I was looking at a turbo system like this one here,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...e=STRK:MEWA:IT
But I started thinking that I could buy used pieces serately and piece the system together for under $1000. I would just have to pay an exhaust shop to do some mandrel bends. Do you think it is do-able for somebody with a bit of skill? I've done all the mods in my sig by myself.

 

I was about to post the exact same thing... it doesn't seem that complicated to build your own...

 

I was planning on building up a rear mount turbo setup for my car...But Im afraid I wont have the funds to follow through with the setup this spring.

Anyhow, doing it for under a grand might be a little on the low side.
When I listed everything that I would have liked to do it came out to just under 3 grand

That was for:
Racetronix LT1 Fuel Pump + Series 2 Harness - $240
Delphi/Lucas 42# High Impedence Fuel Injectors - $280
TunerCat Tuning Software and Cable for LT1 OBD2 - $380
2 1/2" U Bends x 6 - $100
K&N Air Filter KNN-RF-1015 - $40
K&N DryCharger RF-1015-DK - $30
Vortec Intake Elbow - $75
Wide Band o2 sensor - $350
Mocal Differential Oil Cooler - $180
Master Power Head Unit T70, P-Trim, .68 A/R - $600
Blow Off Valve- $200
Pro 5.0 Shifter - T-56 Transmission- $180
Spec Stage 3 Clutch LT1 6speed - $490

Now, Im sure I wouldnt need EVERYTHING on the list, but its all stuff that would help the car to make the most power, as well as handle it all.

Im sure you could save some money in areas, but it might be difficult to come by a cheap turbo for under 500 unless you can get a nice holset off of a cummins turbo diesel, or maybe even a power stroke turbo.

Im sure theres more Im missing...But this is the list ive come up with so far

 

Ohh, also forgot...I plan on running -6an braided line as a return for the oil, and running some stainless hardline as the feed. I already have those items as well as a wastegate so its not listed...

 

Ahh, enter the value of used equipment. I've never had a bad experience buying anything used before, it just takes some little extra digging to make sure you're not getting screwed.

 

Yep, no doubt you could save some money in areas.
But, would be tough to get it under 1k
Ebay is a good source for used turbos, but its going to have to come off of a big diesel.

 

Take your expected expenditures and double it and then some. Do all the owrk yourself and you may just pull it off.

 

I agree, its going to be a lot more expensive than you think. Are you just going to run 5psi and no water/meth injection?

It's very do-able, I have a friend who built one for a 3.4 camaro. Some things you might want to consider in your pricing though that are often overlooked:

t-bolt clamps are NOT cheap. If your lucky, you'll find them for $5 EACH.
Silicone hoses/bends are also NOT cheap.
Don't forget a boost guage and some type of tuning.
FMIC if your plan on having any power.

Here's a quick breakdown IMO of some costs to do it right...


dyno tuning 400-650.00
meth/water injection(build yourself) 250-300.00
turbo oiling system 200
turbo masterpower t70 .68 a/r 650.00 with shipping
wastegate(find one used) 200.00
blow off valve(1g dsm) 30.00
air filter/sock 75.00
intercooler(obx from ebay) 300.00
all piping with mandrel bends 500.00
elbows/t-bolt clamps 200.00
injectors 42lb's used 225.00
boost guage 90.00
random gaskets/fluids 50.00

 

Here's my list. I tried to be conservative on all the prices. Hwat am I missing?

Turbo unit( yeah technical terms!) : 250
Wategate: 165
oil plumbing: 100
K&N filter: 50
Tubing & mandrel bends: 150
Various clamps: 40
Fuel pump: 140
36# Injectors: 130

I'm not counting a tune in here becasue I've been saving for one separately. This all comes out to be 1025. I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff though. Most items are off ebay used.

 

i think you need a oil pump for the turbo if you mount it in the rear,i belive its used to pump the drain side of the turbo.ive seen them for 180.00 from what i understand its a must to run one on a rear mount turbo kit for proper drainage or the turbo will fail rather quickly.

 

..if you have to ask "how much" then a turbo isnt the logical way. Its going to cost alot more than you think. There are alot of hidden costs that come along with it TRUST me. Your best bet would be heads and cam..cheaper and you dont need alot more.

