With the new direct injection setup on the 2018 Mustang GT, Whipple Superchargers had their work cut out for them on making a blower that was incredibly efficient while also fitting within the application. This is when the Gen 5 3.0L that we have come to love was born. The Gen 3 5.0L Coyotes in the 2018s were making insane power, even on mostly stock setups (we made 755rwhp in our 2018 Mustang GT - aka Goldmember with 93 octane). Whipple knew they needed to adapt the Gen 5 rotor technology into other platforms… SO THEY DID. First releasing the Gen 5 3.0L for the 2011-2017 Mustang GTs and then the Cobra and GT500 setups after that. (Click here for more info on that)
In this article (click to jump to that section):
- All about the new 3.8L Whipple Supercharger
- 3.8L Supercharger Kit for the 2007-2014 Shelby GT500
- 3.8L Supercharger Kits for the 2011-up Coyote Mustang (including the Shelby GT350)
And now, it’s time for Whipple to step up the game even more with their new Gen 5 3.8L setup.
The Gen 5 3.8L Whipple Supercharger will carry similar features to the 3.0L Whipple. It has all new bearings, gears, rotors and housing that allow the new supercharger to spin faster, longer and safer while producing more power than any other positive displacement supercharger ever built.
Compared to it’s smaller sibling, the 3.8L supercharger will have an improved rotor profile, increased volume, improved sealing and increased efficiency. The 3.8L will also feature a new inlet design that is 2 pieces, allowing easier access for the rear bolts, your spark plugs and other items that previous models made difficult to access.
The new 2-piece inlet for the 3.8L Whipple Supercharger
In testing, the 3.8L Whipple supercharger has a roughly 6% increase in isentropic efficiency compared to the 3.0L supercharger.
You may be thinking "Uh, wtf does that mean?"
Isentropic efficiency of a compressor is the ratio of actual work vs the work at isentropic conditions. An Isentropic process is basically an ideal thermodynamics process. Isentropic efficiency in laymen's terms would be a comparison of the output in actual conditions vs the ‘ideal’ conditions. /mini-thermogenics lesson
Here's a rundown of the 3.8L supercharger details:
- New patent pending dual intercooler for improved efficiency
- New high flow fittings (dual in, dual out; 12an and 16an)
- New CFD (computational fluid dynamics) based inlet design for greatly improved efficiency
- New rotor inlet shape for increased airflow
- New tilted throttle angle for increased airflow
- New, higher flow lid for improved cylinder distribution
- Increased runner length for increased torque/throttle response
- New Whipple rotor profile
- Increased diameter for optimum efficiency
- Updated front pulley and bearing design
Side-by-side
When looking at side-by-side photos of the housings and rotors of both the 3.0L and 3.8L Whipple superchargers, you can see that the designs are similar except for the fact that the 3.8L is much larger. Also, compared to the larger volume 4.0L, the 3.8L is slightly taller in height however it is roughly 60mm shorter (just over 2 inches) in length, giving it some serious girth while not taking out your firewall in the process... And who doesn’t love some girth?
The 3.0L male rotor is on the left and the 3.8L male rotor is on the right
Side by side comparison of the 2007-2014 Shelby GT500 3.0L Whipple Supercharger housing vs the 3.8L Whipple Supercharger
Who can use it??
2007-2014 Shelby GT500
The first kits produced were for the 2007-2014 Shelby GT500s to replace the 4.0L and 4.5L kits. Whipple tells us that the 3.8L supercharger is more efficient and powerful than their current 4.0L supercharger (see, size doesn’t always matter, guys!).
This supercharger will fit under the stock hood with the use of an engine lowering kit (similar to that of the 4.0L and 4.5L currently), that comes in most kits standard.
Pictured above: The 3.8L Whipple Supercharger for the 2007-2014 Shelby GT500 - Available in Black, Polished or custom colors
CLICK HERE to check out the 3.8L Whipple Supercharger for the 2007-2014 Shelby GT500
Want to see it in action? Our good friend Andrew of Mustang Lifestyle recently installed the 3.8L Whipple on his 2014 Shelby GT500 (supported by a complete DivisionX/Lethal Performance triple pump return style fuel system) and had the car tuned down at Palm Beach Dyno. It definitely put down some numbers... check it out:
Be sure to subscribe to Andrew/Mustang Lifestyle for more 3.8L Whipple GT500 updates and more builds!
