Unless you were trying to save money by installing a used lightning set-up, it makes much more sense to go with a complete kit. It just so happens that ATI makes a Pro-Charger just for the ford 5.4L application and includes EVERYTHING. You don't have to do anything else to see upwards of a 65% gain at the wheels. As far as detonation goes, problem solved. Thanks to the big 3-core intercooler included with the kit. And all that other stuff?? Hey, you'll find out soon enough where the weak link is. Just install a driveshaft loop for safety. No pole vaulting allowed on public streets. When something breaks (a u-joint is much more likely than a converter) just replace it with a stronger part and wait to find the next weak link (if there is one, many have installed these kits thousands of miles ago with 8 psi and have had NO PROBLEMS). Although I have yet to have mine installed, from what I've read regarding other applications, I would not trust any other kit when relying on a totally stock project vehicle. BTW, Bob at Exotic Performance Plus in Fort Wayne, IN has an ATI Pro-Charger on a bone stock f-body (read: Firebird, Camaro) with 128,000 miles & 15 psi of boost (again, totally stock otherwise) and is getting a reliable 450 rwhp!! And only one twisted driveshaft to boot!!

also, a forged bottom end isn't even near required until you're making in excess of 450 rwhp.

Not flaming anyone, and it's never bad to err on the side of caution. Just not absolutely necessary in this case.

 

All this reading has got me with a few questions...I just got a 02 f250 with a 5.4, i had a high 14sec f150(v6 5sp 75hp shot) and wanted a bigger truck now i want my speed back...first thought was o just swap a L charger on, but from what i have read it seems a lot less hassle and a difference of prolly only a few hundred bucks to just buy a kit(powerdyne, procharger) or something else...Would that be a good conlusion, and i would also be doing all work in my own garage.
Thanks

 

Hey Madferraristi,

Great looking truck. I like it better than the Lightning! Exactly what conversion did you do to the drivetrain? The motor installation is so clean that it looks like it came directly from SVT. What ECU are you running? Do you know whether this set up would pass California emissions testing? Where did you get the parts? This looks like what everyone writing in this forum (and some others) would like to achieve, and I think you could make a significant contribution to the website as a whole by sharing what you did.

I have a '97 Expedition in need of a new motor, and after a great deal of research and thought, I scrapped the idea of putting in a Lightning motor because I couldn't satisfy myself that it would be able to pass emissions testing without replacing the ECU and much of the related electronics and wiring -- and then I couldn't be sure the new electronic pieces would integrate properly with the rest of the truck. I simply couldn't find anyone who had done the Lightning swap -- at least not cleanly with concerns about emissions testing. So, I opted to go with a 2000 5.4L from a Super Duty truck because it appears that it will "plug and play" using the existing ECU and wiring (only the detonation sensor, fuel pressure regulator, water pump, and fan unit are different).

Do you have an opinion about the strength of the rods in a stock Super Duty 5.4L Triton?