Keen to tap into the untouched potential that your LS1 V8 has to offer? We’re putting the best off-the-shelf turbo kits on the market head-to-head to decide which is best for your needs.
- Should I Turbocharge My LS1?
- On3Performance LS1 Turbo Kit
- STS Rear-Mounted LS1 Turbo Kit
- PTK LS1 Turbo Kit
- Huron Speed Products LS1 Turbo Kit
- CXRacing LS1 Turbo Kit
- Jump to winner
Tired of your homies calling your LS a junkyard engine, but if they called it a ridiculous junkyard engine with a big-ass turbo strapped to it, then you’d be over the moon? You’ve come to the right place!
Jokes aside, the LS1 has some serious untamed potential lying in wait. Whether you’re looking to buy an off-the-shelf turbo kit, use a knowledgeable tuning shop for a custom build, or wanting to carry out a budget turbo conversion by yourself, this guide will help you decide what’s best.
GM initially introduced its small-block engine way back in 1955, and even then, it didn’t take long to become a hit with automotive enthusiasts, particularly in the drag racing scene.
Following the success of the small block, after a successful re-launch with the LT1 in 1992, GM opted to take it to the next level as rival manufacturers started unleashing the crazy beasts of the 90s era.
Interested to know more about how the LT1 stacks up against the LS1? We’ve put them head to head in our LT1 Vs LS1 - What’s Best? guide.
When 1997 finally arrived, GM was ready to unveil the redesigned from the ground up, lightweight, all-aluminium LS1 engine which they’d been preparing for several years.
When Chevrolet announced the Corvette C5, it would be the first car to feature the LS1 under the hood.
It was undoubtedly the perfect combination to put the U.S. car scene back on the map at a time where the rest of the globe was rolling out some incredible machinery.
This lightweight, small-block V8 instantly became a game-changer in the tuning world, as people quickly realized the true capabilities that were just waiting to be unleashed from this impressively small and light package.
Not only was the weight a serious advantage, but it also had the added benefits of warming up and cooling down far quicker than its cast-iron brother, the LT1.
With 345hp and 350ft/lb torque in stock form, it was certainly no slouch. Also, if you’re lucky enough to have got your hands on a post-2000 LS1, then chances are you’ll have 350hp and 365ft/lb torque. That’ll come as a welcome surprise if you’re not already aware!
Even though it came with a decent amount of power, who can resist keeping it stock when your buddies have already started freeing up the sleeping horses and causing an upset on the street, or the track?
There’s no secret that plenty of LS parts are interchangeable between the various engines that they went on to produce in the following years after the LS1 initially hit the market.
You can check out our LS1 Vs LS2 guide to see some of the changes that were made between the two engines.
This benefit adds to the convenience of sourcing parts and also tapping into the easily-access tuning potential that it has to offer.
But what if you want to achieve the most impressive power gains that the LS1 is capable of providing, by strapping an epic turbo kit to unleash the inner beast? Let’s take a look.
Should I Turbocharge My LS1?
Before we jump into the world of strapping a turbo on your LS1, we’re going to ensure that it’s the route you want to go down, although turbos are INSANELY fun, the LS-platform does have a few cheaper tricks up its sleeve.
First off, what kind of power levels are you really hoping to achieve?
For example, as we spoke about previously, the LS is notoriously easy to squeeze some substantial gains out of without needing to go down the turbocharged, or even forced induction route, even if they won’t provide nearly as much fun.
If you’d happily settle for around 500hp of N/A power at the flywheel, you’re not going to need to go down the turbo route, and it could save you a lot of time and hassle.
A simple mod list like the following would be enough to help you hit these figures:
- LS6 intake manifold (which is already included on some 2001-onwards cars)
- Long tube headers
- Ported stock throttle body
- Uprated camshaft
- Uprated exhaust
- Underdrive pulleys
- Dyno tune
- Cold air induction kit
Alternatively, there are also various supercharger options available if you’re looking for more subtle power delivery.
