2.9 whipple worth gains?

Stage 4.6 · Jan 1, 2019

I'am debating on swapping my 2.6 KB for a 2.9 Whipple, i passed up a couple of good deals last year, and was wondering if the money spent on the 2.9 is worth it?

My 2.6 KB setup on 91 oct. with 3.75 upper/4lb lower and supporting mods in sig, currently makes 620ish/560TQ, my goal is to be in the 700hp range.

I am sure with E85 i can achieve that goal with my 2.6 KB but not sure if i want to deal with E85 issues over the winter especially here in Colorado. Any advice would be appreciated.

InvisibleBlade · Jan 1, 2019

If you're not going to go E85, then I wouldn't bother switching.

MG0h3 · Jan 1, 2019

I wouldn't switch even if I did go E85. Your numbers now are pretty much what everyone maxes on regular gas and an aftermarket blower.

03' White Snake · Jan 1, 2019

I agree with everyone else. E85 and leave it alone. Same pulley combo on my 2.8h for me. I bumped my compression and E85 and make 785 at the wheels.

stangfreak · Jan 2, 2019

Here is my take on this. some may agree, some may not. we used to have these debates at the shop I go to over and over. And I finally listened to my tuner. Plus, I went through 5 blower swaps on my cobra. wasted time and money. On 91 octane, I would not install a blower that big. A 2.9 whipple with low boost and low octane will not perform how it should. Those big blowers shine 20lbs and up with race gas or e85.

Another point that my tuner made was, all we do is swap blowers. He's done hundreds of cobras. The shop even had the first kenne bell cobra in new york if I am not mistaken. snake bite. Im sure you saw the video.

We go from a 2.2, 2.4, then a 2.8, then a 3.4 etc etc etc. If you really think about the hp that you gain from all the swaps, its nothing dramatic. Yes I know, people on the internet make 900rwhp with a 2.8 kenne bell on low boost. I get it. Then run a 10.60 at the track. so we are buying, selling, buying, selling, hoping that the next best blower will give us that magical number. After all my blower swaps, time I put in and money I spent, I am still making 700rwhp. Actually, my numbers went back down . why? we still can't figure it out.

so if you are using 91 octane, or are happy with 6-700rwhp, I would stay with that setup you have. Let the car be and have fun. we can only do so much with a stock 4.6 4v motor. The coyote is a different beast and blowers on those cars are insane. we cant do that with our cars. If that doesn't satisfy your hunger, I know its very expensive and its really not for everyone, turbo is the only way. IMO, after a 2.9 whipple, if thats not enough, turbo. The 3.4 whipple alone, creates massive amounts of heat. The 4.0? forget it. They don't run COOL. I'm not an expert or a know it all. I am just giving my 2 cents and opinion from what I have seen in the past 16 years of owning this car, seeing them at shops and talking to the guys at the shop I go to.

c6zhombre · Jan 2, 2019

I totally agree. Scenario A....figure out the path to make E85 work for you and keep your blower. Scenario B....if you really will never go E85, and are itching for a blower switch, find a used 2.3 tvs. Smaller would be better for full time pump gas use. Hell, even if you later do find E85 will work out for ya...you can still reach 700 with the little blower...and snappy low end TQ

GodStang · Jan 3, 2019

This, This , and did I say this. I am also one that has run 5 or 6 different blowers and on my 93 octane tune there just was not that much power difference. Now if you went E85, Big boost, and a crusher inlet you would see massive gains over the 2.6L as its inlet just does not flow in stock form.

The reason why the Coyote does so well over what we have is they are 11:1 or 12:1 compression compared to our 8.5:1 compression, they have better flowing heads both design and cfm, and a bit more cubic inches.

Take an 03 Cobra put GT500 heads on it 12:1 compression and E85 and see if you don;t make healthy numbers.

stangfreak said:
Here is my take on this. some may agree, some may not. we used to have these debates at the shop I go to over and over. And I finally listened to my tuner. Plus, I went through 5 blower swaps on my cobra. wasted time and money. On 91 octane, I would not install a blower that big. A 2.9 whipple with low boost and low octane will not perform how it should. Those big blowers shine 20lbs and up with race gas or e85.

