Chris,
Whipples were being used in drag racing in the alcohol cars until they outlawed them after only 1 or 2 years, I believe. Until then, they were winning quite a bit with the R980 and A980.
In the raceboats, the PSI's work great. They are big blowers that make a ton of power. The 8.3 L Whipple has not been around that long, so guys that have been using the PSI are probably just staying with them because they have worked so well in the past. If it works, then leave it alone. They can be tough to get right in a pleasure boat. They can be hard to get to idle(not impossible) because of heat and distribution problems, air leakage, etc. Race boats don't really care how well they idle. I have used them before and have nothing against them. I would certainly use them again. I just think the Whipple is easier to tune, package(because it is much shorter), and it works better in a pleasure app. because it is a rear entry, axial blower instead of a top entry.
In the 10.5 outlaws, the centrifugals are probably much easier to package in a car then a big blower sticking out of the hood. I don't really mess with drag racing, so I really can't answer any more than that. I would think that if you don't have to run a big rediculous scoop on the hood, then great. Aren't most of those guys running turbos? I have had the opportunity to make some decent power with Prochargers. They absolutely make great power. If anybody says otherwise they are crazy. They can be tough to tune and are rarely consistent in boost from one engine to the next. One engine will take one pulley size and the other engine takes a different pulley size.
I'm not saying the Whipple is the only way to go. I have used pretty much every sc out there and made some good power with them. In a pleasure app., I prefer the Whipple for a few reasons. It is just my opinion and my choice. Nothing else. And for the record, there are a number of ways to make power and they all work. It's all about what you like and what you are comfortable with.
I would love to know if anyone has used a Whipple in an Outlaw car. I know they have used Psi and roots blowers, but has anyone used a Whipple? Just curious.
I was not trying to bash any other sc. They are a bunch of great ones out there. You can make power with any number of blowers.
Eddie