Not sure what the difference is between a turbocharger and a supercharger? We’ve written our Turbocharger Vs. Supercharger - What’s Best? article just for you.
However, if those kind of performance figures aren’t enough, and you can’t resist the awesome sounds and neck-whipping power delivery that only a turbo kit can provide, then don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve compiled a list of the best off-the-shelf, bolt-on (or almost) kits that are available to buy on the market right now.
Trust us, we’ve given it a shot at creating our turbo kits in the past, and it’s not something that we’ll be considering again anytime soon!
So, unless you’re an experienced fabricator, or lucky enough to have your best buddy that’s talented in the fab department and owes you a few favors, this is likely to be your best bet.
Several of the commonly-used kits over the years are now discontinued (some for the better). Although these may well pop up on the used market, we’re only going to take a look at what’s available to get your hands on right now.
Are you a 350z owner that’s considering an LS swap, or know someone needs to V8-swap their Z? We’ve got you covered with our Ultimate 350z LS Swap Guide.
On3Performance LS1 Turbo Kit
- Manufacturer: On3Performance
- Fitment: Camaro/Trans-Am
- Turbo configuration: Single & twin turbo
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase links:
Buy the On3Performance 1998-02 Camaro Turbo System (AC Deleted) Turbo Kit here
Buy the On3Performance 1998-02 Camaro Turbo System (AC Retained) Turbo Kit here
Buy the On3Performance 1998 - 2002 Camaro / Trans-am Twin Turbo System Turbo Kit here
Our comment: On3Performance has received mixed opinions on their LS1 turbo kit, but a lot of owners have come away satisfied with their long-term results.
There’s no question that you could piece together an On3Performance LS1 turbo kit for a reasonable price, as it’s one of the cheaper options in our guide.
With a combination of mixed feedback from both their products and their approach to handling issues with customers, it does boil down to the all-too-common phrase in the car world, ‘you get what you pay for.’
We think that customer satisfaction is paramount at Drifted, and On3Performance hasn’t got the best reputation went it comes to post-purchase experiences.
Unlike the other kits in our guide, this requires a pump for the oil on the turbo, but On3Performance has recently added an optional ‘gravity drain kit,’ which is compulsory if you wish to maintain your turbo warranty.
If you’ve managed to source yourself a cheap On3Performance kit and you’re capable of making some adjustments if necessary, then it may be worth considering.
Alternatively, if you find a bargain-price used kit on the market in good condition that’s already modified to fit perfectly, then it could be an ideal solution.
Manufacturer description: “We have worked on this design for a long time now and pleased to now offer this kit to the public. If you want to have serious power potential and have a system that looks absolutely killer under the hood, look no further.“
“This kit offers a lot of our newest design products and cannot be happier with the results to this point during our testing stages.“
STS Rear-Mounted LS1 Turbo Kit
- Manufacturer: STS
- Fitment: 1997-2004 Corvette
- Turbo configuration: Twin turbo
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase links:
Our comment: STS offers a wide variety of popular rear/remote mounted twin-turbo options for the LS engine, for those of you that are looking for a convenient alternative.
They have an excellent reputation within the LS community, and certainly one of the biggest fan-bases out there.
If you’re not already familiar with their rear-mounted turbo kits, then you may be surprised to hear that they sit at the rear-end of the car rather than the usual mounting position that we’re used to seeing under the hood.
As you’ve probably guessed, this comes with certain advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is that it can be far easier to access the system should you need to carry out any maintenance or repairs.
Squeezing turbos under the hood can sometimes be a challenge, especially in some of the tighter engine bays, so having the turbo’s at the rear of the car is far more convenient.
As for the disadvantages, the main downside is the spool from the gases having to travel such a substantial distance compared to front-mounted turbos. This generally makes them more ideal for cars with auto transmission due to being able to keep the revs higher between gear changes.
On top of that, the kit also sits a little low at the back, especially for lowered car owners.
