Hi all, Can anyone point me to web links or other information that would show how to transform a standard F150 (96), w/ straight 6, 5 speed transmission to basically a Ford Lightning. Would this even be worth it? Reason is, I have two (96 & 91) F150 both with I6 motor, one with manual trans the other with auto. These are just extra vehicles for me. I either want to sell them both and buy something fast but not new or modify the 96 to something fast. Need to burn rubber off the tires and have fun on Sundays, nothing too serious. Thanks!!

 

Mechanically, appearance wise, both? Mechanically, you'd need a 5.8 351 V-8 and an automatic transmission. But if you're gonna do it, go big or go home. Swap in a 460 V-8. It'll fit. Either way, you'll need the computer for it. Exterior wise, you'll need Lightning rims, bumpers, and decals. Interior, you'll need the 140 MPH dash and the Lightning seats.

 

It will cost more to start with trucks like that and convert them then to just sell them and buy a truck that at least already had the right drive train; not to mention you are signing up for some serious custom work and you will need donor vehicles for crucial parts.

 

Depending on your smog requirements, etc. Build a 351 stroker 393 or 408. If you build it fuel injected with some aftermarket heads, intake and cam, it will run like a scalded dog.

The cost is relevant. Depending if you want ac, etc etc. The 351 is so common that you can easily find junkyard parts. IMO I would shoot for a stock lightning clone. My 98 F150 ran the same in the quarter mile as the lightning. It was powerful, but not exactly what I call fast.

Another cool idea is a 460. Put a good balancer, cam, intake and a tune and run the heck out of it. It will easily fit in the truck. You can get a fuelie model out of the 250-350 van or truck.

What was said before is true, you should go with a donor vehicle.

Final option is to keep your I6 and do a turbo. Be a cool and fast vehicle. You are going to need a custom tune and some fabrication.

Carb'ed with a 3 speed auto is the easiest and cheapest, but not the best for emissions or fuel economy. Unless you go with the 460, 4.10 gears are probably a min.

 

Sell both the I-6 trucks.

Add the amount you were going to spend on the 'Lightning' conversion and buy something else. Since you are buying someone else's used performance vehicle, there probably be plenty of work to do, so you will still have a project, but you will be able to drive it right away.

Way less hassle, and you'll probably find a vehicle that runs rings around what you were going to build and have better resale value, as well.

 

If it doesn't have to be a truck then get an old Fox body 5.0 LX with a T5. Upgrade the T5 and supercharge it. or just full bolt ons and that baby will haul some *** for you and be cheap to do.

 

Check the Trucks For Sale forum on NLOC.

Then check out Quint's conversion.

Unique will turn more heads than fast.

 

I dont understand why everyone is so negative about this project. Unless blackdiamond doesnt have the mechanical skills and facilities to do the swap. Its pretty easy. The F150/250 came with all of these motors from the factory. Its a bolt in swap. Its no different than a 351 into a fox swap, but the 351 will fit under the hood of the f150 and you dont need cowl induction.

What is everyones root of concern? That its too hard or that he'll never finish?

 

Exactly... All that it is is a motor/tranny swap and a computer change. Even the 460 swap would still bolt right up.

 

Surely he can make his 4.9 I6 F150 perform much better than it does now.

But he asked if it would be worth it to convert an older F150 into a performance vehicle.

IMO, if he wants the most bang for his buck and wants the option of selling it at a future date without losing most of his investment, he should start with something else.


Let's say he is going to spend $5,000 to upgrade one of his trucks. I say sell the old trucks for $2,500 each (or whatever he can get). Take that $5k and add it to the $5k he was going to spend, and he can look at $10,000 cars that are turn key, ready to rumble. Lots of possibilities out there, and some of them can corner and stop well, too (a 460 F150 is not going to perform well in those areas).

If you want to stick with an older F150, sell the two old ones and get a Gen 1 Lightning for $6k or so. It will feel plenty strong compared to the 4.9 straight six.

 

There's a difference between being negative, and being honest, helpful, and realistic.

The straight honest truth is that it would be more cost-effective to start with a different truck in the first place. That's all

whatever you end up doing, good luck!

 

But one $2000 I6 F-150 plus a $4000 460 swap would make the weak 351 Lightning look like it was just a sticker kit, and it will have a brand new drivetrain, as opposed to the 12+ year old Lightning.

If you are worried about investing in vehicles I wouldn't be buying a 240 hp 2wd truck for $6000. That sounds like a rip off to me, heck my bone stock 5.4 has more power than that.

 

i agree i saw a 1993 f150 w/a 4,9L I6 (just like mine) with engine upgrades Blower, hot ignition system, injectors, fuel pump, a racing trans and 4.53 rear end (or close to that) it didnt go super fast in the 1/4 but he pulled his front end off the ground through all 4 gears= 1/2 way down the track

that would be cool


Brice

 

You could build yourself a serious 460 or 351 with $4,000...

 

Well, if the 460 in a Ford pick-up is the top of his performance mountain, then he could sell his two I-6 trucks and buy one that already has a 460 in it. They put it in the F150 for a few years. Or if he goes with an F250 or F350 wrapped around a factory 460, he'll get lots of other heavy duty parts (brakes, rear end) to go along with it.

Unless your time is worth nothing, IMO you should factor that into your expense when building a custom vehicle. For example, you buy a junkyard 460 for $750, then spend another $2,250 on performance and rebuild parts and $500 on machine shop work. So you are out of pocket $3,500, but it took you 100 hours of your time spread over two months to find a suitable 460, research the parts you wanted, go get the stuff, put it all together, put it in the truck, etc... If your time is worth $20/hour to you, that $3,500 bargain of a motor just cost you at least $5,500. And how much value did you add to your I-6 F150? $1,000? $1,500? $2,000?

If you want performance bang for your buck, get the fastest Fox body you can find for that same $5,500 investment and run rings around 460 Ford trucks all day long. If you bought wisely, your $5,500 investment is still worth $5,500.