CLICK HERE to check out the 3.8L Whipple Supercharger for YOUR own 2007-2014 Shelby GT500
2011-up Mustang GT/GT350/Bullitt
GT500s don't get all the fun! Now available are the 3.8L supercharger kits for the 2011-2020 5.0L Coyote Mustang platform! The Coyote Mustang 3.8L supercharger, like the 3.0L, is inverted with Whipple's LARGE dual-core intercooler for increased cooling (did we say large???). It also features a new, redesigned inlet for the best, most efficient airflow.
TECHNOLOGY: Whipple Superchargers utilizes a 3D printer for designing & test fitting the new 3.8L supercharger. This makes for faster & more productive R&D.
The 3.8L Whipple for the Coyotes features an all new inlet design
Like the GT500, the 3.8L Whipple for the Coyote is taller than the 3.0L (.375" taller, to be exact) but will fit under the stock Mustang hood and cowl with Whipple's engine lowering brackets (INCLUDED in the kits). As of right now, the engine lowering kit is still required for aftermarket hoods as it hits the cowl if not lowered. (Whipple is working on a lid change so that it will clear the cowl, though!)
PICTURED: The 3.8L Whipple Supercharger for the 2011+ Coyote 5.0L
Ready for a little more info on the kits available? Sure you are!
The 3.8L Whipple Supercharger will be offered in a few different kits. The 3.8L will only be offered in competition kits (meaning no fuel or tuning mods will be provided). The kits will come standard as a 6-rib setup (utilizes the same belt drive as the 3.0L). There is a 10-rib belt upgrade available and is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for anything over 18psi.
Each kit (Stage 1 and Stage 2) comes complete with the following:
- 3.8L Head Unit
- 3.8L Intercooler and Lid Setup
- Supercharger Pulley
- Belt Drive System (6 Rib Standard; 10 rib upgrade available)
- Heat Exchanger
- Cold Air Intake
- Throttle Body (either 132mm or 150mm, depending on stage; see below)
- Heat Exchanger
- Intercooler Reservoir
- Intercooler pump and all hoses for the intercooler system
- Engine Lowering Brackets (Required to clear the factory hood)
- All Necessary Items to Install Supercharger Kit
3.8L Stage 1 Competition Kit - Comes standard with a 132mm TB setup
3.8L Stage 2 Competition Kit - Comes standard with a 150mm TB (NOTE: this is a RACE throttle body/intake and is not recommended for most street applications)
Already have a 3.0L Whipple Supercharger on your Coyote but want to upgrade?
3.8L Swap Kit - This is for those already running a 3.0L who want to upgrade. This kit is ONLY the head unit, intercooler and lid; NO pulley, manifold, TB, etc. This setup will include the engine lowering kit, as well. YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE A PULLEY. The 3.8L uses a different style supercharger pulley than the 3.0L.
CLICK HERE to check out the 3.8L Whipple kits for the 2011-2014 Mustang GT
CLICK HERE to check out the 3.8L Whipple kits for the 2015-2017 Mustang GT
CLICK HERE to check out the 3.8L Whipple kits for the 2018-up Mustang GT
CLICK HERE to check out the 3.8L Whipple kits for the Shelby GT350
CLICK HERE to check out the 3.0L-to-3.8L Whipple Supercharger Swap kits
Coming soon! 2020+ Shelby GT500, F150, Hemi & more...
Next up are the kits for the 2020 Shelby GT500!
SNEAK PEEK: Whipple's patent-pending MASSIVE intercooler for the 2020+ Shelby GT500
As for the F150, the current 3.8L Swap kit will soon be able to work, but the F150 really needs a 10-rib upgrade to chase power. Whipple is working on it, though! Other models in the lineup to be offered include the Hemi 5.7L and 6.4L, the GM LS and LT models and GM Big Blocks.