It's funny how quickly you can become complacent with power when you have a high HP car. I was reading an AutoWeek article headline that said something about the new BMW Alpina B7 having a twin-turbo V8 pumping out 500HP. The first thing that popped in my mind was "So what??" Then again, it could be because the bigger M vehicles all already have 500+HP. Anybody else have snap thoughts like that sometimes?

 

I'm right there with you. I was kind of disappointed that my new '11 GT500 has only been doing 0-60 in 4.2 sec and over 12 sec in the 1/4 mile in most mag test. One of my previous cars was a Nissan GT-R and it easily beat those times. However, when I step back and really think about it I'm pretty amazed that for $50k you can get a low 12 second car that is reliable and pretty dang comfortable to drive.

I think it is easy to get jaded by the numbers war that is going on these days. There always seems to be something new coming out that raises the speed and horsepower bar. The thing I have figured out after owning a number of fast cars is that good numbers in magazine tests doesn't always equal a more entertaining road car.

 

I think all of us grow used to our power and want more, When we got our first gen. S197 GT500's they were the fastest Mustang and we all thought nothing else to come out of Ford will beat it, but not the case! Now we need more power just to keep up with the new 5.0L times!

 

At some point it becomes more than HP. I'm an Exotic fan from way back. Owned many. At first, yes the brute speed is intoxicating, but eventually it becomes an appreciation for balance. For instance the Acura NSX over a Countach 5000S. Of course JMHO.

 

I can agree with the balance aspect. But not having carte blanche access to a track means I spend more time on straight stretches of freeways than in the bends. That is, unless I head up to the mountains. Then there's the problem of slow/timid drivers hogging up all the lanes instead of keeping to the slow side. But I digress...

There's nothing like some good lateral Gs, but that chest-mashing force and guttural sound of a thumping V8 is absolutely intoxicating! You just want more and more. That's why I have that FRPP 750HP supercharger upgrade kit on its way to me now. LOL Will I ever get to use it much? Probably not. Is there a need for it? Don't be ridiculous; what street car needs 750HP? My fuel economy is bad enough as it is now w/ 550HP. I can only imagine how horrendous it'll be when I have 750HP. Maybe 100 miles on a tank? :'( But I can see how druggies get addicted now. This is a different kind of drug, but it can be just as costly and just as deadly.

 

There's something to be said for 'just having it'. There's many of us that spend much more time tinkering with, or just admiring, the machines.

 

buy Whipple 2.9L upgrade.

enjoy not having to worry anymore.

call it a day!

Your MPG should not change while not in boost from your current 550HP upgrades.

 

The 2.9L Whipple is what comes with the kit. I seriously considered just buying the supercharger body, but would've had to buy a tuner and get it professionally tuned anyway. Didn't want to bother with all that hassle. Unfortunately, I don't have the time or patience to go through all of that. I'll go with Ford's canned tune, and if I get too used to it, I'll swap in a smaller pulley then get a third party tuning done.

 

You don't have to settle for Ford's canned tune if you buy it from Lethal Performance. It includes everything you need AND a SCT with a custom tune from John Lund.

Whipple 2.9L kit

 

Thanks for the tip. The FRPP kit comes with a ProCal tuner, you just have to fill out the voucher and send it in then they put a canned tune on it and send it to you. I don't mind it too much since I trust a Ford tune more than an aftermarket one. If I change my mind and decide to let a Ford dealer do the install (not likely), at least my warranty will remain fully intact. Other than the 750HP, the fact that I have the option of maintaining the factory warranty and FRPP's testing process are what made me decide to go with the kit from them.