I want to correct my HP equation
HP = Torque x RPM / 5252

 

Edited for content.

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MPG is way better than an older vehicle on a Lightning. The thing handles better than most sports cars. The engine will last longer since it is build better. Has kick *** traction stock. Who cares if it has a blower or what it takes to make power. It's still just as fast as a LS1 Fbody.

No other truck competes with the Lightning. The new dodge will be over priced. The new SS truck is just plan slow.

 

There will always be those who question the validity of the Lightning. Something about a 4,700 pound brick that runs consistant mid to high 13s in stock form just doesn't add up. Rather than argue with those in doubt, I usually just invite them to meet me at the tree.

Most of the time the only time the competition gets to see my front bumper is if I give 'em the lead on the return road back to the pits.

I absolutely love the flexibility and performance of the Lightning, and it is no way overrated. Style, perfomance, balance, and versatility all in one awesome package. Without a doubt, the good folks at SVT have built a winner and I'm glad they had the guts to take the pickup truck where no manufacturer has dared to go before.

 

Hey Ken. This is Keith. I was the guy with the blue '03 Cobra that kept invading your meets and attended the RSI dyno chip burn. I may actually be gettting a Lightning soon. It's a Gen 1, but it's my daily driver. It's actually SVT4RD's old truck.

Back to the point, I agree. It takes guts for a car company to produce a new type of vehicle. It could be a big flop and they could loose alot of money.

 

Keith, you buy James' Gen 1 and you'll make my daughter very angry. She wants me to buy it for her and is willing to sell her 2002 Honda XR70 to get it.

She's not even 13 yet, so there will be plenty of other ones. Good luck!

 

Hell, by the time she is ready to drive, I might be ready to sell it. I actually just missed one in the Autotrader for $6,500. The guy had just sold it.

 

I think the Lightning's are under-rated. I own a first generation 93 Lightning and it outruns and outperforms my corvettes. I think the gentleman talking about the old timer trucks has some good points. The 4.6L is nothing special. I certainly wouldn't want one in a truck. (They're great for the TownCar) The 5.4L is a good strong engine but I think the old 351's will outlast the new engines anytime. Older is better-I agree with that strongly. Along with owning a Lightning with a 351, I have a 76 Glastron Jet Drive boat with a 351 carbureted (4bbl Holley 750cfm) engine as well. The 351 in the boat, although not in a truck, revs at 5,000rpm's and is always eager to keep going. The 351 in my lightning is a powerhouse in itself but to have that same rpm ability I had to put in a 160 degree thermostat and 10W40 oil in to keep the temp at a regular level while running the same rpm's as my boat. My lightning has been dyno'd at 408 horsepower, after some modifications. I'd be quite hesitant to try doing that kind of driving on a more modern 5.4L 330ci. They have alot of potential as well but they run a bit hotter than the 351's.
I also agree with the comment about Ford engines and not revving very high. I don't mind that fact at all. I must say, though, that the 351 cleveland engine was a screamer. Too bad those are long gone and not in the Lightning. They make great marine engines as well. My lightning has tons of low end torque which is great. If you really want to try a low revving engine, try the old 460 big block. Again, the good ol' days, when things were big, powerful, and strong, not to smash modern trucks that get better mileage and performance. Lastly, the 5.4 was compared to the GM 305. The 5.4 is more comparable to GM's 5.3 325ci or their older 5.4 327ci. The 305 is most comparable with the 302 Ford. They both use a 4 in. bore and close to the same stroke.

 

to everyone who says there's no replacement for displacement, i say yes there is. it's called a super charger. it fools the engine into thinking it's bigger than it is by cramming more air/fuel into the cylinders. power of a big block without the weight. simple.as a former lightning owner all i can say about the thread starter is, anyone that drives a lightning and isn't impressed is full of crap. anyone who's actually driven one knows there's alot more going on than speed. i think it's funny when the lightning gets compared to the high dollar sports cars. how can a ford pickup run within a second of chevy's top of the line sports car the z-06 in the 1/4 mile? and they're NOT that expensive. when i bought mine in 01, i got it for 30 g's. it was less than a four door diesel or other nice pickup cost at the time. the lightning is probably the most under rated vehicle ever. if i can swing it when the 05's come out i'll have another one. one last thing. my greatest memory from when i had the lightning was getting shot the bird by a very surprised camero ss driver after getting shut down by a pickup.

 

to the post that say it is better to have a big block because it makes more power. You can make a 1000 hp out of a 2.0 L engine if you want to . with the technology today for could easily have the 5.4 with 600 or 700 hp they wont tho because the fuel milage would be outrageous and irresponsible drivers who bought those cars/trucks would be killing thereselves and others left and right. Ford doesnt want the liability of being sued over something like that the same reason dodge doest put the viper engine in a neon , or chevy put a z-06 engine in a s-10. we should be thankful that they are putting out great products like the L and the 03 cobra and leave it at that

 

and i realize it would be hard to fit the viper engine in the neon but you get my point.

 

Go hook up a boat to your F-150 Lightning and have a nice fishing day. Go hook up the same boat to your favorite revvy, fast sports car, and be ready to have a broom and a handi-vac to pick up the pieces of the sub-frame and axle bits that blow apart.

 

Me Again, the old school guy,
Good comments. I see I left out a couple things about newer engines, like the supercharger.Each generation of V8's have their many advantages. To the person writing about hooking up the boat to the lightning instead of the "favorite revvy car:" I say, good point.
Hook it up to any Ford truck/Econoline and "have a nice day." It will be a good one. No problems. Even with an Econoline with a 5.4- they were at 235hp a couple years ago, and show little strain with most 2-axle trailers. That says quite a bit for a new lightning with 500hp. They're much lighter, aerodynamic, and handle better. So, long live the Lightning!

 

Your truck sounds a lot like mine.

I've got edelbrock heads, big cam, mass air, shift kit, etc.

 

it is great to live in a free country where we can voice our own opinion. i bought a2000 lightning last july and i am not a died in the wool ford man. i have owned a few of most makes from the u.s. i dont feel the lightning is overated ,it corners like a sports car accelerates well can haul moderate loads and can tow 5000lbs. and is releiable,not to mention the bold styling. now that ford has had them out for a while some other american auto makers are coming out with sport trucks. i wonder where they got the idea,it seems they are using the lightning as a target to shoot at. some of the older engines did make more power,some of the older trucks have a good styling. by the time you upgrade all the suspension,brakes,rebuild the engine and trans,fix all the rust and paint it, do the interior. you will be into it way more coin than a lightning. then you can contact any of us who disagree with you and we can race your nonoverated truck