Stock lm7 turbo build

[Romanheystek]

I have a 95 chevy two door flare side that is on its last limbs. The motor is going (5.7) while the body and everything else is perfect. I don’t want to get a new truck because it’s my great grand father’s old truck. I’m planning on putting a lm7 or something in that realm along with a new 4l60e or a 4l80e. I’ve spent a bunch of time researching threads and so on and came to a conclusion that these blocks are pretty strong. I watched a few dudes who put a turbo on a lq9 and it made 500+hp on stock everything but injectors and fuel pumps. I want to make a street truck. Is it possible to have say 10 psi of boost on a stock lm7 with new fuel injectors and all that or is it just not practical.

I’m a teenager so the idea of a street truck is the coolest thing ever and I love this truck minus the fact that it can’t get to 60. I’m looking for 400hp numbers ish

 

[RDF1]

Turbos are the best thing ever..
I build turbo trucks and cars and love them. If i can help let me know.

Injectors, fuel pump, 2 bar MAP sensor are all you need for a simple 10psi setup.
Rule of thumb for a properly sized quality turbo is 25hp per 1 psi.
So 10psi should add 250hp and 15psi will double your power that the engine makes naturally aspirated.


What year LM7? (not all LM7's are the same)
Ive made over 1500hp on a LC9 5.3 with stock bottom end in a foxbody mustang that was silly fast.



Here is the build i did a few years ago on my personal '91

1991 C1500 TURBO 5.3/4L80E

Figured id start a thread detailing my whole build since August 2017. My buddy had this truck since new back in '91. It had a 4.3/NV3500 in it for awhile. Then he put a supercharger on it to pull his boat. That lasted about 100k miles and decided to put a 350/700R4 in it. Then a...

www.gmt400.com

I just finished a '98 C1500 with twin 66s and a 4.8L (LY2) and its a blast to drive. It makes about 680hp right now. Turbos will flow enough air for 1500hp but this truck wont handle that much right now.


If it were mine, I would find a gen 4 4.8 or 5.3 and use that. (has better connecting rods and better heads)
Here are your possibilities.
4.8L
LY2
L20

Iron 5.3
LY5
LMG
LMF
Aluminum 5.3
LH6
LC9
LH8
LH9

 

[Romanheystek]

thank you very much. What’s the difference in lm7 blocks like is there a certain block I should look out for? (Branding number). I’m also trying to do this on a wreck yard motor so I’ll of course put new piston rings and so on on it.

 

[RDF1]

I'm not sure on block casting numbers.
But 99-04.5 had small connecting rods and 04.5+ had the better rods that will hold a bunch of power

 

[Sean Buick 76]

Good info above but also any 5.3 will be fine for your goals.

 

[Romanheystek]

So do you think just turboing a stock 5.3 is going to be the cheapest way to make 500 ish hp?

 

[RDF1]

500rwhp or 500 crank hp?

 

[Romanheystek]

I mean either or. My budget is $7,000 for it all so what ever the best I can get for 7k with tuning that will last.

 

[RDF1]

I only reason I suggest going with Gen 4 is when you want more power you have everything you need and don't have to buy another engine.
The early gen 3 Rods usually give up around 600 crank hp.
Go ahead with a gen 4 and it will live forever at 600hp.
7k is going to be pretty tight budget unless you plan on doing all the work yourself.

 

[Romanheystek]

I plan on doing everything myself. I have everything I need to do it but I really don’t want to touch the trans. I don’t know much about it but I’m a few months out before I start it so I can learn up on it if you think it’s a good idea to get a 4l80e shell and just build it
Myself but on Facebook marketplace I found a bunch of build 4l60’s that are 600hp ready. I guess I need someone that’s smart to tell me what motor and trans I should use.

With the power of YouTube anything possible