Project 5.4L! (long)

[Mustang92]

Well it’s time for a change for me. A week ago I came across a 2000 F150 5.4L short block for $500 with very low mileage. I couldn’t pass up the deal so the block will be in my garage tomorrow morning (picking it up first thing). Way I saw it I had two directions I could go with, one being a NA 2V 5.4L or drop a lightning blower on it. I looked into both and decided on going with the lightning motor conversion.

The deciding factor was fabricating the intake. I have a friend that is good with welding but taking on a custom intake would be a lot of favors and knowing that a lot of work goes into making the correct length runners, designing, etc… I want to stay away from that.

So with that here is my plan (in progress):
·5.4L block and crank, toss the stock rods and pistons.
·Manley H beam rods, JE pistons with (8.5:1 compression).
·Assemble short block with new bearings, oil pump, etc…
·Port and polish a set of PI heads, lightning cams or a custom grind based on the lightning cams, new springs and retainers.
·Port match the lower lightning intake to the heads.
·Assemble long block with lightning upper/lower intake, blower.

Hood clearance will be an issue but to be honest I’m not concerned about it, my hood has 6.75” of clearance from the top of the 2V intake to the top of the hood and 13” of clearance from the valve covers to the top of the hood. I may end up making a set of drop motor mounts and possibly shim the K-member down ½” or so. Obviously I’ll need to convert to an 8 rib belt set up as well as change out the accessories, Pro-M, throttle body and a few hundred brackets. I plan on going to a TKO during the 2002 race season so hopefully that will handle the power, maybe not but I’ll try it anyway… I’ll go with a tubular K-member and coil overs shortly as well and will change springs based on weight, rear suspension and rear end are ready (save a spool or C-locker) for high power. Gears will have to change along with a 28” tall tire to help with traction.

I may drop the AC from the car during this project since the car will no longer be my daily driver just to race and fair weather days. Cooling system will definitely be upgraded. Tuning will be have to be done, not sure who yet but if UPR is up to the task then I’ll take it there. This will be a very involved project but with less than $1800 into it I have the blower, upper and lower intake, intercooler, Manley rods, block and crank. Since I plan on attending more races this year I will simply be putting this together during most of 2002 and I don’t foresee installing it till November or so of 2002. I plan on starting with the stock blower pulley and a very conservative tune at first to work out the suspension and driveline. After that though I will have plenty of room to grow and a solid motor to go with it.

As a contingency plan if the blower route doesn’t work out I’ll have no problem selling the complete long block to recoupe my money. Or sell the lightning parts and buy new pistons and either fabricate a 2V intake or maybe by then Ford may have something available in another car.

Oh and one last thing, 4V is not an option for me at this point. I like the 2V motors and would like to stick to that since I have a GT however if things down work out in the future it could be a possibility.

Bill