Turbo vs Whipple - Lightning Forum

latemodelracer2 · 11-17-2009, 12:28 AM

Ok so my truck has a 2.3 whipple with a built motor and the works now. I have been seeing all these turbo trucks lately and makes me want to join them. So im looking for pros and cons of the turbo over my current setup. Who makes the better turbo kits or should i get it built on my own. Dont get me wrong i love the 2.3 but guess it might just be time for a change.

NuttZ · 11-17-2009, 12:30 AM

deffinatly different to have a snail

lvgolfer962 · 11-17-2009, 12:41 AM

go compound and have the best of both worlds

jason85 · 11-17-2009, 12:51 AM

If it were me I would go turbo if you have the budget for it. Seems like there's alot more potential for power without having the blower pulling power out of the motor. Granted I havn't researched it a whole lot but that's my general impression of turbo setups in general.

SHOKDU · 11-17-2009, 01:10 AM

Cons of a turbo setup: lag, cost
Pros of a turbo setup: you can sell me your old 2.3 whipple, more potential power w/o nitrous, much less parasitic loss (as opposed to a belt driven blower using power to make power), less heat

pros of a s/c: near immediate boost, less costly
cons of a s/c: parasitic drag robbing power, heat

im sure there are more pro/con per each...but this is just a quick opinion from me.

the thing that i love most between my s/c truck and my turbo'd car is the torque. my car plants me harder in my seat than my truck...and from what i've read most guys that have had a whipple and go to turbo notice the same thing. even though it's the the "same" HP/TQ...the turbo plants you harder. I don't know why.

Dr. Matt · 11-17-2009, 01:22 AM

The turbo plants you harder because the blown truck is spinning the tires!

J/K.

Mark you don't need a Whipple, there are too many trucks around here faster than me already.

No doubt about the greater power potential of the turbo. The real question is what else could you do to the truck for the cost of converting from your current setup to the turbo?

stoffer · 11-17-2009, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvgolfer962

go compound and have the best of both worlds

exactly, once Rick gets done with "Lizz", a lot of people are going to be wanting to go compound boost

latemodelracer2 · 11-17-2009, 01:37 AM

well i really think im maxed out with the 2.3 and nitrous route im using now. I rarely drive the truck but when i do its usually to go racing or just cruising. I do like my cars to be neat and that would be a big criteria of a turbo setup is it would have to look good.

SHOKDU · 11-17-2009, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Matt

The turbo plants you harder because the blown truck is spinning the tires!

J/K.

Mark you don't need a Whipple, there are too many trucks around here faster than me already.

No doubt about the greater power potential of the turbo. The real question is what else could you do to the truck for the cost of converting from your current setup to the turbo?

Haha, I'm aware of how the blown truck spins the tires...your truck had me grinning from ear to ear while spinning tires through second and third!

I'm pretty sure that one truck is going to have more traction issues than the other...but I'm having a hard time debating which one would have the issues. A large turbo truck who is lagging and then full boost coming online to 25psi or a s/c truck that is getting power near immedately.

Seriously though, between a s/c and a turbo the power delivery is completely different. Maybe somebody with experience with both on thier truck will chime in and explain why. Or, maybe somebody who understands the dynamics of both a turbo and s/c very well will have a solid answer.

LOL, Matt, the whipple is happening man! Well, I don't know...it's gonna be either an whipple or a KB, but we'll see whatever I get a good deal on is gonna be what I run. You just need to upgrade as well to a KB or whip. Or...start on the spray!

I have to say, OP...if you have the funds and patience to work out gremlins, i'd definately go to a turbo setup.

Got Boost · 11-17-2009, 02:06 AM

The question is what do you want? Have you raced your truck and what is you PB?

lightningkylej · 11-17-2009, 02:20 AM

Turbo setups can be done for a reasonable amount if you have the skills and equipment. My goal is 700whp using a pair of small twins for around $1500 (using the stock intercooler or $2500 with front mount and Edelbrock Victory Jr. intake) not including fuel/tuning but those things would be required on a big blower truck also. And lag will not be an issue for me. I am more worried about it spooling too quick.

latemodelracer2 · 11-17-2009, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHOKDU

Haha, I'm aware of how the blown truck spins the tires...your truck had me grinning from ear to ear while spinning tires through second and third!

