Does anyone know if it is feasible to remove the pistons from a wrecked L at a junkyard and put them in my 5.4? I live in a college town so the idiots around here are bound to wreck one sooner or later. What would be involved in a job like this? Is it a stupid idea or would it work?

 

Paging Dr. Neal, Paging Dr. Neal.

Off the top of my head, the question is, "What good would it do you?" I mean, who replaces pistons just to replace them? Sure, tehy *may* just bolt right in, but if they differ from the stock 5.4's, that means a different compression ratio. Different comp ratio means different tune. Different tune means different parts to fail, and more bolting on parts....

How big of a monster do you want to create?

-Joe

 

I don't just want to replace them now, I'm planning on doing an L blower swap somewhere down the line and I want peace of mind if I decide to run higher than 8psi. I would be putting them in when I install the blower, and I'm gonna need a new tune for that too, so that shouldn't be a problem. I was just asking now so I can find out if there's some inherent problem now rather than when I've already paid for them. Only an idiot would replace them just for kicks, and I try my best not to be an idiot . Anyway, is there anything wrong other than what GIJoe pointed out?

 

HI!... The LIGHTNING pistons are forged and yeild 8.4:1 compression with "P.I" heads. The stock regular 5.4L engine has hypereautectic pistons and the yeild 9.0:1 compression with "P.I" heads (99 - 2004 blocks). Just buy a set of pistons and rings new. You will still have to completely tear down your current 5.4 to a bare block due to it will have to be bored or at least have to be honed for the new or used pistons. With new pistons you will get new rings and pins. The used "L" pistons will need new rings and most likely new pins as well. Buying used pistons is ALWAYS a bad idea. A good set of pistons will run you about $700 - $1000(CAN). Then the price of the machine shop ti bore the cylinders and new rod/main bearing and assembly.

 

Hey UCF, weird question but I guess you go to UCF?? What year? My cousin goes to school there and plays football there. Really nice school and a lot students drive some nice *** cars....

 

Since you plan on an L blower swap, save yourself the trouble and swap in the entire L engine. It's doubtful they would sell just the pistons. If the wrecking yards there are the same as here, then they will most likely sell the long block, blower included.

 

Ya, no good idea just for the sake of say so, especially if you are going down in compression, I'd buy up the whole engine and straight swap it (easiest solution). Used stuff is going to cause headaches. It would be better to just start fresh, bore it and add some compression, new rings etc. If mine goes kaput, I'm giving it the "Neal" and then supercharging the crap out of her.

 

Why not just take the whole engine?

 

I thought that the pistons in the L were one of the only real differences between them and other 5.4s. I didn't want to remove the engine if I could help it cause that seemed like a whole heck of a lot more work and I wanted to avoid it if I could. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Lightning have the 4r100 tranny? If my truck has the 4r70w then wouldn't there be compatibility issues? I'd rather not have to remove the entire drivetrain in a junkyard. Hey Neal, why don't you just come down and do it for me?

Yeah, I'm a sophomore. What's your cousin's name? Good couple of years to be on the team, how's he like it and what's he think of O'Leary?

 

You'll spend more time breaking the engine down trying to get the rods and pistons out of it than you would just carting the whole shootin' match off.

 

Yeah I guess, I was just hoping there would be an easier way. I guess I'll just do the blower swap now and then drop in a built block way later. Thanks for the help, guys.

 

His name is Kyle Fowler..... He is getting benched right now on some bs and it really sucks because he was starting at beginning of the year... He does love going to school down there tho.... On O'Leary I am not really sure he views on him....

 

Awesome, I'll keep an eye out for him whenever he starts playing again. What position does he play?