Where should I start

[wolfman1]

I have an 04 Lightning which is completely stock and need help on where to start with performance mods. How far can I go with mods before I need a custom tune ? I have no plans to build the bottom end of motor at this time.also this is my daily driver. Whats the most bang for my buck?

[shelbyx1]

cat back exhaust,cold air intake and a programmer like the gryphon that can be custom tuned as you do mods.:)

[MJG]

Well, first off, welcome.

I own a Modified 2001 Lightning and I will tell you this, once you start Modding, it doesnt stop.
Check out my thread '2 MODS of a large list'

I have had my head wrapped around these things for a good couple years now and have done much of the work myself.

The programmer you will want is the SCT xCal 3.
You will want a Catback to make some sound, an Intake, NGK TR6 Plugs and a 4# pulley for daily driver. 6# you will need a MAF extender etc. I would also recommend a FTVB (tranny valve body) to make it shift smooth and chirp the tires.

Regular maintenance is VERY IMPORTANT for these trucks. Consider it a sports car rather than a farm truck.

Fuel filter should be changed every other oil change, don't let your gas tank go below 1/4-1/2. You don't want to starve it of fuel, or go BOOM.
Our rods are the weak link.

Before SLAMMING down on the gas, be sure to turn O/D OFF. Tranny kickdowns can be disasterous.

I will be taking my 4# pulley off if you are interested, I've only had it on for 7,000 kms or so. I will include the belt too.

I live in East End GTA, if you are willing to meet one day, I can show you some stuff if you'd like.

You can run a 'canned' SCT tune with a 4 # pulley and not necessarily need a custom dyno tune yet. You can also Datalog live with a good tuner via email to dial in the tune.

I am headed down in May to get my ported blower, 6 # lower all dyno tuned.
Should be around 440/510 by that point.

Feel free to ask any questions, I live and breath this damn truck.

PS this is my sweetheart;)
http://www.fordtough.ca/forums/picture.php?albumid=147&pictureid=1110
http://www.fordtough.ca/forums/picture.php?albumid=147&pictureid=1102
http://www.fordtough.ca/forums/picture.php?albumid=147&pictureid=1141

[MJG]

Oh PS, i am headed down to my tuner in Maryland for a reason. I would not let anyone around here touch my truck, unfortunately we have no decent tuners for these trucks here in Canada, and I didn't want to be the guinea pig who ended up putting a window through my block.

[MJG]

Oh PSx2 lol.
Another important aspect, especially if you install a pulley, is to monitor your Air/Fuel ratio.
These are 02 sensors installed close to the factory ones on the exhaust, below the manifolds etc.
Most just install for 1 out of 2 banks to monitor, but I bought a dual (both banks) wideband monitor. The unit is not as pretty, but is darn accurate.

Under normal driving conditions, you're A/F readings should be around 14-15ish, under WOT (wideopen throttle) you should be in the 11.5-11.8 range.
Numbers that dip out of this range are BAD, could run lean, then again, BOOM!

Hence, why this guage is important.

I spend more time watching all my guages than the road LOL.

And i'm installing another one soon.

[MJG]

PSx3
Since you are a new owner, check everything.
IC pump is prone to fail, is this happens, the IC fluid will not flow and you could overheat, more heat can lead to chance of detonation (boom).
IC pump is working if it looks like Rapids flowing.

Change your fuel filter right away, Oil, tranny fluid, rear diff etc.

[HD Chrome]

I don't really know what to add after MJG's posts...LOL! Definetly some good tips in there for you.

[wolfman1]

Thank you for the quick replys, my first thoughts were for the cat back and air intake,I'm nervous about the pulley change and programmer but I would be interested in MJD's 4# pulley and belt . I just bought this truck in November and my thoughts were I would leave it stock .It seemed quick enough at the time but after driving it a while and reading what they're capable of for a relative low cost I need more power. My mechanical experience is with cars of the 50's and 60's so the tuner part scares me a little, you hear all the horror stories of tunes gone bad.

