BadCon

So when I was looking at photos of the kit I thought I saw factory catalytic converters bolted to the turbos...I was not mistaken, they are going for CARB approval. That is rather ambitious, especially since they have likely relocated the cats, if even slightly. I wish them the best with that, and it will be a big deal if they make the kit Cali legal....lots of sales potential there.

However my biggest concern is transmission temperatures with their kit, as they put both turbos on either side of the trans, and appear to tap into the transmissions coolant lines to supply the turbos with water. Good deal the turbos are water cooled, but I'm thinking transmissions temperatures are going to suffer especially if someone decides to tow something for any distance with those turbos slow roasting the trans. However that is just my speculation.

Last note on the price, according to the site its gonna be about $10,000 with a canned tune but NO injectors. Expensive pill...

mass-hole

It looks to me like they have two lines coming from the front of the truck to a tee that runs to each turbo. Also, they would only be able to tie into the transmission coolant lines on the 2018+ trucks, since 15-17 had the trans coolers mounted up front.

LiftenW8ts

I have been in contact with PBD, VMP, and 5 Star concerning a forced induction install. I have nothing but great things to say about all 3 of them. I have already made purchases from 5 Star and VMP and everything has been great. I am still gathering information and will be pulling the trigger on what setup I go with VMP Stage 2, Whipple Stage 2 or a Hellion TT with the Borg Warner turbos. But I am still trying to look at dyno graphs and compare these 3 setups on real streetable power on 93 and the possibility to run a octane booster or go E-85. Also looking at the torque spread across the RPM range. By the way guys thanks for all the input and advise from you guys that have been there and done that already.

TX-Ripper

engineermike

LiftenW8ts

There is a switch over on the turbos Hellions is using with that kit. The current kit is using Borg warner EFR 7163 57mm turbos. With ID1050X injectors plugs thermostat and a K2 Fuel Pump booster I was priced 11,250.00 for the kit plus 1650.00 for install. If I go the Whipple stage 2 route same injectors plus thermostat and plugs plus Fuel Pump booster it was gonna be 9700.00 for the kit plus same 1650.00 for the install. VMP is running a special on their supercharger now for 12,100.00 installed. I would really like to see an overlay of dyno graphs of these 3 systems on 93 octane and E-85. This would be useful in seeing at what rpm what torque and horsepower is being made.

engineermike

LiftenW8ts

I was thinking the same thing especially on the labor end. I am going to put a blower on this truck this coming April. I am seriously considering just purchasing the blower injectors pump etc and doing the install myself and then getting with one of the big shops to do a custom tune. Going this route I should be able to get everything done for 9500-10K

BadCon

VMP's tuning support is subpar. Their product support and shipping is speedy, but that is a different department at "VMP Ranch" then the tuning department. I've ordered parts from VMP and was always impressed with their super fast shipping and overall product support. However it all fell apart when I sought their tuning....what a ****ing waste of time that was. But we are coming up on a year since they screwed me, so perhaps they hired additional tuning staff since then.

If that above price is for the VMP stage 3 kit, its not a bad deal as that uses their gen 3 TVS 2650 blower, which is a good blower. The TVS 2650 is new from Eaton a couple years ago to replace the 2300, and it is used in the new Corvette ZR1 and many other high power production cars. The overall horsepower output will be similar to the 2.9l Whipple, but torque output will be higher due to it being a TVS. That said, both the blowers are very comparable and any further comments from me are bound to illicit massive backlash from the Whipple people (of which there are many) on this board.

Despite my contempt for VMP and the money they took from me, I'll say their implementation of the TVS 2650 is probably the best among the aftermarket suppliers. Both Roush and Edelbrock sell kits that use the same blower, but their kits use restrictive front inlets...and inlet restriction is a big no no with positive displacement blowers. The VMP uses a massive integrated cast rear inlet elbow that is compatible with any number of massive throttle bodies and as ships, comes with the the twin 67mm which is a work of art. Additionally VMP uses a huge triple pass heat exchanger which is probably the best among the aftermarket kits (stage 3 comes with fans).

There is also the new Kenne Bell kit that uses a 3.3l twin screw blower, which on paper should have more power potential then the Whipple or the VMP.

With that said however, any of the supercharger kits available can make crazy power and with aftermarket tuning and a fuel system could propel any F150 into the 10's. A twin turbo setup can make more power then a stock longblock will handle, so the sky is the limit there. But personally for drivability I'd go with a PD blower....but you'd be in rare company with a twin turbo 5.0 and that is a factor to consider.
It seems like money really isn't an issue here, but if you are down to save a few thousand you can typically find a Whipple kit for stupid cheap a couple times a year and its the easiest to install yourself.

hotrod_renegade

Lethal performance usually does a Spring Tax Break sale every year with 15% off Whipple kits. Last year they did it on the 16th of February, so it might be something to keep an eye out for this week to save big on the Whipple. I scored a kit with the bigger throttle body and dual fans from them with 15% off last Thanksgiving and saved about $1300. As far as my thoughts on the kit, definitely a big improvement power-wise over stock. But the transmission tuning leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion. It's eager to get to the higher gears when just cruising around town, which is frustrating because it feels like it's bogged down (much like a stock truck). Then it acts 'confused' - for lack of a better term - when you start to lay in to the throttle, like it's hunting around trying to find the best gear to be in. I've decided it's enough to bother me while driving it so I'll be going with a custom tune from Palm Beach dyno in the near future, along with an off-road Y-pipe and dropping down a size from the 3.8 pulley to 3.75 while I'm at it. Can't really offer any input on VMP or twins as I don't have any experience with either.