Received 2 large boxes today from Magnacharger!! Getting time, tools, essentials ready for the plunge.
I am installing all new gaskets (friend @ Ford helps out). What about spark plugs? Truck will be used 99.9% on street. Thought that since induction system was off i would index the new spark plugs. Any recommendations on brand and part #.

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1997 F-150 LARIAT S/C 4x2 Styleside...Pacific Green Exterior/Silver Frost Accent...4.6L Triton (Romeo)...Auto...3.55 Limited Slip...Trailer Tow Pkg...Remote Entry w/ Anti-Theft...Power Everything...

FORD ACCESSORIES Wheel Locks...Molded Vinyl Floor Mats...Sill Plates (Look Great!)...Molded Mud Guards...

AFTERMARKET Deflecto Bedliner...Lund Bug Shield...Ventshield Side Louvers & Taillite Covers...A.R.E. Fibreglass Tonneau Cover...22 Piece Burl Wood Dash Kit...Custom Tweed Hood Insulator Pad...Westin Chrome Step Bars...

PERFORMANCE OPTIONS SVO Lightning Wheels w/ Yokohamo 285/50/18 AVS-ST Tires...Optima Battery...Evergreen F.I.P.G...Superchip YSL2...

STEREO Premium Ford Head Unit...Pac Lineout Convertors...Coustic 3E Crossover...JBL GTQ400 & GTQ200 Amps., Behind Full Functional Backseat...2x JL Audio10W4 Subs ...4 Pioneer 3-Way 6815's In Doors...

WHAT'S NEXT? Powerdyne Supercharger...Cat Back Exhaust...Roush Susp...Ground Effects...???...

 

Congrats on getting your charger. I hope you have a sm th installation.

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2000 F-150 XLT 4x2 F/S Reg Cab 5.4 3:55LS< Borla Catback Dual Out Back<Kenne-Bell Supercharger 6LB Boost< Soon to be installed: Baumann Shift Kit, Superchip Reprogramed, Lightning Wheels

 

Crash and all interested, still waiting for some quality time to devote to my baby! Been on vacation.

 

The lightning guys all swear by the NGK TR6 stock no. 4177
I just got a set for my truck will be putting them in this weekend.

I would think they would work on your truck too.

 

Crash, and all interested Effies! Thanks for being patient. I have been doing the wiring for the fuse block to the Hobbs switch, all the wiring to and from the relay that goes on the left front inner fender, and the wiring from the intercooler pump. All connections are soldered,heat shrink covered, and then covered with the split wire cover supplied. Just keeping the stealth look. Had to move the factory oil cooler up 1/2" inch to get the correct fit for the pump located under the radiator.
I plan on dropping the fuel tank Sunday afternoon so to modify the fuel pump bracket at work on Monday. I will try to get some photos to show off when done.
I purchased all new OEM gaskets. Need to get new plugs.What have the guys / gals out there use or recomend?

 

Things are starting to shape up and getting closer to reality. I have been running the fuel tank down til when the "low fuel warning " lite comes on and then put in 3 or 4 gallons in hope of adding the uograded Magnacharger fuel pump. Lifes just too hectic it seems to finish what you set out to do!
Monday nite, backed the Lariat into the garage, jacked up the rear enough to crawl under. Removed the two 13mm bolts that held the tank straps and lowered the tank. Removed the 2 fuel lines with the quick disconnect coupler tool, unplugged the wire harness and six 8mm bolts that held the sending unit,next it was on the bench. The whole job on the ground took 15 minutes max!
Followed the instructions that Magnacharger sent. The only difference is I solder all my electrical connections and heat shrink over them.
Back under the truck w/pump in hand. 10 minutes max to reinstall. Clean up work area and before the engine cranked twice the familiar roar of Flowmasters came to life! Now down to the gas station to fill up on some premium fuel.
To be continued....

 

Back to the garage to get the blower rolling. I removed the large plastic radiator cover to install the 2 straps that support the intercooler tank. After initially installing, i removed the strap bolts and shimmed the tank assy about .125" forward so when cutting the 3" hole for the tank pressure cap there would be sufficient room to open and to have a stealth appearance. I cut the hole with a 3" holesaw i had used years ago when i did stereo installs.
Next, came the intercooler pump under the radiator support. After aligning and checking for correct fit i drilled two 3/8" holes thru a double walled support in order to slide an extra large bolt ,lock washer, & nut to hold the heavy pump assy.
I next attempted the heat exchanger assy but did not like the thought of four 1/16" plastic pipe cleaners holding it. I will be off to Home Depot before work to purchase some metal stock (angle stock) & fabricate a solid frame to finish off the grille area modifications. I will shot some photos before install.
While in the front of the truck i finally installed the Steel Horse billet lower grille. It definately enhances the overall looks of the front end. If i had my dremel tool here i would have tackled the larger grille opening.
Thanks for following my install. i can't wait for the final chapter...you know when the guy blows away that obnoxius bow-tie and can' stop grinning from ear to ear! To be continued...

 

Let me know the total cost to install the Magnacharger. I could be the first Supercrew in Iowa to have one. LOL

BoB

 

Hey Jobbones, go for it! I am taking my time installing the kit . I have waited a long time to purchase it. Your cost should be $4350. plus about $80 shipping.
I was missing some parts and they overnited them no ?'s asked.
Keep following my forum. I will try to get as detailed as possible to give you and all an insiders view and when done i'll have some photos i hope.

