Supercharger Question???
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Nation Wide
I have the same question and several others, I spoke with a gentleman that sells on e-bay, He has many superchargers from ford products and said that the very same unit would fit and work, cost is much less in going with the lightning type roots supercharger but I am still wondering if there is much difference between the ford unit and a Vortec, I was kinda set on the Vortec till this idea came up. I also wonder what will need to be done or undone in the comp. to make this work? Any help will be appreciated.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
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If they can be adapted, fordparts.com has them for the Lightning for about 1200 bucks for the supercharger alone. Might be worth a look, I just went here and looked under F-150 heritage, engine, supercharger, lightning, and supercharger. That was the menu steps i went through i think. here ya go Ford Parts
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Nation Wide
The fellow on e-bay has all the parts for ever unit he sells, I still wonder about the Comp. and if the factory one is deliveris as much HP and tor. as a Vortec? The price might be a deciding factor here as the diff. is almost 2500 bucks!
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
The roots type is gonna make the most power compared to a small unit like the vortec or power dyne. Have you checked out the powerdyne unit I did awhile back and it seemed like a good choice. 100 hp is all you want anyways any more and you'll have to get many more goodies to keep it all together.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,142
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From: Denver, CO
The roots style SC on the lightning is totally different than a Vortech. Vortech makes centrifical SC'ers vs the roots type. Centrifical SC'ers look like a turbo, the roots and twin screw go on top of the intake manifold.
The Lightning is a 2V 5.4L right? If it is than the Eaton blower from a Lightning would fit other 5.4L's.
The Lightning is a 2V 5.4L right? If it is than the Eaton blower from a Lightning would fit other 5.4L's.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Nation Wide
That is correct, the lightning is a an eaton roots type, and from all indications it will fit other 5.4's. I realize the two, Vortec and the roots are very different. but as I will be starting from scratch and have no supercharger now I just want to pick the best bang for the buck! that is all.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Nation Wide
Most likely I am going to go with the eaton , roots type, just because of cost. I am looking to see what the HP and Torque numbers are for the lightning and will hope for something similar. If the Vortec was head and shoulders above the rest I probably would spend the extra money, but it doesn't look to be that way, so,,,,,
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
I saw a powerdyne for $2200.00 Is that too much what money range are you looking for?
I don't think you can use a roots type to its fullest cause the engine will be stock unlike the stronger lightning motor. rods pistons etc.You will have to limit the boost. That doesn't mean I wouldn't go with one. I like the power of a roots blower cause its in at low rpm unlike the rest which you have to be reving to get the boost up. But there is a plus with that and its mileage if you keep your foot out of it. With a roots they will be worse with just reg driving cause its pushing more fuel into the engine to make the power.
I don't think you can use a roots type to its fullest cause the engine will be stock unlike the stronger lightning motor. rods pistons etc.You will have to limit the boost. That doesn't mean I wouldn't go with one. I like the power of a roots blower cause its in at low rpm unlike the rest which you have to be reving to get the boost up. But there is a plus with that and its mileage if you keep your foot out of it. With a roots they will be worse with just reg driving cause its pushing more fuel into the engine to make the power.
Last edited by 99f350sd; Jan 24, 2005 at 11:31 AM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,142
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From: Denver, CO
Anyone read Muscle Mustangs or any of those mags? They did a huge write up on mods for 2V 4.6L's. They were able to get over 600 hp out of a stock 4.6L with different super chargers. Your stock 5.4L will handle the Eaton just fine. 400 hp would not be a problem, IF everything is tuned right. Tuning is the key to long life and max power. Get a custom chip flashed by a good speed shop.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 146
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From: Nation Wide
I have been asking around and have heard the same thing, The tuning is the trick not the stosk bottom end. I have a superchip power programer but I think it will take a special chip. I can get the supercharger and all related hardwear for $1400.00 The best price I have found on a Vortec is $3650.00 I am not cheep but if it will do the same thing for less then I am all for it! I might also feel better with Ford parts, that could be a deciding factor.
