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fangthorpe · 08-12-2003, 08:39 PM

Does anyone have a Whipple on their P30 454? They make them for a 2500/3500 454 pickup and Suburban and recommend them for towing, but act confused when you ask for a motorhome kit. Has anyone tried one on? I have one on a 5.3 Suburban and tow with it and won't be without one.

uncleneal · 08-14-2003, 07:18 PM

I think a polished 8-71 with a bug catcher would look cool sticking up between the seats. You'd have to have a glass doghouse so that you could see it....

Neal

fangthorpe · 08-14-2003, 08:02 PM

Now, now uncleneal. Don't go getting all 50's hotrod on us. All we want on the Airstream is the free 120 HP when we push the long pedal all the way down. The chrome scoop is on the '59 Pontiac.

Seriously, if you havn't seen an installed Whipple, they look like a factory deal. Most non-car types don't even notice when the hood's open.

uncleneal · 08-15-2003, 05:27 AM

Nothing wrong with hotrod.

Car Craft has a 454 HO builtup with a Vortech blower in the 9/03 issue. 925 hp at 6,700 rpm, 769 ft/lbs at 5,300. But it's high rpm, they didn't even test it below4500. Another problem I would worry about is heat. The 345's tend to run hot anyway, more hp means burning more gas, which will make more heat. Nothing is really free.
Neal

Silvertwinkie · 08-15-2003, 06:17 AM

I think it can't be a bad idea on paper, however, keep in mind that engines are made to specific specs. I think there is a small science to adding a supercharger, turbo, etc. Some engines don't deal well with the added pressures these devices develop.

Some folks on the car forums have made further mods to the engine since in some cases a domino effect happened....kind of like putting the cart in front of the horse.

Just a thought....

Eric

Pick · 08-15-2003, 07:52 AM

One more thing to consider. When you add a supercharger, you need to run PREMIUM grade gasoline.

For what it is worth, with the added expense, you may as well go diesel, but for those of us who like gas engines, myself included, the idea of a high HP, high torque gas engine is intriguing. Who wouldn't want to blow the doors off of a Duramax, Cummins or Powerstroke on a big hill with a gasser?

"Someone" used to make a twin turbocharger kit for big block gas engines, anyone remember who? May still be available. That would be a cool setup indeed!!

fangthorpe · 08-15-2003, 08:18 AM

Let's not get too theoretical here. I own a Whipple supercharged 5.3 in a Suburban and I tow with it. Yes it makes more heat and yes it uses super. It also bolts off and on, doesn't require any other modifications like headers or ignitions, doesn't make any noise, is invisible unless you push down hard and makes a ton of power. Whipple makes and has made for quite a while a kit for the TBI 454 for the 2500/3500 Chevy trucks and it has towing as a suggested use. All I want to know is, will a kit from a Chevy truck fit on a motorhome or are all the accessories and brackets in a different place? The Whipple guys said they never looked at a motorhome to see. Not a big enough market.

Silvertwinkie · 08-15-2003, 08:21 AM

Well, I'm not a motorhome guy, but I have read a bit on the 454 in these fabled beasts..... I have also seen pictures of what they call the "dog house."

If your 454 motorhome has the same space for it's 454 like the others that have Airstreams, I would say that you might find yourself real estate challenged in the engine bay.

Eric

74Argosy24MH · 08-15-2003, 06:53 PM

Quote:

If your 454 motorhome has the same space for it's 454 like the others that have Airstreams, I would say that you might find yourself real estate challenged in the engine bay.

I will second that. I would be happy to find space for a couple of 4" tubes to get some cool intake air. You are also getting into a power/weight issue. A lighter vehicle will spin the tires. Something with duals and this heavy doesn't spin tires but does start breaking u joints and twisting drive shafts when you crank up the power.

