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Jan. 6, 2010 12:15 p.m. vwcorvette New Reader

A friend gave me a Whipple supercharger designed to fit the mid to late 90's TBI GM trucks. I'm assuming these were vortec head motors. I was wondering what it would take to install it instead on my 75 Vette? The car is the L-48 low compression motor. I realize it's not the best breathing head set-up on the car. Would it be worth it to find a TBI manifold that would fit my engine then install the blower? Would the heads severely limit any gains I might make with the blower?

I'm sure I'd have to go to an L88 hood or some similar high center hood for clearance. Or just sawzall the current hood. (had to mention that before anyone else replied with same!)

I'm thinking this might be cheaper and easier to install than the 96 LT1 motor sitting in pieces in my garage that needs a complete rebuild. I also have the 4l60e that came out of the same car as the motor (State of Vermont Caprice Interceptor). Could I use that for the added gear over the TH400 currently in the car?
Jan. 6, 2010 12:24 p.m. Gearheadotaku HalfDork

get a set of vortec heads. They aren't that costly. Basicly any Chevy head with the valve cover bolts in the center will fit. (1987 and newer I think). The "true" vortec heads are 95 and newer 305/350 truck heads, not LT1/4. Try World products if you want new ones, any machine shop or junkyard for used ones. Oddly though, the late 90's weren't TBI, they were sort of multi port. Anyhow, grab some truck stuff and it should bolt up fairly easy. You'll be convering to FI right? get the dizzy off the donor. Not sure if the LT1 sourced 4L60E will bolt to an old style block or not, I think it will. There are kits out there for brackets, shifter, etc.
Jan. 6, 2010 12:35 p.m. patgizz Dork

sell it to me.

they made whipples for 88-95 TBI and for 96+ vortecs.

pics? is it just the blower or everything?
Jan. 6, 2010 3:20 p.m. vwcorvette New Reader

The paperwork that came with the blower says 96-99 Vortec 5.7L. Chevy Tahoe, Suburban or GMC C/K trucks.

So it would be best to find a truck donor and use as much from that as possible then? Shouldn't be problem. Most trucks around here are rusted out and ready to die!

Can't really sell it as it was given to me by a friend to use. Would need to check with him if I ended up not using it. And, it needs to have new bearings installed--which came with it.
Jan. 6, 2010 5:53 p.m. patgizz Dork

does it replace the intake manifold, bolt to the top of it, or what? if you take a pic i can help.

vortec heads are a great way to go no matter what.

if it is made to replace the top half of the intake you could pick up heads and intake and then just run megasquirt.

either way i think you might end up with much taller hood than you want.
Jan. 6, 2010 7:02 p.m. Woody SuperDork

vwcorvette wrote:

Can't really sell it as it was given to me by a friend to use. Would need to check with him if I ended up not using it. And, it needs to have new bearings installed--which came with it.

It's bad karma to not use a free supercharger.
Jan. 6, 2010 7:10 p.m. xci_ed6 HalfDork

It looks like the charger mounts to the side of the engine, not on top. You could probably run it as a blow-through carb'd arrangement.
Jan. 7, 2010 7:48 p.m. vwcorvette New Reader

In reply to xci_ed6:

But then wouldn't you have to enclose the carb?

I guess an alternative is to figure out how to mount it and run it on the car in any fashion possible?
Jan. 7, 2010 7:52 p.m. CagleRacing New Reader

Saw the title and thought it was about this guy's mistress.

My bad.
Jan. 7, 2010 8:10 p.m. vwcorvette New Reader

Please don't squeeze the CCs!
Jan. 7, 2010 8:25 p.m. patgizz Dork

you can modify an edelbrock for blow through or a holley with mechanical secondaries.