Ford Lightning clone 4.6 to 5.4 swap

Im building a lightning clone. Stage 1 I swapped a naturally asperated 5.4 in place of a N/A 4.6, and added new 20" lightning replica wheels

[@jedwachter]

Take ur seat to Ragz in Onalaska. You’re an inspiration and the sole reason I wake up every day

[@KaputyINC]

I can tell that I am, because of the way I am

[@lilb5408]

@@KaputyINC quit being so cocky there youre fans if anything we keep you going

[@KaputyINC]

@@lilb5408 you're not wrong playa.

[@3500camarz]

Seems like every Lightning clone I've seen leaves out the most obvious Lightning parts which are the ground effects and the supercharger.

[@KaputyINC]

I plan on adding the ground effects over the winter, I need to do a little work on the rockers so I plan on doing it all at once. I'll eventually add a blower.

[@InnovativePoolsLLC]

The triton 5.4L 2v can take one hell of a beating I have an 04 f250 with 172k and she’s still solid for her age… looking to see more on the build and some highway rips

[@KaputyINC]

I agree, they are pretty tough units. From my understanding they use the exact same engine for N/A and supercharged, so im looking forward to putting some boost to it. Your not the first person to say I need to make some driving videos, so I better get on it.

[@InnovativePoolsLLC]

@@KaputyINC yeah their pretty low compression I was thinking of grabbing a blower from one of the old interceptors theirs a ton of them around and they don’t really go bad from what I heard .. hardest thing is finding headers.. Like to see the headers you used if they fit in that they should def fit in the 250 more clearance I would think

[@KaputyINC]

@@InnovativePoolsLLC They were around $700 but they fit great and if it stops it from having a leaky manifold, their worth every penny.

[@InnovativePoolsLLC]

@@KaputyINC what brand headers did u say JEGS

[@KaputyINC]

@@InnovativePoolsLLC PaceSetter Performance 70-2226 - PaceSetter Long Tube Headers. I thought they were more expensive, apparently they were only $350

[@randymccormack4259]

What research i have done on your 4.6 to a 5.4 its doable.Power steering you will need 5.4 bolts.Wiring is the same but you may have to extend a few wires length.The van should start and run but would need to be tuned.But if you could get anther 5.4 pcm and get it tuned in it would work better.Thats what i know all the best of luck.

[@KaputyINC]

In theory if you get the 5.4 PCM it shouldn't need a tune, but with a tune you could have performance or fuel economy optimized. I don't believe I had to extend any wires. Good luck with your project

[@juandartyy]

About to do that to my truck I appreciate the info

[@KaputyINC]

Glad I can help

[@isaicuevas5829]

Truck looks awesome. By chance, where did you get the truck bed cover?

[@KaputyINC]

@@isaicuevas5829 thanks, it came with the truck and I don't see any brand name on it.

[@MAMAR-ov8in]

Hey can u rigth a list on commentets of all the thing that i need i have 4.6 and i want tk upgrate 5.4

[@KaputyINC]

www.f150online.com/forums/articles-how-s/355403-4-6-5-4-swap-notes.html

[@randymccormack4259]

FYI I hope you looked for nails and screws on your shop floor Chrome.

[@KaputyINC]

I don't get the reference

[@sategllib2191]

Thinking of building a lightning clone but with a 6.8 v10

[@KaputyINC]

I think motor length may become an issue, but if you get it to work, that could be sweet. i have 3 work tucks with the v10, I like them but dk how much of a performance engine they are.

[@brianmcgee8493]

gotta drop it man. I did a 4/2 belltech kit drop on my 02' 5.4 liter reg cab flareside. def looks better.

[@KaputyINC]

I agree

[@KaputyINC]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/emnMmKegepxqjsk

[@andred8914]

I have a 2002 f150 rwd 4.6l that I'm thinking about swapping over to the 5.4. I just wanted to know is it a direct swap? Do I have to change or reprogram my PCM? Will the swap interfere with the pats system on my truck? Do I have to swap the GEM? Do I have to swap the flex plates and torque converters? Will I have to swap out the entire exhaust system (I have 5.4 shorty headers already)? Can I use the same coil packs out of my 4.6 on the 5.4?

[@KaputyINC]

Did you watch the video? Direct swap, 4.6 computer and wiring, no pat's issues, stock 4.6 gem, 5.4 flex, 5.4 torque converter, 5.4 is wider so exhaust Needs to be modified, pretty sure 4.6 to v10 have the same coil packs.

[@andred8914]

@@KaputyINC thank you. Just wanted to make sure because I've been reading different forums that say that I have to change this or that or else it won't start.

[@Mr.ZachBach]

Do you know if the 5.4 would be a direct swap into the 4.2 v6? Of course I need to do exhaust, wiring, mounts but as far as subframe and motor mount locations the same on the body itself?

[@KaputyINC]

I think the frame is the same, that's usually pretty standard.

[@gamingwithbre]

Lmfao 😂 when you almost fell

[@KaputyINC]

Lucky catch, this much mass could do some serious damage.

[@19jody72]

May I ask about the wiring? Subbed! I have a 97 , 4.6 5 speed. Doing a lighting 5.4 conversion and keeping it manual. From what I've read use my original harness, lengthen my coolant temp wires and just have the computer refreshed with a lighting tune..

[@KaputyINC]

I'm not sure about using the super charged motor with the n/a harness. If you have done your research and it's been done/works that would be sweet. I used my stock 4.6 auto harness on my 5.4 auto swap, didn't have to lengthen any wires but I don't have a big blower on top either. When I have looked at lightning 5.4 motors in the past, they typically are advertised with the lightning wiring harness, but that's not to say it's not the same. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[@19jody72]

@@KaputyINC It's all good man...appreciate the reply. Truck looks great! Thats exactly what I'm doing but keeping my manual and with the supercharger can't afford one...so I'll build one. I'll still be cheaper even with the t56. Already got the full lighting suspension..just time

[@KaputyINC]

@@19jody72 When I saw the beat up ones going for 12-15k I figured I could build one for that. From the research i found the lightning long block is the same as the standard truck long block, slap on an aftermarket blower, and your still under 10k. So far im impressed with the Belltech suspension kit, im ordering their sway bar set up in the near future.

