turbo question

redbullapril23 · 03-13-2006, 10:28 AM

ok since i started workin at a shop i am seriously considering buildin an lsx bored 30 over with some forged LC internals. as we have alot of blocks etc that i can use.
my question is can i use and ls1 turbo kit on my 1996 c4. or will it jsut not clear the hood/ engine bay?

thanks your friend
Sean

mn_vette · 03-13-2006, 11:53 AM

My guess is that you're going to have to make a custom turbo kit. The C5 engine compartment is vastly different from the C4. If you can get ahold of one it might me interesting to see if it will fit in there. But chances are it won't otherwise someone would have came up with the same turbo kit for our cars long ago.

neat · 03-13-2006, 12:46 PM

The exhaust manifold is vastly different, motor mount location is different, accesory layout is different, and a million other things are different.

The exhaut ports on an LS1 are equally spaced, on our cars the center 2 are touching. That's the first problem that jumps out at me.

If you want a turbo C4, there really is only 2 options:

Callaway factory TT car

-or-

Build one yourself

If you decide to build one, be prepared for a long hard road. In the end though, what's cooler than a turbo C4? Nothing. Nothing has more 'awesome' in it than a turbo C4.

Build it!

mn_vette · 03-13-2006, 01:42 PM

I think you missed the line where he said "I'm considering building an LSx engine"

But getting the engine in the car and properly bolted up will be the first challange. Then you should think about doing a turbo kit.

redbullapril23 · 03-13-2006, 02:07 PM

sounds good. thanks guys

my engine is startin to go and i just cant decide what i want to do.

i want more power alot more
but at the same time i can decide
355 all forged for turbo or 383 or 396 with alot of n20...
hmmm hmmm hmmm
i want a turbo really bad. but i guess ill have to change outa the tranny first.

you guys with turbos
when you built your engines what did you do machine shop wise?
partial fill?
splayed mains (start with different block)?
o rings on the deck?
studs etc?

thanks your friend
Sean

neat · 03-13-2006, 02:33 PM

Lol, ya.

Reading comprehension > Neat

If you manage to successfully install an LS1 into a C4, be sure to document the process for us!

Turbocharging an LS1 in a C4 with a C5 turbokit would provide it's own unque set of problems I am sure. The routing of the down pipes would almost certainly not work, and I'm sure there is lots of other fitment issues.

If you've got access to a C5 with a turbo kit installed, some creative work with a tape measure and some model clay/play-doh should give you some insight as to what will/won't work. Park your car next to the C5, pop both hoods, and just look for awhile.

Bruce · 03-13-2006, 04:30 PM

if you have a deep pocket and a lot lot down time then by all means do a turbo C4. Forget the lsx stuffs. Turbo a C4 is more than you can handle. Install a lsx motor is another major pain the ass. I think you are way over your head of thinking.

redbullapril23 · 03-13-2006, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neat

Lol, ya.

Reading comprehension > Neat

If you manage to successfully install an LS1 into a C4, be sure to document the process for us!

Turbocharging an LS1 in a C4 with a C5 turbokit would provide it's own unque set of problems I am sure. The routing of the down pipes would almost certainly not work, and I'm sure there is lots of other fitment issues.

If you've got access to a C5 with a turbo kit installed, some creative work with a tape measure and some model clay/play-doh should give you some insight as to what will/won't work. Park your car next to the C5, pop both hoods, and just look for awhile.

actually there are several ppl on here who are doing / have done this.
they sell motor mount adapters. for about 100 a pop.
yes i am very aware that the c5 bays have alot more room and are much better setup ie no batter in the freakin wheel well and no opti under the water pump.

maybe im thinkin on this too much... but the lsx will make better power and be alot easier to tune via ls1 edit etc and also we have alot of hand me down parts at the shop.

later
Sean

*89x2* · 03-13-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neat

If you want a turbo C4, there really is only 2 options:

Callaway factory TT car

-or-

Build one yourself

If you decide to build one, be prepared for a long hard road.

http://www.callawayownersgroup.com/M...ace/market.htm

Bowtie8 · 03-13-2006, 08:51 PM

You know I have been tossing around the LSx myself.
Its really a fantastic engine. If I was starting from scratch with a rolling chassis, I would do an LSx with Bigstuff3.
I am deep with my 434 now and 23 degree heads. The displacement between the two generations is the same. The big advantage to the LSx is 2 fold. 100# lighter and a set of ET Performance 11 degree heads will make a ton more HP than my AFR 23 degree.
So my options that I have tossed around where to convert my 434 to an 18degree Brodix head and cut my miniram up to the new intake flange. (I don't want a cowl hood). Thats worth about 50HP on pump gas compared to the 23 degrees.
However it all comes clear when running boost. Its way cheaper to add 4 psi additional boost and get all that HP and more than give up my car for 3 months while I convert it over to an LSx motor and a lot of $$
The best part about it that I can see, is that it would be different. And I may still do it for that reason only.
In either case I would opt for an aftermarket controller. Way easier to tune with the UEGO closed loop

My opinion on the subject

John

bill mcdonald · 03-13-2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbullapril23

yes i am very aware that the c5 bays have alot more room and are much better setup ie no batter in the freakin wheel well and no opti under the water pump.

having both a C4 and a C5, I thought the C5 had less space.

Most the turbo kits out there involve the same things.

Lingenfelter C5 have lower mount turbos, so do the C4 callaways.
Lots of the same things in common here.

And one off turbo C4 with the turbo(s) mounted up high have custom manifolds, and some accessory magic done to them.
the halltech C5 kit had the same thing.

another thing to consider is if those LSX headers will clear the C4 a-arm mounts. I got a set of headers off ebay for a SBC to find they run right into the A-arm mounts. no go.

one of the turbo kits for the C5 have you mount the battery in the trunk even. it is the kit that puts the turbos in the fenders, just behind the front wheel.

I have seen a turbo kit on one LSx way back when, it looked like it had the turbos mounted on something like a log manifold. Looked like all the accessories were in place. On the same note I saw a 96 callaway grand sport which had turbos mounted on it in a very similar fashion.

I guess my point is, for every mod done to turbo a C5, you will have to do the same on a C4, and vise vera.

I think the aftermarket jumped on the C5, and left us C4 guys to hang back.

It seems to me putting an LSX in a C4, would mean only 1/2 the turbo stuff would work. summing the C5 headers fit under the hood and clear the newly modded accessories you would have to fab to fit in the C4 anyhow. the rest would all be custom work still.
Odds are the C5 intercooler will not fit, but possibly.
The down pipes for the turbos could be another maybe.
All the turbo piping would be a maybe, but highly doubtful.

I have thought about dropping an LSX into my C4 as well since there is plenty of turbo kits out there for it. the problem is still getting it to fit in the C4 space. first you mod the LSX accessories and mount to fit, including the bell housing, then to try and get turbos in there. I think it would be cost effective to mount turbos on the Gen 1 SBC as it sits. or in your case the LT1

most the C5 guys switch over to a truck block which is iron to withstand a lot of boost.
you have the LSX head bolts to battle. only 4 opposed to 5 per cylinder. Last I read, one tuner has this nailed, but is keeping it secret.

for me it makes more sense to get a dart block, strap on some brodix M2 heads, and boost it up. Although I still get an urge to get the aluminum block for the lost weight. this Z06 is making me think too much in the canyons about the weight of the C4.

Anyhow, that is just my thoughts on this.

redbullapril23 · 03-15-2006, 11:22 AM

thanks bill.

so you recomend an after market block?

is that dart a 2 bolt that i can convert into 4 bolt splayed?
or is is already 4 bolt splayed?

agian i work at a full machine shop with inshop dyno etc..

thanks your friend
Sean