Being fully exposed at the rear can also mean it has more chance of collecting rain/debris, but STS has since provided water/dirt shields and dry socks in an attempt to correct this.
The final advantage/disadvantage can be positive or negative, depending on your approach to tuning. The kit is visible from the rear of the car, which doesn’t make it ideal if you’re going for the sleeper look, but if you’re looking for attention, then it may be perfect.
There are some mixed reviews on the quality/fitment of the kits, so again, we would expect to make some minor tweaks, but the overall feedback is hugely positive.
Although the price seems high compared to some of the other alternatives, this kit is ready to run, where almost all of the others will require multiple additional components.
Manufacturer description: “STS Turbo systems overcome the challenges of traditional turbo installations by mounting the turbos at the rear of your car. This allows you to retain stock exhaust manifolds, catalytic converters, and mid pipes.“
“Stock intake and throttle body can also be retained if desired. Relocating the turbos to the rear helps avoid adding additional heat under your hood and you won’t have to worry about clearance or interference issues with the belts, pulleys, or accessories in the engine bay.“
“You’ll also get better weight transfer since the turbos are in the rear and not adding additional weight to the front of your vehicle.“
PTK LS1 Turbo Kit
- Manufacturer: PTK
- Fitment: 98-02 LS1 F-body, 97-04 Corvette C5
- Turbo configuration: Single & twin turbo
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase links: Discontinued
Our comment: Another great off-the-shelf turbo kit choice for your LS1 comes from PTK, with their single, or twin-turbo systems for your LS1.
These are another highly-regarded company with an excellent reputation for both quality and customer service.
Some owners have recommended adding a turbo brace since the turbo flange section can crack at the v-band flange. It may also need some additional minor adjustments to fit perfectly, like almost all of the kits out there.
We’ve been informed of some ground-clearance issues on lowered cars, but this may have been rectified in time. We’d recommend speaking to them with regards to this if you do have a lowered car.
This setup is popular, and often replicated within the cheaper ‘eBay kit’ community, so it’s worth checking that it’s a genuine PTK kit if you’re planning to cop one on the used market.
The PTK LS1 turbo kit is great all-rounder, whether you’re looking to purchase a new or used setup.
Manufacturer description: “Almost all kits can be customized with different Intercooler and Turbo. Also fuel components can be added as well as Coating to the headers.“
“Complete kits come coated with Silver 2000deg coating on hot and cold parts. Also fuel components can be added as well. Call us for pricing.“
Huron Speed Products LS1 Turbo Kit
- Manufacturer: Huron Speed
- Fitment: 97-04 Corvette C5, 98-02 LS1 F-body (Discontinued)
- Turbo configuration: Single & twin turbo
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase links:
Buy the Huron Speed Products 97-04 Corvette C5 LS1 Twin Turbo Kits here
Our comment: Huron Speed has the best reputation on the LS turbo-kit scene, and it’s easy to see why.
Not only are their kits incredibly well-built, with a wide variety of choices and upgrades to choose from, but their customer service is undoubtedly superior to their rivals.
Frequently hanging out on the owners’ clubs, and helping absolutely anyone they can with their needs, while confidently explaining anything enthusiasts need to know goes a long way with us.
Their latest kit, the V3, shows that they’ve listened to any feedback and criticisms over the years, and you’ll be able to make your purchase with confidence that any ‘niggles’ are resolved.
Their kits are often on backorder due to their soaring popularity, but they’re undoubtedly worth holding out for if you can.
It’s worth considering that if you see one pop up on the used market, it may be worth finding out which version it is and ensuring that any issues it may have had are already rectified.
It’s certainly not the cheapest option in our list, but sometimes it’s worth spending a little extra cash to ensure you’re getting the best quality available, along with their valuable lifetime warranty.
If you’re looking for a cheap, budget option, then this probably isn’t the ideal choice for you.
