Lightning ECU Swap?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 19
Lightning ECU Swap?
Just wondering if there would be anything to gain by swapping out the ECU on my '95 F-150 with 5.8L for a Lightning one. It was my understanding that the Lightning came with a slightly more aggressive tune.
I still have the factory cam but have swapped in GT-40 heads, 1.7 roller rockers, and a full exhaust system. I thought that might be similar enough to the Lightning to benefit from the tune, and it's my understanding that the Lightning and standard 5.8L were both speed density and used the same 19 LB injectors.
What say the experts?
I still have the factory cam but have swapped in GT-40 heads, 1.7 roller rockers, and a full exhaust system. I thought that might be similar enough to the Lightning to benefit from the tune, and it's my understanding that the Lightning and standard 5.8L were both speed density and used the same 19 LB injectors.
What say the experts?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 19
Yep.
Ok. A better intake is on the wish list, but I think it's a little ways down the road yet. What do you suggest for the intake?
Ok. A better intake is on the wish list, but I think it's a little ways down the road yet. What do you suggest for the intake?
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Candy Mountain
The Edelbrock 3881 or a clone will be the best plug and play option. A GT40 or similar aftermarket will also be a good match, but you will have to sort out supporting parts.
If the intake is the end of your engine mod list I think the L computer would be a good choice if you can find one. I wouldn't run it until after you get a better intake. You other options are a somewhat involved MAF swap or a PimpX from Stinger Performance.
If the intake is the end of your engine mod list I think the L computer would be a good choice if you can find one. I wouldn't run it until after you get a better intake. You other options are a somewhat involved MAF swap or a PimpX from Stinger Performance.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 19
The Edelbrock 3881 or a clone will be the best plug and play option. A GT40 or similar aftermarket will also be a good match, but you will have to sort out supporting parts.
If the intake is the end of your engine mod list I think the L computer would be a good choice if you can find one. I wouldn't run it until after you get a better intake. You other options are a somewhat involved MAF swap or a PimpX from Stinger Performance.
If the intake is the end of your engine mod list I think the L computer would be a good choice if you can find one. I wouldn't run it until after you get a better intake. You other options are a somewhat involved MAF swap or a PimpX from Stinger Performance.
Yeah, when I eventually get the intake, that will probably be it for the motor. I've looked into the MAF conversions and the PimpX, but I just don't think I'm gonna make the kind of mods that justify the cost of that. So, I really want to try to work within the bounds of the SD system.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Chillicothe
I thought there was a thread on here at one point but I cant find it. But the first few pages on this site kinda points to using an ambulance or e250 box van ecm to get a little more out of a truck
http://www.fordtruckfanatics.com/for...ead.php?t=3707
http://www.fordtruckfanatics.com/for...ead.php?t=3707
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 363
From: Candy Mountain
Looking at your sig line, I like your list of mods. Has that turned out to be a pretty good combo?
Yeah, when I eventually get the intake, that will probably be it for the motor. I've looked into the MAF conversions and the PimpX, but I just don't think I'm gonna make the kind of mods that justify the cost of that. So, I really want to try to work within the bounds of the SD system.
Yeah, when I eventually get the intake, that will probably be it for the motor. I've looked into the MAF conversions and the PimpX, but I just don't think I'm gonna make the kind of mods that justify the cost of that. So, I really want to try to work within the bounds of the SD system.
As far as solutions go I think the L computer is a good solution for anyone building a conservative 5.8/E4OD combination right up to the conservative limits of the 19lb injectors. A MAF conversion is more flexible, and might, maybe have an edge on economy, but it requires other parts and modifications to be implemented. The L computer is plug and play. This is the same reasoning that landed me on the Edelbrock 3881. The biggest advantages of a GT40 style intake is aftermarket support, and more header options as there is no EGR tube. After I got my build up and running I came really close to replacing my upper intake, and going full Lightning clone. The PimpX seems to be an ideal solution for anyone looking to for 300hp or more. The only downside I see with it beside up front cost is losing internal diagnostics.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 363
From: Candy Mountain
I thought there was a thread on here at one point but I cant find it. But the first few pages on this site kinda points to using an ambulance or e250 box van ecm to get a little more out of a truck
http://www.fordtruckfanatics.com/for...ead.php?t=3707
http://www.fordtruckfanatics.com/for...ead.php?t=3707
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 19
Yes, it has been a great combo so far. It runs like a scalded dog when you put your foot in it, and has stock manners the rest of the time. The L computer is a more aggressive tune than stock, but that is more a statement on the conservative nature of the stock truck SD tune.
