If I was going to build a truck I'd use a 2.8LC if possible. Not sure they have a 2.8 kit for Lightnings though. We have the 3.4 Whipple on the Dragster, but I think with 331CU a slightly smaller blower would have more low end torque. The Whipple is great for our applications because we are spinning it real hard (to the tune of 30+psi), but if I was doing a truck I'd get a 2.8LC or a 2.6 if I couldn't get my hands on a LC.

 

I would go 2.8 LC but someone correct me if I am wrong, you will need to get a new balancer since the 2.8 is longer than the 2.6 and the belts do not line up properly

 

Or...custom cogs...2.8lc is my goal. It may take me a year or two but I'll have one eventually. I'll definitely be LCing each blower till the 2.8. :bigtu

 

3.6 kb LC or stay with the 2.3, that's just my .02 I just can't see .3 is blower volume being that big of a difference..

 

2.8LC will get u 7xx street tune 8XX race

 

I know of a good home waiting for the whip if you decide to switch. :bigtu

 

ok im a idiot what is the 2.8lc ?

 

Liquid cooled. 2.3 is the best bang for the buck. 2.6/2.8 you need the plenuimn/tb to take the full advantage of the blowers. I maybe upgrading at the end of the year to???

 

Go 2.6...more is better...even if it you can't prove it.

 

Spray the 2.3 into the 9's once it's consistent in the mid-low 10's.

I just dont understand recommending the 3.6. We all hear how much it cost to turn the wick up on the 3.4 Whipple.

 

Here's what you do, get the 2.8lc and hook me up with that 2.3 whipple:smt023

 

it all depends on your goals. if you want a mid 10sec truck keep the 2.3 whipple. if you want to get into the 9s all boost upgrade blowers, but remember for the 2.6kb to outperform the 2.3 whipple u have to upgrade the plenum and spend even more money. Personally i would keep what you have and if you want more once you get the truck running good(consistant 10s) throw a 100-150 shot on it and get into the 9s. Keep your eyes open because someone is going to break into the 9s all boost this year on a 2.3 whipple. Leach just ran a 10.18 all boost. Look at my mods and within a year of new combo have ran 10.6s and my truck is a daily driver and i got good bit left in it i beleive once i upgrade the fuel system and turn up the boost.

start with what motor combo your going to use from which builder and who is going to tune it. i say go with whoever you want to tune the truck with there motor combo. Im on a JDM email tune also.

 

I've had 3 Ported Eatons, a Magnum Powers, 2.3 KB, 2.3 Whipple, 2.6 KB, (and a 2.8 H on Terminator). I prefer the KB over the Whipple for ease of Install and Removal, ease of Spark Plug Removal, and most importantly they're much more Plug & Play. Although people say you wont get it's full potential unless you spend another few thousand on Custom Plenums, TB's, and Maf's I say BULLSHIT. My Terminator put down well over 700 RWHP with the stock Plenum and a std aftermarket TB and Maf. Lets face it years of R&D go into these S/C's and they make them to work "just as you buy them". Hell just bolting a 2.8 on my 99 put down OVER 100 RWHP MORE ON IT'S STREET TUNE (compared to a very nicely done Apten Ported Eaton).

I'm not saying for all you maniac's trying to extract ever ounce of power out of your SC's those extra thousands dont do anything, OF COURSE THEY DO.
I'm just saying for the majority of us the Plenum that comes with the SC can take you to your goals no prob...

Short answer,
IMO just for ease of spark plug changes KB gets my vote everytime... :smt023

PS
For any of you with a Big Bore KB they will convert anyone of them to LC for you for a fairly reasonable fee

 

The 2.6 KB for the Lightning comes with an intake/plenum that is way too small for serious horsepower production. So if you go that route, the JLP TB and plenum are a must to outperform the 2.3 Whipple. Even then, it is close based on track times to date. The 2.8LC is a better option. Again needing the JLP intake upgrades, but big power to gain. The 3.6 LC even greater gains. That one is only available thru JLP and will come with his custom big inlet stuff.

Really, the 2.3 Whipple is a nice combo of streetability and performance. A good match for stock cube motors. We will see 9 second passes on all boost 2.3 Whipples this year as delivered from Whipple. I have one. I will spray it to run with any Big Bore blower. KB or Whipple. For a lot less $$$ invested.

Jim

 

A good match for stock cube motors.

you don't have this /\........ stock cubes ... that just sounds funny!

IMO I think the mammoth intakes, such for the KB's should come with the blower!!!!otstirring

 

Finally after two years of off and on with the truck im going built this spring. A question im facing is do I want to keep my 2.3 whipple or should I ditch it in favor of the larger 2.6 Kb blower? There is nothing wrong with the whipple and it only has about 5k miles on it, but im wondering if having the larger KB blower would be worth the time of selling the whipple and buying the KB? What kind of gains could be realistic if I did go for the larger blower with all other factors being the same ( head/cam/pully combo) ??

since you haven't maxed out the 2.3, I'd leave it in place and look to spend the money you're considering for a power adder swap into another area for better gains

 

Plug changes aren't that bad on the whipple 2.3..... My arm is paralyzed and I took the whipple off 4 times in two weeks problem free! Then again, after the 3rd time, it does become a breeze! LoL, All that needs to be done for ease of changes is you can loosen up the 4screws (blower/mid plate) and this will allow the whipple to have the wiggles


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