Manufacturer description: “We pride ourselves on our Customer Service. We have dedicated our work day to provide our customers with the very best service from getting their products to them timely as well as answering any and all questions promptly. With our model, e-mail works best for communication and we typically respond nearly immediately 7 days a week, morning, noon and night! You will not find or receive better service anywhere else, guaranteed!“
“All Huron Speed Turbo Systems come with a lifetime warranty on all piping against defects, welds, cracking, etc. to the original purchaser. Any questions? No worries we have you covered for life.“
CXRacing LS1 Turbo Kit
- Manufacturer: CXRacing
- Fitment: 98-02 LS1 F-body, 04-06 LS1 Pontiac GTO, 04-06 LS1 Holden Monaro
- Turbo configuration: Single & twin turbo
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase links:
Buy the CXRacing 98-02 Chevrolet Camaro LS1 Turbo Kit here
Buy the CXRacing 04-06 Pontiac GTO/Holden Monaro LS1 Twin Turbo Kit here
Our comment: Before we start hearing cries of ‘Oh, not that Chinese junk!’ hear us out.
When CXRacing came onto the scene, they were mostly a slightly superior ‘eBay turbo kit’ brand. Over time they’ve listened to the feedback of customers and realized that there’s a gap in the market for decent, cheap turbo kits.
We’ve reviewed multiple turbo kits for various cars from around the world here at Drifted, and the feedback we’re repeatedly getting is that CXRacing isn’t so bad after all, especially not for the price.
Sure, they’re not going to provide you the quality or the customer service that you’re going to get from Huron Speed, but you’ll get a consistent quality kit at an absolute bargain price tag.
You may need to make some slight adjustments, but no more than some of the expensive alternatives on our list.
Their hot side piping is also commonly used in custom/DIY kits since it’s often cheaper and far more convenient than fabricating them yourself or at a local shop.
Two considerations that frequently pop up are that the gaskets aren’t the best out there and that the wastegate flange could do with an upgrade or a custom job.
We honestly would not dismiss CXRacing, particularly for those of you that are on a budget. This could easily work out cheaper than doing the job yourself with a local fabricator, or even a buddy.
We highly recommend considering saving the time and effort by opting for the convenient (piping) route. (Excuse the pun!)
Manufacturer description: “This is CXRacing’s newest product. All parts are developed from ground up in our R&D Center in USA, Designed and built for improved performance gains, with excellent fitment and easy installation.“
Our winner
Our winner is the Huron Speed Products LS1 Turbo Kit.
To pick our winner from this choice of LS1 turbo kits, we looked at a number of criteria; quality, popularity, customer support, and price point.
Based on these criteria, we have chosen the Huron Speed Turbo Kit to be our winner.
Huron Speed Products LS1 Turbo Kit
Huron Speed consistently go above and beyond to provide for their customers, and their constant kit revisions also prove that they’re willing to accept they’re not perfect, but that they’re eager to rectify and improve.
Customer support goes a long way, and Huron Speed has absolutely nailed this aspect in every regard.
Not only that, but they’re also consistently producing the best quality and best fitment kits, with the ultimate optional extras to ensure that you’re able to provide your LS1 with the most exceptional aftermarket upgrades.
Although they have now discontinued their 98-02 LS1 F-body kit, their 97-04 Corvette C5 turbo kits are still available to purchase.
Huron Speed has won this time around, but two other companies also stand out as well worth checking out.
Firstly, STS. Although the kit isn’t perfect for everyone, STS has produced something entirely different for the LS turbo market, which is a fantastic example for those of you who are looking for a convenient and reasonably priced setup and aren’t chasing huge horsepower figures.
On the other hand, CXRacing has once again blown us away (see what we did there?) with their exceptional value-for-money, which makes their kit a real bargain.
If you’re not keen on a specific part of their kit, then just order what you need and use custom parts for the rest.
Thank you for reading our LS1 turbo kit guide
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Information and photography credits
We thank the following entities for the use of their information and photography in this article:
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Written by Joe Terrell
Joe is an avid writer and car enthusiast. When he's not cruising the streets alongside his friends in his Nissan Silvia S15, he's drifting on his VR racing simulator.