As far as solutions go I think the L computer is a good solution for anyone building a conservative 5.8/E4OD combination right up to the conservative limits of the 19lb injectors. A MAF conversion is more flexible, and might, maybe have an edge on economy, but it requires other parts and modifications to be implemented. The L computer is plug and play. This is the same reasoning that landed me on the Edelbrock 3881. The biggest advantages of a GT40 style intake is aftermarket support, and more header options as there is no EGR tube. After I got my build up and running I came really close to replacing my upper intake, and going full Lightning clone. The PimpX seems to be an ideal solution for anyone looking to for 300hp or more. The only downside I see with it beside up front cost is losing internal diagnostics.
As far as solutions go I think the L computer is a good solution for anyone building a conservative 5.8/E4OD combination right up to the conservative limits of the 19lb injectors. A MAF conversion is more flexible, and might, maybe have an edge on economy, but it requires other parts and modifications to be implemented. The L computer is plug and play. This is the same reasoning that landed me on the Edelbrock 3881. The biggest advantages of a GT40 style intake is aftermarket support, and more header options as there is no EGR tube. After I got my build up and running I came really close to replacing my upper intake, and going full Lightning clone. The PimpX seems to be an ideal solution for anyone looking to for 300hp or more. The only downside I see with it beside up front cost is losing internal diagnostics.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 363
From: Candy Mountain
I think maybe you misunderstood. The 3881 is a like for like replacement of the stock truck 5.8 intake in that everything you already have bolts up, including the stock external EGR tube setup. The GT40 style intakes plumb the EGR feed from the head directly into the intake, so no external EGR tube, but they still have EGR.
I modified a set of L headers to accept a modified EGR tube, and am waiting to get the parts back from JET HOT. Otherwise I would be running a set of JBA's.
I have not had an opportunity to test to see if the shift schedule programming is present for 4wd low, but otherwise I have had no problems. I am not expecting it to be present, and as it is pretty horrible I won't miss it. My truck has a manual transfer case shifter.
I modified a set of L headers to accept a modified EGR tube, and am waiting to get the parts back from JET HOT. Otherwise I would be running a set of JBA's.
I have not had an opportunity to test to see if the shift schedule programming is present for 4wd low, but otherwise I have had no problems. I am not expecting it to be present, and as it is pretty horrible I won't miss it. My truck has a manual transfer case shifter.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 19
I think maybe you misunderstood. The 3881 is a like for like replacement of the stock truck 5.8 intake in that everything you already have bolts up, including the stock external EGR tube setup. The GT40 style intakes plumb the EGR feed from the head directly into the intake, so no external EGR tube, but they still have EGR.
I modified a set of L headers to accept a modified EGR tube, and am waiting to get the parts back from JET HOT. Otherwise I would be running a set of JBA's.
I have not had an opportunity to test to see if the shift schedule programming is present for 4wd low, but otherwise I have had no problems. I am not expecting it to be present, and as it is pretty horrible I won't miss it. My truck has a manual transfer case shifter.
I modified a set of L headers to accept a modified EGR tube, and am waiting to get the parts back from JET HOT. Otherwise I would be running a set of JBA's.
I have not had an opportunity to test to see if the shift schedule programming is present for 4wd low, but otherwise I have had no problems. I am not expecting it to be present, and as it is pretty horrible I won't miss it. My truck has a manual transfer case shifter.
Cool. I didn't realize a manual shift t-case paired with an E4OD was an option in the mid-90's F-150.