So...I'd like to buy one of the complete kits off of Ebay but they are all 1999 and up kits. Will these bolt to non PI heads or do I need to try to find a 97/98 kit somewhere?(my motor has 78K on it and swapping for PI heads is not what I want to do.)

I obviously have the 5.4 already and my truck has the 4R100 tranny with Factorytechs throttle body already in it.

I assume it is better to go with the Harley level of boost vise the lightning?

How bout exhaust manifolds? I have true 2&1/2" duals with Flowmasters now but stock exhaust manifolds.

Thanks a ton,
Mike

 

For starters, the Lightning came out in the 99 so you wont find an "earlier" kit. However, the PI heads were not introduced on them till the 2000 model year, possibly even 2001, if memory serves me correct. So yes, a 99 kit should be OK on your truck. Now a bit of bad news. The intercooler on the 99's had a design problem and were prone to leak. Ford had a recall on these and updated them to a newer model. Just something to look out for.

 

Nope, PI heads came out in 1999, I don't believe that the L-blower assembly will work on Non-pi heads. But if doing the L-blower you couls upgrade heads at the same time, I am sure you could find a set of used pi heads pretty cheap.

 

Yeah, what Jersey said!

YES you can use it.

A 99-04 Lightning and 02-04 Harley supercharger assembly are the same thing. Only difference is that some of the Harley assemblys are painted black and they have a pulley that produces less boost than the lightning version. However, you can change the pulleys.

Both will bolt down correctly on your 98 NON-PI heads and work correctly.

As we all know, the F150 and Lightning 5.4 got PI heads starting in 99'.
The F150 4.6 got PI heads starting in 2001.

The difference between PI and NON-PI heads is the way the intake ports are shaped.

Another kit, the Magnacharger/allen intercooled roots kit, uses a different intake manifold than stock. THEY USE THE SAME MANIFOLD FOR BOTH PI AND NON PI HEADS. I asked them about using the same manifold for both PI and NON PI heads. THEY SAID IT DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

True it might not be "optimal", but the lightning assembly manifold will bolt up, and "close off" over your NON-PI heads and work just fine.

NOTE: 99-2000 lightning assemblys had a potental leaky 9 row intercooler. It was fixed by Ford for the owner by replacing the 9 row with a 10 row, therefore, if you find a deal for a 99-2000 assembly, ask for verification of the intercooler replacement from Ford. If you need to replace the intercooler, you can find the kit for $200 or so, on nloc.net or get one from a Ford dealer for over $800. 2001-2004 versions do not have this problem.

 

Thanks for the info.

Seems people have different opinions about if it will work or not. Does anyone know a person who has put a L or Harley setup on a 97/98 5.4?

 

get intouch with Mike Dunn At Madenterprise.com he'll know!