Lightning motor swap vs Eaton install???

[BlownPony306]

Well the motor in my 99 Super Cab 4x4 is getting up there in miles. Has about 180k on it. Still runs great! At some point I am going to have to start thinking about either replacing the motor or getting a new vehicle. The truck is in really good condition and I'd kinda like to keep it. Been thinking of doing a Lightning motor swap. What benefits (other then the better internals obviously) would I have in swapping the motor as a unit over doing a performance rebuild on my existing motor and putting the Eaton on it? Also I want to keep the 4x4. Will the stock trans hold up to the power or should I look at swapping the Lightning trans too? Can the Lightning trans be made to work with the transfer case and keep the 4x4? I looked thru a lot of threads before posting this and didn't really find anything with the trans mentioned.

[1997 lariat 4.6]

build your tranny, that will eat up a lot of your money, then add a built L motor.

[tarajerame]

a built 5.4 will set you back about 6-10k grand, maybe more



a built transmission (I assume you have a 4r70) will be about 3 grand...


once the mod bug bits, it's game on

[twinskrewd]

Originally Posted by tarajerame

a built 5.4 will set you back about 6-10k grand, maybe more



a built transmission (I assume you have a 4r70) will be about 3 grand...


once the mod bug bits, it's game on

Damn right...and kiss the savings goodbye.
It's a lot of fun modding these trucks and blowing other cars and trucks away.

[tarajerame]

Originally Posted by twinskrewd

Damn right...and kiss the savings goodbye.
It's a lot of fun modding these trucks and blowing other cars and trucks away.

[rus]

Originally Posted by twinskrewd

Damn right...and kiss the savings goodbye.
It's a lot of fun modding these trucks and blowing other cars and trucks away.

Very true

[rus]

Originally Posted by BlownPony306

Well the motor in my 99 Super Cab 4x4 is getting up there in miles. Has about 180k on it. Still runs great! At some point I am going to have to start thinking about either replacing the motor or getting a new vehicle. The truck is in really good condition and I'd kinda like to keep it. Been thinking of doing a Lightning motor swap. What benefits (other then the better internals obviously) would I have in swapping the motor as a unit over doing a performance rebuild on my existing motor and putting the Eaton on it? Also I want to keep the 4x4. Will the stock trans hold up to the power or should I look at swapping the Lightning trans too? Can the Lightning trans be made to work with the transfer case and keep the 4x4? I looked thru a lot of threads before posting this and didn't really find anything with the trans mentioned.

I'd go with a lightning conversion with a program at present. Then do a 4r100 from a 7700 series with a valve body. Once get that programmed then you can do a build up on the motor. This is the process I'm using except my truck came with a 4r100 already.

[str8t six]

theres several ways to do this, but there isnt much benefit to switching to a L motor since the rods are junk anyway.

i would build your current motor or just build another motor while you can still drive your truck and just sell your motor once you want to do the swap.

switching to the 4r100 is a HUGE task if you have a 4x4, because you will have to change pretty much everything. you will need a new computer, harness, transmission crossmember, different driveshafts, etc.

i would just build up your 4r70 and call it a day.

and X2 on tarajerame and twinscrewed said