Joe's passion for cars is always on display. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the automotive industry, he hopes his writing conveys his excitement and knowledge of cars and games.
Joe's work has been featured on many platforms including drivetribe.com, smartdrivinggames.com, carthrottle.com, databox.com and ceoblognation.com.
When he's not behind the wheel or at his keyboard, he's likely daydreaming of his ultimate ride - the legendary Lexus LFA.
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FAQs
Ultimate LS1 Turbo Kit Guide | Drifted.com? ›
Our winner is the Huron Speed Products LS1 Turbo Kit. To pick our winner from this choice of LS1 turbo kits, we looked at a number of criteria; quality, popularity, customer support, and price point. Based on these criteria, we have chosen the Huron Speed Turbo Kit to be our winner.
What is the best LS1 turbo kit? ›Our winner is the Huron Speed Products LS1 Turbo Kit. To pick our winner from this choice of LS1 turbo kits, we looked at a number of criteria; quality, popularity, customer support, and price point. Based on these criteria, we have chosen the Huron Speed Turbo Kit to be our winner.
Can you turbo a stock LS1? ›Yes, you can make big power by throwing boost at a stock LS engine, however, if you want the horsepower party to last for a long time you'll need to make some changes to the engine. The stock components just can't deal with the stress that forced induction can put on them when you really start to crank up the boost.
How much does it cost to turbo LS1? ›Pricing is $3294.50+GST +postage. All components come with a 6months warranty.
How much HP is a twin turbo LS engine? ›1,225 hp on pump gas at 7,000 RPM and 1,600 hp at 6,800 RPM on race fuel.
How much HP can a LS1 handle? ›The aluminum blocks are not as strong as the LS-based iron-block Vortec truck engines like the LQ4 and LQ9, but both the LS1 and LS6 can be pushed to over 850 horsepower with upgraded internals.
How much HP can a stock LS1 block handle? ›The stock crankshaft can handle about 900 hp and 7,000 rpm (for a limited time). A Forged Crankshaft upgrade will add strength to the bottom end.
How much HP can a 5.7 LS1 make? ›Its all aluminum architecture made it significantly lighter than past GM V8s, and power was great: the engine was rated at 345-350 horses in the Corvette (depending on model year) and would check in at as much as 325 hp in the F-body cars.
How much HP is a stock LS1? ›When the LS1 was introduced in the C5 Corvette, it was rated at 345 hp (257 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) at 4,400 rpm. After further improvements to the intake and exhaust manifolds in 2001, the rating increased to 350 hp (261 kW) and 365 lb-ft (495 Nm).
Is LS turbo or supercharger better? ›
Turbochargers are considered the more efficient option because they're powered by a car's exhaust stream—an otherwise wasted source of energy. But in general, they don't provide a noticeable increase in power unless the engine is running at high speed.
How much HP does a turbo add to a LS? ›In general, adding a turbocharger to an engine will add anywhere from 40 hp to 300 hp, but in some cases, much more. In my eyes, a healthy boost of power would be around 50%.
How expensive is an LS1 swap? ›Depending on choices and configuration, prices can range from $2,200 to $9,000 and up.
What is the highest horsepower LS ever recorded? ›The ZR1 wasn't just the sportiest version of the Corvette, but this vehicle was also the most powerful car General Motors ever made until then. The LS9 engine made 638 HP at 6,500 RPM and 604 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 RPM.
What's the most powerful LS engine? ›5 Which LS engine has the most horsepower? If we're talking about any LS engine ever directly offered by GM, the winner is the long-discontinued LSX454R, conservatively rated at 770 horsepower and 612 lb-ft of torque.
Which LS motor is the fastest? ›Update from the salt: Speed Demon is still the world's fastest LS engine and the team is looking to step that up even further!
What is the maximum bore for a LS1? ›The maximum bore is a whopping 4.250 inches, though most stay safely around 4.185 inches, and longer cylinders allow for up to a 4.200-inch stroke.
