Whipple 4.0?

[FBA]

I'm considering getting a Whipple 4.0L...and was wondering whats involved in installing it? I will bring it to a performance ship for the install, but am also curious about what I should expect in terms of actual power gains. I'm currently running an exhaust, tune and pulley right now. If I want to run at 19 PSI...any long term issues or dangers I need to be aware of? Would I need to Dyno tune it? I don't race; I just want a bit more power for the odd time I put my foot into it.

Would I also benefit from an Accufab upgrade at the same time, or should I not bother?

 

[Empty Pockets]

You might want to P.M. Fubar. He installed one "back in the day".

 

[tmcphail]

Installation is pretty straight forward I am sure others will jump into that aspect of it. I would advise having it properly calibrated on the dyno once its up and running. I can assist you with either onsite or remote dyno tuning. I put a 4.0l Whipple package together for a customer in Switzerland recently.

 

[Fracman]

After going from a pulley & tune to a 3.4 Whipple, here are my $.02:

-Power went from 602 to 808, huge difference, like a different car altogether, it went from a fast car to a "get in, hold on, shut up and watch this" car
-No negative impact on drivability and can be easily reversed
-Yes to the AccuFab TB upgrade (I went with the monoblade, some concerns over nonlinear throttle response with this versus the traditional dual plate were alleviated as soon as I drove it)
-Yes to the custom tune, Torrie did mine and I couldn't be happier. The gains from the baseline tune to the final were very impressive
-I can't comment on long term durability impact, others may have some comments.

Here is a thread from when mine was installed:
http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/showthread.php?23843-Whipple-Installed-808-whp!&highlight=

Go for it:

 

[FBA]

Wow - thats some pretty serious gain. She must pull like a bat outta hell! I want this more now...LOL

 

[Empty Pockets]

If I want to run at 19 PSI...any long term issues or dangers I need to be aware of?...I don't race; I just want a bit more power for the odd time I put my foot into it.

Judging from THIS part of your post, "I don't race; I just want a bit more power for the ODD TIME I put my foot into it", logic dictates you shouldn't experience any long term reliability issues at all compared to a stocker. As you undoubtedly already know, when you're just crusing down the street minding your own business, the boost gauge shows a VACUUM condition...just like granny's VW bug (or any other daily driver you wanna mention). It's only when you put your foot in it and open up the throttle plate(s) that the engine goes into boost. Therefore, what, 97% of the time(?) the engine will see no boost at all??? No boost = no more wear on the mill than you'd see on a N/A engine REGARDLESS of how much boost the S/C is capable of producing.

:cheers

 

[FBA]

Thanks for the clarification EP! I kind of suspected this, but wanted to be sure before I pull the pin.

 

[BlackICE]

EP's cars only never see vacuum or boost. :lol

 

[Empty Pockets]

Thanks for the clarification EP! I kind of suspected this, but wanted to be sure before I pull the pin.

Well, I'm going to lay one more thing on ya for your consideration then: you really ought to 'talk' to "Fubar" or "tmcphail" about what is involved with the install of a 4.0. I seem to remember Fubar having to go into the fuel tank to upgrade the 'pumps and going to a larger 'mafia' (or whatever the heck they're called) and injectors, etc., to provide all the fuel the 4.0 needed for max performance. I'm wondering if, say, maybe a Whipple 3.4 wouldn't make you happier (all things considered) in light of the fact you just want "A BIT MORE POWER on the odd occasion"...etc.? As I remember, one doesn't have to get into the fuel tank or spend a lot of extra $$$, etc., to keep a 3.4 happy. "Fracman" just mentioned HE got 808 h.p. out of his 3.4...do you think you'd need/want/ever USE more? (I have no idea what the answer to that is. YOU hafta answer that for yourself, sir.)

'Way I look at it, why spend any more than necessary to end up where you wanna be? (E.g.: That's why I bought a FGT instead of a Lambo or F-car.)

'Just my $.02.

 

[BlackICE]

Fubar also had a pinched fuel line in the tank.

My experience with a old gen 1 3.3L running a 19lbs pulley will get you close the limits of the stock fuel system I was running about 85% to 90% on both the injectors and fuel pumps. During the mile runs with special gas an more timing I and a 21 psi pulley (but at 2100') I was over 90% on both injectors and pumps.

