I am looking into getting either Roush or Ford racing Whipple Supercharger for my 2006 F-150 FX4. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for which one I should get. This is my dailey driver and I do not do any racing but I do like to feel the power when I hit the gas. I have found both of these kits for $5,000 but the whipple kit does not come with high flow fuel injectors, is that that big of a deal? Also, I am looking at getting the Troyer E-fans and Weapon X ignition coils, anyone have any info on these?

 

how big is your budget? both include evrything you need in the kit. whipple makes more power at 8psi vs the roushs 6 psi and is an overall better supercharger(twin screw) Roush takes over your warranty. Advantages to both.

 

I'm running a Roush and it's a very complete kit. The main difference in the two kits, is the way the supercharger belt is routed and the superchargers themselves. Roush uses an Eaton blower and Whipple, the twin screw. The Roush kit uses a dedicated belt system to power the supercharger, and Lightning lower pulleys are readily available to change boost levels. Whipple uses the stock belt to run the supercharger. Running the single belt system requires a smaller upper pulley to attain higher boost as your only option. The single belt can start having problems at boost levels that push the Whipple far ahead of the Eaton in terms of performance.

As far as the supercharger is concerned, the Whipple is touted to be a larger and more efficient unit. However, at the rpm and boost levels you'd run on a stock bottom end, I doubt it makes any real difference in supercharger selection on the street.

As far as stock injectors in a boost application, I wouldn't do it. I would look into upgrades of at least 39 or 42 lb. injectors.

Opinions as to which is better will run largely what the poster has under his/her hood. From what I've read here, I think both Roush owners and Whipple owners are satisfied with their respective purchases. I know I am. I see a lot of impressive track times and trap speeds with the inferior Roush supercharger. Downloading and reading the instructions for these supercharger kit is also a good way to see what is involved in the install, as well as the components. Personally, I don't think you can't go wrong with either kit and I would approach it on a cost basis. I've seen both kits offered at pretty good discounts. It's a good time to buy.

As to warranty, Roush has a good warranty, but requires an installer with the proper credentials. I installed mine myself, so no warranty for me. That's fine, my custom tune, headers, larger lower pulley would have voided it anyway. I understand Roush's position, but an installer adds to the cost. If you need someone to install it, you would have to factor in that cost anyway, regardless of kit.

I'm running the Troyer e-fans and the GMS COPs. I'm still not a solid believer in the e-fans, but time will tell. There's something about an engine driven fan that seems inherently more reliable.

Bottom line, boost is an incredible performance upgrade and a roots style supercharger makes more boost at lower rpms than centrifugal's. I just wouldn't get sucked into the arguments that the Whipple is a superior unit. It may be, but without a built bottom end and some serious fuel system upgrades, I doubt you'd see a difference between them.

 

Roush is a good complete kit if you are looking at 375-400rwhp with no other mods. To get in the 450rwhp range they are doing full exhaust, full bolt on, and ported blower.

If you want to see 450+rwhp 500+rwtq without modifying EVERYTHING else on the engine, get the Whipple. If you later on want to throw in some good rods and pistons, convert over to a lightning belt system(you can with the whipple) and pull 600+rwhp it's already there.

Either one will put you at the limits of your stock short block.

Personally, I would go with Whipple.

PS. Run 10+lbs on either blower.

 

I experienced the same with my vortech on 12lbs. It would just hook and book on the street.

 

Yeah I would have to have a shop install it since I am no mechanic. I would also get a dyno done at the shop. Currently I have Gibson headers and dual exhaust. Are there any upgrades I should do to go with the Supercharger?

 

How wild do you plan on going?

I'm a fan of electric fans and gears. Depending on which setup you get is what other mods I personally would suggest.

 

FATHERFORD


Yeah I am looking into getting the Troyer E-fan as well as weapon x coils. Im not looking at going all out, just enough to make sure that I dont blow or tear up anything do to the engine not being able to handle the extra power. I dont want to have to replace the transmission or anything. Im leaning towards the Whipple charger but not sure yet. Can you tell me more about the gears. Also, what extras would you get for both kits?

 

Extra's depend on how much power you want etc.

I have been running 12lbs and 430-450+rwhp now for over 40k miles and 3 years. Stock engine and transmission. It's all in the tune and a good tuner...

You have a fx4, so I would suggest at BARE MINIMUM 4.11 gears, preferably 4.56 gears.

Personally I would like to upgrade to 50# injectors and go ahead and up the fuel system with bigger lines.

I'm still running my factory COP's, factory exhaust manifolds, factory transmission, factory drive shaft, factory engine, factory tranny cooler, factory radiator, etc.

 

So it looks like I need gears. Do you know what they cost and what brands are better then others if that matters?

 

Best do a search on that matter. Being 4x4 expect to spend $1k plus.

 

Does anyone have any input on how difficult it is to install the Whipple Supercharger, is it something that I can do with a little help from someone who knows what they are doing?

 

Most of these kits are simple manifold swaps. If you've never attempted going that far into an engine before and don't have a good set of tools, you'd probably be better to hire it out. If you know someone that is experienced at wrenching, you could let them read the instructions and decide if they want to tackle the task. I installed my Roush kit myself, but I've been turning wrenches as my primary hobby for a long time. I'd rate it a 3 on scale of 1 to 10 in terms of difficulty. The biggest problem for me was wedging my old **** between the engine and radiator support to perform some of the tasks.

 

I can't speak for the whipple, but on the roush the install isn't all that hard. I does take some time though. They recomend 10 hours and if your doing your first one expect it to take longer. Most of the stuff is pretty basic, as long as you read the instruction carefully you shouldn't have much trouble. The plugs suck taking out if your changing plugs to.

 

Blower installs are pretty basic and easy for the most part.

Or you do it like me and put a blower system that isn't designed for your year model truck and figure out the problems along the way.