Cost of a custom intercooled twin turbo system for a SBC

Monty · 12-11-2001, 11:36 AM

I know this isn't a Buick or TA question, but I'm hoping you guys can help anyway.

I have an 82 Corvette with an SBC 427 that I built last year. It made 650hp naturally on pump gas. I'm already using a Speedpro SEFI with wideband O2 and individual cylinder control. I am converting it over to an intercooled twin turbo setup.

I have already purchased two PTE PT-52's and two wastegates, what Harry at PTE recommended and the same turbo's used on John Meaney's 1300+hp C4 in this month's issue of Popular HotRodding.

I have an estimate from TRZ Motorsports which is a local chassis/fabrication shop that is very experienced in designing and building turbo setups for the NMCA/NSCA/NMRA crowd. They do show quality work and I know it will be top notch - only probelm is they want $15,000 for it, not including the turbo's and wastegates which I already have. The price includes custom headers made from .069" 321 Stainless Steel, custom air/air intercooler using Spearco cores, custom cold air intake, stainless steel exhaust with stainless Borla mufflers.

Is that price realistic or am I being taken?

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1982 Corvette
Tremec TKO
650hp/580tq SBC 427
Converting to custom intercooled twin turbos. 1400hp, pump gas, street driven.

Steve Wood · 12-11-2001, 08:16 PM

I would have guessed 5-6K but it would have been a guess.

Jack Evers · 12-11-2001, 08:25 PM

I would guess if you try to do it yourself, it'll take you two years and probably as much money. Just a guess.

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FamilyMan · 12-11-2001, 10:31 PM

Seems high to me, but I'm almost as err, careful with my money as Steve. I would shop around. Did the price include any work on the motor to bring it to turbo tolerances?

Mikey · 12-12-2001, 10:20 AM

$15,000 is a lot of money but not unreasonable, if they are going to the job to perfection.

You could probably do the job yourself for half the price, including purchasing the TIG welder, but it probably wouldn't look or perform as good as one done professionally.

If you do decide to do the headers yourself, you might want to mock up the headers and piping in mild steel or cheap 304 stainless, before you commit to cutting any 321. Mandrel bent 321 stainless isn't exactly cheap...

...Mike

BTW: What are you going to do for a transmission?

Christian Dionne · 12-12-2001, 11:34 AM

My friend is the one having the twin turbo kit made for the LT1 F body. His is going to be all stainless steel with 2 TE32 from Precision. I think total cost is less than $5k. The kits will be cheaper but will have twin intercoolers instead of one big frontmount. I've seen your name at www.CamaroZ28.com go check in with them. The folks making the kit are Burhead Headers in Kentucky. HTH,

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12-11-2001, 11:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Monty Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Park Ridge, IL Posts: 1	Cost of a custom intercooled twin turbo system for a SBC I know this isn't a Buick or TA question, but I'm hoping you guys can help anyway. I have an 82 Corvette with an SBC 427 that I built last year. It made 650hp naturally on pump gas. I'm already using a Speedpro SEFI with wideband O2 and individual cylinder control. I am converting it over to an intercooled twin turbo setup. I have already purchased two PTE PT-52's and two wastegates, what Harry at PTE recommended and the same turbo's used on John Meaney's 1300+hp C4 in this month's issue of Popular HotRodding. I have an estimate from TRZ Motorsports which is a local chassis/fabrication shop that is very experienced in designing and building turbo setups for the NMCA/NSCA/NMRA crowd. They do show quality work and I know it will be top notch - only probelm is they want $15,000 for it, not including the turbo's and wastegates which I already have. The price includes custom headers made from .069" 321 Stainless Steel, custom air/air intercooler using Spearco cores, custom cold air intake, stainless steel exhaust with stainless Borla mufflers. Is that price realistic or am I being taken? ------------------ 1982 Corvette Tremec TKO 650hp/580tq SBC 427 Converting to custom intercooled twin turbos. 1400hp, pump gas, street driven. __________________ 1982 Corvette Tremec TKO 650hp/580tq SBC 427 Converting to custom intercooled twin turbos. 1400hp, pump gas, street driven.

12-11-2001, 08:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 36,764	I would have guessed 5-6K but it would have been a guess. __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

12-11-2001, 08:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jack Evers Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA Posts: 811	I would guess if you try to do it yourself, it'll take you two years and probably as much money. Just a guess. ------------------ __________________ Jack Evers Phoenix, Arizona 87 Buick GN 02 Audi A4 Quattro Sport 06 Dodge Ram CTD 4x4

12-11-2001, 10:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
FamilyMan Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,141	Seems high to me, but I'm almost as err, careful with my money as Steve. I would shop around. Did the price include any work on the motor to bring it to turbo tolerances? __________________ Jeff Kelly

12-12-2001, 11:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
Christian Dionne Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orlando, FL, USA Posts: 81	My friend is the one having the twin turbo kit made for the LT1 F body. His is going to be all stainless steel with 2 TE32 from Precision. I think total cost is less than $5k. The kits will be cheaper but will have twin intercoolers instead of one big frontmount. I've seen your name at www.CamaroZ28.com go check in with them. The folks making the kit are Burhead Headers in Kentucky. HTH, ------------------ __________________ Christian Dionne Orlando, FL Sy #2730...3050 pounds and still AWD 92 Red/Grey Ty...2750 pounds and Drag Radial ready

12-12-2001, 10:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mikey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 74	$15,000 is a lot of money but not unreasonable, if they are going to the job to perfection. You could probably do the job yourself for half the price, including purchasing the TIG welder, but it probably wouldn't look or perform as good as one done professionally. If you do decide to do the headers yourself, you might want to mock up the headers and piping in mild steel or cheap 304 stainless, before you commit to cutting any 321. Mandrel bent 321 stainless isn't exactly cheap... ...Mike BTW: What are you going to do for a transmission?

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