I'm just curious if the OEM supercharger that comes on the late model Lightnings can be installed on a 97 5.4L motor like the one in my Expedition.

I'm thinking that since some of the Lightning folks upgrade thier superchargers buying a used Lightning supercharger might be a cost effective way to up the HP.

Comments?

 

Lets see, where to start?

The answer to your question in the most simple terms is YES it will fit. The blocks are the same physical dimension. The problem is making it work once it is on there. It definately can be done if you have the time but you will need the L wiring harness, the L computer, the fuel pump, entire top end except the heads, to include the injectors etc, and finially, a new alternator because your old one will not allow you to bolt the SC on the motor, the L one is shorter.

 

I'm not sure what the wiring harness and computer have to do with it. The Lightning supercharger is just an Eaton 112. In fact, if you upgrade to a Lightning computer, then you also need to swap out the transmission for a 4R100 and add all of the additional sensors that the Lightning engine has.

The problem is you need to mate the supercharger to your heads. That requires the right intake manifold. Anyone upgrading their Lightning supercharger is going to be keeping their intake manifold. Also, if your Expedition has 4 valve heads, it most likely would not line up anyway.

There is also the issue of the intercooler. Anyone upgrading their lightning is going to be keeping their intercooler. Since the Eaton is a roots type supercharger, it generates a lot of heat. Without an intercooler to get the intake charge temps down, you will have serious issues with detonation.

Your existing fuel pump and injectors are sufficient up to about 305 HP. Beyond that you will need a larger fuel pump and injectors. The Lightning actually uses dual fuel pumps and a seperate circuit to increase fuel delivery under boost.

Another thing to consider is the transmission upgrade that you will require if you go with a Lightning supercharger. The engine will develop more torque than your 4R70 can handle. You will likely need to upgrade it to a performance transmission from someone like Gregg Evans or Level 10.

-Don

 

Are you still serious about this? I have a 2003 f150 and have purchased a complete supercharger assembly. Complete means from the intercooler in the intake up to and including the throttle body. I have also purchased seperately a heat exchanger, cage/pulley, computer, tensioner and idler pulleys. Need pump, reseviour and upper idler bracket. Has anyone else out there down this swap before??

Ken C.

 

Do you have a 4R100 transmission to go with that computer? Or will you be adding one? What do you plan on doing about the extra sensors that the Lightning computer uses?

I'm curious if anyone has done this upgrade and what their experiences have been.

-Don

 

I was told by JDM that Lightning PCM would work with 4RW70 trans. If this is true I will use since truck will not be raced and I will keep boost at 8psi. As far as sensors go, what new sensors are there? I purchased complete supercharger assembly to include wiring harness that connects to what looks like standard factory junction box. This getting to sound too hard. Somebody surely has already done this before. If anyone known please post.

 

Why would the PCM need to be swapped? Its just an OBDII computer, right? I would think that all would be required is custom tuning to get the fuel and timing right. We're talking about a standard pulley driven roots blower. What are the extra sensors that would be required? As sirket mentioned, the SC is just a standard Eaton model. My biggest concern is whether the heads were the same, or similar enough, that the intake ports would match the intake manifold runners that go with the SC.

And a new transmission? Why would that be required? I admit that I'm a newbie in the Ford world, but I've been racing GM cars for years. In a late model GM you can swap back and forth between automatic and manual transmissions, and use any number of compatible transmission models, without buying a new PCM. OBDII computers just need to be reflashed to make it work, and in some cases the wiring harness may need to be swapped to accomodate the difference in sensors that the PCM uses to talk to the trans.

If I went through with this, I was already anticipating upgrading the fuel pump, injectors, etc. That's all standard stuff when adding any kind of forced induction or poweradder to a motor that was designed to be N/A. It's not too hard to figure out that if you add more air, you need more fuel.

Is there anyone out there who has actually attempted this swap that could attest to what issues specifically will need to be addressed to make it work, based on experience?

My goals for my Expedition is just to add a good deal of power to increase the pickup without compromising drivability. I figured buying a used lightning supercharger would be quite a bit cheaper than buying a new kit. I'm not interested in racing it. I've got a modded Z06 Corvette for that.

 

I concur! I to only want a fee more oats, not a 10 or 12 sec drag racer. I went with the Lightning PCM to not have to have a custom program. Stock is OK for me. Transmission is a function of how hard you plan on driving. I would think that as long you keep boost and driving style reasonable, the transmission should be OK. I know that the 4R100 is better, but how much is enough for us guys that just want entry level Lightning performance. Also, I hope that someone out there who has done this will speak out.

Thanks!
Ken C.

 

I would triple check this. The 4R70 and the 4R100 uses completely different software and wiring to control the transmission and from what I have read they are not at all compatible.

There are additional sensors and controls to kick up fuel delivery under boost and to determine intercooler temperatures and intake charge temperatures. I do not know what it would take to make it work without those additional sensors.

If you were going to drive reasonable, you would not be putting a supercharger in

Seriously though, part of the problem is that the roots-type superchargers generate so much low-end torque that they can break stuff without trying very hard.

At the very least, put a good valve body into your transmission to increase shift firmness, and a good transmission cooler on to keep temperatures down.

-Don

 

There is at least one person here who has done the swap. You would have to search the "can I usea lightning supercharger on my......" threads to see what he had to say. He might see this soon too.

I believe this guy was a tech, or something like that. If I remember correctly he said it was a PITA, even for some one with easy access to parts.

In all the disscussions I have seen on this topic, I think the general consenses is it is cheaper and easier to use an aftermarket kit.

When did they make an Expy with the 32V 5.4?

 

They didn't to my knowledge. The Navigator was the only one to use 4 valve heads and I posted this as a heads-up in case someone had a Navigator engine or Navigator heads installed.

I suppose it wasn't really relevant; just something to think about.

-Don

 

Sooo, which is it Don? Don't you think those extra sensors DO something? In order to make them work wouldn't you need the harness and the CPU? I do have a 4R100 tranny, my question would be if my transfer case would take it.

 

OK, I have done it but I did it the "right" way. Swapped the engine, trans, PCM, wiring harnesses, and added all of the necessary accessories to essentially make mine a Supercab Lightning, with some fairly healthy mods to boot.

It certainly can be done the other way. Just install the manifold and supercharger, 90mm MAF,new alternator, IC heat exchanger and pump, high output fuel pump, etc, etc, etc.

Then you would have to strip off the SC wiring harness, assuming it came with one and utilize the "stock" wiring harness. You will lose the secondary IAT, the MAP sensor and the boost bypass. However, aftermarket kits don't have these items either.

Then you will have to install a custom chip to get it to fire up, then take it to a Dyno and have it properly tuned.

The OE 4R70W trans should be good for a few thousand miles and then go for an all out build and it should live.

Certainly a workable project, albeit, more expensive than most of the aftermarket kits unless you run across some incredible deals on the parts.

 

Coupling the OE Lightning lower pulley to the standard F-150 damper could be done using a custom made threaded drive adapter but I think it would be simpler to buy a 2 lb lower, make a simple ring to reduce the ID appropriately and bolt it directly to the damper.

 

Lucky you

As for the transfer case, I have no idea. I doubt you would have problems, but consulting someone who works on them would be best.

The point was, if you put in an L computer (which you do not need to add the L Supercharger) then you will either need those sensors or find a way to bypass them. The L computer will not react properly without those inputs.

(To the original poster: I just saw you have an Expedition so you also have a 4R100 and therefore would not need as extensive a set of modifications as someone running a 4R70 to to let it handle the power.)

-Don