I'm wondering how many people here have put together their own turbo kits. I was planning on going all motor this spring but now I am contemplating the darkside, but I don't want to boost much on a stock bottom end right now. I've been reading and it seems about 7psi is safe on stock LS bottom end.

Locally the guys tell me that fuel management is key, and I've heard of a few dudes running LS's at around 12-15psi with stock bottom end with finely tuned ignitions & boost dependant fuel regulators safely.

I don't want a rebuild, and getting low comp pistons, arp bolts, shotpeening rods are out of the question for $$ reasons, therefore I'd like to either hear the argument of that it's possible to turbo for 7psi reliabily for around $2k CAN (getting used stuff other than turbo) or just sticking to a good old reliable all motor plan. I don't even know how much faster 7psi would be than a heck of a lot of headwork & cams... I don't want to bore you with my turbo ignorance but I have to start somewhere.

 

do a search on the board for homemade turbo kits . you will find i thnk about 3-4 articles. i know you can do a complete kit here in the states for around 1500 bucks total with good quality parts. First off i would get the MAX REV manifold for 350 then i would get a used turbo t3 custom piping from any place mild steel is good enough then i would get a used intercooler any of them are good really as long as there is no pressure drop. fmu get new and a used bov and you are pretty much set.

 

Yah that's pretty much what i was figuring and doing all custom piping & downpipe. But the most important question out of this is what is the secret / what are numbers to expect with a stock bottom end, and will it last?