How to make a lightning??
 

Hey all, New to the forum and have a question. Say I got a single cap F-150 2wd. I want to make it fast like a lightning, what would I have to do and how much do you think I would have to pay? Or do any of you know of a shop in AZ that can build an engine and drop it in?

Thanks for your time.

Neb242

Year? Engine? Drivetrain? Just a tiny bit of useful info would make it a lot easier to help you. :D

Doh!
 

Shoot, I'm sorry. It would be a 97 or newer 4.6L 2wd auto, reg or extend cab. I was looking at around 350-400hp, if possable.Thanks again!

To be perfectly honest, the most cost effective way to get Lightning performance from your truck is to trade it in on a Lightning. If it was a 5.4 you would have a much better starting point. With a 4.6 you're going to have to add some form of artificial aspiration to get the motivation you are looking for, as well as some engine work. Then you'll need a stronger trans and a different gear in the rear end. If the truck doesn't already have a limited slip diff you'll need to add one to get some power to the ground. If you have to pay for all of the labor on this stuff you are probably in for at least $10-12k with that stuff. Or you could spray the hell out of it and hope it doesn't spit out pieces of engine through the oil pan.

I have a 2002 flareside sport with a 5.4. I looked into doing the Lightning clone thing too. A client of mine builds hot rods and he researched it for me, he felt it was not worth the bother. Another down side to spending all that money is in the end you still just have a standard F150, a genuine Lightning will cost less in many cases and will hold its' value a whole lot better. My youngest daughter loves our truck and if I give it to her this summer, I will go on a hunt for a clean Lightning. They are a whole lot of fun to drive.

i like the idea of building the truck i want.. but i wouldnt build a lightning.. maybe build with intentions of being as fast as a lightning or as powerful or whatever but woudlnt call it a lightning, even if it had the same body kit, id leave it called an f150.. but the lightning body kit is so beautiful! but anyway, i would build one hell of a mean truck (if i had the money) ... if you love your truck and dont want to trade it in, then just build up from there.. i agree having a 5.4l would have been the best thing.. but you can always drop a supercharger on that engine or a turbocharger... i know a few guys that have turbocharged 4.2l v6 f150's... oh man they are powerful lot of them are total sleepers too.. and one of the guys has a 4.2l v6 f150 that runs 13.88 on the 1/4th mile and he doesnt have a turbo or supercharger... so if a 4.2l v6 f150 without a turbo can do a 13.88 i coudl only imagine what a 4.6l could do with a turbo.. i mean i realize a 4.2 and a 4.6 are only about 30 or so hp difference.. but it also has 2 more cylinders... so dont give up on your 4.6l v8 and think that theres no hope.. because if you do ur homework you will see that these btches have potential!

-TJ

just order a blown 5.4L for the lightning from Ford racing. Of course, if i were you, i'd get a '94 and drop in a nitrous injected 392 stroker. Ohhhh yeah!