Whipple is bringing gen 5's together with 3.0L blower and L8T
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,465
Personally, I don't really get the hype on the L8T. Seems like its being advertised everywhere lately.
Its only coming in ultra expensive HD trucks (and only in those who don't opt for the much better diesel option), so junkyard availability will be near zero - at least for 5+ years. Even then, HD trucks don't make up a huge % of junkyard inventory so it won't ever be as prevalent as 5.3s are, or even 6.0/6.2 for that matter.
They offer a crate engine, which is cool, but its $9k and kinda crappy in stock form. Its only 400hp and heavier than any LS by a notable amount. Its also got that goofy variable oil pump.
Given aluminum LS engines have been pushed to 1000+ whp, this would need to hold notably more than that with boost to be worthwhile. The bad thing is its a pretty small sliver of the aftermarket builds as the people going well over 1000 are generally doing aftermarket blocks (and already have the iron LSX block as an option there if they want to stick GM). I get one company made 2000+ on a dyno, but calling that a L8T was a bit disingenuous as that thing was like 95% aftermarket parts - including bottom end parts.
Also, someone going for 1000+ isn't really going to want that long block. The oil pump has to go, the truck cam would obviously be swapped too. Anyone pushing that far would probably also go forged pistons + rods too, and probably even a hi ram or billet intake. Before you know it, you've got another $5k-10k in the thing and a pile of unused stock parts.
At that point, just offering a bare block and bare crank would probably be more appealing to builders. Those seem to be the only 'high performance' goodies in that engine.
Its only coming in ultra expensive HD trucks (and only in those who don't opt for the much better diesel option), so junkyard availability will be near zero - at least for 5+ years. Even then, HD trucks don't make up a huge % of junkyard inventory so it won't ever be as prevalent as 5.3s are, or even 6.0/6.2 for that matter.
They offer a crate engine, which is cool, but its $9k and kinda crappy in stock form. Its only 400hp and heavier than any LS by a notable amount. Its also got that goofy variable oil pump.
Given aluminum LS engines have been pushed to 1000+ whp, this would need to hold notably more than that with boost to be worthwhile. The bad thing is its a pretty small sliver of the aftermarket builds as the people going well over 1000 are generally doing aftermarket blocks (and already have the iron LSX block as an option there if they want to stick GM). I get one company made 2000+ on a dyno, but calling that a L8T was a bit disingenuous as that thing was like 95% aftermarket parts - including bottom end parts.
Also, someone going for 1000+ isn't really going to want that long block. The oil pump has to go, the truck cam would obviously be swapped too. Anyone pushing that far would probably also go forged pistons + rods too, and probably even a hi ram or billet intake. Before you know it, you've got another $5k-10k in the thing and a pile of unused stock parts.
At that point, just offering a bare block and bare crank would probably be more appealing to builders. Those seem to be the only 'high performance' goodies in that engine.
Last edited by bumpin96monte; Apr 7, 2023 at 11:45 AM.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,465
With that said, I think Whipple is spot on with this offering/ market. Whipple kits for GM trucks have been popular for quite awhile now. They're expensive, but someone spending $50k min on a truck certainly has the disposable income to spring for that kind of add on. Its a fairly torquey engine, so the instant boost of the Whipple will complement that well.
Granted, it would only be for the people with buyers remorse over not getting the diesel option straight from GM. IIRC its a $10k upgrade for the duramax which is probably about what the Whipple kit will cost - but the duramax is also making almost 1000 lb ft of torque.
I do wish they would've posted some teaser #s. I know it said they're still working on the vehicle kit, but you know they've got some prelim data on an engine dyno - regardless what bits and pieces they still need to develop to make it bolt in.
Granted, it would only be for the people with buyers remorse over not getting the diesel option straight from GM. IIRC its a $10k upgrade for the duramax which is probably about what the Whipple kit will cost - but the duramax is also making almost 1000 lb ft of torque.
I do wish they would've posted some teaser #s. I know it said they're still working on the vehicle kit, but you know they've got some prelim data on an engine dyno - regardless what bits and pieces they still need to develop to make it bolt in.
Last edited by bumpin96monte; Apr 7, 2023 at 11:41 AM.
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