[@19jody72]

@@KaputyINC forgot to ask, did you retune the computer for the bigger engine?

[@KaputyINC]

@@19jody72 i haven't yet but I intend to. It runs good, idles fine, accelerates, but I think the tune could be cleaned up since I feel a dip at full throttle around 70 when im hammering on it.

[@Imploziblr9]

I’m doing a 5.4 swap on my 97 4.6 f150 and the only thing I’m having trouble with is the knock sensor the 4.6 sensor connects but the whole is to small to bolt in but the 5.4 sensor doesn’t connect but bolts in any ideas on what I should do?

[@KaputyINC]

Can you splice the pigtail off the 4.6 knock sensor onto the 5.4 knock sensor?

[@Imploziblr9]

@@KaputyINC I would but the 4.6 sensor has 2 wires but the 5.4 has 3 would it be difficult to splice them or should I rethread the hole for the 4.6 sensor to bolt in

[@KaputyINC]

@@Imploziblr9 copied from a forum- The 97-98 99 4.6 uses a 2 wire knock sensor. The 97-98 5.4 has 3 wires of which one is a ground for the shield. Both have a Yellow /red wire to pin 57 on PCM. 1997-98-99-2000-01 Yellow/red to 57 on PCM 4.6 Same for 5.4. 97-98 Pin 91 feeds power for 4.6 and other components. Same for 5.4

[@KaputyINC]

www.f150online.com/forums/articles-how-s/355403-4-6-5-4-swap-notes.html

[@scarfacejan3]

I have a V8 Can I do a swap to a 4 cylinder? These gas prices are killing me

[@KaputyINC]

Thats no joke, might be easier to install a sail. Wind power, go green playboy.

[@shortbedgameskreshfulloffi1826]

Could I do this on a v6 5 speed and put a 5.4 in there and if so what would I need?

[@KaputyINC]

I think you have to have a V8 5 speed ECM and harness to do that, I'm not sure though.

[@andrewfitzpatrick2223]

Did you have to get your PCM tuned and could I use a programmer with tunes on it to compensate for the 5-4

[@KaputyINC]

I do not have it tuned. It fired right up, idles just fine, the only thing is there's a dip at full throttle in the mid-range. I plan on getting it tuned just haven't got around to it yet. I used the 4.6 computer and harness. As far as a programmer I think the most important thing is that it's tuned to your specific ECM I believe, I could be wrong on that though.

[@andrewfitzpatrick2223]

@@KaputyINC thanks for your response I've been trying to get answers wasn't having much luck

[@KaputyINC]

@@andrewfitzpatrick2223 www.f150online.com/forums/articles-how-s/355403-4-6-5-4-swap-notes.html this is what I used as a guide, and it was very helpful

[@andrewfitzpatrick2223]

Did you run cats on your exhaust?

[@KaputyINC]

@@andrewfitzpatrick2223 i do NOt remember

[@njmxjunkie3128]

Currently wanting to put my 4.6 from my 2006 f150 in this new 2008 f150 lariat 5.4 truck that has a bad motor. My motor runs great. Would everything be the same just backwards?

[@KaputyINC]

Im not sure, I think those are 3 value motors and don't have any experience. I know the 2 valve would be the same in reverse.

[@njmxjunkie3128]

@@KaputyINC How can I tell if my 4.6 is the 2 valve or 3 valve?

[@KaputyINC]

@@njmxjunkie3128 2 Valve stopped in 04 I believe.

[@njmxjunkie3128]

@@KaputyINC I thought that too but apparently they used it in work model vehicles till a lot later. Mostly vans but some f150s also.

[@KaputyINC]

@@njmxjunkie3128 good to know, I honestly have no idea on specifics.

[@marcusjones466]

Was the swap a straight bolt on? Since it’s v8 to v8?

[@KaputyINC]

yes, no fabrication required other than my exhaust, but I have long tube headers so its to be expected. Its best to get a complete 5.4 so you have all the intake parts and fuel rails. These trucks came with 5.4s and 4r70w in 4x4 form or lightnings so there's factory parts for most issues. I used the the trucks factory 4.6 harness and it plugged right in. The only mix in match was with pulleys and tensioners due to 6 and 8 rib variations.

[@marcusjones466]

@@KaputyINC sweet thank you! About to start working on a lightning clone my self

[@KaputyINC]

@@marcusjones466 Nice, i spent many late nights doing research and reading forums and when it comes down to it, its pretty much a straight swap. Bolt the intake runner valve thing out of the way, replace the oil filter adapter gasket, rear main seal, remove the intake manifold, and put the starter in after you install the motor if your installing the motor and trans at the same time. other than that its cream cheese.

[@KaputyINC]

And check the dipstick tube

[@thaddthomas9305]

did you change the torque convertor? ive heard yes you have to but the tranny shops ive called said they were the same

[@KaputyINC]

I did change the torque converter, there almost the same. There's like a 200 RPM difference, and it supposedly is relevant. The 4.6 torque converter would be better for performance I believe. But it puts the transmission at/or above it's limit via torque multiplication.

[@thaddthomas9305]

@@KaputyINC im getting ready to 5.4 swap my 03 supercrew and that was the last piece of the puzzle for me thank you very much love the truck btw

[@KaputyINC]

@@thaddthomas9305 thanks, glad I can help