I have a 2006 5.4 KR 4x4 and am looking for better towing power. I moved to CO last year, and the higher altitude is really killing my towing performance. I pull a boat that weighs approximately 5k lbs including trailer.

I am considering putting a S/C on the truck. I have had someone specifically recommend the Whipple Twin-Screw. Can anyone provide some insight and suggestions for me? Whipple? Roush? Others? I don't want to get too aggressive with the supercharger and boost levels, I just want better towing performance.

Thanks in advance.

 

I guess I should list my previous modifications...

2" A/S Leveling Kit
305/55/20 Nitto TGs on 20x8.5 American Racing Mottos
Magnaflow SISO Cat-Back
AF1 CAI
XCal2 w/ Custom Tunes

 

Personally, I think you would be better off with a super duty and diesel. If it weren't for your mountainous elevations, a supercharger would probably work for you, but I think it would be pretty hard on the engine in the mountains. I'd talk to some tuners and get some input as to what they may be able to do for you.

 

I'd suggest getting a supercharger of either type. Supercharger operation will benefit you up there on Rt.70 and beyond. I was stationed up there in Denver at old Lowery AFB and what you describe was a common problem.
Personally I have a Vortec V-2 that I intend to re-install on my 98 Ex. It was removed three years ago for service and never returned because of gas prices (secondary consideration)

Have you ever tried rolling up Pikes Peak with your truck?

 

honestly for towing a positive displacement or a wastegated centrufigal will be ok and ahuge improvement over stock but turbo is where you need to look

 

Can't tuners factor in altitude and such like that when doing the tune? wouldn't a higher altitude tune help him get back some of what he lost without going FI?

 

I'm very new to this stuff, so I have no idea what the difference is between a postiive displacement or wategated centrifigal is...or what that even means for that matter. What is the difference between a turbo and a s/c?

The tuners have done all they can to compenate for the a/f ratio etc., but there is still a loss of hp and torque at high altitude that a tuner can't do anything about.

I would like a SD, but I don't really want to drive a truck that big all the time. Plus, I really like my truck and don't want to spend the $$ on a new one. Mine's paid for.

 

Supercharges are driven off the crankshaft. Turbos are driven off of exhaust flow. Turbos are generally more efficient and make more horsepower because you don't have parasitic loss of driving the supercharger off of the engine's crankshaft.

A positive displacement blower usually have two rotors and are mounted on the intake manifold. They make boost at low rpm to rev limit, generally at the same level. Boost is somewhat linear throughout the torque band. These will be the Ford Racing, Saleen, Whipple, Roush and now Edlelbrock offerings.

Centifugals are generally mounted off to the side of the engine and make power proportionate to rpm. It's boost levels are non-linear. If you spin a centrifugal fast enough, it will make more boost at lower rpm, but the wastegate is there to bleed it boost above a certain level to make it act more like a positive displacement. These are the Paxtons, Vortech's, Powerdyne, etc.

I only know of one Turbo offering and that's STS (Squires Turbo). I don't care for that system because of the location of the turbo.

 

I would suggest gears instead. 4:10's at least possibly 4:56 given the tires you're turning and the weight you're pulling. a Supercharge will make more power, but you won't always be on the throttle enough to make use of it.

 

Here is a link on the Whipple and FI comparisons.
Has some good info on the standard choices.