Thread: Which turbo charger do I go with?

I have a 2003 grand prix gt. It only kicks out 200hp stock. I've updated some of the looks on the outside and am ready to update under the hood. I looked at doing a top swap, but, seems a lot of work for a lot of money. So, I'm hoping to get a turbo instead. Thing is, I don't know which one to get. Then I've seen people saying I need an intercooler and a wastegate, and now I'm looking at like $1K just for the parts. I really don't wanna spend that much. I was hoping to get a simple turbo and everything for $300 and then a camshaft for around 300 too for a total of 600ish. What kind of turbo do I need or doesn't it matter? I know a smaller one for sure, and then do I need those other things like an intercooler?

I understand a real true turbo set will be a good chunk of change, but I also understand you can get cheaper ones that aren't as good that still turbocharge it. I'm not here to spend $3K for some more horsepower. Not worth it. I'd rather do smaller options that add up over time (5 here, 20 here, 30 here, 10 here, etc). I'm looking to jump from 200 horses to 300 without spending 10k. That's why I am looking at a camshaft for about 400. I've also thought about a cold air intake, but that's right where the turbo could go instead which made me think of turbocharging it. What other upgrades could I do besides putting a turbo in? I've started off slow, cleaning the throttle body, hid lights, replacing the spark plugs and wires tomorrow, now I want to move ahead and start really modding it after doing some needed basics.

Originally Posted by REDCOMPG

Good luck


You won't get a turbo set up for $300.. And a turbo setup is more complicated then a topswap...not to mention you'll want a built transmission after this one grenades itself. You may want to go back and do some more research and reevaluate this.

With a welder you could do a turbo setup for $300. Stock trans isnt that bad.

You cant be serious..........^

It sounds like a turbo is out of your budget range. If you can't afford to do it correctly how are you going to fix it if you wreck your engine?

Also, if you don't know why you should have an intercooler you may need to do some more research about how a turbo system works.

Ic isnt needed depends on hp goal.

And im certian a non ic e85 car would make over 300hp easily! Takes alot to make over 350 on a sc build a non ic turbo build not so much.......

However plan on doing it for 300 dollars good luck......

Cheap turbo kits have been proven many times. You can get 57 trim ebay turbos off craigslist for $50 if you look around enough and diesel turbos are all over for $100.