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Anybody know of a complete turbo kit for a stock l98? I saw HP Performance provided one about 12 years ago, but sadly, it looks like they'e out of business. really sucks because I would've loved to have one of those. A different website advertising them and article for the turbo are still up, but their website and phone numbers I've found aren' working. anybody have more info on them or other turbo kits?
I have looked at this site before. the rear mount setup looks pretty cool. If you read through the different pages, they talk about L98's, LT1&4s and the ZR1's.
Its possible that time, money, equipment, desire, facilities ............ might stand in the way of this noble quest.
Money doesn't work here. Fabricating one is less than half the cost of buying a kit.
Time doesn't either. Its a weekend project. Not a 2 year project.
Facilities doesn't either. If you have the space to install one, you have the space to build one. If you're having a shop install it, then equipment goes out the window too since they likely have the equipment to make one for you.
That leaves desire. But you're here wanting a turbo. So.....
I would not want a turbo V8 as I imagine the lag would be enough to put you in the bushes. I would be looking at low profile superchargers like a procharger IMO. My buddy put a turbo on his NSX and you better be careful with that thing.
Turbo lag is a thing of the past. Turbos now are so efficient that they make more mid-range torque than superchargers. Comparing a 3 liter V6 to a turbo V8 doesn't even make sense.
I've made a complete twin turbo setup for an LS powered S10 for $800. The completely custom quad turbo setup on my corvette was $1500. Turbos are cheap now. Cheap enough that you can buy a cheap gas MIG and a chop saw, and still come out money ahead over buying a kit and WAY ahead over buying a procharger.
He is talking about a 12 year old turbo ad. I imagine the lag sucks. I own 3 cars with turbos and lag is non existent because they are modern along with modern transmissions. Comparing a V6 with 450hp at the wheels does not compare to what? I will guarantee he will embarrass a L98 with a turbo on it. However my twin turbo BMW takes him due to lag and my torque curve up to 130mph....then I am toast.
He is talking about a 12 year old turbo ad. I imagine the lag sucks. I own 3 cars with turbos and lag is non existent because they are modern along with modern transmissions. Comparing a V6 with 450hp at the wheels does not compare to what? I will guarantee he will embarrass a L98 with a turbo on it. However my twin turbo BMW takes him due to lag and my torque curve up to 130mph....then I am toast.
You thinking that OEM turbo cars are comparable to aftermarket turbo cars is laughable.
A 450HP V6 doesn't compare to a 450 HP turbo V8. Power might be the same, but the V8 will make 150 ft-lbs more in the mid range and spool 1000 RPM sooner. The NSX will fall behind off the line and never catch back up.
Embarrass an L98 with a turbo? That's a pretty broad statement too. If you forged an L98 and was pushing 25 PSI with that turbo, it would have 800+ HP. Is he still going to embarrass it then? Is it not still an L98 with a turbo?
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOATHE the L98, but I'm not an idiot. Having a factory turbocharged BMW doesn't make you a turbo expert either, obviously.
Well Mr expert, NSX never came with a turbo & don't assume my car is stock. A stock L98 is not going to make more than 400hp with a turbo, especially at the wheels. Don't make assumptions.
Money doesn't work here. Fabricating one is less than half the cost of buying a kit.
Time doesn't either. Its a weekend project. Not a 2 year project.
Facilities doesn't either. If you have the space to install one, you have the space to build one. If you're having a shop install it, then equipment goes out the window too since they likely have the equipment to make one for you.
That leaves desire. But you're here wanting a turbo. So.....
Au Contraire!
Money most definitely does enter into it. No one is doubting the fabrication by yourself is less money. Your statement was "more people should learn how to weld". How is that to be accomplished if you don't spend money in one form or another?
Time also enters into it. Once again, your statement was "learn to weld". Do you figure that happens on a Saturday afternoon well enough to perform an adequate job?
Equipment? You bet. "More people should learn to weld". Does this not require the purchase of equipment?
Desire? Are you trying to have us believe that because you want a turbo, you should automatically have the desire to become a welder? I think not! There is an old trades joke. What do you say to someone with a grade six education? Answer: "Nice weld".
You must've skipped over the part where I said that Time/Equipment/Facilities don't matter much if you just have someone else make one for you. You don't have to buy equipment and the cost will probably be close to one of those 'kits' that are no longer available.
I'm saying more people need to learn how to weld because the majority of Corvette owners very much fit in that cliché of "Buy a bolt-on kit and then have someone else install it for you". Hot rodding is fairly far detached from the corvette community. People here tend to stray from the "Learn yourself out of necessity" mentality and gravitate towards the "Open your wallet and its taken care of" mindset.
Just throwing out a suggestion. Don't toss a turd in the punch bowl haha.
You must've skipped over the part where I said that Time/Equipment/Facilities don't matter much if you just have someone else make one for you. You don't have to buy equipment and the cost will probably be close to one of those 'kits' that are no longer available.
I'm saying more people need to learn how to weld because the majority of Corvette owners very much fit in that cliché of "Buy a bolt-on kit and then have someone else install it for you". Hot rodding is fairly far detached from the corvette community. People here tend to stray from the "Learn yourself out of necessity" mentality and gravitate towards the "Open your wallet and its taken care of" mindset.
Even God requires you sell your soul to him in a "friendly takeover" so if you get someone to do it, either you are paying him cash or you are doing him favors to equal that. Or as they say, NILIF.
In the old days, the systems were fewer and less sophisticated (with the drawbacks, of course) so you can afford to do this or that yourself. Today, you would often have to choose a "bolt on" kit or spend more time messing with it to get it right. Some like to tinker with a project occupying a space in the garage, others like to drive the thing. There are those that will spend years restoring a car. There are those that just want to drive it.
You must've skipped over the part where I said that Time/Equipment/Facilities don't matter much if you just have someone else make one for you. You don't have to buy equipment and the cost will probably be close to one of those 'kits' that are no longer available.
I'm saying more people need to learn how to weld because the majority of Corvette owners very much fit in that cliché of "Buy a bolt-on kit and then have someone else install it for you". Hot rodding is fairly far detached from the corvette community. People here tend to stray from the "Learn yourself out of necessity" mentality and gravitate towards the "Open your wallet and its taken care of" mindset.
Just throwing out a suggestion. Don't toss a turd in the punch bowl haha.
I guess that's the nice thing about living in a supposedly free country. If people here have the "Open your wallet and its taken care of mindset", then they are more than free to do so. Methinks most people have the ability to brainstorm the alternatives and make their choices.
So after discussions of learning to weld, fabricating a setup, turbo lag, NSX vs BMW vs L98, and rear turbos, I'll reiterate the question... does anyone know if the hp performance kit is still around, or if anyone else makes one?
everyone has an opinion but I wasn't looking to start various pissing matches. I'm a 20 y/o kid about to graduate college, and I want to treat myself once I'm done. I've had an 88 auto triple black convertible l98 since I was 17. it's been sitting in my dad's garage while ive been in school. wasn't my dream car but dad's friend made me a hell of a deal and I fell in love with it. I'd like to make it my own with some more power and slap a turbo on it is all. I don't have the time/skill/money to make it myself or have it installed. that's why I was looking for a kit that I could put on it myself in the garage with the help of some friends.
Last edited by Nathan Lord; Jan 18, 2018 at 12:26 PM.
L98 Turbo
