i just bought a 93 f150 and am really enjoying it. it has a 5.8 which has only been enhanced by the installing of a pretty good exhaust system. i can feel the power change and am now on a spree for more power. Q?: from browsing through the forum it sounds like i should throw some headers on. could i some how port the exhaust ports in the heads before installing the headers?, or will just getting some good head- ers be sufficient.

? are the lighting and my engine the same?

this web site is great and very much appreciated...thanks

 

is this 2 or 4 wheel drive? if your gonna get headers jba, gibson, edlebrock an bassini are all good. dont skimp on headers its just not worth it. Edelbrock makes a nice intake for the efi trucks its a bit spendy but should really create some good power.

 

do you want long tube headers or shorties? It is usually best to do the headers and exhaust at the same time as various headers have different lengths and bolt on differently. If your looking for long tubes, you will have to basically redo your exhaust at least tot he point behind the transmition, as most long tubes extend back a ways forcing you to route the exhaust slightly different than on shorties. Most shorties will be a bolt in. Like mentioned above, don't spring for the seemingly cost effective $100 headers. I can garrantee you will come out on the losing side in the long run. I have no personal experience with the shorties, but I have heard that the BBK shorties are nice.

As for porting the exhaust runner, I don't believe it is possible, and at the very least, very risky. Even if you configure some way to prevent metal shavings from entering the combustion chamber, I don't believe the minimal gain from the porting will be more than the feeling of "what if?" Another thing to think about is that doing a worthwhile port job with the engine inside the engine bay is going to really be a chore, and there is a good change it wont be done right this way. Just going in and hacking away with a dremel or fordom isn't the right way to go about porting.

 

The lightning motor has better heads and a little different cam. Most of the first generation lightning motors are roller ready meaning they can bolt a roller cam in however they did not come from the factory with a roller setup. The first gen lightning motor didn't make much more hp than your truck. So once you install new heads and cam you have surpassed a stock lightning. later

 

Well....the Lightnings also blown. :-)

 

Not the first generation motors.

 

thanks for the prompt and helpful replies. my truck is 4x4 with 125k miles so i probably shouldnt get to ahead of myself. im thinking that a nice pair of shorties will do the trick. porting the heads was more of a hypothetical idea rather than practical thing just to see what kind of responces i might get.
ive noticed that theres alot of 5.0s out in the forum and was wondering if you guys are happy with performance and mpg?
thangs again

 

The shorties will probably be the best for your application. Long tubes will require you to reroute the exhaust. Porting of the exhaust really isn't possible with the engine in the truck. It is also a chance at getting small shavings into the combustion chamber, which is not good. Not being able to see were you are cutting is another thing that makes me think this is not a good idea either. Intake porting is slightly easier, but still very tricky.

As for the 5.0 performance, I used to have one. I wasn't pleased with performance or MPG. I was getting 10 in town at the time. Now I have a 351. Much better!

 

the lightning made plenty more hp and torque than the regular 5.8......they were very under rated and most dyno with near 220hp at the rear wheels.....with no mods....you cannort port the exhaust ports with the heads on the truck. they will have to be removed. its probably not worth the effort.