How strong was the LS1 engine? ›The LS1 was initially introduced in the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette C5, in which it was rated at 345 horsepower (257 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 350 pound-feet of torque (470 Nm) at 4,400 rpm.
How much can a 5.7 LS1 be bored? ›just 0.004-inch over the stock bore diameter. Improved liner positioning in 1999-and later 5.7L LS1 blocks and all LS6 blocks permit boring up to 0.010-inch oversize.
Is an LS1 a good motor? ›The LS1 was GM's first major redesign of their basic small-block, which was initially introduced in 1955. This notorious engine was already extremely popular for its performance, affordability, and reliability and was one of the most popular offerings in various forms of motorsport, particularly the drag-racing scene.
What heads came on a LS1? ›
The LS1 heads have 67cc chambers with 2.00/1.55-inch valves. Other heads you'll run into are 852 and 706 castings, which have smaller 61cc chambers and 1.89/1.55-inch valves. These are best for high-compression builds and really need larger valves and porting work.
What MM is stock LS1 intake? ›While the LS6 is a good intake, the manifold developed by FAST is even better. The engineers flipped the LS1 market on its head when it came out with the original 78mm and 90mm intakes.
How much HP does ProCharger add to LS1? ›The H.O. Intercooled ProCharger system for 1999-2002 LS1 F-body produces an industry-leading 440-560 horsepower on stock motors running pump gas.
What supercharger fits LS1? ›ECS NOVI 1500 Supercharger Kit, 1997-04 Corvette LS1/LS6 5.7L - Black.
What supercharger adds the most HP? ›The Roots Supercharger is the most powerful and the most basic option. It is nestled into the intake manifold and often protrudes through the hood when installed. This supercharger works by forcing air through mesh lobes in the engine's intake manifold to increase pressure.
Which is louder turbo or supercharger? ›A turbocharger adds between 30 and 40 percent more power without adding to exhaust pollution. It is usually quieter than a supercharger and works best at high engine speeds.
Which accelerates faster turbo or supercharger? ›Supercharging Pros: Produces significantly more horsepower than turbocharging. A quick solution to boosting power in larger displacement engines with more cylinders. No power lag as is seen with turbocharging; power delivery is instantaneous.
Should I twin turbo or supercharger? ›Both turbochargers and superchargers are effective methods to increase the power and performance of an engine. However, turbochargers are preferred over superchargers, as they increase fuel economy, and reduce waste gas emission.
How much HP is 20 psi of boost? ›The formula works at lower and higher boost levels, as 7.35 psi (1⁄2 atmosphere) should increase the power output by 50 percent to 525 hp. Adding 10 psi should increase the power output of our 350hp 5.0L by 68 percent to 588 hp, while 20 psi will yield an increase of 136 percent to 826 hp.
What is the best transmission for a turbo LS? ›For a few reasons, the 4L60E is one of the most common transmissions for LS swap. It is known to be a strong and reliable transmission. It is also what originated to be the original automatic transmission giving backing to the majority of LS engines.
Will a turbo 400 bolt up to a LS? ›
If your old Chevy came equipped with a two-speed Powerglide, TH350, or TH400, you can bolt the more modern LS up to these factory transmissions. However, one bolt in the bellhousing will not be used on the LS.
What is the hardest part of an LS swap? ›Headers/Exhaust
Of all the parts needed to swap an LS, it is the headers that present the greatest challenge.
LS stands for Luxury Sport.
Why are LS1 swaps so popular? ›The main advantage of an LS swap is that they're pretty easily accessible - after all, these engines were made over two decades in a ton of different models. Seriously, every GM truck or car produced in the 90s, early 2000s and even 2010s had an LS of some sort in them.
What is the best LS block to build? ›“For your basic hot rodder looking for an LS block and a nice performance build, I would just go with Dart's LS Next block and be done with it – they're very good,” he says. Both Wright and Jones agree that Dart makes an excellent aftermarket option, and it improves deficiencies seen in the factory GM blocks.
