2004 Lightning's turn?
 

We are already seeing the potential for Ford's 32 valve DOHC 4.6L in the new Cobra's. I got to ask will the next Gen. L's have the new 5.4 version of that? They already have the 32valve DOHC 5.4 in the GT-40, what do you guys think the chances are of that engine finding it's way into the Lightning? I guess time will only tell when they release the Gen. 3 L's. I'm just saving and hoping for that engine to find it's way into the already bad ass truck. Just imagine a stock 500HP L!!:) But then we will probaly be talking over $40K to own one.:(

There is a 3v sohc 5.4 motor that ford has developed. I would figure that a sc version will be in the L in the next few years. There may also be a few years between the new F-150 and the next L just like before.

Hello to all:

Tiamat, I'm planning on replacing my 2000 L (currently 51k miles) with the 2004 Lightning, so I hope Ford does not lag behind in the initial production of the Gen 3.


Wilk

It will probably be the 3v considering that engine will produce more torque which our trucks LOVE - Also, it will distinguish the GT-40 from the L. Expect a small price increase too. I would say around 35k - What do y'all think?

My guess is the next generation L will be at least a year after the new F-150 body comes out. Power plant I guess to be a 5.4 3v head, super charged of course (but which one?), 5 speed auto (5R120), better brakes, and bucket seats.

GT40 motor would be way too expensive for the L.

I would figure there will be a little break from the time the new body style comes out till the new L appears. Then again it will be mostly styling treatments i think. I'm not sure if the new IRS will be included like the new expedition. Maybe there will be no break. Ford seems to be really screwed up in getting updated and new vehicles to the public so maybe we'll be lucky and it will work in our favor. Whatever that may be.:p

WilyWilky-
Theres still alot of life left in your truck. She's still young.:D

Im thinkin Ala 5.4 DOHC via Cobra R... Its more logical. I dont think Mr Coletti will allow Dodge to overthrow his truck. So, i figured 32V 5.4 with even a larger supercharger, better intercooler and better brakes/interior/seats. I really dont think they will take a break considering they challenged Dodge to step up. my $.02

The Navigator already has a 300hp NA DOHC 5.4, so it would be pretty easy to slide one into the L, IMHO. I would also guess it would be fairly easy to put on the same blower and tune the computer to spit out 500+ HP also.

Roger

Do we REALLY have a need for Ford to "step up" to Dodge? Do we REALLY want Ford to increase the prices of these trucks so much to where they are not even feasibly affordable for the majority of us anymore? Remember, SVT ecompasses "Value" as well, so we all need to watch what we ask for here.

It's not hard for us to put in a chip/pulley to gain 75 rwhp and 100 rwtq. Do you guys/gals know that's about 100 flywheel hp? We're already there! So what's the issue w/ the new Dodge truck?

All we need is a simple update to the motor and tranny we have now. 3V heads, Manley rods, now we're in business! It's a great piece and w/ the use of the 3V heads and better rods it'll be even more formidable. We do NOT want 4V heads. We would not be satisfied w/ the torque curve. Sure, you can make the torque peak as nearly as high as a 2V or 3V, but you're never going to get that awesome flat curve that we have now. This truck needs that flat curve. It's WHY it is so fast now!

I don't think it'll be hard to adapt the 3V heads to our trucks, not to mention much cheaper than a 4V setup, so let's all hope that Ford FINALLY comes through and releases these to where we Gen 2 owners can use them as well.

The intercooler on these trucks is bar none the BEST in the industry. You name a factory vehicle's intercooler that can dissipate heat as quick and as efficient as ours? There isn't one! I'm willing to bet our factory intercooler would be good upwards of 750 rwhp and still be efficient.

The block is great, the crank is awesome, the pistons are plenty strong, the fuel injectors are plenty large enough (but did you know the Supra's injectors are larger from the factory?). Hell, the factory transmission isn't even that bad. I honestly believe we also do NOT want a manual tranny. It would take up too much interior space, not to mention make this truck downright clumsy racing.

I'd rather Ford be able to use the phrase: "Still the fastest production pickup truck on the planet!" It doesn't have to be the most powerful from the factory anymore. Think about it people!

I think it's just the other way... In order for Frod to build the GT40 engine... thay are going to need to spread the cost across a broader base for production efficiencies.

Yes 3V would be better but my guess is we don't see it... I think we'd better get used to the idea of a GT40 engine.

I beg to differ. Having owned a blown 4V cobra and seeing several Dyno's of the '03 Cobra, the flat torque curve you comment about is still there. 4V heads flow LOTS of air. Youre talking an instant 70 ponies with 4V heads on these engines.

The 3V is a new design. With the knowledge they gained with the new Cobra, im sure that we will see a DOHC 5.4 with a blower, opposed to the 3V. SVT will go with what works.

Though you make some great points, these trucks have lots of room for improvment. More power, better handling/braking and better interior. It wont take very much $$ for the Lightning to get this treatment. The cobra went up $2K since 1996. That $2K included a blower, better seats, revised IRS, etc over the years.

Value will still remain inline with the Lightning. my $.02 anyways.

Originally posted by Flying Mofo

No you're not. Not w/out a lot of reworking. Earlier I wasn't referring to hp anyway. W/ 4V heads you're barely getting the same amount of tq as hp! This is something we do NOT want to happen in these pig trucks!

Power: I've already stated some increases would be nice, but nothing a pulley/chip will not fix regardless of what they give us.

Braking isn't bad in this truck. If you're asking for shorter stopping distances (and it nearly rivals Vettes) you're asking for them to put in more money where it isn't needed.

Interior we'll get w/ the next redesign. The current interior is actually quite nice compared to a Mustang or CamBird. It is still a truck.

This is where I beg to differ. 1996 base MSRP retail on a Cobra was $24,810! Add in $1335 for the preferred equipment package (leather seats, Mach 460 sound, and anti-theft alarm), and another $815 for the Mystic paint job, well the most expensive '96 coupe was $26,910. Today's is what: $34,750. That's nearly 8 THOUSAND difference! Oh what that'll buy now!

Later,

Here ya go, a LOT of tq on a blown 4V ain't it?

('98 Vorteched Cobra owned by Brian Bradford in Birmingham, AL vs. BfB's '01 Lightning)

http://www.lightningforums.com/image...1lightning.gif

Yeah, I want 100 less tq and a rev band that requires me to get to 6k before I'll feel anything in this truck! Hmmm, wonder what that'll tow?

Here's a 2v GT owned by Sean Adkins vs. the same Cobra above:

http://www.lightningforums.com/image...sblown2vgt.gif

And here is Bob Tompkins old blown 4v Cobra vs. my Lightning;

http://www.lightningforums.com/image...lightning2.gif

You decide which heads you want!

You can't compare centrifugal to the M112s. Remember, boost is relative to RPM with centrifugal.

Personally, I'd bet that the 4valve head won't do much for us due to the nature of this style of supercharger.

You can see this with the Lingenfelter Vettes using the M112. The end result is that the std LS1 C5/M112 has almost equal power to the z06/M112.


With a centrifugal, things bear out differently