I am looking to Turbocharge my 98 Tahoe, How should I prepare my engine, what mods do I need/would be recommended.

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Traveling man

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Without any compromises (no removal of A/C or Power steering ect.) I want to install a turbo. I have the whole system planned out (not bought) with few kinks left to deal with, my question remains; What next? First and foremost I am already planning on swapping the PCM with a 0411, the support for tuning for boost and other applications make it the clear choice for this. But other than that I'm not sure everything is ready. Are there timing changes I should make? Should I get a forged crank or cam shaft? New pistons and Rods? Or is the 350 small block ready to handle 500-600 Horsies? Maybe something not even remotely on this list! I want to ask all you smarter guys before I potentially hurt my perfectly good car. Any other tips would be appreciated as well.
The information I have is from, Richard holdener, speed secrets, definitely worth your time to YouTube the Channel. I agree with the fella said STOP put in an LS. ever hurd of 4bolt mains ? LS is 6 bolt on every Journal. He recently took a high mileage junkyard 6.0 30,000 ring Gap, twin turbo, over 1,400 hp and it survived, not a forged crank not forged rods not forged pistons. When pushed till they pop it's the rod that give out on LS assuming you have ARP bolts. As far as compression is concerned, low compression doesn't help it survive, it does gives you less power, what lower compression is good for, lower octane fuel without Dead Nation. The things I'm saying or dyno proven, I could go on for days trying to help you decide what when where and why, you would have to decide whether or not I'm being biased, talkin out my rear, you should really check out Richard holdener YouTube, be forewarned it's very addictive and extremely exciting when you see just how advanced the LS motor is, it makes all previous (small block) seem like boat anchors.also a 4l60e that can handle the power you're looking Not cheap. There's a lot of debate over the 60 and the 80 because of weight and gear ratio, if it were me I would stay away from your local shop and Monster and go with Gear star.
 

retorq

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Without any compromises (no removal of A/C or Power steering ect.) I want to install a turbo.

OK goooooo onnnnn ....

I have the whole system planned out (not bought) with few kinks left to deal with, my question remains;

I'm still with you .....

What next? First and foremost I am already planning on swapping the PCM with a 0411, the support for tuning for boost and other applications make it the clear choice for this.

Well YEAH!? When I hear turbo'd 4 door family SUV immediately think 411 swap ... we're on the same page there bud!!

But other than that I'm not sure everything is ready. Are there timing changes I should make?

I mean ... if you want it to live??

Should I get a forged crank or cam shaft?

Ummmmmm ....

New pistons and Rods?

OK you trollin right??

Or is the 350 small block ready to handle 500-600 Horsies? Maybe something not even remotely on this list! I want to ask all you smarter guys before I potentially hurt my perfectly good car. Any other tips would be appreciated as well.

Shiiiiiiiiiit, grab the pop corn, I'm in on this one.
 

Calvo

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OK goooooo onnnnn ....



I'm still with you .....



Well YEAH!? When I hear turbo'd 4 door family SUV immediately think 411 swap ... we're on the same page there bud!!



I mean ... if you want it to live??



Ummmmmm ....



OK you trollin right??



Shiiiiiiiiiit, grab the pop corn, I'm in on this one.
Funny guy, If you have something to say then say it, I asked for advice, not sarcasm.
 

Calvo

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To 500 wheel or more, how much is OP looking to make?
Honestly, 500 Would be plenty, this is more of a project to upgrade the Tahoe, give it more spice, and get some experience. Do I need more power? No... But then again who needs a 1000 HP supra? I want to take this car over the passes on the weekends for skiing and through the mountains for camping. But I want it to be a really cool car, I want to make it mine. But if it's going to require I rebuild the engine, then it's starting to seem less worth it, I also can drop $5,000 right now of something like a new crate engine like some are saying. Anyways just wanted to see if it is safe to do a mod like this, even if just for ***** and giggles.
 

Calvo

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honestly 5-600 hp is starting to stretch it a bit to ask for with a stock block IMO. esp if im assuming it already has 100k + miles on it. is this a daily driver to hear some boost occasionally or are you trying to really push the thing? the better question is your transmission. these 4l60s are great transmissions in stock applications but once you add some resistance to them in the form of higher HP or bigger rolling mass they tend to heat up quick which we all know is a recipe for disaster with any hydraulic pump with clutches.
I daily drive currently but want to make it a sportier truck for taking to the mountains on weekends, that's the main goal.
 
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