Looking for shop in PNW for Whipple Supercharger install and tuning

SierraStorm21 · October 5, 2022

I've been looking around for a shop in the Pacific Northwest to install the Whipple Supercharger along with maybe some long tube headers and a true dual exhaust and maybe do a custom tune on my 2021 6.2 AT4. Also thinking about having new lifters and hardened pushrods done at the same time to alleviate any of the known weak spots, but not sure if I really need that.

I reached out to Whipple and they do not have anyone within 250 miles of my location, 40 minutes Southeast of Portland, that they knew of. After some email exchanges with them, they did refer me to a shop up near PDX, but they do exclusively Subaru's .

I got on Whipple's site and started plugging in zip codes of major metro areas around Oregon and Washington and found someone in Spokane, EPC Racing. Have had some dialogue with them, but was hoping for someone closer than 6 hours away to do it all.

Anyone have any recommendations on shops and the lifters/pushrods idea?

AEmedic · October 5, 2022

I had my Whipple installed by the dealer here in Boise, however, I used the canned tune. I have decided to have the lifters, pushrods and cam done as well. That means that I am on the hunt for a tuner also. I plan to get rid of the damn auto stop feature along with the rest of the work...

I have even considered taking down to Whipple, if they would do the work.

Edited October 5, 2022 by AEmedic

BIGDOGx · October 5, 2022

I'm just going to give you advice and a lesson i learned myself a long damn time ago.

Keep it stock and save your money! I know, i know but if you must, i repeat you better do your due diligence and find prior work done , pictures, video, references and even contact anyone who has had work done like this with them and see what they have to say.

Do not trust these shops at their word, do not pay them a single cent until you see the finished product and it is satisfactory, Perosnally again i just wouldn't f with your truck. There are so many hack shops out there and work like this, if not done correctly can ruin your truck. If Whipple has someone they recommend, drive to them imo!

pokismoki · October 5, 2022

there are real professional shops around the country which will require you ship the truck to them do have it installed and tuned to a high level of professional skill. many guys can be found at hptuner forum, or call whipple dealer and ask who they recommend nearby

SierraStorm21 · October 5, 2022

3 hours ago, BIGDOGx said:

I'm just going to give you advice and a lesson i learned myself a long damn time ago.

Keep it stock and save your money! I know, i know but if you must, i repeat you better do your due diligence and find prior work done , pictures, video, references and even contact anyone who has had work done like this with them and see what they have to say.

Do not trust these shops at their word, do not pay them a single cent until you see the finished product and it is satisfactory, Perosnally again i just wouldn't f with your truck. There are so many hack shops out there and work like this, if not done correctly can ruin your truck. If Whipple has someone they recommend, drive to them imo!

Sounds like you went through a horrible ordeal, however your point is sound and exactly the way I'd handle it. Appreciate the feedback though

SierraStorm21 · October 5, 2022

3 hours ago, pokismoki said:

there are real professional shops around the country which will require you ship the truck to them do have it installed and tuned to a high level of professional skill. many guys can be found at hptuner forum, or call whipple dealer and ask who they recommend nearby

Thanks, I'll check that forum out and probably give Whipple a call instead of email. I had asked them who their best GM truck shop was and somehow was referred to the Subaru place...

The place in Spokane was on their list of dealers and when I sent them something, they opened with 'we've done a few of those and it's a involved process'. and proceeded to tell me about the HP tuner swap and apparently have someone who can tune too. I'm trying to avoid the added cost of shipping it around in case something were to go wrong and needed resolving, however I will do that if all else fails.

pokismoki · October 6, 2022

i think there are more LS truck tuners in AZ,NV, TX, and FL..

yeah best to stay close to home for adjustments and upgrades, I would look for COrvette and Camaro SS tuners

Edited October 6, 2022 by pokismoki

SierraStorm21 · October 6, 2022

Best place to get a head start on it all and buy an ECM to swap with HP tuners when they come back in stock?

AEmedic · December 20, 2022

I am curious if there has been any traction on your effort to find a reputable tuner for our trucks? I am looking for someone that is worth traveling to in order to have it done correctly. I emailed and called Whipple and they really wouldn't give me a real recommendation. Are they worried about liability?

SierraStorm21 · December 20, 2022

17 minutes ago, AEmedic said:

I am curious if there has been any traction on your effort to find a reputable tuner for our trucks? I am looking for someone that is worth traveling to in order to have it done correctly. I emailed and called Whipple and they really wouldn't give me a real recommendation. Are they worried about liability?

I did some email tag with the owner Ernie at http://epc-racing.com/ and stalked this instagram (Ernie). He seems to have been in the game for a while and knows what he's doing. Said he's done several of these trucks and knew it was an involved process. We played phone tag a few times, but never connected and I just got too busy to follow up. I don't plan on doing anything till late Spring/Early Summer and will touch base with them more closely as that time approaches though. I tried contacting multiple other places close to no avail. Soon as the Holidays are over, I'll dive into getting a spare ECM to send to HPTuners since they seem to be always out of stock.

Let me know if you end up conversing with them and what you find out.

GETGONE · December 21, 2022

Any reason you're set on a Whipple? Long ways from you, but someone I would trust to get it right: https://www.lingenfelter.com/magnuson-gm-di-5.3-6.2l-truck-intercooled-supercharger-package-2019-newer

Edited December 21, 2022 by GETGONE

SierraStorm21 · December 21, 2022

I appreciate the info and link. Not particularly, there just seems to be wider support for them and I can get someone to do the Whipple somewhat locally without having to spend $4k on shipping my truck somewhere to get it done and back.

That said, there is alot in getting it done right. I'm just always looking at the 'what ifs' of it all. If something goes wrong or doesn't work as intended...what then? Another 4k to ship it back to get fixed? Those are the things that I worry about.

AEmedic · December 21, 2022

I just got a quote, I'll hold back naming the facility, but they quoted me $3600 just to do the tuning... and said they would need it for 5 days just to do that.

SierraStorm21 · December 21, 2022

1 minute ago, AEmedic said:

I just got a quote, I'll hold back naming the facility, but they quoted me $3600 just to do the tuning... and said they would need it for 5 days just to do that.

Wow...seems steep. That include the trans tuning?