LS turbo mounting-f body manifolds?

[downbytheriver]

Looking for some examples of how people installed their turbos.

From some of the pictures I've seen here and on other sites, it looks like some have flipped the fbody/truck manifolds to work. I have a 5.3 with manifolds from a 2000 firebird formula and am looking to mount a single turbo. I'd like to keep the factory AC compressor in the same place as well.

If anyone has any pictures of their setup, or some advice on how they mounted their turbo, feel free to share. Thanks!

[Wasted Income]

I've built several different turbo setups for these trucks. First setup was with homemade logs, second was with LS2 GTO manifolds, and the most current setup is with one C6 vette manifold, and one truck manifold.

[downbytheriver]

Wow, that is BEAUTIFUL work.

Those pictures are worth 1000 words, so thanks. Did you prefer the C6 manifold for a better angle for piping? Love the wastegate dump so it sounds like the gateway to hell is opening under full boost

[Wasted Income]

Thanks.
I had two vette manifolds, but the DS would not clear the master cylinder.





I went with the C6 manifold on the PS to give clearance for the high mounted AC compressor.

[dkauffman05]

Wasted income, not to change subject but it looks like you have a sanden sd7 compressor. What bracket are you using?
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[Wasted Income]

It's a custom hybrid setup from a guy on LS1tech. Expensive, but worth it to tuck the compressor in tight to the engine up high.

[downbytheriver]

What kind of boost levels will you be running? I'm not really sure if I NEED an intercooler.

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by downbytheriver

What kind of boost levels will you be running? I'm not really sure if I NEED an intercooler.

In the 21st century, everyone NEEDS an intercooler. A handful of cars back in the day ran non-intercooled turbos, but every one also benefited from the addition of an intercooler (like the turbo buicks).

The only cars that really don't run an intercooler these days are strip only cars that don't have to deal with issues of heat soak, or the even smaller portion of cars running "Chemical cooling" like running a methanol setup or or cooling the charge with nitrous.

[Wasted Income]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

In the 21st century, everyone NEEDS an intercooler....The only cars that really don't run an intercooler these days are strip only cars that don't have to deal with issues of heat soak

Really? Do you have a turbo setup?

Just asking, because you are spreading half-truths. I have no A2A or A2W and my setup runs nice. I have no problem getting IATs below ambient with my water/meth setup

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by Wasted Income

Really? Do you have a turbo setup?

Just asking, because you are spreading half-truths. I have no A2A or A2W and my setup runs nice. I have no problem getting IATs below ambient with my water/meth setup

Not on this one, yet, but plenty in the past.
Its not a half-truth, its a full opinion.


Carrying around an extra bottle of meth gets old, been there. I also don't like the idea that if I do runout (road trip, whatever), I lose the ability to make full use of the vehicle, or risk det. Even when I had a diablosport (different ride) and could switch back and forth off the meth tune quickly, it was still annoying. Meth works fine, but I still hold that carrying another tank of a consumeable product isn't really suited for a lot of people. You can cool an intake charge with nitrous of co2 also, but it doesn't really mean that its the best option for a street car. Its just one more thing to worry about. In most cases there is no reason NOT to run an I/c, aside from space, which is these trucks is not the concern like on some vehicles.

I'm all for it in addition to an I/c but I just don't feel its the right option for a lot of people on a street car. It doesn't mean your car doesn't work, or that it doesn't run nice....people need to stop assuming that because a person doesn't favor a setup, its not a damn personal affront to anyone running it.

[wgeyer88]

I've been looking into a turbo for my project too. (once it's finally done of coarse!) I wonder if anybody has ever tried a trick performance or kb racing kit?

I know the truck manifolds don't fit very well to start with, but there are some members who have made them work by trimming the frame slightly. I guess the other concern would be routing the crossover under the transmission. It might be a little low with a 4/6 drop or more. Any thoughts on these setups?

[Wasted Income]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

Its not a half-truth, its a full opinion.

Ok....that made me lol.

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

I also don't like the idea that if I do runout (road trip, whatever), I lose the ability to make full use of the vehicle, or risk det.... Meth works fine, but I still hold that carrying another tank of a consumeable product isn't really suited for a lot of people....In most cases there is no reason NOT to run an I/c, aside from space, which is these trucks is not the concern like on some vehicles.

I can run around to work and back, beating on the truck at every chance for a week or so, before needing to top off the 1 gallon tank, even with a dual nozzle setup. I run -20F washer fluid, that can be had at any gas station, walmart, hardware store, etc for $1.50 - $3 per gallon. It really is not a hassle of any sort. If I had the room for a FMIC I'd think about putting one in, with the air conditioining and '68 front clip I don't. Plus, my intake plumbing is so simple and straightforward, and I know from past "hot-air" turbo LS setups I've built that that water/meth will do the trick just fine.

I challenge you to find me a spot to mount a FMIC between the radiator and grille.


Also my 100% opinion

Originally Posted by wgeyer88

I've been looking into a turbo for my project too. (once it's finally done of coarse!) I wonder if anybody has ever tried a trick performance or kb racing kit?

I know the truck manifolds don't fit very well to start with, but there are some members who have made them work by trimming the frame slightly. I guess the other concern would be routing the crossover under the transmission. It might be a little low with a 4/6 drop or more. Any thoughts on these setups?

I've run stock truck manifolds in the past. I had to notch the frame to make them clear on the Passenger side (can't recall if it was required on the DS). The first setup I built was similar in layout to the KB or Trick kits. Ground clearance was never an issue, even on bags.

[BR3W CITY]

^^^which kit are you running? I ran a snow kit and even on my little SRT I burned through more than a gallon of meth a week.

JDM yo.

[downbytheriver]

Haha shoulda kept the STi intercooler off of my old car

I've seen where people put the intercooler between the radiator support and the grille, but it does look like a tight fit, and you have to drill a big hole in the core support.

[Wasted Income]

It's a hybrid Snow/Devils Own kit that I put together. It's controlled by the Megasquirt to enable at 4 psi and progressively ramp up with boost.


Nice top mount.

[BR3W CITY]

I got some questions on that setup but I'm moving it to PM to keep this thread clean.

[downbytheriver]

By all means, keep them in here if you want, I'm trying to see what the best route is. I'm at the crossroads right now.
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[Mr. 250r]

hooker ls swap manifolds

[85burb]

Originally Posted by wgeyer88

I've been looking into a turbo for my project too. (once it's finally done of coarse!) I wonder if anybody has ever tried a trick performance or kb racing kit?

I know the truck manifolds don't fit very well to start with, but there are some members who have made them work by trimming the frame slightly. I guess the other concern would be routing the crossover under the transmission. It might be a little low with a 4/6 drop or more. Any thoughts on these setups?

I was a few weeks away from getting the new trick cast manifold for my longbed when the truck had to take a detour. I am betting it will fit a 73-87 frame. Trick says the crossover stays pretty tight with the motor. If I do end up with a turbo I will be getting that set up.