Guys that have done a Lightning swap please look.

steelrain7 · #1 07-15-2009, 12:52 PM

I did a lightning engine swap on my expedition last December. Along with the supercharger, I also put a lighting block with forged rods in the expedition. It was tuned by JJ at Woodbine Motorsports. The engine runs great but I have a couple of issues. When I stomp on the gas pedal from a standstill the engine bogs down for a few seconds. The truck rolls a few feet then it takes off. If I power brake, the engine never gets to full power. The engine stays bogged down until I let off the brake and it rolls a few feet then takes off. When I am rolling and stomp the gas pedal, the truck takes off as normal.

My thoughts on this went two ways. One is a fuel issue and the other is the torque convertor. Is the lightning torque converter different from an expedition torque convertor? I bought a lightning TC off one of the lightning sites but I want to get some opinions before I do the swap.

The expy had a 4R100 from the factory. When I did the engine swap, I left the expy torque convertor in the trans. I swapped the factory fuel pump for a 255lph pump and I added a Kenne Bell boost-a-pump. The only other non-stock items on the engine are a 6# pulley, mafia, and a K&N panel filter in the factory lightning air box. Oh, I also added a FTVB with a 4x4 trans pan and filter. I had the bogging issue before the addtion of the valve body so I am sure it is not the culprit.

The engine runs and idles great. The transmissions shifts fine. The shifts are harder because of the FTVB but nothing abnormal. The truck is perfect unless I try to stomp the gas from a stand still. Normal take offs are fine.

Please give me your opionions on this. My plans are to change the TC and fuel filter. If there is no change, I will let JJ do some more tuning.

Thanks,
Danny

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dirtyd0g · #2 07-15-2009, 02:44 PM

The stock lightning converter is low stall, your expedition has better odds of being a high stall than the lightning. When you powerbrake it are you putting your foot on the floor or gradually pushing down until it will raise no more rpm?
Alan

phil6608 · #3 07-15-2009, 08:38 PM

Hey Danny

,
have you talked to JJ about the problem to see what he thinks?
Sounds like you might need a tune adjustment.

Phil

steelrain7 · #4 07-16-2009, 09:21 AM

Alan,

You are correct about gradually pushing the gas pedal with the brake pedal depressed. The engine never gets to full power when I do this. Do you think the TC could have something to do with my issue?

Phil,

The tune was my third guess. I have talked to JJ about it and told him I was going to try the fuel filter and TC first. He told me to get in touch afterwards if I still had the same problem. Thanks again for the 4X4 pan and filter. How is your truck running? I loved the sound of the cog system and have seriously given thought to changing over myself. I have been looking for a used setup on the boards. Kinda pricey new.

Thanks for the responses,
Danny

phil6608 · #5 07-16-2009, 03:47 PM

My trucks running good but it wont move.

I'm broke down again,,,tor up the rear last time at the track. Still gathering parts.

Phil