I'm pretty sure that one truck is going to have more traction issues than the other...but I'm having a hard time debating which one would have the issues. A large turbo truck who is lagging and then full boost coming online to 25psi or a s/c truck that is getting power near immedately.

Seriously though, between a s/c and a turbo the power delivery is completely different. Maybe somebody with experience with both on thier truck will chime in and explain why. Or, maybe somebody who understands the dynamics of both a turbo and s/c very well will have a solid answer.

LOL, Matt, the whipple is happening man! Well, I don't know...it's gonna be either an whipple or a KB, but we'll see whatever I get a good deal on is gonna be what I run. You just need to upgrade as well to a KB or whip. Or...start on the spray!

I have to say, OP...if you have the funds and patience to work out gremlins, i'd definately go to a turbo setup.

I have patience and live close to my tuner

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got Boost

The question is what do you want? Have you raced your truck and what is you PB?

I just want a new setup thats as fast or faster esp more in street form. The only time ive ran the whipple at the track is on low boost and it was a 7.48. I have used it many times on big boost and spray in mexico

Sinister04L · 11-17-2009, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHOKDU

Cons of a turbo setup: lag, cost
Pros of a turbo setup: you can sell me your old 2.3 whipple, more potential power w/o nitrous, much less parasitic loss (as opposed to a belt driven blower using power to make power), less heat

pros of a s/c: near immediate boost, less costly
cons of a s/c: parasitic drag robbing power, heat

im sure there are more pro/con per each...but this is just a quick opinion from me.

the thing that i love most between my s/c truck and my turbo'd car is the torque. my car plants me harder in my seat than my truck...and from what i've read most guys that have had a whipple and go to turbo notice the same thing. even though it's the the "same" HP/TQ...the turbo plants you harder. I don't know why.

That pretty much sums up the biggest differences.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHOKDU

Haha, I'm aware of how the blown truck spins the tires...your truck had me grinning from ear to ear while spinning tires through second and third!

I'm pretty sure that one truck is going to have more traction issues than the other...but I'm having a hard time debating which one would have the issues. A large turbo truck who is lagging and then full boost coming online to 25psi or a s/c truck that is getting power near immedately.

Seriously though, between a s/c and a turbo the power delivery is completely different. Maybe somebody with experience with both on thier truck will chime in and explain why. Or, maybe somebody who understands the dynamics of both a turbo and s/c very well will have a solid answer.

LOL, Matt, the whipple is happening man! Well, I don't know...it's gonna be either an whipple or a KB, but we'll see whatever I get a good deal on is gonna be what I run. You just need to upgrade as well to a KB or whip. Or...start on the spray!

I have to say, OP...if you have the funds and patience to work out gremlins, i'd definately go to a turbo setup.

I went from a 2.3L Whipple to my current turbo set up. The power delivery is very different with the turbo. The Whipple hit instantly while the turbo brings the power in smoother. I have to say though, my turbo even on my pump gas street tune pulls harder than my Whipple by far. It pins me in the seat aggressively once I'm in boost. It's kind of hard to describe, it's really something you need to experience. I can only imagine what it's going to feel like once I run it with the boost cranked up.

I'm very happy with my decision to swap.

typhoon43 · 11-17-2009, 09:00 AM

I have owned a turbo truck and a SC truck, and the way the power comes on in a turbo is soooo different. The biggest one being that once the turbo starts pulling..it doesn't stop. The blowers peter out up top and you just don't feel that push, where the turbos keep you pinned to the seat until you let off the gas. That's why I went turbo in the Lightning, because I missed the feeling.

MMShaggy · 11-17-2009, 09:06 AM

Biggest difference i noticed from riding in Sallys Turbo L, vs my built whip 2.3 L is the launches, and power delivery.

