cheap turbo builds

is there such a thing?
im trying to get this done under 2 grand budget for the turbo setup,all done and in.

ive been researching a bit and can get a basic kit for 5-600 bucks but the rest of the supporting systems are not included...
then theres the exhaust,the limited engine bay and the fuel upgrades.
plus the control system.
even the ones over a grand dont seem to be complete.
are any of you doing turbo builds and if so,whats your thoughts?

im working on a 318 magnum motor,single turbo,automatic.

I have not seen any turbo builds on this site but there are a few of them on the FABO you could look up. 2k should be doable if you go the blow thru carb route and source a junk yard turbo. The big issue you will run into on that magnum is head strength. The factory magnum heads were notorious for cracking and blowing head gaskets so if you want reliability you will probably need to source some EQ magnum heads or go aluminum. That could bust your budget real quick.

Aeon 280 is right. There is a bunch of info on the FABO site. The other that everyone refers to is the turbo mustang forums.
If you buy new the turbo is going to cost, junk yard turbos is the way to save funds and with that it will be twins. Turn you stock exhaust mans around and weld a turbo flange. (there is a guy who makes turbo mans on ebay that have a good reputation too, not to bad, like 300 a set if you don't want to weld) A lot of people say the cummins stock turbo works good for our applications. I bought a Fitech because it will accept FI mods. (havent started mine yet, still gathering parts and info).

Junk yard turbos are hard to size correctly. Better off with a Chinese knockoff. A good blow thru carb isn't cheap. But if you're innovative you can mod one yourself. Keep the timing low. Boost reasonable and have fun.
Doug

My factory tiny 13a turbo on the 2.6 litre 4 cylinder in my 89 Conquest TSi was a blast when I went from 10.5 factory boost setting to 17 pounds.
I had installed a manual boost controller (cheap, simple, effective) and a mechanical boost gauge (so I would know how much boost I actually had). The next mod that was immediately needed was a higher power clamping rate pressure plate and a clutch disc.
Boost is great when it is done right.

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/no-room-for-turbos-under-the-hood.171692/
$2G all in is a tight budget but if you’re thrifty and can fab, you could probably pull it off. I agree on the china knock off vs the junkyard turbo.

My brother and put a diesel turbo on our 318 in our satellite in mid 90s.. We didn't do anything to limit the boost. Detonation was really, really bad. We actually retarded the timing once and just let it boost...we got up 21 lbs boost. With the parts available now I would just piece meal it rather then a kit. With 3.23s and 6 people in the car it would smoke the tires from 20mph all through first until it would start pinging. We replaced the head gaskets seemed like every test drive. ....right before we blew the last head gasket we went out and started power braking to build boost for a test...we were smoking the tires in first at 5000 rpm.. holding the brake and we were not moving.. then I shifted into second....stayed right at 5000...so I shifted into drive.....again stayed at 5000....finally I floored it. It pegged the factory tack...unknown 7500+ rpm in drive w 3.23s. The 150 mph speedo needle was bouncing against the peg past the odometer....the funny thing was our ground speed was about walking speed...10mph maybe...but I kept it nailed. We went for what seemed like a eternity and traveled maybe 2 blocks....I could barely see my brother in the passenger Seat....then the car started to hop around in the back (tires were coming spart)so I finally let off. About 5 seconds later...the car spun us around 1 and 1/2 times leaving us sideways in the road. Have never experienced anything like that ever...it was the tough 318 that made it work....... funny the tires went flat as we pulled in driveway.
Of course the head gaskets blew again...and we thought maybe it was the same hole as last time....but after pulling both heads every single cylinder was about to push the gasket out at the top...frustrated a 440 replaced it. But if I had the gizmos and cometics available then as we do now...it would probably still have a 318. I have been looking for the photo album. Its buried somewhere.

That is a good story...Thanks!

The posi black marks were there till they repaved the highway the next summer. The things you could do before cell phones....