Another point that my tuner made was, all we do is swap blowers. He's done hundreds of cobras. The shop even had the first kenne bell cobra in new york if I am not mistaken. snake bite. Im sure you saw the video.

We go from a 2.2, 2.4, then a 2.8, then a 3.4 etc etc etc. If you really think about the hp that you gain from all the swaps, its nothing dramatic. Yes I know, people on the internet make 900rwhp with a 2.8 kenne bell on low boost. I get it. Then run a 10.60 at the track. so we are buying, selling, buying, selling, hoping that the next best blower will give us that magical number. After all my blower swaps, time I put in and money I spent, I am still making 700rwhp. Actually, my numbers went back down . why? we still can't figure it out.

so if you are using 91 octane, or are happy with 6-700rwhp, I would stay with that setup you have. Let the car be and have fun. we can only do so much with a stock 4.6 4v motor. The coyote is a different beast and blowers on those cars are insane. we cant do that with our cars. If that doesn't satisfy your hunger, I know its very expensive and its really not for everyone, turbo is the only way. IMO, after a 2.9 whipple, if thats not enough, turbo. The 3.4 whipple alone, creates massive amounts of heat. The 4.0? forget it. They don't run COOL. I'm not an expert or a know it all. I am just giving my 2 cents and opinion from what I have seen in the past 16 years of owning this car, seeing them at shops and talking to the guys at the shop I go to.

Stage 4.6 · Jan 5, 2019

I appreciate all the input fellas! I've been on the fence on the E85 not cause its hard to get where i live but due to the winter down time, the corrosion possibilities worry me. I pulled the cover off my car today for the first time since the week before Thanksgiving, this winter been cold and snowy. Normally my car isnt down for more than 3 weeks at a time. But this season the weather has been tough.

I really do believe the performance gains are awesome with E85, and doing the conversion is not out of the question.

ctgreddy · Jan 6, 2019

Stage 4.6 said:
I appreciate all the input fellas! I've been on the fence on the E85 not cause its hard to get where i live but due to the winter down time, the corrosion possibilities worry me. I pulled the cover off my car today for the first time since the week before Thanksgiving, this winter been cold and snowy. Normally my car isnt down for more than 3 weeks at a time. But this season the weather has been tough.

I really do believe the performance gains are awesome with E85, and doing the conversion is not out of the question.

Most of everything you've heard about with e85 is proably a Myth. People made it seem terrible when it first came out. I've ran e85 for 4 years now. I leave my car sit thru long Michigan winters with e85 in the tank and dont do a thing to it. It doesn't gum up or anything. I've had the same fuel filter on my car for all 4 years, I check it every once in a while and there's never been anything in it. I also dont test my e85 unless I'm working on the tune. e70 to e90 which is what you'll find 98% of the time, all has the same detonation resistance and while it will cause the afr to vary, it wont cause a single issue.

But like everyone else said, if you're staying on premium I doubt any blower swap would be worth it for you. If you do intend on doing e85, I'd look for a nice 2.9 crusher setup and enjoy an extra 130whp/100ft lbs over what you've got.

Stage 4.6 · Jan 7, 2019

ctgreddy, now you got me reconsidering E85 again? I know everybody has a different opinion on this topic, and i don't like to believe everything i read on the internet, but when i here experiences like this well? its easy to want to sway. It's great to here that you've had zero or minimal issues.
Again thanks guys for all your opinions.

GodStang · Jan 8, 2019

Stage 4.6 said:
ctgreddy, now you got me reconsidering E85 again? I know everybody has a different opinion on this topic, and i don't like to believe everything i read on the internet, but when i here experiences like this well? its easy to want to sway. It's great to here that you've had zero or minimal issues.
Again thanks guys for all your opinions.