 

Buying a used turbo is a hit or miss. If you dont know a lot about turbos, you might buy a unit that is bad. Turbos are one of those used parts you shouldnt buy unless you really know what you're doing or you get a satisfaction guarantee/warranty. Injectors usually arent as much a problem, but you should get them cleaned and checked on install, if not flow'ed as well. $130 for a set of 8 36lb injectors is VERY optimistic. I'd put that number to like $250 for a decent set.

Dont get a $165 wastegate. Even on a rear mount. Get a good wastegate. You DONT want it failing. Dont buy anything from "SSAutoChrome" or "Stone Mountain Racing".

You NEED some method of knock prevention. Intercooler, methanol, water. Something. That adds $200-$300 to the cost.

Good tubing also will set you back. Dont use industrial pipe on a car.

You need to remember turbos are heavy and need good mounting. Solid mounting. That isnt in your estimate, and it is also important, and will add cost. A $250 used turbo could work. I would estimate $500-$600 as a good deal on a turbo. You have a v8. A single T3 or even a T3/T4 will not do. You really need something in the T67+ range.

Buying a fuel pump for $140 is great, but installing it involves a lot of time and effort, and you will probably break other things during install. Changing a fuel pump on an fbody is not cheap or easy. Ask me how I know this...

I'd double or triple your clamp budget. You will also need good bolts as well, which will add $20 to the budget very quickly.

Silicone couplers are usually $5-$15 each depending on if you want good quality or not good quality.

T bolt clamps are the same. Do you want good ones or cheap ones? $5 each is a good number for a nice stainless unit shipped with taxes (if applicable).

Oil lines arent cheap either. My oil lines to my turbo (under the hood) of my old DSM set me back $100. The ones on the camaro will easily be $150. A rear mount requires more.

$100 for an oil pump back there is do-able. I'd estimate more like $140-$180 though.

You will need flanges for the turbo, welding of those flanges to the pipes, flanges to the turbo's oil passages, welding of exhaust piping (unless you can weld everything yourself)

I priced doing an STS style kit for my car a while back. My estimate to do things right and include all this little stuff was still $1600. That was no fuel pump and no injectors...

There are hidden costs to anything like this, including engine rebuilds.

 

yup

 

I tried to lay this out on paper (for my application: 383, 9:1, all forged rotating, FMIC already on car, as stated above you may not need all this or may need more) and got the following:
LT1 rear mount turbo parts
Part/Cost
GT67 turbo ?AR 900
Wastgate 225
Blow off valve 200
Electronic boost controller 290
Turbo timer for pump 25
Exhaust pipe- 3” out by muffler to turbo w/ wastegate mount (turbo mount also) 200
3” Exhaust pipe- turbine outlet w/ tailpipe- 90 degree bend 75
2.25” compressor outlet pipe- U-bend- goes to 90 degree pipe added below (1 of 3) 25
2.25” pipe to front of car ? bend 100
2.25”-3” silicone adapter at intercooler (in/out= 2) 25
2.25” pipe 180 degree bend to/from intercooler (in front of motor) (2&3 of 3) 50
2.25” pipe 90 degree bend (1- at intercooler, 1-at compressor U-pipe, 2-up to MAF) (4) 135
2.25”-3.5” adapter to MAF 30
Inlet elbow- 90 degrees 3” 25
2.25” silicone straight couplers (7) 60
2.25” clamps (17) 80
3” clamps (3) 25
Air filter 4” inlet 40
Air filter cover 30
Inlet pipe to turbo 4” size 90 degree bend 30
Oil pump (wire to run w/ oil pressure) 200
Oil supply line: -4, 15’ 65
Oil drain line: -8, 15’ 80
Hose fitting at block for oil supply –4x1/8 NPT 10
Hose fittings for supply hose ends -4 (2) 20
Hose fittings for drain hose ends –8 (2) 20
Fitting for oil pan drain -8 20
Hose fitting for drain pipe at pump (pump to pan) 25
Hose fitting for drain at pump (turbo to pump) 25
Hose fitting for drain at turbo 25
Vac/pressure line, engine to EBC and EBC to wastegate, 20’ 30
Total parts 3090

Buying used would shave some $, and no doubt I'm overlooking something. The prices are approximate based on Ebay, Summit, Online, etc and include shipping. There does not seem to be a lot of information on those selling the GT67, which was recommended for my application, so the price on that part is really approximate.

The price quote I got on an STS with the above (except the IC piping) was $4269 + installation.

 

does anyone know what turbo sts uses with their setup? its a garrett but what a/r and what model?