im looking into buying a lightning and i want to know which is better to mod for 600hp and make a every day driver i really dont know much about modular motors thats why im asking give me a price on both motors

 

600hp is doable on a newer lightning with the 5.4. A smaller pulley on the stock supercharger for more boost, a good tune, intake, and finaly exhaust. They should roughly make 600hp or more depending on the components used. The modular motors are much more efficient than the 351, but don't get me wrong the 351 can make that same ammount of power, but it would probably need a whole new supercharger to make the ammount of boost that would be needed.

Research some of the aftermarkets for the lightnings. I know the Johnny Lightning has everything you would ever need. I think they have a newer lightning with the 5.4 running in the high 9's .

http://www.johnnylightningperf.com/index.php

 

600hp on the stock Eaton is VERY difficult to achieve. In all honesty, I don't think anyone has done it yet. JJ at Woodbine Motorsports was able to tune a built block, powered by a ported Eaton, and squeezed out 592hp, but that is the exception to the rule. Just to get into the 500hp range on a stock Eaton is exceptional, and most assuredly atypical. Most guys opt for the KB or Whipple to make their power into the 500/600 range.

A pulley change, good tune, and CAI will get most into the 400 hp range, at the wheels. Some will barely nudge into the 400 range with a pulley, chip, CAI setup.

Johnny now has a twin turbo setup. He's turning in mid to high 8 second ET's with his current setup.

Sbfbronco, how did you come upon 600hp as your goal? Why did you choose that number?

What do you plan to do with your truck? Daily driver? Work truck? Haul/tow with it? Strictly race? What is your planned use?

How much do you plan on spending on your L to get the power you want? How realistic are your expectations versus the amount of money you have to spend?

In which state do you live? Do you have to worry about smog checks?

You need to first figure out what your goals are for your truck, and how you plan on using your truck, before you can set a realistic hp goal to reach.

Keep in mind, the rule of thumb is anything over 500hp means you should have a built block to handle the power. The stock rods are PMR forged and don't hold up well to having a lot more power put to them. A good built long block, to include ported heads and a matching camshafts, can run you between 8 to 10 grand. And that doesn't include the the cost to remove your old engine and install the new engine, or the additional cost for the support items you'll need to properly run the engine, like upgraded MAF, bigger injectors, upgraded fuel pumps, custom tuning, etc...

Then, after the built engine, you'll wanna wring out the most power, safely, so that means a new blower. The Whipples and KB's aint exactly cheap. I think the cheapest a Whipple can be had for is $3,400 + shipping.

Stewart

PS - All the above info is without nitrous being used.

 

I thought a KB was the stock supercharger. I didn't know they came with and eaton.I was talking about that power at the crank, NOT at the wheels. I also agree that if you want that much power and for it to be dependible you should have the bottom end beefed up. JLP has built short blocks available also that will handle over 1000hp.
The jonny lightning truck that is running in the 9's I believe is supercharged, and the twin turbo is the one in the 8's

 

I got a buddy of mine with a Gen 1 lightning that has a 332 short block complete with Kenne Bell supercharger and a whole slew of other mods......it's makes 685 hp to the rear wheels....you fingure on the resistance through the tranny and rear and do the math.....he runs 11.5's but only because he doesn't have a cage...he got booted from a track for running 10.6's with no cage.....I'm old school so I prefer the older motors to the new......the new ones are to computer controlled for me...either a pro or a con....depending on your views.....on the other hand.....it wouldprobably be easier to get the 600 out of the modular seeing as how they come stock with what....331?As opposed to my 95 5.0 which came with 205......plus some mods so I probly got anywhere around 230 to 240.....haven't dynoed it yet.Go with the old school.......

 

oh yea...the brand spanking new ones ARE KB's.....funny howford kicked *** with the gen 1's......no SC's?????ha ha....HEEEERE HEMI HEMI HEMI......

 

That thought crossed my mind, that's why I used the term "at the wheels" in my post.

I believe, like most builders, JLP only advertises a 900hp capable block. The Manley H-Beam rods, when 7/16 ARP rod bolts are used, are the determining factor. The Manley I-Beam rods are rated a tad higher.

One in the same truck. Last year, Johnny yanked the engine and started a new build, creating the twin turbo beast that powers his Gen 2. He also chopped the cab a couple years ago, lowering the profile a bit to reduce wind resistance. His new paint scheme is pretty nice too!

Stewart

 

Judging by the times posted at NLOC, the built Gen 1 trucks are still much easier to get into the 8's.

Those old pushrod engines can still put a whoopin' on the newer modular engined trucks.

Stewart

 

i say build a 460 stroked to 545, use a carb, keep it naturally aspirated, and have a lot more fun with more durability and for less money the shortblock only costs a little over 2000 dollars- and thats including machine work, then about 3500-4000 dollars in heads and valvetrane, and youll have your 600 horse- more if you cam it right.

 

The Lightning was rated at 380hp.
Power 380 hp @ 4750 rpm
Torque 450 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm

 

Just to round out the above info, the power ratings for the '99 and '00 L's were 360hp and 440tq.

Stewart

 

Just to clarify....I was referring to the standard F-150's not the Gen 2's.....

 

That might have something to do with the older trucks starting life almost 1000 lbs lighter than the newer ones. My 01 with me and just under half a tank weighs just under 5000 lbs. My 1990 F-150 (which is probably 300-400lbs lighter than a L1) weighs 3900 with me and my wife in it and one tank full.

FWIW, the stock power and torque ratings are a joke. Add about 30-40 to each and you are probably in the ball park.

 

Pushrods all the way!!!!

 

The older models are a tad lighter, but the ones running 9's and 8's (GEN 1 & 2) have so much weight reduction which makes it hard to compare to a regular street driven rig; we're talking less than 4000lbs. My 94 weighs 4800lbs with me (about 200lbs) and 1/2 tank of gas. 3900lbs is on the light side for a stock F-150, that's almost 1000lbs lighter than my GEN 1...something isn't right about that scale reading. I know that the transmission type can make a difference, but nearly 1000lbs?