Here is what I've spent so far on my build and I'm still building:
Hot Parts:$1000
Intercooler Setup(cold side):500
Precision T61 Turbo-$412
Tail BOV:$235
Tial 38mm Wastegate:Free(traded some stuff around)
42# injectors(don't plan to run more than 475 or so RWHP):$185

I still need to buy the oiling setup and a few small things here and there. It all adds up, but in the big stuff I have $2332. I should be able to get everything in for under $3000 by the time it's said and done.

 

If you started from pure scratch and had no trading material and bought a "kit" and went from there, and wanted to run any decent size turbo, you'd be WAY above what you've got Random...

What about fuel pump? Tuning? Exhaust connection? Guages? (Wideband and boost minimum) I think this is stuff you previously had and aren't figuring in?? Taking X truck with a $3,xxx budget isn't going to get you turbo'd the vast majority of the time... Hell, usually by the time you buy hot parts, a good turbo, and maybe an intercooler or something you'd be looking at about that anyway... My turbo alone was well over $1500 new after coating and polish.

 

Other parts I forgot
EFI Live:$250
PLX Wideband with gauge:$225
Walbro Inline:$80
Z06 Cam:$65 shipped

I agree to the fullest Ben. There is a lot more to it than just the turbo and piping itself, but it's like that with anything. Force induction is the worst. It really depends what route you want to take.

When it comes down to it if all you really wanted was a turbo, you could build a turbo manifold from a stock truck manifold, run a used t60 turbo and used parts, don't run an intercooler setup or a BOV, and up and running for $1000 if you did it yourself.


Or you could have Trick build you a full setup ceramic coated setup with a $2000 turbo and 25 million gauges for $10 grand

For me, my goal was just shy of 500 rwhp and instant boost. I wanted to put together a setup that would provide minimal worries and be just as reliable as without it. I've got a brand new $900 turbo I paid less than half of that for, and hot parts and intercooler setup that are extremely well built by Kyle. I got great deals on all my stuff, but I haven't sacrificed anything. My BOV and wastegate are both tial, my gauges are all name brand quality stuff.

The only thing stopping me from installing it is that I want to swap to a lq4/4l80e setup. I don't have another truck so I need this one to be as reliable as possible.

 

I hear ya... And I know it CAN be done for much less, but I just don't want someone to think that is the "norm" when they go building their setup. As it sits, this "turbo upgrade" has ran me about $4K alone. Trans, Trans swap, converter, turbo, new bigger piping to match, and oh yeah for some reason the new turbo needed new wheels

-this **** truly never ends....

 

i have over 13k in mine and thats cause i do all my own work...turbo kit new 370ci. ect. ect. and its still parked it hasent made it to the track yet but soon i should see sum 10sec. passes

 

i have the same kit you have. i first thing i would buy would be a BOV. my kit did not come with one. alot of people forget about gauges i have another 1k in gauges the wideband alone was 450$. i have over 7k in the kit. but i just upgraded to a 88mm garett for another 1k. and last your tuning software. Rather you buy your own or have it tuned its still a few bills. but well worth it for a good tune. i just bought a tuned PCM it was 550 for that alone. but its the best tune ive ever had. in full boost my A/F is 11.4 at 10psi and 14.6 at idel. thanks to allen at nelsonsperformance. All you tuning guys are great. i almost sold my turbo kit do to a lack of tuners in montana.

 

The best thing you can do is set a goal and stick with it. Buying something, using it, then going bigger is just pissing money away. One thing I wouldnt even **** around with is the fuel system. Built it big and forget about it.

Someone who works in the business, or at a fab shop can make alot of the somewhat expensive fabricated items for next to nothing. I have all of $80 in to my hot parts, for example... and thats just because I wanted schedule 40 stainless in certain places. crossover pipes are all "favor paybacks" from a guy that manufacturers mandrel benders.