If you’ve been following Horsepower Wars: LS vs. Coyote 3, you know the battle between the Chevy and Ford camps couldn’t be closer — the Coyote edged out the LS by less than 20 horsepower on the dyno. Now, Engine Labs has released a detailed tech video titled “How These Turbos Could Decide the Winner of LS vs. Coyote 3 / C10 Shootout,” diving into how turbo sizing — specifically the HPT Turbochargers — influenced the results and what’s changing for the upcoming drag race showdown.
In the video, host Greg Acosta breaks down exactly how turbo specs like compressor and turbine sizing, A/R ratio, and housing choice impact boost response, airflow, and overall engine performance. For anyone who’s ever wondered what those turbo numbers really mean, this is a must-watch.
What Happened on the Dyno
Both the LME (Chevy) and FFR (Ford) teams ran identical HPT F3 7680 turbos — mid-frame units featuring a 76mm compressor and 80mm turbine wheel. Each team selected a 1.24 A/R turbine housing to maximize top-end flow.
On paper, this combo was designed to achieve 1,200–1,300 horsepower. In reality? Both engines blew past expectations. Even with the turbine housings starting to restrict flow at high RPM, both teams exceeded 1,400 horsepower, proving how efficient the F3 7680s are even under extreme load.
Still, the Engine Labs team noticed that the smaller turbine housings limited top-end power potential — leading to one big question: What happens when the competition moves to the track? AKA the C10 Shootout
Engine Labs’ Deep Dive
Greg’s explanation is a great reference for understanding turbocharger behavior. He breaks down:
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Inducer vs. Exducer sizing and how it determines compressor efficiency.
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A/R ratio and how housing size affects spool-up speed and high-RPM flow.
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Flange differences (T4 vs. V-band) and how even small changes in flow area can make measurable power differences.
Ultimately, both teams’ engines were producing more exhaust volume than the mid-frame turbos could comfortably handle. The result? Stellar numbers on the dyno — but not ideal for sustained high-RPM drag racing.
HPT’s Response: When Racers Want More, We Deliver
When we first met with the Horsepower Wars team in December 2024, their goal was simple: run a 76mm turbo and make 1,200–1,300 horsepower to the flywheel. Based on that, we recommended the HPT F3 7680, capable of 1,400 horsepower — more than enough to ensure they’d meet their goal.
By August 2025, after dyno testing wrapped, we were thrilled to hear both teams exceeded 1,400 horsepower and wanted to push further. That’s a story we hear often from racers — set a target, hit it, then immediately raise the bar.
To support that next step, we built them a custom HPT F5 76103 turbocharger — a large-frame T6-based design with a trimmed 76mm compressor and massive 103mm turbine wheel. This configuration dramatically improves exhaust flow while maintaining boost control and response.
We believe the HPT F5 76103 is easily capable of 1,700–1,800 horsepower in the right combination — giving both teams the headroom they need for real-world racing and long-term reliability.
What’s Next
With the switch to the larger HPT F5 turbos, both engines are now free to rev higher, breathe better, and perform as intended under drag racing conditions. The upcoming C10 Shootout will put these setups to the test — and we can’t wait to see the results.
Keep watching on Dragzine’s YouTube channel and follow the Horsepower Wars C10 Shootout playlist to see how the new HPT-equipped C10s perform when it really counts.
Stay tuned — the best is yet to come.
Watch the full Engine Labs video here:
YouTube: How These Turbos Could Decide the Winner of LS vs. Coyote 3 / C10 Shootout