Ok guys i have located a Wrecked Lightning in a local junk yard.
I believe it was an insurance job the guy was rear ended and unconsious upon the fire and rescues arrival. (bare with me folks this might end up being pretty long) Anyway the doors were locked so they had to cut the top off the truck to get him out this truck was totaled because the fire dept. cut it with the jaws of life i have been to the junk yard and talked with the owner he told me he would sell me the engine for $4000 i am considering buying this and putting it in my 97! will it work?? My pickup is equipped with the Triton 4.6L and an automatic 4R70W Transmission. I need some serious advice on this matter Id the motor worth 4g's i have hurd the truck start and run the front end is untouched not a scratch from the wipers up just a couple dings on the hood from the debris! i am also considering taking te front bumper and selling it too.. has the factory leather seats but the glass has cut a small slit in the drivers side not really noticeable Any one interested? i just want the engine mine is getting high on the mileage chart and is going to need repair soon
any help would be appreciated
Thanks in advance!!
JJ

 

i don't know about the price of the motor but it seems like you would be better off with buying the entire truck that way if you need any other parts to make the changeover work you don't have to go back and let him really screw you over. Just make sure if you buy the truck you get the title to it. Most junk yards or scrape metal yards will not touch it without the title

 

I say go for it! Ron is right buy the whole truck so you have all the parts you need. $4,000 is a little steep for the engine, see if he will give you the whole truck for 4G. BTW there are companies that can fix the seat and the repair will be totally invisible. There are a lot of people foaming at the mouth for lightning seats and body parts. I'm one of them You could probably make most of the money back selling the parts on ebay.

-Jon

 

Guess thats true i dont know what he would want for the whole truck i just want the engine
WILL IT WORK???

 

From what I have seen here (there is another similar thread going on), you will need at least the PCM

 

I wouldn't attempt this without the whole wrecked Lightning. If that's not an option, then I'm sure you'd need the computer, lower radiator hose (I'm assuming the Lightning has an engine oil cooler) and associated hoses. I'd also buy the tranny since your stock tranny wouldn't last with the Lightning engine.

 

It's a romantic idea to have a 380HP supercharged Lightning engine hidden behind that Triton V8 badge but you'd need a lot more than just the engine to make this work.

If you can get the whole truck at a reasonable price after considering the time and money it will take to get it road worthy again (with a salvage title) it may be a good project.

I don't believe the engine is worth $4000.00 even if it has only a few thousand miles on it. I wouldn't expect a warranty from a salvage yard. You can also buy a complete Lightning engine from www.karkraft.com for about $5600.00 and you get a warranty.

Don't expect your stock 4R70W transmission to hold up long with the added pressure of 450 lb/ft of torque either. There is a reason the Lighnting gets the 4R100.

I'm sure others with more knowledge can add to this list but if you're thinking transplant you'll need:
-Engine
-Computer
-Transmission

I think it would be more practical to buy the whole truck or take the money you have a as down payment on a new Lightning or if you look around you should find a low milage used Lightning that you can afford.

 

you don't know what really happened--I wouldn't trust it. Put the money on a new or low-mileage used one--just too many possibilities for you to end up sorry and sad.

Dan

 

Why would they cut to roof of if he was rear ended? Why not just bash the window out, unlock the door, and open it?

 

JL,,

You will need the PCM, engine wiring harness Intercooler and all the pipes and hosed off the engine. $400.00 for an L engine. Give him the cash, take the engine and run. Talk to Mike Troyer in the computer chips section. BTW, folks are right about the tranny, your stock one will not last, nor will the 8.8 rear end. An easier solution would be to purchase a blower for your 4.6.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Well Thing is my pickup is gettn high in mileage and gonna need some major engin reapirs soon! so i will porbably just purchase a new 4.6l and have the police package installed on it!
JJ

 

Jimmy, there is little doubt that the parts will fit, but you will need other 'upgrade' components. If you do this, make sure to examine the transmission carefully. In a heavy rear ender, a lot of energy is transmitted via the prop shaft right into the gearbox and clutch. Also note that your truck will always be worth more in standard trim. The price seems high for an engine from a scrapper with no warranty. Leave it for a few weeks and go back with $1200 in your hand!

 

JMC, question for you here for Jimmy Lee and others to think about. Jimmy Lee is 4x4 as well !!! If he installed the lightning engine, how is this going to affect his transfer case, etc for the 4x4 option ???? I am not sure how the transfer case is connected within all of this but this would need to be addressed as well, to make sure that it could hold all of the additional HP and TQ.

Merry Christmas
Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

Izzy,

The rear end will self distruct before the T-case. Unless he tries to do 4x4 burn outs on the pavement.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier