ADDING A WHIPPLE SC TO '08 SHELBY GT

08shelbygt said:

I'm condidering adding a 2.3 Whipple SC to my 2008 Shelby GT -- I would prefer to leave the motor as is (no mods to add strength to the bottom end) which might allow me to go back to bone stock later.

The SC I've checked out is a kit that includes intercooler and claims 11 psi and 550 HP. Here's my question: can it be "tuned down" to around 8 psi max to keep the stress to a minimum and hopefully hold together more reliably? I'm OK to be in the 450-475 HP range at the crank ... I would appreciate any ideas!

Click to expand...

Yes - call Whipple and tell them what HP you want to get to and they'll suggest an upper pulley and belt combination. A pulley and belt are relatively cheap. You should probably plan to have the tune tweaked on a dyno (good idea anyway).

Your best bet would be to buy the kit direct from Whipple to your HP specs, the issue with that is you're going to pay full list on the kit. You could buy the kit from another cheaper source but then you'll need to buy the pulley and belt to reduce boost then buy a handheld like an SCT tuner and new tune. The procal can not be adjusted after the initial tune is uploaded so your cost might end up being the same either way.

08shelbygt said:

I'm condidering adding a 2.3 Whipple SC to my 2008 Shelby GT -- I would prefer to leave the motor as is (no mods to add strength to the bottom end) which might allow me to go back to bone stock later.

The SC I've checked out is a kit that includes intercooler and claims 11 psi and 550 HP. Here's my question: can it be "tuned down" to around 8 psi max to keep the stress to a minimum and hopefully hold together more reliably? I'm OK to be in the 450-475 HP range at the crank ... I would appreciate any ideas!

Click to expand...

If you look at Whipples website, he indicates 575 hp at the crank, which is like 489 at the rear wheels. This makes a lot more sense for the hp level that a 2.3L whipple at 11 psi thru a stock throttle body should put out.

You should be fine with a stock motor as long as you have a conservative tune (the FRPP or Whipple) tune, and just don't abuse it.

I've been pushing 520 RWHP to the rear wheels (which would be close to 600 to the crank) on a stock engine for three to four years with no issues.
I'ts all in how you treat it, and in getting out of it if you hear pre det.

SpartaPerformance said:

Your best bet would be to buy the kit direct from Whipple to your HP specs, the issue with that is you're going to pay full list on the kit. You could buy the kit from another cheaper source but then you'll need to buy the pulley and belt to reduce boost then buy a handheld like an SCT tuner and new tune. The procal can not be adjusted after the initial tune is uploaded so your cost might end up being the same either way.

Click to expand...

You need a new belt for a 11 psi to an 8 psi pulley swap? You should not necessarilly need a new tune for a 11 psi to an 8 psi pulley swap either.
You should also be able to buy just about any size pulley (by itself) from whipple, or about 150 other vendors.

You are going to buy a canned tune for a sc'd application from someone other than Whipple or FRPP? It's a whole lot different than a simple canned CAI tune. I don't think there is a tuner out there who sells an "canned aftermarket supercharger" tune. Most tuners will want to physically check the car out and run diagnositics before messing with a sc's tune.

I think I would find the tuner I felt comfortable with first, and then see what hand held device (SCT or Diablo) they prefferred.