What is the max rpm for a stock LS? ›The only downside is that production LS valvetrains are nonadjustable. Still, LS engines, says Duttweiler, "just love to rev. They'll go to 6,700 rpm before valve float with stock cams, up to 7,500 rpm with available aftermarket valvesprings.
What is the best LS engine for a swap? ›The Chevrolet LS V-8 is the first choice for high-performance engine swaps. The legendary engine's compact size and light weight make it the most popular option for enthusiasts seeking more power.
What are the weaknesses of LS engine? ›Some LS variants have been plagued with bad piston-ring seals. This issue can cause oil-consumption issues. As this issue gets worse it can also create an increasing amount of blow-by in the engine. The stock oil pump is known to start cavitating above 6,000 rpm.
Is LS better than Vortec? ›What Is The Difference Between a Vortec and an LS Engine? Nothing really. Engines with the LS designation were typically set up for passenger car duty while the Vortec line was for GM's SUV and truck lines.
What is the best LS engine for a daily driver? ›It's no surprise then that the engine series has a massive fan base. While each one of the engines in the General Motors LS series has proven to be an incredibly good package, many versions were known to have their unique qualities. The LS3, for instance, is considered to be one of the best daily LS engines.
Is LSX or LS1 better? ›
One downside of choosing an LS1 is that you're not getting the latest and greatest in engine technology. You're also not getting the bigger displacement of the Gen IV. Our LSx crate engines can give you from 6.0L (364ci) up to 8.2L (502ci). These give you a lot more power, but also mean more work and money.
Is Coyote better than LS? ›With its dual overhead camshaft design and advanced engine management systems, the Coyote engine can offer better fuel economy compared to the LS engine. While both engines provide impressive power, those looking to prioritize fuel efficiency may find the Coyote engine to be a more suitable choice.
What makes a LS motor so special? ›They have a cracked cap that—by means of an irregular mating surface—allows the rod cap to align precisely with the big-end, helping equalize bearing wear, and they are far stronger than production rods from earlier engine architectures.
What size turbo is best for 5.3 LS? ›For most, a boosted 5.3 engine, a turbo with a 75mm inducer, and a 100mm exducer would fit most people's needs.
What is the most powerful stock LS engine? ›The ZR1 wasn't just the sportiest version of the Corvette, but this vehicle was also the most powerful car General Motors ever made until then. The LS9 engine made 638 HP at 6,500 RPM and 604 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 RPM.
What transmission is best for 3000hp? ›The Powerglide transmission is undoubtedly the most widely used transmission in all of drag racing, and has been used behind everything from mild street-strip cars to wild 3,000-plus horsepower Pro Modified cars running the quarter mile in well under six seconds.
What is the strongest GM transmission? ›The 10L90E is by far the biggest and heaviest modern automatic transmission in GM history, but it's also the strongest and offers amazing performance and economy when matched with a Gen V LT engine.
Which is better single turbo or twin turbo? ›Single turbo systems are typically more efficient because the exhaust gases travel along a simpler, more direct route. Twin-turbo systems can make more power because they produce more boost. However, they are typically more complex.
Does exhaust size matter with turbo? ›The three different power and torque curves clearly illustrate that turbo motors like maximum exhaust flow. Each step up in exhaust size and flow resulted in a significant change in power. The power output jumped from 846 horsepower with the 3.0-inch, street exhaust to 884 horsepower with the 3.5-inch system.
Can you turbo a stock 5.3 LS? ›You can make power by adding a turbo to a stock 5.3L, but why would you? A simple cam (and spring) swap can be worth an extra 120+hp, and those gains came running a low boost level of just over 10 psi. The gains get even greater at higher boost levels.
What piston ratio should I use for turbo? ›
For the average street motor you should stay in the 8 to 8.5:1 range. If you have a fairly lightweight car you can probably get away with 9:1 or a little more, but watch your boost and detonation threshold.