Because I was knocking on the door of running out of fuel, IMO no headroom for safety, I have just finished installing a Boost-a-pump. The should get me some headroom.

Another owner running a 3.4L had a 20 psi pulley installed and it was out of fuel on the dyno at sea level and since has replaced the 20 with a 19 psi pulley. Even with the smaller pulley the fuel pressure couldn't be maintained at the commanded 39 PSI, but the injector still had some room at running 85% at 36 PSI of fuel pressure.

I believe the 4L buys you nothing until you upgrade you fuel system because you are limited to lower boost levels that the 3.4L can run just as well or better.

 

[2112]

But the 3.4 is no longer in production, correct? :confused

 

[BlackICE]

But the 3.4 is no longer in production, correct? :confused

The body of the 3.4 is still made and is common to alot of other Whipple products. The special parts to mount it to and FGT may or may not be in stock. If you ask they may make another run. I know an owner that got one a few months ago.

I forgot to add with a 5.0 more boost and upgraded fuel system you need to add higher octane gas too.

 

[Empty Pockets]

But the 3.4 is no longer in production, correct? :confused

The body of the 3.4 is still made and is common to alot of other Whipple products. The special parts to mount it to and FGT may or may not be in stock. If you ask they may make another run. I know an owner that got one a few months ago.

I forgot to add with a 5.0 more boost and upgraded fuel system you need to add higher octane gas too.

They have 3.3's listed on their website. (1.6, 2.3, 2.9, 3.3, 4.0, 5.0, & 8.3s.) I didn't see a 3.4...and frankly, I don't remember if they ever had one. Maybe it was always a 3.3???

Regardless, a guy could buy a used 3.4 unit (if they exist)...maybe even send it back to Whipple for reconditioning 'just to be sure'.

 

[BlackICE]

Go for the 8.3L and never look back! :lol

 

[Empty Pockets]

Yeah, you could, but you'd need an aux. engine to power it!

 

[BlackICE]

Yeah, you could, but you'd need an aux. engine to power it!

And a new clamshell or at least a modified one.

 

[Waldo]

I'm considering getting a Whipple 4.0L... If I want to run at 19 PSI...any long term issues or dangers I need to be aware of? Would I need to Dyno tune it?

I have a 4.0L Whipple on my GT. Torrie McPhail conservatively tuned my car to 737 rwhp and 668 lbft of torque. My stock fuel pumps hit 100% duty cycle at 6500 rpm. That's with 19 pounds of boost.

As others have stated, you can get similar power levels from the 3.4L Whipple... if you can find one.

As far as long term issues or dangers, I would search the Forum for crankshaft keyway issues. Some owners with 4.0L Whipples have had issues. Others have not. I would read up on that potential failure point before you decide which route to go.

Best Regards,
Waldo

 

[tmcphail]

Waldo's GT was on a very conservative dyno to boot.

 

[FBA]

I see posts all over here where some say they get 695 at 19 psi and others who show 800+, tuned by you. That's a huge variance - but I know that will change from Dyno to Dyno. Superflow vs Dynojet will show big differences.

@Torrie, can you get between 750-800 with the boost a pump add-on /TB and a 4.0L using 19 PSI? I see you got 800+ with Fracman with no significant other add-on's. I haven't checked, and will do a few baseline runs once we start the install, but I'm setup with pulley /tune and exhaust now, so I guess I'd be in the high 5 low 6 RWHP range now.

 

[tmcphail]

Depends on the dyno and octane fuel used. I will in fact get the most out your GT once I am complete with it being safe for you to enjoy. This I can guarantee.

I see posts all over here where some say they get 695 at 19 psi and others who show 800+, tuned by you. That's a huge variance - but I know that will change from Dyno to Dyno. Superflow vs Dynojet will show big differences.

@Torrie, can you get between 750-800 with the boost a pump add-on /TB and a 4.0L using 19 PSI? I see you got 800+ with Fracman with no significant other add-on's. I haven't checked, and will do a few baseline runs once we start the install, but I'm setup with pulley /tune and exhaust now, so I guess I'd be in the high 5 low 6 RWHP range now.