Hardluck33 Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Whew. 70 hours 50 mins. North Carolina to Rhode Island to North Carolina and a Super Charger. SGT1449 is Whipple 550 mod complete now by Tasca. Thank you Carl (08SGT1234), for the companionship and splitting the task of driving with the trailer. Kevin (Dig-it), thank you for coming up and taking a break from your Naval Academics –It was great for Carl and me to see you. Carl and I stayed just ahead of the Nor’easter that hit. We arrived in RI at 530pm after a 4am departure—traffic was light, but man was it cold for two guys from NC. We parked the trailer at the hotel (La Quinta—recommend you stay here it is only 1 mile away) and I tried to remain optimistic that snow would not come---Carl jumped on that bandwagon of optimism also but we lost. We awoke to 9 inches of snow at 6 am and RI at a basic standstill. The original plan of driving down and behind the hotel and back up the other drive they had fell short as I watched their shuttle van slide backwards on multiple attempts. I decided to back out the trailer between all the guests cars---that was a trick with 9 inches of snow and a tiny parking lot—but we did it. We showed up at Tasca at 8 am and waited for D.Gomes to arrive. The guys were great there with helping unload the car and cleaning it immediately. When Dennis arrived I did my paperwork and in the ten minutes that took we walked back out to see my car torn apart already---trunk was dismantled, intake was off (you can see all this in the pictures)—amazingly fast. Carl and I drove away around 10 a.m. and headed to my folks place in NH for the night. Wow what a trip in all that snow. The 3rd of March at 0830 we left for Tasca again, we got there and the Tune had just arrived from Ford, the guys tuned it, the stripe guy striped it, and the dent guy fixed the tiny dent I put in the door loading the trailer (yeah, I almost cried). Brake upgrade was done to Baer rotors, HPS pads and Goodridge stainless steel lines (thanks for the ideas TS members) Carnut—sorry I did not get your PM in time, for some reason my Iphone was not doing internet well at Tasca on the 3rd. It would have been great to meet you. Kevin showed up just in time to go to the Dyno with us and watch/film. This is my only bad part of the story--- two bad dyno pulls. The clutch slipped at 4800 RPM each time, the car had a beautiful TQ line at 485-490 and was climbing like a rocket on RWHP on the chart and both times the clutch slipped at 435 RWHP and 4800 RPM. We gave up the ghost as the clutch smelled pretty bad. I am now looking into a clutch upgrade and will work with Carl’s sons shop on this modification and more than likely an aluminum drive shaft while I am at it. #1449 was the second 2008 Shelby to receive a Whipple 550 from Tasca. Last Monday/Tuesday another gentlemen from NY had his convertible done. (Not sure if he is a TS member or not). We loaded up the trailer at 2pm and hit the road back to NC, I dropped Carl off at 1 am and arrived home at 2:50 am. What an awesome trip. I need to thank Carl’s wife for allowing him to make the trip with me, I would not have been able to get it all done as easily without him. And thanks to Dennis and the guys at Tasca for the Mods. I am going to try photobucket right now and come back and add a link for all the pics. Ilmor your car is in two of the pics. Guess I can't spell after 3 hours of sleep--should say "Supercharged" in sub-heading. ok here is the link---took 2 hours to download all of these. http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/Ha...mview=slideshow I just drove the car for the first time! Holy Crap!---I have never driven a car with that much power. It will put you back in your seat for sure. The brakes feel great on it, still looking at the clutch issue--it smelled pretty bad leaving my neighborhood but no issues driving it. I drove it to wash it and then coming back no smell. I got on the car on the last straight away and carried it to 11 lbs boost and 39 lbs on the fuel in 2nd gear until redline then the clutch slipped just short of redline. I wont be driving it this hard all the time but I am seriously going to do the clutch upgrade and DS when I think I can get away with it without my wife knowing. Forgot this: The hood insulation has to be removed as the belt hits on it. I am going to cut mine and try to put it back in. Carl had a great idea of chalking the belt and shutting the hood to see where it hits then make the cuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig-It Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Good to see you and Carl made it home safe. It was great seeing you guys again. I owe you some pics that will be emailed shortly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikewheels Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 I was over at Tasca last week looking at Super Snake hood louvers thinking I might add them to my stock hood. (Forget it, too much work, not enough clearance.) They were packed with cars. No signs of a recession there! Anyway, Sunday I was headed to NYC to work and in CT. I saw you headed north and knew where you had to be headed. No one in their right mind would be trailering a SGT into a major snowstorm for any other reason than going to Tasca or just buying it I figured. Glad it worked out for you. I'm still wondering how the stock bottom end is going to handle the 550 kit. Have fun finding out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardluck33 Posted March 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 wow dude welcome to the satisfied whipple owners group lol . Ill tell you what Tasca are go getters they do the work amazingly quick and always top notch. good luck with the clutch choice also did that kit use the stock tensioner or is it the thumprrr onelike this its the one I use also Stock tensioner---Dennis said it is all about the belt placement. I have a spare just in case! Oh by the way Ford Racing is developing a Strut Brace for our cars--- I put the link for the photos up in the first post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffIsHereToo Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 VERY COOL! :happy feet: Wow the last time I was at TASCA it was sunny and 85 degrees! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtup1 Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Cool pics Hardluck, congrats on the Whipple looks like as soon as the weather breaks you"ll be having plenty of fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngnear Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 That looks great. I really wish I could get mine SC'd. Daughter has to go to college...so dad's SGT takes second priority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordRocks1 Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 that SC 550 is HUGE!!!! Congrats and thanks for posting some pics of it-that was sure a fast turn around. Enjoy it :happy feet: Now are those boost gauges Ford Racing and if so those are sweet-wonder if they are available by themselves? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardluck33 Posted March 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 that SC 550 is HUGE!!!! Congrats and thanks for posting some pics of it-that was sure a fast turn around. Enjoy it :happy feet: Now are those boost gauges Ford Racing and if so those are sweet-wonder if they are available by themselves? Yes they are Ford Racing gauges and you can buy them by themselves. http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/categ...;catdesc=Gauges or summit racing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunedindon#5481 Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Congrats on the Whipple, it looks great. It's the best thing you can do to your SGT. You do realize that your going to need bigger tires than those stock ones you have. They won't even come close to handling the power. I have a hard time with mine and they are 275s. I really like the gauges like that. I want to do the same thing with the FRPP gauges. Good choice. Now get out and get some miles on her and let us know how she drives. Man am I glad that they don't have any of that funky white stuff here in Florida. I would cry if my car ever looked like yours does on the trailer. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hfrosso Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 I wish i could just call Denis and tell him go ahead ,doi it!!! but i can't I'll be going back there to get my car on the 17 .I had the stripes and hood scoop redone, some body work, lower grille, fender stripes and the Start button. Congrats on the SC ,and have fun!! :happy feet: had you seen my car there by any chance ? is an 08 vert, plate #SHELBGT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Bishop Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Jase, glad I could help out, thanks for inviting me along for the ride, it was a great adventure. Kevin, great to see you again, looking forward to meeting up with you somewhere much warmer next time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Bishop Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 had you seen my car there by any chance ? is an 08 vert, plate #SHELBGT Is this it? If it is, then yes we did........ :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HORSBYT Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Very nice and congrats! If you're going to keep that stock airbox setup let me know, I have the filter for that still in the wrapping in case you want an extra on hand.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardluck33 Posted March 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 I wish i could just call Denis and tell him go ahead ,doi it!!! but i can't I'll be going back there to get my car on the 17 .I had the stripes and hood scoop redone, some body work, lower grille, fender stripes and the Start button. Congrats on the SC ,and have fun!! :happy feet: had you seen my car there by any chance ? is an 08 vert, plate #SHELBGT Yes, see the pics of it on my slideshow---it is not done yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShowCar Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Looks great. Nothing like boost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardluck33 Posted March 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Tasca Dyno pulls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Rodgers Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Very Nice, Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully I am only a couple weeks behind you. Did you resolve the Hood insulation issue? I would imagine you can just cut out the small section that is rubbing. Yours is the first I heard of that has the clutch slipping on the Ford tune, must be putting out some power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Rodgers Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Very nice and congrats! If you're going to keep that stock airbox setup let me know, I have the filter for that still in the wrapping in case you want an extra on hand.... Funny I thought the air-box you have is the one that came with it. We need more pic's and information on hwat you have done to your engine, it looks Great!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardluck33 Posted March 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Very nice and congrats! If you're going to keep that stock airbox setup let me know, I have the filter for that still in the wrapping in case you want an extra on hand.... The stock box comes with the 08 set-up only, the 06 and 07 should have Cold Air intakes---see the 06 Hertz in my slideshow. The 08 to pass CARB/EOB had to have the stock airbox. Do you have the K&N Filter for it? If so PM me. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Rodgers Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Cool I hope everyone carries a spare as well as 1/2 breaker good insurance easy fix to keep it off the tow truckI left you a link about clutches in your other thread I am looking at getting SC'd in a couple weeks, wouldn't it be good insurance to get the thumprrr tensioner? Any opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69dejavue Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Can you post the info re the new strut tower brace with the whipple? