I am interested in a Lightning. What would be the best year? I know that there where certian years where the engine had diffrent crank and rods, I think.

I'm new to this site I use to lurk when I owned an f150. Now I own my own beast.

Thank's

 

There is a recent thread about this:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=157756

 

What about engine wise? What about engine? So the first year had the best rod's! Is that it. Nothing changed besides the number of threads for spark plugs and maybe rods.
I was thinking that the crank had changed and block. I don't want to buy a truck and then be told that if I want to make 600hp I need to buy another block and crank.
I know, for 600hp you have to chang pretty much everything. Might as well change the block.

If I am going to buy one I want one where I can add on and on and not worry about little things.

I guess it's like this. My Excursion is only good for up to 400hp but the 7.3 before 2001 I have seen can be daily drive @ 540-600 with out worry. I have this in my head. So that's why I am asking.

 

2003-up

 

2003 up...

NO GEN2 L has any forged parts for the rotating assem.
No way 600+hp is going to hold on a stock bottom end for very long!!

Thats what I was told..Im new so forgive me if Im mistaken.

 

Ok maybe I was being alittle hoefull on the 600hp. But you get my point.
I was thinking that the Cobra engine and the Lightning engine might have went forged at the same time.

Well how much is the 03-up engine good for hp wise? Or should I say what kind of quarter mile times can you get out of an stock bottom end engine?

 

what is considered rotating assembly?

Crank is forged
as are rods
and pistons too i think.

 

I don't think the stock rods are forged.

 

they are, in both the n/a 5.4 and the s/c version.

I can't even imagine a cast rod being used to do a low 11 run like they have.