Most of the "negative" reviews I have seen on E85 on 4 stroke motors have been from people that have zero experience with it. I have seen issues with water build up on chainsaws and what not from added ethanol but that is no where near the same. I have been on E85 for some time now and my car sits and will fire up first time, on time, every time. The only issue is how readily available is it in your area or are you willing to buy it in bulk.

Stage 4.6 · Jan 8, 2019

GodStang said:
Most of the "negative" reviews I have seen on E85 on 4 stroke motors have been from people that have zero experience with it. I have seen issues with water build up on chainsaws and what not from added ethanol but that is no where near the same. I have been on E85 for some time now and my car sits and will fire up first time, on time, every time. The only issue is how readily available is it in your area or are you willing to buy it in bulk.

Having the car sit over the winter was my main concern, i here of guys avoiding issues by switching back to 91oct over the winter, but i really don't want to deal with that.

You say, your car fires up first time every time and that's great, cause I've also read of guys having cold start issues as well with E85. So that was a concern as well!

I am really leaning towards purchasing all the necessary mods required and move forward with the E85 conversion with my current setup. Iam sure my KB2.6H can push me towards my goal, and availability of E85 in my area is not a problem. Iam just not sure of the concentration, so probably have to invest in a test kit.

Bdubbs · Jan 8, 2019

I've been running e85 for a few years. I love it so much my license plate reads "KORNFED".

I've always stored mine during the winter months with 91. It's not difficult. I run my e85 down to about 1/8 tank, fill up with 91, then switch tunes. Done.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using the svtperformance.com mobile app

Stage 4.6 · Jan 8, 2019

I guess i could get savy and learn how to switch tunes.

GodStang · Jan 9, 2019

Stage 4.6 said:
I guess i could get savy and learn how to switch tunes.

If you have a hand held like a SCT you plug it in. Select what tune you want ie E85, 91 octane, 93 Octane, Race Tune or what ever you have and load it in. IF you do like Bdubbs said and run it down to near empty fill it up with 91/93 and as the fuel is pumping take the 45 secs to switch the tune and you are golden. Then do the reverse when you want to go back to E85.

Stage 4.6 · Jan 9, 2019

I do own a SCT tuner, so when i get the car re-tuned for E85 do i keep my 91 tune on the handheld?

GodStang · Jan 10, 2019

Stage 4.6 said:
I do own a SCT tuner, so when i get the car re-tuned for E85 do i keep my 91 tune on the handheld?

Yes depending on which version you have it can hold up to 5 I think. The E85 will just be the next tune and the handheld will ask you which tune.

BLOWN9646 · Jan 10, 2019

Really no need to switch back to gas once you go e85. Put some Lucas fuel treatment in before storage if you're concerned

GodStang · Jan 10, 2019

BLOWN9646 said:
Really no need to switch back to gas once you go e85. Put some Lucas fuel treatment in before storage if you're concerned

While I somewhat agree there can be times. One instance was my buddy trailered to a far off week long car show. When he got there there was no E85 around. Same state so he thought there would be some. Bad planning on his part not to bring any. So he had to tune down to 93 for a few days to have fuel. Always good to be prepared.

c6zhombre · Jan 10, 2019

I'm not 100% positive.....but I'm pretty sure there's not a terminator on this forum that's run E85 as long as the one I own. I bought it from 04sleeper in 2011, but he had it on ethanol full time long before that, like 2009. So right at ten years now. 100% factory motor.

Not one single issue. It sits with ethanol in the tank all the time. It's been switched back to 93 a couple of times over the years for brief periods, but it's mainly on the ethanol tune. The couple times it has been forced to run 93, the switch over couldn't be easier. Just run the tank down as far as you can, fill up other fuel, drop in tune from handheld. Drive away.

The fuel filter, oil and plugs get changed yearly. They all look clean as a whistle. The only thing I'd be concerned about, especially in very cold climates.....I'd definitely want the car garaged in an insulated garage. That's the only extra precaution that might be necessary to combat cold start issues in freezing conditions, if you're so inclined to even drive one of these cars in that type weather. Just take the beater out on those days lol. These corn fed terminators are dangerous enough in 80 degree weather.

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