I floor my truck and your slammed in the seat and not moving, then it slowly eases up, and you dont feel the "G" Forces affecting you anymore.... The S/C just loses power/efficeny on the big end.

Where as the Turbo is the exact opposite, you floor it, and think "O.K., this is kinda quick, but nothing like the S/C...oh wait, WTF, WOW I'm now slammed in the seat and cant move anymore....omg"

So its either "G" Forces off the line and low speeds, or "G" Forces on the top end of gears.

Of course, a compound boost, or nitrous would change the world of adding a Turbo.
Spray the giggle gas off the line, and there is no lack of power, and it will spool the turbo up faster...

Also since your already moving pretty good when the boost kicks in on a Turbo, it feels more "violent" and more powerful than the S/C does off the line in comparison...

11-17-2009, 12:28 AM	#1
latemodelracer2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 919 Rep Power: 2396000	Turbo vs Whipple Ok so my truck has a 2.3 whipple with a built motor and the works now. I have been seeing all these turbo trucks lately and makes me want to join them. So im looking for pros and cons of the turbo over my current setup. Who makes the better turbo kits or should i get it built on my own. Dont get me wrong i love the 2.3 but guess it might just be time for a change. __________________ 2001 OW Lightning. JDM long block, Built Trans, OW 2.3 whipple, NX and other supporting go fast stuff 2004 OW Cobra Coupe- 2.76 upper, 4lb lower, Posi Port 1999 Black Lightning- 3lb lower, tune, KN www.JOHNBOLEN.net Last edited by latemodelracer2; 11-17-2009 at 12:29 AM.

11-17-2009, 12:30 AM	#2
NuttZ Carpe diem Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Keokuk IA Posts: 3,136 Rep Power: 71582907	deffinatly different to have a snail __________________

11-17-2009, 12:41 AM	#3
lvgolfer962 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: vegas Posts: 667 Rep Power: 11367584	go compound and have the best of both worlds __________________ ported eaton with 6lber, fluidyne heat exchanger, c@l elbow and plenum, sbtb, sct x3 and ba2400, jlp cai, E-fan, ftvb, hotchkis tvs. tuned by frank @voodoo racing. 416rwhp and 509rwtq

11-17-2009, 12:51 AM	#4
jason85 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 387 Rep Power: 4251930	If it were me I would go turbo if you have the budget for it. Seems like there's alot more potential for power without having the blower pulling power out of the motor. Granted I havn't researched it a whole lot but that's my general impression of turbo setups in general. __________________ -2003 Sonic Blue-4lb lower-home ported eaton w/ stripped rotors- C&L Plenum-Accufab SBTB-C&L Elbow-JLP CAI-90MM Idlers- Punisher Comp VB-Affco Dual Pass HE w/ Fans- Dual Radiator E-Fans-Borla Catback-EGR Delete-L&S Oil Separator-XCAL2- Steering Column Mounted Boost Gauge- Pillar Mounted AEM Wideband and Aeroforce Gauge w/ Fuel Pres Kit- Pioneer AVH-P4100DVD Headunit- 2" Shackles-Street Scene Speed Grilles-Harwood Hood-DDM 6000K HID's-Pace Edwards Jack Rabbit Bed Cover

11-17-2009, 01:10 AM	#5
SHOKDU Boost-A-Holic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 1,357 Rep Power: 71582839	Cons of a turbo setup: lag, cost Pros of a turbo setup: you can sell me your old 2.3 whipple, more potential power w/o nitrous, much less parasitic loss (as opposed to a belt driven blower using power to make power), less heat pros of a s/c: near immediate boost, less costly cons of a s/c: parasitic drag robbing power, heat im sure there are more pro/con per each...but this is just a quick opinion from me. the thing that i love most between my s/c truck and my turbo'd car is the torque. my car plants me harder in my seat than my truck...and from what i've read most guys that have had a whipple and go to turbo notice the same thing. even though it's the the "same" HP/TQ...the turbo plants you harder. I don't know why. __________________ Mark H. #3496 of 4966 Custom built shortblock, custom heads, custom cams, trans mods, intake, exhaust, suspension, interior and exterior mods, and a 2.3 Whipple. Are you ready to be shok'd?

