THINK enough room for the front crossover..

the reason I dont run it in the back is because where I am lacking room is where the downpipe would go through..

Need to get the motor sat in the truck and figure out what exactly im working with, im just working off other people pictures of previous swaps thus far

 

this is what im roughly going to have to work with space wise (not mine)

 

you gotta think about radiator and e fans as well. then not only that but the pipe from the turbo to the intercooler and then to the tb. As you know there are pros and cons to every option..... but with limited space its gonna be hard to do a budget build with factory manifolds in that truck, if you have enough room to flip them?

I would save and buy a quality oil return pump, and you can fab a mid mount or rear mount cheaper and cleaner and still have the best of both worlds. Lag and all that will be minimal on that truck because of the weight and if you choose the correct turbo it will not be much different than a front mount. Talk to blake chevroletalltheway, and ask him his opinion, he has ridden in mine and he now has a rear mount I think. What exactly are you wanting to accomplish?

 

Not trying to make a racetruck, just would like a 450+rwhp setup.. That's about my goal lol

Street driven, 6speed, probably spend sometime drift or straight line

My main idea for the front mount is the hardest part of these swaps seems to be header clearence since no one makes any for the swap, so reversed manifolds (like you said IF the fit) seemed like a better way to save money on headers and fitment

I've always heard rear mounts don't make as good of power and seemed like it would be a lot more piping and stuff to make it work plus having to still figure out a header solution

No one has boosted an LS in the application yet so I'm kinda beating down an unpaved path

 

On a rear mount you can make the same power as a front mount but there are a few advantages/disadvantages to each.
Front mount:
need room
custom bends to fit your app
makes power faster (less lag)
more effecient

Rear mount:
endless mounting
makes good power but turbo selection is key
a GOOD return oil pump with an alarm if it stops working
more pipe creates lag and you have to pressurize that pipe before you show positive manifold pressure. You achieve this by loading up the engine and making RPM, with the weight of the truck you will see a faster spool cause the rpm will climb faster (keep in mind this is a relative)
you can use stock manifolds with a rear mount. They have been proven to make power just the same, you will not run converters.


Now with all that being said, I wouldn't want to talk you out of trying a front mount by any means! But with your goals and that hp, a rear mount can get you there...... select a tuner who can help you set up the tune to create less lag by keeping the timing up until you get well into boost, run some meth as a back up (don't tune to rely on it) and get ideas of what combos work on rear mounts. Casey ran a small turbo for a long time on a small cube motor, it spooled fast and made good power, step up to a bigger turbo on a small cube motor, it is more efficient on the top end but it has lag, step to a larger cube motor on a small turbo (67mm) and you run out of breath up top but make peak boost down low......... its all a give and take. While front mounts can run a larger turbo and not be affected as much with spool time, you can run the same size rear mount and a good stall converter and make up for the lag if you are drag racing.

Not sure if all that makes sense, and I am sure some will differ with my ideas on this but if ya wanna chat give me a buzz and we can talk, I do not claim that I know a ton about this stuff but I have watched a few different set ups and have been through this before.

 

Thanks chris!

I guess no one can differ from your opinon if no one else has one

I think im gonna get it set in the truck and see what room I have with the manifolds, the motor rides kinda high so I think I may have room for a crossover pipe in front of the motor under the pullies we shall see

on a stock 5.3 would I have any problems running a 70 or 76mm? also im still learning with boost on these.. besides cam what other small supporting mods would work best?

injectors? springs? any different valves? etc etc

 

This is going on a Colorado right? If you do a front mount I bet you're going to have to run a pretty small down pipe. Front mounts defiantly look cooler but a rear mount sounds like it will be 10 times easier to build on your application. The majority of people with a stock 5.3 run a 70mm turbo on their front mounts. Better valve springs would be a good idea, 60lb injectors, bigger fuel pump, stall converter, built transmission, trutrac, and some new underwear

Here's a turbo kit like your talking about just in a full size truck
https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...t-more-491848/

 

dont be scared of the rear mount ricky!! mine spools fine, runs great, and makes plenty of power. chris hit it on the head when he said pick the right turbo. im no pro at that but with some help from a local guy we came up with a setup that just flatout works. no rediculous lag or anything with mine

im running stock manifolds to a custom fully wrapped y pipe and exhaust wrapped all the way to the turbo. you can do it fairly cheap by leaving out a good bit of fab work if you just think a little creatively!