I'm debating on doing the L' blower swap to my 02 F150 fx4 . Its got 148,xxx miles on the ticker and otherwise runs and drives wonderfully. When its cold and has been sitting for overnight it does have the mod motor cold weather knock until the oil gets to flowing through. but doesn't burn a drop of oil in 3-4k miles. Trans is fine blah blah blah (used to be a ford tech and im **** about keeping my vehicles up on maintenance).. BUT i would like a bit more power for towing and passing when in the mountains. So thats the main reason for debate on S/c'ng the truck or not. I've had many power adders (on 4.6l mustangs) and have been wanting a lightning, but not willing to part with the screw i have now. I would most likely go with no more than 8psi (i'm not looking for a 400+rwhp monster), and i know how to keep my foot out of the gas pedal (specially with gas prices lately)..

So based on the condition of the motor/trans and the mileage of my truck.....

Would you do the swap?

 

does your truck have the 5.4 or the 4.6????

use an oil filter with an anti drain back valve and your cold start knock will be reduced if not cured

the lightning swap can be done fairly cheap, you'd need to help your tranny out and keep it around 8# or 10# of boost with a good tune and you'd be fine for the most part

 

its a 5.4I normally always use motorcraft filters, but was pressed for time and had the tire shop change my oil last time (which it has seemed its gotten worse since then)...

 

The L swap will put more demand on the rings and exhaust valve guides. 8lb will help. These motors should go to 200,000 miles with no problems. I did my swap at 90,000 miles. Got wild with boost and at 120,000 miles and over 10lbs, I blew out the exhaust valve guides and rings, not literally. OBTW the bottom end was in excellent shape. Could have reused crank and bearings and even pistons if they weren't hypereutectic. So if you stay at 8lbs (ya, right) and you don't drag race it, you could be OK

 

ive gotten out of the drag racing stage.. i had my fun with that for a few years and it literally got boring.. i'd rather go carve some corners instead. I've pretty much decided to do the swap, but i just have to figure out when...

 

Realistically it comes down to money!
If doing the swap is going to tap out all your reserve money it might not be a good idea.
But if you've got enough to replace a tranny or bottom end of the motor,(just in case something would go bad) then it's a great idea.
Just my 2 cents.

Phil

 

I've got the $$ to do the swap and if anything were to happen i could get it fixed with a few weeks... honestly, i'll probably wait till the beginning of the year before i do the swap and start collecting parts.. I've got some other things that are more pressing to do than this..

thanks for the input everyone