 

Hey Crash, thanks again for ALL your very helpful knowledge and insight on a few minor delays encountered during the blower install.
The biggest problem was the metal pipe that sits directly under the intake. When lowering the complete supercharger assemble into place, the rear of the blower refuses to sit flush..The reason was the blower bypass assy came into direct contact, with the pipe. Called tech asst. the next day. They could not come up with an alternative. The next day i went to a local Ford wharehouse. The largest in south Florida. After explaining to the counter person .we went upstairs to hopefully find an answer. If you look in the latest issue of TRUCK'IN magazine, Magnacharger installed a blower in a 2001 S-Crew w/4.6. , you will see a photo of the engine w/ intake off. I examined that photo and noticed a different shaped bypass pipe than i had. We found that pipe after a few minutes. That nite i cut 1.625" off the end nearest the water pump. I used 5/8" x 6''long to connect the nipple to the pipe. Also used 4 hose clamps to seal it tight. Next i rebolted it to the rear of the passenger cyl. head. & connected the heater hose to the end.
Yes i did get the sensers screwed into the blower bypass tube. I installed a 3/8 NPT X45 degree angle next to the fuel fail on the front pass. side. The other senser screws into the forward mounted threaded hole.
I installed the oiled intake bolts into the blower to hold it to the engine. Torqued to 22 lbs. Need to finish the heater hose from the heater core to the intake install. After that the throttle body w/ a new set of gaskets gets bolted down with a new gasket . Well its early in the AM. I'll get back real soon. Boss Lariat

 

Thanks Crash for letting the cat out of the bag.Yes the install is finally done! Really thanks to Crash for some tips on the install. Magnacharger makes a first class kit that fits and looks very stealth. The operation is quiet at idle, and still very very acceptable when you drive normal. But why be normal with this beast in front of you. I am patiently, but anxiously awaiting the custom flip-chip from Mike @ Superchips. Then i will take no prisoners. I have babied it so far and i can tell you that it will be like a blast into the past.
I will return soon with a write-up of the blower install, along with some things that need to be brought to everyone's attention who will be doing this on their own. Long live the LOUD pedal!!

 

Well it's been 15 days since i finished Project...Blown Boss Lariat. I must say that i have been very good as far as putting the pedal to the metal. Just some 1/2 throttle responses. But ...this is now, NOT the same truck. I am just waiting til this Thursday, for that is when Mr Flip-Chip goes for a loud pedal intiation. I discussed w/ Mike Troyer my needs and we set up a towing package and a performance package. See other forums for info on flip-chips.
After the previous install story i was up early that Saturday morning to finally see what i got myself into. As i said before the blower was torqued to factory specs, the heater hose that came w/ the blower was shortened to mate with the factory heater core hose. Easier to do this with the throttle body off the manifold. Basically i worked from the firewall forward to make life easier on my knuckles!
Using new gaskets instead of taking a chance on the old ones, i replaced the EGR gasket. In cleaning the throttle body i noticed the EGR channels that dump into the T.B. bore were almost carboned up solid. From my granny driving days i guess! I sprayed them w/ a compatable cleaner and used valve guide cleaning brushes to finish the job. Also cleaned up the throttle plate, to look like new. Very smooth opening now! Next a new T.B. gasket. I meant to check the T.P.S., but forgot. next time. The sensor install caused a delay but a call to Crash got that alleviated. The thermal sensor that originally was farthest to the passenger side now gets installed w/ a 3/8 NPT 45 degree brass fitting with the threads coated w plumbers tape. The thermal sensor next to it goes directly behind & under the alternator. T he factory harness is still very capable of reaching these sensors. The IMVV located on the bottom of the orignal intake manifold still needs to be hooked up to the factory harness. I unbolted the 2 bolts, separated the valve from the lower black plastic assemble and swung it over under the air filter assemble. Used a tie strap to hold it secure. In the future i will modify a bracket to hold the Intake Manifold Vaccum Valve.
The supplied alternator bracket needed some shimming to properly hold the alt. and still be in line w/ the belt. It will be taken off in the future and a small notch in it and at the point where it contacts the valve cover/cylinder head area. Maybe a 1/16" at both contact areas is all that needs to be ground. This i will talk to about with Crash & Chris @ Magnachrger before hand.
Reinstalling the factory connectors, brackets, throttle linkage, & fuel lines all fell into place. Having done the intercooler sub-assy's before hand, the only thing left was to route, cut, & install the intercooler hoses. Crash again tipped me off to use stronger hose clamps. I used ones that i saved while working at my job. They are factory clamps used on Lexus LS400's. Ten clamps were required to finish the job of connecting the hoses to their respective inlets/outlets.
Since i had the front factory grille off i finally installed the upper & lower billet grilles, while it was all apart. Just like everybody in the past bitched about...the instructions are very poor, but if you can install a blower, you should be able to install these grilles.
Filled the engine w/ factory antifreeze and filled the intercooler system with Lexus red anti-freeze, at exactly a 50/50 mixture. Bypassed the two contacts on the Hobbs switch to start the intercooler pump flowing the red mixture til it was primed and at its proper level.
Well.....its that time. Will she or ???. Got into the truck and turned the key,...instant ignition and fire. Goosed the the pedal 1/3 the way to hear the whine. OH WHAT A FEELING!!!
I have for the most part driven like i have in the past, trying to get the best MPG possible. The first tankful was just over 13mpg. The second was a lot better at 15.4 mpg. When the flip-chip is installed the mpg should increase even more due to a leaner mixture and advanced timing. But......the performance should definately make you feel like cranking up LOCOMOTIVE BREATH and see if you can drown out Jetro Tull with your new LOUD PEDAL!!!!!!!
I will keep you all informed about the flip-chip, JBA headers and some things Crash is working on. Stay tuned, it only gets better.
"Blown Boss Lariat"