I beleive it was Sal who wrote that the Lightning crate engine will not operate properly without the Lightning transmission and computer. I could be wrong though I am sure that I read that on this site. You are in luck though, rumor has it that you can buy a Lightning crate motor for $4k, and for another $2k they will throw in the tranny and computer. not bad

 

I'm not sure how lucky though...it doesn't seem to be as easy as that...this is what I've gathered so far:

Lightning Motor..............................$4,000
4R100 Transmission (p/n YL3P-7000-CA)........$2,000+
Transmission Convertor (p/n ???).............$???
Lightning Computer CUX1(p/n XL3Z-12A650AGB...$???
Speedo Module Cluster (p/n YL3Z-10849-EA)....$???
COP Ignition System (p/n ???)................$???
Supercharger Belt (p/n JK8667)...............$???
Main Belt (p/n JK8997).......................$???
Pulleys (p/n ???)............................$???

Also, I’m not too sure whether I have to get any of the following or if they come with the engine/tranny/ignition/computer combo above:
- Headers
- Air Filter
- MAF Sensor
- Throttle Body
- Intake Manifold
- Driveshaft
- Rear Axle

I’m assuming that by getting the motor, tranny, coil over plug ignition system above, I would already have all the required components from the ignition system, fuel system, valvetrain, powertrain and drivetrain.

It looks like I replace everything except for the body, chassis, suspension and interior!!!

It also looks like at least an $8000.00 job to get the ball rolling...and that doesn’t include all the mods you guys have been making to the engine!

I’m still missing part numbers and stuff. And I gotta hear from Sal (as it seems he’s the one who’s researched this idea all the way through) whether this is doable, and whether it can be done without extensive modification (other than purchasing and swapping the lightning parts...if you can call that not extensive!!!) to the Expedition.

Thanks for bearing with me.


------------------
Thunder
rainmaker@attglobal.net

Black 97 Expedition EB 5.4L 4WD

Mods: Lightning Wheels, Pirelli Scorpion Zero 285/55/18, K&N Gen II Kit, JET Chip

Audio: McIntosh MX406, McIntosh MCD4000, Zapco SX-SL, Zapco EQ30, Genesis Monoblocks (3), Genesis Dual Mono, Dynaudio System 340, Dynaudio System 220, JL Audio Stealthbox




[This message has been edited by Thunder (edited 01-12-2000).]

 

Sal,

You mentioned in a previous post that you've answered someone's questions regarding the parts needed to do an engine swap using the Lightning crate engine. Really need to find out if all this is doable before I give it the green light and start spending. Do you still have the part numbers?

Hope you got my email.

Thanks.

------------------
Thunder
rainmaker@attglobal.net

Black 97 Expedition EB 5.4L 4WD

Mods: Lightning Wheels, Pirelli Scorpion Zero 285/55/18, K&N Gen II Kit, JET Chip

Audio: McIntosh MX406, McIntosh MCD4000, Zapco SX-SL, Zapco EQ30, Genesis Monoblocks (3), Genesis Dual Mono, Dynaudio System 340, Dynaudio System 220, JL Audio Stealthbox

 

Morning:

I can answer a few. The intake system is complete to where the filter starts, but I did not check to see if the MAF was installed and will do so when I get to the shop. The exhaust is also done with factory manifolds. The rest of the ignition is there except for the computer and it's componentry. No hoses are supplied. The SC appears to be complete except for the pulleys and belts you mentioned, no reservoir is supplied.

The stuff I checked out that remained added up to a total approaching $10k if you had to buy everything from a Ford dealer.

One other thing all of have missed so far is the special bracketry, unique to the L's, to keep the SC pulleys and belts all lined up right. It is forward of the motor, buried in the area behind the radiators I believe.

I still feel my earlier post about getting a wrecked complete A-Z Lightning setup and either using it as is or combining with a new crate motor is the way to go.

But then, I too have been known to spend a small fortune on a vehicle against everyone's recommendations and I liked everyone of them. How about a $7000 AMC Matador 6 Cyl 727 Auto that would turn in the mid 14s!!! I paid $500 for the car with a blown V8, started something and never looked back.

