[242ss1LE]

Gonna start by saying I have zero experience with turbos all previous cars have been big cam and full bolt on. I have a 24ss1le and I am wanting to rebuild engine this year so that it will be ready for a twin turbo next year. Will shops just sell me what I would need to get my motor ready for the power I want or will they want to do work? If they will just sell me parts what is best shop be to call and get parts from. Sorry if this is stupid question it is just in the past I have never had to call shops to get parts but the options these days are crazy

[dreksnot]

Rebuild motor? How so? Depending on your target power (what is it?), you may not need to. Forging your bottom end will give you more power capacity though. Turbos don’t need the same supporting mods that superchargers need in order to make the same amount of power, more fuel being the exception. You can directly order a twin kit from Hellion (top mount) or Huron (mid mounts). Either kits are supposedly installable in your own garage if you can wrench.

[242ss1LE]

Wanting 800-900 and internet says motor doesn't like over600 and I think I will try to find a shop that makes custom top mounts

[242ss1LE]

And it is 100 percent getting a cam which is why I am asking this cause I would rather replace everything if it is needed while the motor is out

[dreksnot]

As for getting any part for the motor - you can get any part yourself (cam and kit), fuel pumps, rods and pistons, turbos, anything) online or at swap meets. If you can install them yourself, that'll save a ton of money. It does help to have a list of what you're looking for beforehand as some places like BTR (plenty of others too) can accommodate a one-stop for most items shop.

[dreksnot]

Originally Posted by 242ss1LE

Wanting 800-900 and internet says motor doesn't like over600 and I think I will try to find a shop that makes custom top mounts

Things to consider about your desired power level; LT1's don't have the forged pistons, rods, supporting valve train items and will need those. LT1 compression is 11.5:1 (the LT4 is 10:1) they're a little more delicate to tune (can get more power with less boost changes, but a narrower tuning window, if you can follow that).

I've been seeking out how to fuel more power with these LT motors. The Direct Injection is significantly different and has different capabilities/methods compared to the Port Injection fuel delivery. Looks at some previous threads to get the gist.

Top Mounts can work good and be some eye candy. It does inherently present some heat issues under the hood. Consider wrapping and coating, and shielding as much "delicate" items as possible. This includes wire harnesses and hose. I've found the heat coating (like ceramic) aren't as effective as they claim.

[242ss1LE]

Yeah the list of parts need is what I was looking for but didn't know if I could just walk into a shop and say I plan on twin turboing my car next year so I need everything this year so my motor will handle it and work properly. For the tuning there is a guy that hopefully still does it that is really good at tuning Chevrolet vehicles in my area

[Joshinator99]

GPI will happily sell you the “drop-in” pistons and rods that are the stock weights, so no balancing required. They take a beating too…see my signature below. Factory LT1 crank is forged and can take a lot of abuse too. That will set you up for 1000 WHP just fine. If you want more than that, hit up LME for a shortblock that will be good to 1400-1800 WHP. Then add the boost of your choice.

[242ss1LE]

Thanks for all the help from everyone and sorry about the dumb question. Just would rather only spend the money once

[cheeze9878]

Also, I'm not a big cam knowledge guy, but won't a turbo cam kill the performance of the car without installing the turbos. Meaning its gonna be a real dog until the turbos are put on. So if you plan on driving for a year with a turbo cam and no turbos you'll be pretty annoyed with it, or at least I would be. But like I said not 100% sure so please correct me if I'm wrong cause I am waiting till I can afford the cam before I get my kit installed.

[easttxss]

Originally Posted by cheeze9878

Also, I'm not a big cam knowledge guy, but won't a turbo cam kill the performance of the car without installing the turbos. Meaning its gonna be a real dog until the turbos are put on. So if you plan on driving for a year with a turbo cam and no turbos you'll be pretty annoyed with it, or at least I would be. But like I said not 100% sure so please correct me if I'm wrong cause I am waiting till I can afford the cam before I get my kit installed.

No, typically turbo/blower cams favor the exhaust a little more than a comparable naturally asperated cam, but it won't kill a lot of power if not used with boost.

[jlaudio11]

Drop in piston and rod setups are really all you need bottom end wise. If you're capable of doing the work it's not too bad. Turbo cams are often similar to "truck cams" or more mild than car NA cams. NA cams usually sacrifice low end power to pick up high rpm power. With turbos amplifying the NA power curve you don't have to sacrifice as much down low because you're making up the power up top with boost. My BTR Stage 1 Turbo cam specs closer to a truck cam than their "220" cam which is basically their stage 1 NA cam.

[dreksnot]

IMO, you don’t need to cam for that extra 40-60hp unless you’re going for an all out build. That little amount of hp can be made up with 1.5-2psi boost, which most twin systems aren’t turbo limited; they’re usually something like fuel. If you want a lope, the tune can add that.

Out of personal experience with my LS early on: I wish I had kept my stock cam because I lost some driveability in parking lots, emissions, mileage, comfort. I run a different song and dance with my all out LSX build though - custom grind turbo cam for four-digit hp (turbo limited). But! With these LT motors and DI you will likely need a larger fuel lobe inless you’re heading down the PI route.

[242ss1LE]

Not planning on going crazy with power but I know myself last car was 600hp and it wasn't close to enough power so I am wanting around 800 now but I already know it won't be enough so I want the motor to be ready for a full send