Yes, another swap thread. I've read and read different people asking similar questions, but I just can't sort out the right info that I'm looking for in my specific case so here is goes...

I have a stock 1997 4.6 2v 2WD truck. I'm planning a extended cab-type lightning build for it, but the truck is a very special truck to me so I don't want to do anything that is irreversible in case I want to restore it in 30 years <--- this is the key problem that I'm having with making a decision. The current motor has a bad head gasket and because I might want to restore it one day, I'm going to replace the engine and trans on the truck with another unit. The problem that I can't seem to figure out is what direction I should go to replace the engine and I need some solid advice from the group as far as the least difficult way to build a 5-600hp engine for the truck.

I've thought about buying another 4.6, rebuilding it doing the Trick Flow top end kit and a SC later. This seems like it might be the simplest solution, but doesn't seem like an efficient use of money.

Option 2 was to do a 5.4 2v swap, and add the trick flow stuff and a SC to it. I've read that I can just use a 5.4 engine harness and it'll plug into my PCM, but I haven't confirmed that. Since I want to restore it one day, I want to keep the original harness in tact. Then there's the extra hassle of finding a good intake for the engine etc.

Option 3 was to get a Lightning drivetrain and do a swap. It certainly seems cheaper than the above two options, but then I need to get another 200HP from the stock setup, and it seems like a wild goose chase trying to get all the appropriate parts. Then again, isn't this just the same as option #2 but I get to pick the blower setup and all?

Option 4 would be to go with a 2003-04 Mach 1 4V engine. I'd love to get a functioning shaker hood to work in the F150 if I could, but I'm pretty sure that I'd have several problems adapting the PCM into my 97.

Option 5, if it's even worth considering, is a 5.4 3V engine which seems to have more readily available parts, but seems to be a more involved swap than the other options.

As you can see, I'm all over the place and I need some direction. I've spent so much time looking at stuff, my head is foggy.

IF YOU HAD A BLANK SLATE, WHAT ENGINE WOULD YOU START WITH AND HOW WOULD YOU GET TO 5-600HP?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Have you read the 4.6 to 5.4 swap thread in the Articles section?

 

I did and it’s very informative. I don’t see any notes about lightning or 4v engines.

I also couldn’t verify if the 5.4 2v harness would just plug into my stock pcm. I’d like to keep the existing engine harness as-is without modifying it at all so that I can return the truck to original if I want to restore it in 30 years. If I can’t, then I’d need to replace it with another 4.6 harness or a 5.4 harness…

I’m also seeking some opinions on what swap would be the best bang for the buck, while also being done right.

 

Automatic transmission? If so you have a 4R70W which can't handle much more than a stock 5.4 unless you get a really beefy rebuild. An E4OD/4R100 can, that's what the Lightning uses. It would need a different PCM, harness, and driveshaft. If you have a manual, it won't hold up under much more power than a stock 4.6 as you can see in that thread.

I think the easiest swap would be a 5.4 2V with a blower, like JMC did.

 

yeah it’s an anto. I was considering a 4r75 build that could handle the power. Rather than worrying about swapping in the 4r100.

thanks for the recommend on the engine. Sometimes I need to write it out before it becomes clear to me. It sounds like the 5.4 2v is a good way to go.

 

4R75 wouldn't be compatible, different output shafts. Build a 4R70W.

https://www.bcawebstore.com

 

you need to stop


I’m not sure what you’ve researched but you failed all learning and yes you’re all over the place - but I’ll try to help ya

option one: trick flow top end really? that’s a lot of money to obtain minimal gains when a supercharger or turbo is cheaper and has better gains. not to mention the common issues causing trick flow failures

option two: PI 5.4 swap - I already addressed the trick flow - wiring is a direct plug n play as addressed in the 4.6 to 5.4 swap “how to” repeatedly


option three - will require a complete truck rewire or stand alone transmission controls plus drive shaft stuff etc



option four - your ecm won’t control the imrc but there are ways around that and the ‘97-‘03 F150 shaker hoods are really hard to find


option five - good luck








if it were mine, a “Lightning swapped” or procharged PI 5.4 would be the route to take (check out my green truck albums), the truck has been supercharged most of its life still on the stock motor and transmission

 

Thanks stoffer

i do get into my head a lot with stuff so I really appreciate the perspectives.