Good Luck Bill

------------------
Bill Murray
99 Lightning
PSP Chip & Filter
Spare Superchip
Bassani full system TBI
Oxford White w/normal options.
98 Lincoln Continental Stock
56 F100 Big Window 272 w/TBird intake headers Fordomatic
56 F100 small window w/built 300" I6
69 Belair 39/427/400 Built
69 C10 Panel Stock
Soon: 92 Town Car
Tamiya 1/10 Lightning
Lightning & Thunder Rag Doll Cats.

 

Thanks Bill. That gives me a whole lot better picture.

I was initially hesitating to go the wrecked lightning route as I wouldn't know which parts of the engine, drivetrain, etc. have been damaged and need replacement. But it seems that's the way to go if I want a fighting chance of keeping this in the neighborhood of $8K give or take a couple.

I dont know...most everything I heard/seen/read seems to be pointing to the direction of just dropping the whole idea or at least going the supercharger route but ever since I saw the crate engine available I just seemed to have developed an itch that I just have to scratch. I guess you all know how that feels. And I was never one to give up so easily...especially when it comes to big boys' toys!!!

I'll start another thread on the search for the wrecks Lightnings and hopefully I can locate one that's in a reasonable/usable state, parts-wise.

Thanks again, Bill.

------------------
Thunder
rainmaker@attglobal.net

Black 97 Expedition EB 5.4L 4WD

Mods: Lightning Wheels, Pirelli Scorpion Zero 285/55/18, K&N Gen II Kit, JET Chip

Audio: McIntosh MX406, McIntosh MCD4000, Zapco SX-SL, Zapco EQ30, Genesis Monoblocks (3), Genesis Dual Mono, Dynaudio System 340, Dynaudio System 220, JL Audio Stealthbox

 

Did you know that there are two new different supercharger packages available for the 5.4 motor? One is an eaton supercharger kit from magnison products and the other is a roots intercooled supercharger kit from holly. Scott

 

Scottodog,

There are a lot more than that...you can put in Powerdynes, Wynjammers, Kenne Bells, etc. I'm sure there are lots of others that I've missed. There are "tuner" packages too from Steeda, Saleen, Stillen, Roush and many more. Like I said before, I know it's probably lots cheaper bolting on a supercharger but that price doesn't take into consideration the parts you'd have to change in order for the rest of the other systems to keep up with the 50 to 100 or so added hp. By the time I get to Lightning territory, I'd have probably spent as much as doing the engine swap. And I wouldn't even have the built in reliability of a system that was engineered to work as a whole at that!

Decisions! Decisions!

I'll probably end up buying a Lightning at the end of the day! Maybe it would be cheaper to put an Expedition body into a Lightning!



------------------
Thunder
rainmaker@attglobal.net

Black 97 Expedition EB 5.4L 4WD

Mods: Lightning Wheels, Pirelli Scorpion Zero 285/55/18, K&N Gen II Kit, JET Chip

Audio: McIntosh MX406, McIntosh MCD4000, Zapco SX-SL, Zapco EQ30, Genesis Monoblocks (3), Genesis Dual Mono, Dynaudio System 340, Dynaudio System 220, JL Audio Stealthbox

 

Holley claims 130 extra horses and 100 lb-ft of torque over stock. Intercooled with all hardware.

[This message has been edited by SCOTTODOG (edited 01-13-2000).]

 

You got a website addy for that???

What about the pistons and all the other drivetrain and powertrain parts that have to be beefed up to take the extra hp? It'd be interesting if they have all that figured out!

------------------
Thunder
rainmaker@attglobal.net

Black 97 Expedition EB 5.4L 4WD

Mods: Lightning Wheels, Pirelli Scorpion Zero 285/55/18, K&N Gen II Kit, JET Chip

Audio: McIntosh MX406, McIntosh MCD4000, Zapco SX-SL, Zapco EQ30, Genesis Monoblocks (3), Genesis Dual Mono, Dynaudio System 340, Dynaudio System 220, JL Audio Stealthbox

 

Here is the two adds if you can't read them the number for holley is 270-782-2900 and Magnuson Products 805-642-8833.