The 6.0 is an awesome, power making motor. It kills the 7.3 in the power department, but it's also got 4 valve heads like a Cobra. The weak link on the 6.0 is that it has poor clamping on the heads which lead to head gasket failures when you really turn the wick up. But a stock Super Duty with a 6.0 and a tune can run low 14s or high 13s, and that's something a 7.3 only wish it could do.

Scott is not looking to build a race truck, he just wants a cool tow rig. I think it's a neat project. The other nice thing is he'll be able to run the 5 speed auto, which is way stronger then the 4R100. The only issue with this setup is the extreme weight of the 6.0. He'll have to up the springs in the front of the truck for sure. And of course, the Lightning chassis will still limit how much load he can handle, reguardless of the motor.

But you guys know me, I like stuff that goes against the grain .

 

Id get a gen1 Lightening and throw a 7.3 in it. That would be fun.

 

they need to through that 4.5L diseal into the Focus SVT, and turbo it.
that'd be insane!

 

Kinda like throwing a 5.4L lightning engine + blower into a 70-80's Cobra? lol that car was awsome, any updates on it? do you drive it often?

 

Unfortunately the Thundersnake hasn't seen much progress lately, just been too busy.

It currently still looks like this:

 

Dam Sal, that thing hasnt moved since the first day i stepped foot in there.. oh did i mention i have the APTEN ported off that beast? id love to come up there on a weekend or something and work on that thing and get it moving.. if Sal will let me id love to work on it im sure Rob would come by and donate his time as well. what do you think Sal??

 

LOL!!!!!!!!!! then it would NEVER run

 

thanks alot bro.. my confidence level just hit an all time low... oh wait you were talking about it Rob gets his hands on it... LOL

 

Well from what Im reading here and over on the NLOC this sounds like it can work. Time to really do some homework here and see what options are at available to me.

 

not telling you anything you dont know but a good tow vehicle is more than the power - the frame, brakes and springs play a big part also.

hate to see you ruin a limited production run vehicle espesially when plenty of new or used vehicle would make a better choice. a f250 with a suspesion drop, and a nice tire and wheel combo would look just as good pulling the turbo truck, with more interior room and more reliabilty in a factory package.

imo, spend your time to run a 9 and dont get caught up in reinventing the wheel. your choice, but i would love to see big red run to potential.

 

Another option is to buy a standard cab long bed 6.0L diesel. Pull the Longbed off, cut part of the back frame off, and then install a short bed. This is a pretty popular modication with the diesel "sport trucks". I know of a guy with a 2004 F250 standard cab, converted shortbed, 05 front end conversion, 22" chrome rims, air intake, SCT Xcal2, Silverline Dual exhaust running 12.80's all day long. Not a bad tow rig and a fun truck. With a good tune the 6.0 is very reliable and rarely puke.

 

Why not purchase a shortbed to begin with? Do they not offer them with a regular cab?

 

your right, they dont offer a short bed in the reg. cab......

Dale

 

What about getting a Harley Diesel and add some bolt-ons