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardluck33 Posted March 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 I am looking at getting SC'd in a couple weeks, wouldn't it be good insurance to get the thumper tensioner? Any opinions? Talk to Dennis, it is not needed. I talked in depth with him about this. I will let him give you the answer on this. He will tell you why it is happening on belt throws if it happens. They have not had one thrown on a customers car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardluck33 Posted March 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Can you post the info re the new strut tower brace with the whipple? Dennis said he spoke with Ford Racing about this because he is loosing sales due to no strut tower brace being available and told us it was being worked right now. Expect to see a brace by Ford Racing for the Whipple kit. Attached is a photo of where Dennis said the problem was for the tower brace clearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardluck33 Posted March 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Very Nice, Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully I am only a couple weeks behind you. Did you resolve the Hood insulation issue? I would imagine you can just cut out the small section that is rubbing. Yours is the first I heard of that has the clutch slipping on the Ford tune, must be putting out some power. I will be working on the hood insulation this weekend....more to follow. Hard to say what the car is putting out. 485-490 on a real flat TQ line, at 4800 RPM it was laying down 430's for RWHP when it went out, both times. Dennis thinks it would have been in the mid 480's for RWHP as the one he did the week prior put out 483RWHP. He had told me prior to the Dyno the stock clutch has a hard time handling the power on some of the cars and it would be a touch and go pull on the dyno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Rodgers Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Dennis said he spoke with Ford Racing about this because he is loosing sales due to no strut tower brace being available and told us it was being worked right now. Expect to see a brace by Ford Racing for the Whipple kit. Attached is a photo of where Dennis said the problem was for the tower brace clearance. Thank you Sir By the way I got the wifes go ahead, I will be Supercharged in a couple weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am still thinking about other things I may want to do while the car is their. I have the brake parts already, going with the Shelby Gauges, and the Polished Whipple. Not sure if I am missing anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardluck33 Posted March 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Thank you Sir By the way I got the wifes go ahead, I will be Supercharged in a couple weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am still thinking about other things I may want to do while the car is their. I have the brake parts already, going with the Shelby Gauges, and the Polished Whipple. Not sure if I am missing anything. Here is what I would do again if I had known--- a clutch upgrade to a better single disc (way less money than a twin) and a drive shaft to an aluminum and gain another 14HP and loosing about 15lbs on the car while at it. If you have the money I would also have them change out the valve covers like Dig-it did, especially with a polished. Also I would do the brake ducts, but not the SAI ones. I had the money but I did not have the time. Due to my military leave I needed a 48 hour turn and squeezed all I could out of that. Now I have to do all of this at a local shop. The brakes are a big difference--wait until you drive it afterwards. Great news for you on the S/C. I know Tasca is doing about 12 cars over the next three weeks---there is definetly no recession there!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT/SC#0471 Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 If Ford does not make a strut brace I am sure someone will in time. When my s/c gets done if no strut brace is available I am going to Fab up my own in my shop....Man I love this thread congrats! I am drooling..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hfrosso Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Is this it? If it is, then yes we did........ :rolleyes: yep! that's the one! thank's!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunedindon#5481 Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 I will be working on the hood insulation this weekend....more to follow. Hard to say what the car is putting out. 485-490 on a real flat TQ line, at 4800 RPM it was laying down 430's for RWHP when it went out, both times. Dennis thinks it would have been in the mid 480's for RWHP as the one he did the week prior put out 483RWHP. He had told me prior to the Dyno the stock clutch has a hard time handling the power on some of the cars and it would be a touch and go pull on the dyno. Hardluck33, When you get a chance would you mind looking at the size pulley you have on your SC. I am curious if it is a 3.375 or smaller. I have a 3.375 on mine and was told that's what is on the 550HP SC. When I ordered mine, back in May of 07, they didn't even offer the 550HP one but what I recieved was the ICd Whipple with the 3.375 pulley. It was supposed to come with the 3.5 pulley so just curious what they actually ship with the 550HP SC. Mine dynod at 455RWHP and 434RWTQ at the Oviedo show so I'm wondering if I'm a bit low on output, maybe because of the tune. I don't think my clutch was slipping but it might have been in the upper RPM ranges. Also, have you gotten any pricing on changing out the clutch to a new single disk? Thanks, Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.