Hey guys kindof a newbie to turbos but gotta start somewhere, so i have a 99 4.8l sierra reg cab, im planning on swapping a 5.3 into it and doing a stage 3 kit from trick turbo, not sure what mileage its got but cyl walls look good, front cam bearing is showing copper though... , my question though is what power can i run on the stock rotating assembly?, or should i do forged rods and pistons? This will be my daily driver, i appreciate any help

 

I may not be a genuis on turbo stuff and higher HP builds, but I've seen 400-500whp easy on stock 5.3 internals.

Even seen that sloppy mechanics guy on youtube hit 700+ whp in some fairmount with a junkyard motor.

 

Thats what i was thinking, im wanting to make 600-650, but this is my daily driver and i want it to be reliable even if i have to overbuild it a lil bit, i drive at least 30,000 miles a year

 

As long as you have a great tuner you sure can achieve that.

 

I mean you can start off safe at like 500-550 because its your first turbo build anyways? Then turn up the boost later when everything works out

 

The tune and fuel system is what will make it live. If both are good, you're golden with a stock engine in good shape. If not your screwed even if forged.

 

Firstly, I wouldn't swap. Stick with the 4.8, it will get you to your goals easily. Secondly I am on 10psi with a 76mm and probably easily 500whp on a stock bottom end 130k engine. A good friend of mine is doing the same thing but at 700+ with 160k miles on his stock bottom end. Put in your new bearings, find a good tuner and start putting together the turbo setup.

*Edit* This weekend I am tuning for 18psi and am hoping for 650whp. I have a lot of faith in the stock engine.

 

Check out my build thread in my sig. I swapped in a 4.8L and went turbo a while ago. It's the most fun I've had in my truck. I would keep the 4.8L in your truck and run it and keep the 5.3L as a spare. I put my truck on the dyno a couple weeks ago at 12psi and it made 578hp and 547ftlbs. I'm hoping for 650hp on 15-16psi, and 800hp on 23psi+.

 

Okay, ill probly still have to pull the 4.8, its got 230k on it and at 1500 rpm its only gettin 25psi oil pressure, it will hit 40 but only if its nailed, so should i just freshen up the 4.8? Or drop in the 5.3 since im pulling the motor anyway? And the stock cam will work? Also i dobt kbow of any good tuners out here and since i have hp tuners pro i might try myself

 

If it were me, then I would put the 5.3L in there and freshen the 4.8L up as a spare. A little copper on the cam bearings is normal as GM line hones the bearings from the factory.