Also , MJD your truck looks great I've been watching your progress the last couple of months and thank you for the posts of your progress ,your posts helped me decide it's time to start mods.

[MJG]

Your welcome.

If you are nervous about blowing up, you can buy a J&S safeguard, it attaches to your coil packs to a unit/guage on the interior, the guage Lights up like an Xmas tree if knock/detonation is detected at all.

I will be installing this very soon too.

You're best bet would be to buy and Xcal3, CAI, NGK TR6 plugs with a pulley.

4# is the 'safer' pulley choice, creates less heat and is ideal for DD use.

SCT website has uploaded versions for the tune, which will be fine for a 4# pulley, they are just a little rich, playing it safe.

I will have my 4# off when I return from my trip to my Tuner near the end of May. It's a JDM Billet one piece, I paid $320 US + Shipping, but I will sell it much cheaper.

Let me know:icon_cool:

[wolfman1]

P.S. I just changed the oil (synthetic) but ,what intervals should I change it on regularly ? the same question in regards to tranny fluid and rearend. The truck has 70,000 km on it now

[MJG]

If it has 70k on it, change it all now. Better to refresh everything right off the bat.

I change my oil every 4,000 or so KMS.

I do not use 5w20, i use 5w30. The 5.4 Modular motor was originally designed for 5w30. I actually notice I go through more oil (as forced induction motors usually do) using 5w20.

Fuel filter swapped out every 2 changes.

How much are you looking to spend to begin with on Mods?

[MJG]

I would definately suggest buying a FTVB with 4x4 tranny pan.

It's a simple install and makes life alot easier afterward. The stock tranny pan has no drain plug and is a pain to change tranny fluid.

So, might as well pop in the 4x4 pan(holds more fluid and has a drian plug), new filter, FTVB 2C all at the same time.
You will LOVE the FTVB, no tuning required, just plug and play. Our trucks are sluggish on shifts stock and this things firms'em right up, and chirps through a couple gears.

You can order all those parts through Tim@chickenears, he offers the package for about 320 US + shipping.

Chickenears.com

I have the polished aluminum door sills, they're sweet.

[wolfman1]

I used the 5w20 synthetic last week but will take your advice and go with w30 next oil change .

I was thinking of spending a couple of grand on mods this year and I like the idea of firmer shifts, so I will probable take your advice again and change the valve body and pan.

What type of horsepower gains am I looking at with cat back, intake , programmer and valve body any idea without a dyno test?

[MJG]

Well, stock you have about 350/420 or so, depending on the dyno and temps etc.

With just an intake, catback, and tune, you may be able to squeeze 20 out of it.

But trust me, you will want to go pulley, It wakes the truck up BIG TIME and will put smiles on your face.

The turnover rate on parts for these is high (take me for example) I'm always upgrading so the parts i paid too much for new, you can pick up cheaper. I wish I knew more L guys when I started.

All in all, from experience and speaking with many other owners. Get a 4#, intake, plugs, catback, tuner and FTVB.

If you buy all of those new, shipped to your door through the USA, you will be close and possibly over 2 grand with duty charges included.

Tuner is around 400.00, depending on Catback, 600-800, FTVB/pan 450, plugs 20, intake 150-500 depending on which you choose.

Also, pull the blower off and clean her out, install an oil seperator, mine works flawlessly and cost 175 US.
These trucks suck oil into the intake, I bet you will find a nasty suprise when you pull her off.
Look at mine, it only has 23,000 kms and it has some oil.

[LayinHp]

these trucks love air... invest in a good set of longtube headers aswell as a coldair setup. shorty headers are a waste of $$ on these motors Kooks makes a good header but are pricey $$$

[MJG]

Agreed, shorty's are a waste.

But disagree on the longtube or headers period.

For a stock bottom end and the MODS the OP is trying to accomplish, the Lightnings stock exhaust, including manifolds are more than enough. General rule is once HP starts edging close to 500,then swap to longtubes. But they sure are sweet.

Headers would be a big $$$ for pretty much a sound difference.

