The following installation overview is designed to give you an idea of what is involved in installing a Whipple Supercharger System on a 96-01 GM 5.0/5.7L. Special thanks to SuperchargersOnline.com customer Richard from Pacific Palisades, CA for his help in creating this article.
Installation Info
Installer: Carl Rheuban
Location: Pacific Palisades, CA
Vehicle: 1997 GMC Sierra 5.7L
Supercharger System: Whipple Supercharger Kit for 96-01 GM 5.0/5.7L Vortec Truck & SUV (2WIP57-050)
Selected Boost: 6psi
Ratings (Scale of 1-10, 10 being the best)
Packaging: 10
Installation manual: 6
Ease of installation: 8
Quality of supercharger: 10
Quality of accessories/hardware: 10
Overall value of system: 9
Performance (low-end): 10
Performance (mid-range): 10
Performance (top-end): 10
Overall Rating: 10
Step-by-Step Installation Overview
Survey
We asked Carl Rheuban the following general questions about his installation procedure.
Question: Please provide us with a general overview of how the installation procedure went.
Answer: The installation was fairly straight forward. I didn’t have any major problems. I started the install after work one day and finished it up the next day after work.
Question: How long did the installation take?
Answer: It took me about 12 hours. If I had to do it again, I could probably do it in less than that.
Question: What was the most difficult part of the installation?
Answer: The toughest part of the installation was the wiring. It’s not that it’s difficult, it’s just that I have no idea how elecrical stuff works. A buddy of mine works on car stereos and he helped me solder all the wires nice and clean and it only cost me 2 pieces of pepperoni pizza and a Coors Light. It was also kind of a pain to move the AC mount – but nothing too bad.
Question: What was the easiest part of the installation?
Answer: Installing the compressor and air ducting was all very simple.
Question: Was the installation manual easy to understand?
Answer: The installation would have been easier if the instructions were more detailed with better pictures. I spent quite a bit of time reading over the instructions and studying the black and white photos trying to figure out what they were talking about. If anything disappointed me about the kit, it was the instructions.
Question: Did anything about the installation process surprise you?
Answers: Nothing really, it’s what I expected.
Question: Were any strange tools required for the installation?
Answer: I needed a set of Torx head wrenches which I had to buy. I also needed a fuel pressure gauge to do the initial fuel test before starting the installation.
Queston: Let’s say I have installed an exhaust system and air filter on my vehicle myself without much difficulty. I am not a mechanic, but I know my way around the engine. Should I attempt this installation myself, or should I take it to a professional?
Answer: That’s basically where I was at when I started the install and I had no major problems. It would help to have a buddy there who has some good mechanical skills.
General comments: The supercharger system seems to be a great quality kit. The performance is incredible – it smokes the tires and the truck has offroad all terrains tires! It makes a gear noise at idle, which is normal from what I understand, but I didn’t know what it was at first – don’t worry they all do this. It doesn’t seem to affect the fuel economy you’re buried in the gas, which was a pleasant surprise. You will probably have to replace your MAF sensor if you have a lot of miles (80,000+) – they fall out of calibration and you will lose power if you don’t replace it with a new one. All in all, it’s a great system!