Yet another turbo LT1 project...
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 36
Yet another turbo LT1 project...
Hey guys, I've been doing an LT1 swap in my 85 IROC for a while now. But, I decided since I saved up a ton of money in Iraq, I want to go with a turbo. I just got out of the Army and found a well paying new job.. so its time to get this project started 
My goal for this car is 500-550rwhp.
I'm trying to keep this project as low cost as possible. Now, that doesn't mean I'm cutting corners everywhere. I'm going with an all forged 355 for the shortblock(I'm going to contact VRE about that one). I want to do that part right the first time.
As far as which turbo. Right now, I'm leaning towards an MPT-70 with a .96 AR. I've also considered some larger Turbonetics turbos.. but they start getting pretty pricey. If I went with a Turbonectics, I would probably pass on the ball bearing option to save some money. Would that be a horrible idea?
My main question is the heads and cam. Do you guys think stock (unported) heads would be capable of my HP goal? Obviously, if I boost the hell out of the engine they could do it. I'd like to keep the boost down to 8-10psi to start with.
Then theres the cam. I'll probably go with a Bret Bauer custom cam. My research tells me that this is the best option. Someone let me know if I'm wrong here.
ECM... I was thinking of running a megasquirt with the Ford EDIS8 ignition. Seems pretty simple all around. But I've read that the EDIS can't drop spark, so the rev limiter can only be a fuel cut. Not good with a boosted engine... I've seen alot of guys around here making loads of power on the stock reprogrammed ECM... is that a better option?
I have hot parts already. But I'm also going to take a welding class this semester, so I'm considering just making my own since the stuff I have isn't that great(I'm 90% sure its made in china ebay stuff thats been rewelded).
I've been reading this forum alot for that last several months. I've learned alot, but obviously I'm still no expert. Any advice is appreciated.
My goal for this car is 500-550rwhp.
I'm trying to keep this project as low cost as possible. Now, that doesn't mean I'm cutting corners everywhere. I'm going with an all forged 355 for the shortblock(I'm going to contact VRE about that one). I want to do that part right the first time.
As far as which turbo. Right now, I'm leaning towards an MPT-70 with a .96 AR. I've also considered some larger Turbonetics turbos.. but they start getting pretty pricey. If I went with a Turbonectics, I would probably pass on the ball bearing option to save some money. Would that be a horrible idea?
My main question is the heads and cam. Do you guys think stock (unported) heads would be capable of my HP goal? Obviously, if I boost the hell out of the engine they could do it. I'd like to keep the boost down to 8-10psi to start with.
Then theres the cam. I'll probably go with a Bret Bauer custom cam. My research tells me that this is the best option. Someone let me know if I'm wrong here.
ECM... I was thinking of running a megasquirt with the Ford EDIS8 ignition. Seems pretty simple all around. But I've read that the EDIS can't drop spark, so the rev limiter can only be a fuel cut. Not good with a boosted engine... I've seen alot of guys around here making loads of power on the stock reprogrammed ECM... is that a better option?
I have hot parts already. But I'm also going to take a welding class this semester, so I'm considering just making my own since the stuff I have isn't that great(I'm 90% sure its made in china ebay stuff thats been rewelded).
I've been reading this forum alot for that last several months. I've learned alot, but obviously I'm still no expert. Any advice is appreciated.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 811
From: Windsor, ON Canada
Sweeet LT1 3rd gen turbo setup 
...cant wait to see some pics, Im contamplaiting turboing my 383 LT1 87 Iroc. But I need to sell the car. If I dont sell it I will turbo it but well see. Post some pics of ur car and hot parts. I would love to see.
Also 550rwhp should be pretty simple. Im doing 411rwhp N/a And if I turbo I am looking for around the 6-650mark. I have LE2s on my car. Just make sure u get a really dished piston (I have -28CC JEs with 6inch eagle rods). And make sure she is forged and splayed 4botl mains
.
On a T70 u may have to put some good boost to it if its a mild 355 I would think tho.
Jay
...cant wait to see some pics, Im contamplaiting turboing my 383 LT1 87 Iroc. But I need to sell the car. If I dont sell it I will turbo it but well see. Post some pics of ur car and hot parts. I would love to see.Also 550rwhp should be pretty simple. Im doing 411rwhp N/a And if I turbo I am looking for around the 6-650mark. I have LE2s on my car. Just make sure u get a really dished piston (I have -28CC JEs with 6inch eagle rods). And make sure she is forged and splayed 4botl mains
.On a T70 u may have to put some good boost to it if its a mild 355 I would think tho.
Jay
Last edited by jay_rich; Aug 13, 2008 at 01:21 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,743
From: Mission, Kansas
9.0:1
stock crank
eagle rods
wiseco pistons
stock heads
Bauer cam with good springs
DO NOT get the master power, contact Jose at forced inductions and get the TC76
See my sig for times on STOCK HEADS/CAM.
stock crank
eagle rods
wiseco pistons
stock heads
Bauer cam with good springs
DO NOT get the master power, contact Jose at forced inductions and get the TC76
See my sig for times on STOCK HEADS/CAM.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,645
From: Bridgewater, MA
I would go with a T76 for sure (to guarantee 500rwhp @ 8-10psi).
IMO, I would definitely do atleast a small cam... doing ported heads will be even better. Alot depends on the hotparts design. Post some pics if ya can.