If anything, remove the stock cats for hi-flows, I have my hi flows waiting to be welded in.

Grab a Bassani Catback, you will be more than happy, I have a Magnaflow myself, sounds great, but the Bassani kicks butt.

[wolfman1]

The information you guys have given me is great. I am going to start ordering parts soon. Starting with the cold air intake, bassani exhaust,FTVB and pan, oil seperator and probably the 4# pulley

Has anyone dealt with Sean Hyland in Woodstock ?

Thanks again

[MJG]

I've heard of him, can't really say much more than that.

You can get dyno tuned, but don't forget, with the Handheld tuner, you can upload a pre-programmed tune for a 4# pulley, you just input the other mods you have and it will give you a tune.

The tune is rich so it is pretty safe, the difference between that and a dyno tune is the dyno tuner may put you closer to the edge to get more ponies out of her.

You can also Datalog and do an Email tune through a Reputable lightning tuner. I did this before and the tune was Spot on.

The tuner gives you a starter tune, you datalog, he adjusts, about 3 times or so, and boom, there you go.
Those are about 180 US, still cheaper than a dyno tune and this is the route I'd recommend.

[LayinHp]

The information you guys have given me is great. I am going to start ordering parts soon. Starting with the cold air intake, bassani exhaust,FTVB and pan, oil seperator and probably the 4# pulley

Has anyone dealt with Sean Hyland in Woodstock ?

Thanks again


yes been to his showroom wasnt impressed got the run around from some kid from the upstairs office didnt know much about the engine he was trying to sell me (this was probly 3/4yrs ago) showroom was nothing more then storage for old cars at the time may be different now. He's good from what i hear but awfull expensive $$$

[shelbyx1]

sean hylands is now an authorized Shelby mod shop,and can do most any mods you would want.

[wolfman1]

I'm only about a half an hour away from his shop so I think I will check the place out and at least get a price on the parts I want. His web site says he's a dealer for most of the parts.
I wish there was dealers that stocked this stuff in Canada

Thanks for your input

[MJG]

It is your truck my friend.
Take it where ever you'd like. I am just forewarning you as an experiencedLightning owner, the rods can let go in these motors very easily if handled by someone who doesn't understand how they like to be treated.
It may not even be the tune, minor things like the IC pump failing could cause detenation during a tune, but most do not know the quirks of these trucks which can be trouble, hence why I would suggest going to someone or datalogging via email who has been working and learned the hard way over the years. My .02$

[wolfman1]

I have no intentions of having Hyland touch my truck at this point , just trying to find a local dealer for all parts I want to buy for my truck at a reasonable price. I appreciate all the advice I have gotten from everyone here and will be making my mods very carefully the last thing I want is a hole in the side of my block

[MJG]

Well as I mentioned before, If you can wait a month or two,I will sell you my 4# and belt, you won't find it cheaper anywhere else new.
Make your first MODS the ones you don't needto tune for, like FTVB, removal of the blower and clean, install oil sep and so on.

[MJG]

I'm thinking of selling my 20" rims too
http://www.fordtough.ca/forums/picture.php?albumid=147&pictureid=1116
http://www.f150online.com/forums/members/mjg-albums-truck-picture7654-rear.jpg

[wolfman1]

Definitly interested in 4# pulley, going to add the cai ,ftvb and bassani soon but, I can wait for the pulley,let me know when you're ready to sell it.

How big of a job is it to pull the blower and clean?

[MJG]

Well depends on how handy you are, some a couple hours, somee 6 hours. Just make sure you remember and note where are the vac hoses etc go. You can re-use the gaskets and bolts if you are careful and don't bend them.
Use some brake kleen or something similar to clean it all out.

[wolfman1]

Ordered the cold air intake today, waiting for pricing on the Bassani exhaust so I can get it ordered (if the price isn't insane in Canadian dollars ).

[MJG]

Yea the bassani is expensive, if too much, grab the Magnaflow, it is available here without shipping, I am happy with mine.