Everyone knows Whipple builds some of the biggest blowers in the game. Fewer people know they also build bolt-on packages for the 2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost, and that those packages are among the better returns available on an F-150.
The Stage 1 Upgrade Kit is three parts working together: their MegaCooler intercooler, a High Velocity cold air intake, and a 50-state legal custom calibration delivered through the Tomahawk flash tool. Not a tune with some parts thrown in, and not parts hoping a tune shows up later.
What's in the Kit
- MegaCooler intercooler - drops charge air temperature so the calibration can actually use timing
- High Velocity cold air intake - removes inlet restriction ahead of the turbos
- Tomahawk flash tool with custom calibration - 50-state legal, developed with Ford's calibration team
In testing at Whipple's headquarters on a 3.5L Raptor, the kit picked up over 120 ft-lbs of torque and 115 hp over stock on 91 octane. The number that matters more: at 3,500 rpm they showed over 150 ft-lbs above stock. That is low-end torque and throttle response, which is what you actually feel in a truck.
Fitment
Stage 1 kits are available for:
- 2015-2016 F-150 EcoBoost 2.7L
- 2017+ F-150 EcoBoost 2.7L
- 2015-2016 F-150 EcoBoost 3.5L
- 2017+ F-150 EcoBoost 3.5L
- 2017+ Raptor EcoBoost 3.5L
50-state legal calibration
115 hp and 120 ft-lbs in Whipple testing
Same three-piece package
MegaCooler, intake, Tomahawk
The MegaCooler Intercooler
This is the piece doing the heaviest lifting, and the reason is simple: on a turbocharged engine, heat is what limits timing, and timing is what makes power.
- Increased cooling capacity in the stock location, no cutting and no welding
- Measures 21" x 9.2" x 4.5"
- 54% more volume than stock
- 8% more surface area than stock, 193.2 square inches
- Heavy duty bar and plate construction with 16 fins per inch
- Whipple measured a 90 degree drop in temperatures on the dyno
A 90 degree reduction in charge air temperature is what lets the calibration run more spark advance safely, and cooler air carries more oxygen. That combination is where the power comes from. The intercooler is not the supporting part in this kit, it is the point.
High Velocity Cold Air Intake
- Oversized roto-molded plastic intake tube
- Designed to maximize air speed while cutting inlet restriction
- R2C Black Series gauze filter with extra wide pleats
- Over 132% more airflow than the stock paper filter
The wide pleat design is the detail worth noting. Filter area is only useful if air can actually move through it, and a paper element on a boosted truck is a restriction you are paying for on every pull.
Tomahawk Tool & Calibration
Whipple worked with Ford's calibration team on this tune, which is how it ends up 50-state legal rather than a compromise. That matters if you care about emissions compliance or a dealer relationship.
- 50-state legal tuning
- Transfers files to and from your computer via SD card
- Reads and erases trouble codes
- Data logs and displays live data on the screen
Real World Results
Bitter Blake's 2017 F-150 3.5L
We installed the kit on #teamlethal staff member Blake's 2017 F-150 3.5L. Basic tools and basic mechanical skill, roughly two hours, give or take depending on beers consumed.
We took it to Prodigy Performance for the dyno. Because of the speed limiter they ran it in 5th, which is not a true 1:1, so the numbers read low. We were still impressed.
| Run | RWHP | RWTQ |
|---|---|---|
| Stock baseline | 325 | 374 ft-lbs |
| Whipple Stage 1 | 390 | 420 ft-lbs |
| Gain | +65 | +46 ft-lbs |
Blake's report on the drive home: much, much quicker in both low end and top end.
Rob Henson's 2018 F-150 3.5L
#teamlethal customer Rob Henson had the Stage 1 kit installed on his 2018 F-150 3.5L by the crew at Paramount Speed. His truck picked up over 120 rwhp and over 80 ft-lbs rwtq, which is the kind of gain you do not need a dyno to notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much power does the Whipple Stage 1 kit add to an EcoBoost F-150?
Whipple measured over 115 hp and 120 ft-lbs on a 3.5L Raptor on 91 octane. On customer trucks we have seen from 65 rwhp on a limiter-restricted 5th gear pull up to over 120 rwhp. Dyno, gear, fuel and weather all move the number.
Is the Whipple EcoBoost calibration 50-state legal?
Yes. Whipple developed it with Ford's calibration team specifically to be 50-state legal.
How long does the Whipple Stage 1 kit take to install?
Roughly two hours with basic tools and basic mechanical skill.
Does the MegaCooler require cutting or welding?
No. It fits the stock location with no cutting and no welding, while offering 54% more volume and 8% more surface area than the factory unit.
Do I need the intercooler, or can I just run the tune?
The intercooler is what makes the tune work. Whipple measured a 90 degree drop in charge air temperature with it, and that reduction is what lets the calibration run more timing safely. Skip it and you are leaving most of the kit's gain behind.
Which Whipple Stage 1 part number fits my truck?
It depends on engine and model year, and there is overlap between listings. Call us at 877-2-LETHAL and we will confirm the right one against your truck.
What does the Tomahawk tool do besides flash the tune?
It reads and erases trouble codes, data logs, and shows live data on screen. File transfer to and from your computer happens over SD card.
Keep Reading
Three Parts, One Package
Intercooler, intake, and a 50-state legal calibration built with Ford. Call us and we will confirm the right kit for your EcoBoost.
