When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a few things I would like to cover before getting into the build. I really don't get to post too much in the C6 section of the Corvette forum because we're so busy with the exponential growth of WEAPON-X and our GEN5 LT product line. I am the Corvette build specialist for WEAPON-X Motorsports, and former Camaro build specialist as well. I recently made the decision to give up the Camaro platform so I could strictly focus on all late model LS and LT powered Corvettes, and not just the C7's. That being said, I am VERY excited to kickoff my increased presence in the C6 section with this particular build.
Now, onto the fun stuff!
Monday Weapon-X received an email from a ZR1 owner with basically every mod you can do to a stock blower/shortblock LS9, he was looking for an spray bar nitrous system and SW 108mm throttle body. Shortly after that email came through we got on the phone, then began talking about the expectations and goals of the car. Casey (The owner) does a lot of half mile racing with his ZR1, but also drives it on the street just about every chance he can get. His end goal is to eventually accomplish 200mph in the half mile and have turn key power and reliability for the street. Now nitrous is a great power adder when done right, but when adding a dedicated fuel cell for C16, the no2 system itself, another fuel pump, fuel filter, no2 filter, multiple solenoids, relays, fuses, and all of the wiring etc.. It becomes a pretty intricate setup which usually turns out not to be so "turn key". I told him about a one off front feed billet 4.5L Whipple supercharger bolted on top of an LS9 inside of a '57 Chevy that premiered at SEMA in 2016. We both really liked the Whipple idea for simplicity, the fact that it moves almost twice the amount of air per revolution of the stock TVS 2.3 blower, the cool factor of having something uncommon, and maybe even the first 4.5L supercharger to be put on a C6?
It only took a few days of going back and fourth ideas, then getting in touch with our friends at Whipple to put a plan together. The order was placed today for the whopping 4.5L Whipple, and we are eager to get it in and get this build in the works!
The 4.5L is significantly taller than the LS9 SC, so we will be replacing the ZR1 hood with an aftermarket hood that has a larger cowl. Also a custom intake will have to be made, we plan on integrating it into the front ram scoop.
Below is a list of the existing mods, and a couple pictures of the car that Casey shared with me. The picture with the black wheels is the latest.
Mast 255cc heads
ID 1700 injectors
Kong Ported blower
Ported Lingenfelter snout
Nick Williams boosted throttle body
4.5 syngery intake
160 degree thermostat
2.35 upper pulley
77 mm idler pulley
14% lower
Mighty Mouse catch can
E85 flex fuel sensor
Bosch 044 in-line fuel pump
Edelbrock heat exchanger
Rear mount Stewart pump
Prospeed rear mount ice tank
Arh 2 inch into 3inch x pipe
Billy boat gen3 fusion exhaust
Mantic triple disk clutch
Mgw short throw shifter
Be sure to subscribe, I'll be posting more pictures as we go along.
Last edited by sales @ WXM; 02-10-2018 at 02:33 AM.
Wow. What kind of HP numbers are you guys looking to get ?
Casey seemed comfortable leaning on the LS9 to the similar output of what others have done on stock bottom end, 1100-1200 rwhp on E85. We'll push the LS9 for a while and see how the car performs at the 1/2 mile then go from there.
What’s he planning on doing with the Kong ported 2.3 blower?
Once the Whipple arrives he'll likely sell it. I don't even know if it will make its way up here for sale, two of us at the shop are talking about buying it. One being myself
Once the Whipple arrives he'll likely sell it. I don't even know if it will make its way up here for sale, two of us at the shop are talking about buying it. One being myself
if one one of you guys sell your stock blower can I be first in line lol
Eddie,is the blower still a billet case? Whipple have been talking for ages about making a 4.0 and 4.5 front feed blower. Are these not just off the shelf items? Would thought there would be plenty of appetite for them and with the 2650 around the corner (a very long corner) this would keep Whipple on top!
Eddie,is the blower still a billet case? Whipple have been talking for ages about making a 4.0 and 4.5 front feed blower. Are these not just off the shelf items? Would thought there would be plenty of appetite for them and with the 2650 around the corner (a very long corner) this would keep Whipple on top!
Yep, it will be 100% billet. There are currently no casting molds in existence for the front-feed 4.5, so 5 axis CNC cutting one from billet was our only option. Whipple still plans to do quite a bit with the LS and LT engines, but their " bread and butter" per say is focusing on the production and development for the Mustang platform. I believe the 2.9 will out perform the the 2650, but i'm definitely in your corner with them putting a 4.0 or 4.5 in production for both the LS and LT!
The 4.5L is significantly taller than the LS9 SC, so we will be replacing the ZR1 hood with an aftermarket hood that has a larger cowl. Also a custom intake will have to be made, we plan on integrating it into the front ram scoop.
Custom machined billet whipple blower...cut the hood and let it stick out on display for the world to see.
Don't twist my arm, we would hate to have to develop a kit out of this.
Originally Posted by MTPZ06
Custom machined billet whipple blower...cut the hood and let it stick out on display for the world to see.
LOL! We've talked about buying a base C6 hood then cutting/painting it until we confirm what cowl hoods will fit. Especially since Casey decided on having the blower powder coated in Jetstream Blue, I'm definitely with you on that idea!
LOL! We've talked about buying a base C6 hood then cutting/painting it until we confirm what cowl hoods will fit. Especially since Casey decided on having the blower powder coated in Jetstream Blue, I'm definitely with you on that idea!
I'm by no means a cut the hood guy as a regular practice...but custom blower with JSB powder coat...you kind of have to now.
Would love to see some sort of CF intake on that as well...like the LG Super Ram, but I think the angles are going to be way off to mate it to that blower.
Back to the integrated 132mm TB...dual blades, elliptical?
I'm by no means a cut the hood guy as a regular practice...but custom blower with JSB powder coat...you kind of have to now.
Would love to see some sort of CF intake on that as well...like the LG Super Ram, but I think the angles are going to be way off to mate it to that blower.
Back to the integrated 132mm TB...dual blades, elliptical?
This actually uses the single blade elliptical throttle body for increased flow. I really don't think it will be too much of a challenge for our tuner, the throttle body motor and mechanism are upgraded and will behave very similar to the NW boosted TB's
02-10-2018, 02:32 AM
WEAPON-X 4.5L Front-Feed Whipple build on C6 ZR1
