2004 SVT Lightning tuning
Discussion
Hi everyone,
Its about time i scratch my redneck itch and get a V8 pickup.. I've loved the F150 for a while now and after selling the VXR8 im after another V8 engine.
The F150 is looking like good value for money these days, not many around though.
What tuning options are out there ? Other than Headers/Exhaust system, new air intake..
Guessing uprated supercharger and new intercooler.. but what can you do with the stock 'charger. Can you tweek the standard psi ?
any help please guys n gals..
Steve
Its about time i scratch my redneck itch and get a V8 pickup.. I've loved the F150 for a while now and after selling the VXR8 im after another V8 engine.
The F150 is looking like good value for money these days, not many around though.
What tuning options are out there ? Other than Headers/Exhaust system, new air intake..
Guessing uprated supercharger and new intercooler.. but what can you do with the stock 'charger. Can you tweek the standard psi ?
any help please guys n gals..
Steve
Hi Steve
There's quite a lot you can do from fairly mild to quite extreme, however, there are some caveats.
Starting from a stock truck, you can add a better intake (although the factory piece is pretty good) and you can change the lower drive pulley for the blower to add extra boost.
You will need to change the spark plugs (horrible job) so a colder range and gap them a bit closer. NGK TR6 plugs are the weapon of choice.
If you up the boost, you will need to change the tune in the ECM which is done with a hand held tuner through the OBD port.
You can port the standard Eaton blower for more efficiency as well and add an electric fan to free up some power.
You don't need headers at this point as the stock exhaust is good till 500hp or so.
Now the "bad" bit. You will have gained some nice extra power but you will now have traction problems, especially from a launch at the drag strip.
To take advantage of this, you will need traction bars and stickier tyres.
Also, keep in mind that you are pushing the engine internals.
The 5.4 engine has a seriously long stroke and cast pistons with powdered metal rods.
The engine was originally designed to put out 260hp and Ford took that to 380hp in the Lightning.
With a few choice mods, you are nearly doubling what it was originally designed to do.
Will it last? Yes/No/Maybe. If you push it too much, you will put the rods through the side of the block. Ask me how I know
Also, lots of extra power (and using it) will eventually toast the gearbox. Been there, done that too.
Of course, you can always have the engine/gearbox rebuilt with all the good parts and then the sky's the limit. Not especially cheap but depends on your goals,
There's quite a lot you can do from fairly mild to quite extreme, however, there are some caveats.
Starting from a stock truck, you can add a better intake (although the factory piece is pretty good) and you can change the lower drive pulley for the blower to add extra boost.
You will need to change the spark plugs (horrible job) so a colder range and gap them a bit closer. NGK TR6 plugs are the weapon of choice.
If you up the boost, you will need to change the tune in the ECM which is done with a hand held tuner through the OBD port.
You can port the standard Eaton blower for more efficiency as well and add an electric fan to free up some power.
You don't need headers at this point as the stock exhaust is good till 500hp or so.
Now the "bad" bit. You will have gained some nice extra power but you will now have traction problems, especially from a launch at the drag strip.
To take advantage of this, you will need traction bars and stickier tyres.
Also, keep in mind that you are pushing the engine internals.
The 5.4 engine has a seriously long stroke and cast pistons with powdered metal rods.
The engine was originally designed to put out 260hp and Ford took that to 380hp in the Lightning.
With a few choice mods, you are nearly doubling what it was originally designed to do.
Will it last? Yes/No/Maybe. If you push it too much, you will put the rods through the side of the block. Ask me how I know
Also, lots of extra power (and using it) will eventually toast the gearbox. Been there, done that too.
Of course, you can always have the engine/gearbox rebuilt with all the good parts and then the sky's the limit. Not especially cheap but depends on your goals,
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