5.3 turbo

[sand_racer]

Hey everyone

I have a 01' sierra ecsb w/5.3L 4WD
I want to put a twin turbo set up on it any help with where to find headers or will i have to make them. also has anyone even done this before. this will be my first time doing something like this so any suggestions would be aprecieated.

Some of my concerns are:

max bost pressure with stock internals
will i need to upgrade internals
fule injectors (size?)
turbo placement
tuning---probably remap ecu?


thanks in advance

[kemble]

This is a great site, but has limited FI resources. Search the net for performancetrucks forum.

[smokinsilverado]

This is a great site, but has limited FI resources. Search the net for performancetrucks forum.

X2....
A couple of things I would add that I wouldn't believe would be too much different from my Whipple I have on my 05. The max boost that you would want to go is 6 to 10psi, the injectors that I used are from a 6.0 I believe they are 42lb injectors maybe 46lb can't remember. Depending on where you get the turbo's from they should have most of this stuff figured out for you like STS or something. Good luck

[hin532]

I have seen it done before but on a 408 stroker in a 04 scsb and the turbo setup was custom and everything else was built, engine, changed out 4l60e for 4l80e the works!! The stock rotating assembly and trans will not last long with the turbos. So if you have alot of cash to put into it go for it. There is a video on YouTube of a twin turbo scsb racing a crotch rocket and it's pretty bad a**!!

[GreenVortec]

most i've seen was like 14 psi on an lm7.. stock bottom end. probably had ARP rod bolts though.
if you go through with it, the LS9 headgaskets are badass for boost.

[oldred95]

Unless your budget allows it I wouldn't go with twins. How much power are you actually wanting to make? There are some pretty nice single turbo LS kits out there for a pretty fair price. I've been told the 5.3 pistons are not ideal at all for boosted applications. They can handle a little but if there is ever any detonation they are pretty well toast.

[custm2500]

I agree a single turbo will build enough boost for a stock bottom end and not have to be so large it won't spool. I don't know if you realise the biggest reason for a twin turbo set up is usualy to have the boost come in faster. Since you aren't going to be shooting for 20-30#s of boost you won't need a massive turbo that has a lag issue.A single medium size turbo will have great manners and still build big power if you want it too.

As for your questions
Injectors will depend on how much boost you plan to run
A stock bottom end should easily handle 10-15 psi with no issues(if tuned properly ofcorse) some guys have pushed 20# and not blown yet.
For tuning you have some options. Your best yet most complicated solution would be to buy EFI live or HP tuners and lear to tune your self. Once you buy the program you can tweek and adjust your tune as you please. Only down side is tuning is fairly complicated and time comsuming. The other option is to find someone to tune it for you. This is nice and easy, you just give them the information and they get you all set up.

[Zero260]

You could make some good power with a single, front mount 70mm turbo. Upgrade the fuel system and maybe add some arp rod bolts, the 5.3 can handle a good deal of boost. Get a dyno tune with a wide band from a good shop. Should make good power, and be reliable. Until you blow up the transmission.

They are old vids, but look up Parish on youtube. That will show you what a turbo 5.3 truck can do. His builds are on the net, just need to do a little bit of searching.

There's a lot of 5.3 long blocks out there, and they are cheap. Don't be scared.

[bobfig]

just saying i remember an story in hot rod mag or something where they too a junk yard "5,3l" and wanted to boost it till it blew and it went over 1000hp still asking for more. come to find out when they opened it it was a 4.8l.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/hrdp_1109_stock_gm_ls_engine_big_bang_theory/

[CliveO]

most i've seen was like 14 psi on an lm7.. stock bottom end. probably had ARP rod bolts though.
if you go through with it, the LS9 headgaskets are badass for boost.

I have the LS9 headgaskets and they are pretty badass my friend!

[Low97tahoE]

just saying i remember an story in hot rod mag or something where they too a junk yard "5,3l" and wanted to boost it till it blew and it went over 1000hp still asking for more. come to find out when they opened it it was a 4.8l.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/hrdp_1109_stock_gm_ls_engine_big_bang_theory/

thats an awesome article, thanks for posting it, makes me wonder what i can do to my 4.8, have considered ls1 swap, but idk

[sand_racer]

thanks for all the tips

the reason for the twin setup is because the turbos are free and they are smaller. i did know the point of the two smaller turbos spooling faster than the single big one would, and i like this idea. it is also correct that i'm not sure yet how much power i want to make yet. o and the trany is already trash...i think i read that a 4l80e is the way to go, is this right?

was it a wide band mass airflow sensor that i needed or can i use the stock sensor?

p.s. as with anyone i want to make as much power as i can before i break stuff

[kemble]

thanks for all the tips

the reason for the twin setup is because the turbos are free and they are smaller. i did know the point of the two smaller turbos spooling faster than the single big one would, and i like this idea. it is also correct that i'm not sure yet how much power i want to make yet. o and the trany is already trash...i think i read that a 4l80e is the way to go, is this right?

was it a wide band mass airflow sensor that i needed or can i use the stock sensor?

p.s. as with anyone i want to make as much power as i can before i break stuff

It will break stuff when its stock. But as I mentioned earlier look up the site and read A LOT.

[custm2500]

thats an awesome article, thanks for posting it, makes me wonder what i can do to my 4.8, have considered ls1 swap, but idk

Boost your 4.8. Stop over to performancetrucks.net and look up foose. He is knocking on 9s with a stock bottom end 4.8. If you aren't going to turbo you should swap a 6.0 not an LS1. Again if you are looking for performance you know where to find all you info.