IMO, I would definitely do atleast a small cam... doing ported heads will be even better. Alot depends on the hotparts design. Post some pics if ya can.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 840
From: Nashville, TN
Whats wrong with Master Power!? Theres a TON off ppl on theturboforums that run them and I had planned on starting out on a T70 but Master Power will start shipping there new 76mm in a couple weeks for less than half what a Precision or tnetics sells for..
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,705
From: Kansas
there is nothing wrong with master power turbos. They are built extremely well.
They got a bad rep a while back because they were using a small shaft and having shaft failure. Since then, they have upgraded to a larger shaft, and now the failure rate is much lower.
On the chance you do have a failure too, your only shipping it to florida for about a 3 week turn around time. I've researched extensively before I bought mine, and i was told that their failure rate is about the same as greddy.
Do you have pictures of your hotside? It may not be bad to use.
For your power goals, I would not contact VRE as that will be quite expensive to get 500-550 RWHP.
Short block i would look at
JE, wiseco, or speedpro pistons, -21ish cc dish.
Eagle h-beam rods (found at gofastparts.com for 335)
Stock crank
Cam, for your power goals you would be fine to use a cc503 and it would not realy hold you back, but you are right, contacting bauer is the best option.
I would look into LE1 heads, maybe LE2.
Megasquirt is probably the best option, but if you are a 4l60E transmission, you'll have some issues.
They got a bad rep a while back because they were using a small shaft and having shaft failure. Since then, they have upgraded to a larger shaft, and now the failure rate is much lower.
On the chance you do have a failure too, your only shipping it to florida for about a 3 week turn around time. I've researched extensively before I bought mine, and i was told that their failure rate is about the same as greddy.
Do you have pictures of your hotside? It may not be bad to use.
For your power goals, I would not contact VRE as that will be quite expensive to get 500-550 RWHP.
Short block i would look at
JE, wiseco, or speedpro pistons, -21ish cc dish.
Eagle h-beam rods (found at gofastparts.com for 335)
Stock crank
Cam, for your power goals you would be fine to use a cc503 and it would not realy hold you back, but you are right, contacting bauer is the best option.
I would look into LE1 heads, maybe LE2.
Megasquirt is probably the best option, but if you are a 4l60E transmission, you'll have some issues.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 36
Heres a pic of the hot parts:
Driver side is a 1 5/8" primary tubular header.. passenger side is log manifold. I grabbed this up on another forum for a killer deal. It looks like the area around the turbo flange was re-welded.. it is beefy as hell around there. The biggest issue with these is that they do not have D shaped exhaust ports... so there would be a bit of a restriction using them.
Right now, I'm leaning towards stock heads, bauer cam, and a T76. Is the ball bearing turbo worth the extra cost?
I keep going back and forth on the megasquirt. I've never tuned anything like that, and I don't know anyone who has. Really, I'd just need to get it close enough to drive it somewhere for a dyno tune(which is like 4 hours away).
Driver side is a 1 5/8" primary tubular header.. passenger side is log manifold. I grabbed this up on another forum for a killer deal. It looks like the area around the turbo flange was re-welded.. it is beefy as hell around there. The biggest issue with these is that they do not have D shaped exhaust ports... so there would be a bit of a restriction using them.
Right now, I'm leaning towards stock heads, bauer cam, and a T76. Is the ball bearing turbo worth the extra cost?
I keep going back and forth on the megasquirt. I've never tuned anything like that, and I don't know anyone who has. Really, I'd just need to get it close enough to drive it somewhere for a dyno tune(which is like 4 hours away).
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 36
Yeah, thats exactly what it is. I'm like the third owner of it... original owner claims that he had some local guy make him a copy of the BBS stuff in stainless. I don't believe it.. I'm almost positive its SSautochrome stuff.
But it has been re-welded, so maybe its not total crap.
But it has been re-welded, so maybe its not total crap.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 36
The crossover is a slip fit. I don't care for that at all.. I'll most likely add some v-band flanges there.
It should fit. Thirdgen LT1 conversions just use off the shelf headers for a thirdgen, so I don't see why these wouldn't fit.
And before someone points it out, I know my hot parts will put the turbo right where the alternator on an LT1 f-body goes... I'm running Corvette accessories, so all that stuff is on the drivers side. I have plenty of room to work with on the passenger side.
It should fit. Thirdgen LT1 conversions just use off the shelf headers for a thirdgen, so I don't see why these wouldn't fit.
And before someone points it out, I know my hot parts will put the turbo right where the alternator on an LT1 f-body goes... I'm running Corvette accessories, so all that stuff is on the drivers side. I have plenty of room to work with on the passenger side.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,705
From: Kansas
The crossover is a slip fit. I don't care for that at all.. I'll most likely add some v-band flanges there.
It should fit. Thirdgen LT1 conversions just use off the shelf headers for a thirdgen, so I don't see why these wouldn't fit.
And before someone points it out, I know my hot parts will put the turbo right where the alternator on an LT1 f-body goes... I'm running Corvette accessories, so all that stuff is on the drivers side. I have plenty of room to work with on the passenger side.
It should fit. Thirdgen LT1 conversions just use off the shelf headers for a thirdgen, so I don't see why these wouldn't fit.
And before someone points it out, I know my hot parts will put the turbo right where the alternator on an LT1 f-body goes... I'm running Corvette accessories, so all that stuff is on the drivers side. I have plenty of room to work with on the passenger side.
