need help picking turbo

[Boosted Thrills]

ive been searching the forum and think ive gained enough information to be able to ask a question of this magnitude. i didnt ever think id be saying this but ive decided to abandon the blower idea and go with a turbo instead, im not so sure i like the idea ho having to wait till redline for max boost

the main goal here is 400+RWHP with 12LBS of boost, id be perfectly happy with more power if i run more boost i do want to do it on 93 octain though

heres what im working with
-89 block bored .030 8.5:1 forged pistons
-shotpeaned crank and LB4 rods ARP bolts
-stock main caps with ARP studs
-comp 270AHR cam (422)
-1.6 rockers
-'99 vortec heads borted by me, i kept the ports stock size i just opened them up in the area where they neck down for the pushrod, worked the bowls and finished them with 80 grit, on the exhaust i i kept the ports stock size worked the bowls and polished them like a mirror, the chambers are also polished, im using the the stock valves with a 3 angle valve job
-intake is an just a carb manifold (ports were cleaned up) converted to MPFI topped off with a 4bbl TB
ECU is a holley commander 950, just got to swap to bigger injectors and a 2 bar map

im running a T56 trans with a 2.6something 1st gear and a 3.73 rearend gear

parts im thinking about are
-PTE turbo, im thinking a 52 or 54
-stock syclone manifolds
-full 3" exhaust with high flow muffler and no cat
-a race BOV havent really decided on a particular one
-external wastegate if it will work with a PTE turbo
-A2A intercooler, havent decided on size but something in the neighborhood of a 27x6x3 top to bottom flow will work and flow plenty of CFMs

my truck spends alot more time on the street than the track but its not a daily driver. i have no problem uping the boost at the track

i have no idea how much power potential i have, sorry for using so much bandwith but i wanted to give the best possible information for the best possible answer, all help is greatly appreciated
thanks,
mike

 

[TurboTony]

A word of advice,

If you spin the engine high enough to take advantage of the heads and cam you mentioned you will end up sweeping up the remains of the stock rods from the road.

Buck up for a set of eagles :wink:

Tony

 

[Boosted Thrills]

i was afraid i was gonna get that answer, i didnt have intentions of switching the rods till i wanted to shoot for the low 11's high10's. this shortblock and cam made 300rwhp(i forget at what RPM) with ported LB4 heads, a whipple at 9PSI and untuned TBI, it also held up to quite a few 6500RPM shift, none of that matters anymore.

the motors been in the truck for less than a year and 1,000miles since it was torn down, checked over and freshened up. ill scarifice a few HP and limit the RPM to keep the rods safe for now, id even consider swaping to a milder cam to help bring down the powerband

 

[bigtime]

Have you ever seen what happens to the rest of the engine when a rod decides to leave? It is way smarter to change them now instead of the other parts to bring power down.

 

[Boosted Thrills]

Have you ever seen what happens to the rest of the engine when a rod decides to leave? It is way smarter to change them now instead of the other parts to bring power down.

im not trying to sound like an ass on purpose but im confused here, you guys are saying im gonna break shotpeaned LB4 rods running 12LBS of boost and 5500RPM max. the guy i had check this motor over, 1,000miles ago said it will hold 15PSI no problem and the piston to wall clearence was limiting it there. all i want is a 12 second truck on this motor

i dont know what you guys with stock shortblocks are shifting at but ive noticed quite a few are running over 17PSI

 

[syntax]

stock sy's shift at 4600 and eat lb4 rods like candy, they suck, plain and simple. Even gm switched over to thicker l35 rods for their 5200 N/A s10s.

 

[nightdiver]

Then get a 60-1

 

[Boosted Thrills]

so the rods are really that bad, this sucks i considered swaping them out last time, but was too impatient to wait


if i tear it all apart again to do rods, im gonna do the 4 bolt main caps. now what turbo are you reccamending, remember im running a manual trans to

 

[Lynn D. Brown]

eat lb4 rods like candy, they suck, plain and simple.

Gotta agree - I blew one on the street, not dragging or anything. Wiped out my block. I went w Eagles.

 

[Boosted Thrills]

eat lb4 rods like candy, they suck, plain and simple.

Gotta agree - I blew one on the street, not dragging or anything. Wiped out my block. I went w Eagles.

i cant beleave deburing, polishing, shotpeaning and balancing does nothing for them. oh well you guys would be the ones to know

 

[BigAl...]

I really can't imagine you making 400+ RWhp with either of those turbos certainly not at 12psi maybe 18-20+ but not at 12. You're gonna need alot bigger turbo and alot of timing to make 400+ at 12psi.

BTW what exactly is a T56 tranny?

BigAl...

 

[JSM]

I also have to agree, anybody here that is building anything more than a basic stock motor ~300hp does the 4 bolts and eagles. Not because the syty's had money trees as standard equipment either.

T56 is manual tranny. I assume is a 2wd s10 or simlar vehicle? Not AWD?

More info on vehicle, weight will help get you to your goals.

What about Fuel injection, computer, etc.?

 

[Boosted Thrills]

my tranny is out of a '96 camaro, 6 speed with double overdrive

my truck is a 91 regular cab, no A/C, 2wd, im guessing it weighs right at 3000lbs but im gonna try to get it at 2800lbs. battery is in bed and soon a fuel cell will be back there too, that will help alot with weight transfer

im running multi-port injection controled by a holley commander 950 ECU, check my initial post for all motor build information


my biggest concern is how much lag is there gonna be the .85 A/R i dont really care if it makes 400rwhp i just wanna run something faster than a 12.5

 

[nightdiver]

With only 12 psi of boost you need at least a T67 , w/0,70 exhaust and a big fat external. If you dont mind of the lag the 0,82 is ok
I got to say that the 67 was one of the best turbos i had(ive got a lot in the garage)