John

fangthorpe · 08-15-2003, 07:10 PM

My Suburban towing my loaded race trailer weighs more than the Airstream. The 5.3 liter Suburban is making, according to Whipple, 385 HP and 485 lbs of torque. I promise you there is no wheel spinning or driveshaft twisting going on on the Suburban and there will be even less on the Airstream, which is, after all, a truck. I really don't want to start an argument about whether it's a good idea or not. I'll be my own judge, if that's OK. I just want to know if it fits. There's not THAT much difference in the Suburban engine compartment and the Airstream's. I just put headers on the Airstream and didn't have to jack the motor up or anything. The insulation hits the aircleaner in both vehicles. The radiator's the same distance away from the block. I really don't see what all the fuss is about, but I don't want to spend $3000 to find out all the brackets are wrong. Can anyone answer my question?

74Argosy24MH · 08-15-2003, 07:19 PM

If that is the only thing you want to know why don't you just call Whipple and ask.

John

fangthorpe · 08-15-2003, 07:43 PM

If you read my previous posts, you will see that when I called Whipple, they said they had not done the research on motorhomes and didn't know if their 2500/3500 Chevy truck 454 kit would fit or not. That's why I posted the question here. Theoretically, someone here must know what, if anything, is different from an Airstream and a Chevy 3500 from the same year.

uncleneal · 08-16-2003, 05:09 AM

1. If Whipple dosen't know......

2. I've never heard of a supercharged Airstream motorhome of any kind, Whipple or otherwise. Probably for the reasons stated - heat and premium fuel.

3. If you need to know, get a list of applications from Whipple, look in the paper or call used car/truck dealers and find one of them, and go look at it.

4. Or you could take some pictures of the 454 in your motorhome and send them to Whipple. Perhaps they could tell. If you know where the alt, ps, a/c, etc. are located, you can pretty much tell if the brackets are the same. I seriously doubt that Airstream changed them from the way they got them. ('tho you never know-the front brake lines in my '85/86 345 are from a G30) If your '90 has a serpentine belt and the cast aluminum mounts for the accessories, you can figure it is stock GM.

Neal

04chevy2500 · 07-24-2010, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fangthorpe

Does anyone have a Whipple on their P30 454? They make them for a 2500/3500 454 pickup and Suburban and recommend them for towing, but act confused when you ask for a motorhome kit. Has anyone tried one on? I have one on a 5.3 Suburban and tow with it and won't be without one.

hello buddy i dont have your kinda rv, i have a holiday rambler 1988 35ft on a chevy p30 chass,454 i am in the process of putting my weiand 177 blower on my rv yes it will fit if you order the right kit, i had my kit on my 67 camaro with a 454 and took it off and now im putting it on my rv and putting in a 4l80e with a tci standalone i love my old unit i just want what you wanna know how does it perform. it fits under the dog house even if it didnt how hard is that to fix give me about three more weeks and il have it on the road im doing a complete make over, i want my unit to run with those diesels but with gas haha here comes the HR

Robfike · 07-27-2010, 02:44 PM

I think a "Blown" 345 would be great. It would sure rock in the mountains!

canadaxp · 07-27-2010, 11:53 PM

I know this is an old thread, but I have a whipple on my 01 tahoe. I had to contact whipple once with an issue, and they were absolutely amazing to deal with. I wouldnt want anyone elses sc under my hood. I love it. Towing with my F350 6.0 litre is fine, but I prefer the sound of the SC over the turbo...

Keyair · 08-13-2010, 08:51 AM

Great thead!
Lets be honest... if the kit would fit under a Suburban hood, I will go under the dog house!
A little extra heat can be a prob but a 4 core Alu Radiator and twin electric fans would cover that.
Most of the heat will go out of the Exhaust, so a a good set of headers and a free flow exhaust is needed.
Old post... but did it happen?

kmpro · 10-30-2010, 08:33 AM

Interesting discussion guys. I can dig the added power the s/c adds, and you will not do damage to the drivetrain etc. if you engage brain and limit use of right front foot. The HEAT will be the biggest problem IMHO. If the doghouse clearance is not enough, when you remake the doghouse, make it Much taller to give more airflow and dissappate heat better would be my suggestion.
Mike

Aviator · 10-30-2010, 08:43 AM

So, what did you decide? If yes, how happy are you with the result?

Keyair · 10-30-2010, 10:05 PM

You could always cut a hole in the doghouse, and have the SC poke up thru... would make a great visual, and with careful sealing I would draw hot air out of the interior and negate the need for a radio too!