so here's the deal. at the end of the summer i should have enough money to do either a turbo setup or a 6.0 swap. i just don't know what would be better to start with. i have an 08 silverado with a 4.8 right now, and i know that there's a guy on here making over 500 horse on his, but i don't know if it's worth my money to build a 4.8. if i go turbo now, can i transfer all the turbo stuff over to a bigger engine? thanks for all the help.

 

cammed 6.0 and 6L90E.

 

I would start with the bigger engine. In most but not every case, the turbo that works well on the 4.8 will likely be too small for the larger engine. It will save you in the long term if you go forged to begin with.

 

go 6.0 and then start from there oh yeah and a 4l80e and shift kit you will need it.

 

ok, and here's another question. how much would a turbo kit cost? i'm leaning towards a 6.0 now, but i can't get past how sick it would be to have a turbo truck and be 17 at the same time. i'm thinking i'll have the money to pick either one by the end of this summer, and i know that dropping a 6.0 in will likely be cheaper than a turbo kit.

 

Ever do a motor swap before? How bout a turbo install? Should most likely put your time/effort/money into getting a 6.0 under the hood first. You dump boost into a stock 4.8 and its not going to last long. Then you will have a turbo and no motor.

 

I'm not gonna be like everyone else. I like the idea of small cubes and a nice big turbo haha. I would go front mount. Maybe run a 76mm. Might have some lag but would have great topend. Then when u get more money drop the 6 liter in. If you don't get too crazy with boost and have a great tune that motor will be fine

 

Not sure where you get the idea that they are relatively close to the same price. you can do a 6L swap for 2K and for a good complete turbo system your looking at about 6-8K. I would suggest putting a 6L in there with some bolt ons and get a turbo down the road. But there are some people with turbo 4.8's that have made good power and they have lasted well.

 

old thread....

 

Oh, by all means is it possible to make good power with a 4.8 and a turbo, reliably. Just not without at the very least...forged pistons and rods. What did you do to the old 4.8 internally, charcold-bowtie ? How many psi have you settled on running with that thing?