11-17-2009, 01:22 AM	#6
Dr. Matt Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 551 Rep Power: 3376149	The turbo plants you harder because the blown truck is spinning the tires! J/K. Mark you don't need a Whipple, there are too many trucks around here faster than me already. No doubt about the greater power potential of the turbo. The real question is what else could you do to the truck for the cost of converting from your current setup to the turbo? __________________ 2004 Sonic Blue, Yeah it's stock, kind of. Well not totally, just a few bolt-ons, a few drivetrain mods, and a few gauges, a little better exhust, Magnum Powers, lowered a little, and a uh...cough cough..buit motor cough cough and.... well just look here http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/b...=114711694.flv

11-17-2009, 01:37 AM	#8
latemodelracer2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 919 Rep Power: 2396000	well i really think im maxed out with the 2.3 and nitrous route im using now. I rarely drive the truck but when i do its usually to go racing or just cruising. I do like my cars to be neat and that would be a big criteria of a turbo setup is it would have to look good. __________________ 2001 OW Lightning. JDM long block, Built Trans, OW 2.3 whipple, NX and other supporting go fast stuff 2004 OW Cobra Coupe- 2.76 upper, 4lb lower, Posi Port 1999 Black Lightning- 3lb lower, tune, KN www.JOHNBOLEN.net

11-17-2009, 02:06 AM	#10
Got Boost Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,066 Rep Power: 8280561	The question is what do you want? Have you raced your truck and what is you PB? __________________ Stock Block Whipple Combo. JJ (WMS) Tuned. 11.61 @ 117MPH with MT ET Street Drag Radials.

11-17-2009, 02:20 AM	#11
lightningkylej CORNFED Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: MWC, OK Posts: 221 Rep Power: 2011898	Turbo setups can be done for a reasonable amount if you have the skills and equipment. My goal is 700whp using a pair of small twins for around $1500 (using the stock intercooler or $2500 with front mount and Edelbrock Victory Jr. intake) not including fuel/tuning but those things would be required on a big blower truck also. And lag will not be an issue for me. I am more worried about it spooling too quick. __________________ First Gen II Lightning running on E85! Built motor, eaton blown, nitrous assisted Eaton getting SOLD and twins on the WAY!

11-17-2009, 09:00 AM	#14
typhoon43 I'm a Fool for Spool. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gainesville, FL. Posts: 2,663 Rep Power: 23187190	I have owned a turbo truck and a SC truck, and the way the power comes on in a turbo is soooo different. The biggest one being that once the turbo starts pulling..it doesn't stop. The blowers peter out up top and you just don't feel that push, where the turbos keep you pinned to the seat until you let off the gas. That's why I went turbo in the Lightning, because I missed the feeling. __________________ Founder and VIP Member: Rod Chuckin's Motor Sploder Club. Member#0001 My place on the web: http://www.hyperfiberbbq.com/gallery2

11-17-2009, 09:06 AM	#15
MMShaggy The Boombastic Shagtastic Join Date: May 2008 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 7,719 Rep Power: 71583067	Biggest difference i noticed from riding in Sallys Turbo L, vs my built whip 2.3 L is the launches, and power delivery. I floor my truck and your slammed in the seat and not moving, then it slowly eases up, and you dont feel the "G" Forces affecting you anymore.... The S/C just loses power/efficeny on the big end. Where as the Turbo is the exact opposite, you floor it, and think "O.K., this is kinda quick, but nothing like the S/C...oh wait, WTF, WOW I'm now slammed in the seat and cant move anymore....omg" So its either "G" Forces off the line and low speeds, or "G" Forces on the top end of gears. Of course, a compound boost, or nitrous would change the world of adding a Turbo. Spray the giggle gas off the line, and there is no lack of power, and it will spool the turbo up faster... Also since your already moving pretty good when the boost kicks in on a Turbo, it feels more "violent" and more powerful than the S/C does off the line in comparison... __________________ 617HP / 633TQ Last edited by MMShaggy; 11-17-2009 at 09:08 AM.

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