I'm gonna throw my 99 Lightning engine in a 99 Cobra.

What all info do I need, I've been searching my *** off and I've found one 97 GT owner who did the lightning engine in his.

Anyone else got advice or info?

 

bump cuase its a cool topic :P

 

I'd talk to Sal (PSP)

He's working on inplanting a L motor in a Older Cobra,
and has worked through most the issue's already

Of course Fuel, Computer, and Electronic's are the big ones...

 

i'm imagining that you would be running a lightning computer in the car, which is probably a manual.

You are going to have to do some structural work to squeeze that motor in there.

You are gonna need some sort of hood modification.

You are going to have to do some transmission mating.

You are gonna need a cage and a fire suit so you don't kill yourself

Good luck man.

 

thanks for the info so far.

Looks like i may hav eto annoy the pants off Cactus jack

I was almost thinking of going with a 4" cowl hood and use weither a custom made hoodscoop, one kinda similar to the giant JL one but smaller

 

One of the first things you are going to have to do is to take your totalled Lightning apart. If I remember correctly, most of the damage to your truck was in the rear. Taking it apart is going to teach you an awful lot about it. The critical thing here is to pay close attention to how it was put together. You have an engine, a tranny, a fuel system and an electrical system that all have to work together. The Lightning has an intercooler with a pump and reservoir at the front. It then has an engine with the blower, intake system, electrical harness and fuel system on it. The electrical all comes together at the computer on the right side and the main connectors on the left side. The dash is not as critical as it first appears, but just keep asking youself "This thing will set the check engine light if the gas cap is loose. How does it know?" The exhaust has 4 O-2 sensors and the fuel system has an in-tank high pressure pump and an external filter setup. The tranny is monitored and controlled by the ECU. You are going to need all of those "systems" installed correctly to work correctly.

I have no doubt that it is possible to put the Lightning powertrain into the other chassis. Taking the Lightning apart will tell you if you are up to the task. I say find a flareside bed and either swap the frame or get yours straightened and put the L back on the road. Swap the frame? Yeah, swap the frame. It will be a whole lot easier than the conversion. Look at some of Superford's pictures of how easily the entire cab is removed (including all the wiring) leaving the frame with the engine, tranny and rear end all open and easy to swap. Frames or high mile standard cabs should be easy to find.

 

you will probably need a new crossmemeber for the mustang. i read aout somebody else that did something similar, and the motor stuck out he hood 8-10" you may look into tubular k-members to see if it lowers the engine.

 

Didn't MM&FF do this last summer? I'll see if I have the old mag somewhere

 

Yes! they put a Lightning motor in a fox-body Mustang and called it "Frightning".

 

Mike at Madenterprise.com has everything to swap an "L" motor in another chassis (see below) He might be able to help you with some of the details and Sal at PSP was doing the tuning.

 

Stand alone engine management (DFI). That will cure most of your issues. Assuming you are building a track only car. If that's the case you don't need all the other garbage.

 

naw a street driver, not daily, but street is the majority, Some road race, and some track.