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New guy needs help!

Old Dec 6, 2006 | 04:56 AM
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Question New guy needs help!

What kind/year/engine size ford should i get? I am totally new to the ford line of trucks but would like to build a pretty mean truck specifically for the drag strip i am thinking of a 1993-1999 f150 but should i get a v6 or v8, i am trying to keep cost down cause of all the other expenses (supercharger,cam,heads,stroked motor, etc..)? So if someone could help me out that would be great and nice setup here Mods!!!
Also if im in the complete wrong direction please let me know.
 
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Old Dec 6, 2006 | 08:27 AM
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Get a first generation ford lighting with the 351, or the 2nd generation with the 5.4 super chagred engine. The SC lightings turn low 13's and it doesn't take much to get them into the 12's. If drag racing is your thing, the lighting is the way to go, thier allready fast.
 
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Old Dec 6, 2006 | 08:41 AM
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ok thanks man will see if i can find one. Which supercharger upgrade would you recomend, also headers, tuner? (do the kits come with them), transmission(manual possibly), where i can get a stroker crank and rods and pistons that is balanced? If anyone knows any of this just post it up thanks alot. ANd HI members whats up?
 
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Old Dec 6, 2006 | 08:56 AM
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You can look in the other sections of the forum for better (or at least, more specific) info.

Lightning- https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum26/
General Engine Building- https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum47/
Supercharger/Turbo/Nitrous- https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum126/

Do a look through the pages first, before you ask a question. It helps alot with bandwidth issues if you can find that somebody else aready answered your question, rather than being the 1000th person to ask.

oh yeah, Welcome to the site!
 
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Old Dec 6, 2006 | 09:38 AM
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The second generation lighting allready has a super charger on it from the factory and makes 380 or 390 hp, I forget exactly. However, none of the lightings came with a manual trans, but you can build the auto to put it down !!!!!!
 
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Old Dec 6, 2006 | 09:43 AM
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Also I believe the 1st gen lighting came out in like 93 -96 and the 2nd gen were 2000-04, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I should be close.

1st gen- 351
2nd gen- super charged 5.4
 
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Old Dec 6, 2006 | 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by rollindaytona
..... but would like to build a pretty mean truck specifically for the drag strip ........ i am trying to keep cost down cause of all the other expenses.
Someone should probably point out that drag racing and cost efficiency are at opposite ends of reality. You can have one but not the other......

Speed ='s $$$$
 
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Old Dec 6, 2006 | 05:54 PM
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i understand that i have another truck which i will not mention as to im new to this site and do not want to give the wrong impression so im just trying to keep the intial cost of the truck itself down casue everything was going to have to be replaced but the 1st gen lightning sounds good to start with thanks alot guys
 
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Old Dec 7, 2006 | 11:27 AM
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that lightning will stay with a vet to about a 120 or so,
 
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Old Dec 8, 2006 | 12:29 AM
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which lightning the gen1 or the gen2. Cause if its the gen1 also i will have one by next week i found a guy selling one that runs and is in perfect condition for a great price. Thanks again guys for helping me out sorry that im a noob.
 
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Old Dec 8, 2006 | 06:31 AM
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"COOL", you found one allready, there's a few out there for sell, not many. The 2nd gen is all ready super charged, but I like the looks of the 1st gen and the 351 is an awesome engine and you can build it the way you want. You can go SC or turbo, or just keep it all motor. The 351 is capable of some great hp, there's a lot of performance goodies out for it. I would start with an intake and a set of long tube headers with a cat back dual exhaust, it will have a factory dual exhaust, but bigger pipes and straight through mufflers would be better. Then get a chip or programer, put mobil 1 in the engine and royal purple in the tranny and rear diif. Up grade to a msd ignition and a set of 4:10 gears and it will scream. It's ok to be a noob, we all were, thats what were here for. Check out motorheaven, thier our site sponser, they got loads of performance parts and great prices, you will find them on the sponser list.
 
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Old Dec 8, 2006 | 08:43 AM
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im liking the idea of a turbo, but idk if i wanna give up that SC whine, we shall see when the time comes. How much boost can the stock engine handle im going to stroke it out i just want to see about how far it will last stock. Is there a type of tranny that will hold more power and just bolt up or do i get a bellhousing fabbed up?
 
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Old Dec 8, 2006 | 09:42 AM
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whine with sc and spooling sound with turbo......there both good but the s.c. is instant power where as the turbo is a little slower getting the rpm's up i.e. turbo lag...yeah once it gets spooling its an awesome ride whatever your driving, wouldnt sc be more beneficial in a drag strip race??
 
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Old Dec 8, 2006 | 10:20 AM
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it really depends cause if you get the right turbo for your engine you can achieve almost instant boost, and there is no parasitic loss as in an SC. Also, if you put in a performance stall converter and a slightly bigger gear you are at the boost rpms rather quickly. It is more a matter of choice but i have yet to find a turbo kit for it so im just going to get the kenne belle kit. If that is a bad choice please tell me i dont want to waste my money.
 
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Old Dec 8, 2006 | 12:56 PM
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I would stay with the 1st Gen. Lightening. My reason: The 351 can be built far beyond the 5.4. Plus, a 514ci upgrade would be much, much easier in the earlier model.
 
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