Introduction/build questions

[Burntoutaccountant]

So I’m buying a 94 lightning from a customer of my shop. It’s a real lightning but super beat up. The truck was stolen before he inherited it. The customer put a new column in the truck. It is in really rough shape and needs a full restoration.View attachment IMG_0978.jpeg

This kind of project isn’t new t me. I’m LS swapping my 96 bronco that has f350 axles under it. It’s already been repainted. Should make around 500hp and has a 4l80/np261hd View attachment IMG_1183.jpeg

My questions are more build oriented. I’m pretty familiar with the platform due to the bronco and the prior 351w that was in it.

- transmissions - originally I was going to do a 6r80 as it’s been done on fullsizebronco. So just do it as a 2wd variant. I’m leaning towards doing a t56. I would just need a custom crossmember, f series pedal, some kind of flywheel and cutch, lines, and master/slave. Then a new driveshaft. Seems like a fairly easy swap but could use some tips. I couldn’t find a premade crossmember so please correct me if I’m wrong.

- engine - I want to keep it a Windsor or Godzilla. Probably Windsor for simplicity. My goal is 500hp. What is the best way to achieve this? I have a new in box, trick flow box r available to me for $1500. Reasonable but not a steal. Who do you guys like for camshafts? With it being a 94, I’m not sure if it’s a roller f4te block.

- what will the 8.8 handle? Do they make a wave trac for the rear diff? I know they’re fairly strong

- Brakes - little shop manufacturing big brake kits with willwood brakes.

- wheels - I can’t find any options I like besides weld wheels. I don’t want gen 2 wheels. What other options look good? I can’t find a lot of pictures.

- what suspension would you run? I’d like to switch to a coil over setup using crown Vic or mustang 2 style front end with control arms thus deleting the twin I beams. Looks like I found a 4 like for the rear from fat fender garage. Allegedly they’re making something for the front but it’s not ready yet. They wouldn’t give me details because it’s in prototype phase.

- Headers - looks like with stans in Washington out of business, the only option are kooks which I’m fine with. I’d be happy to run their setup but I’d prefer 1 7/8” but I can’t find them anywhere.

- Interior - I’m going to have the seats reupholstered using Camaro fabric since I can’t find oem anywhere. Close enough or some high end tweed. Leather doors and dash. New carpet. Etc. I do not have the 40/20/40 seat so I’m looking at having a custom center console made.

- body - fixing all paint and bodywork with a xlt badge delete. I want a clean fender but I’m particular. I’ll be buying a number of parts from lmr. I haven’t decided on lights yet but I’ll see how the Tony romo headlights hold up on the bronco.
View attachment IMG_1186.jpeg


Any tips or input is appreciated.

 

[Burntoutaccountant]

Pictures uploaded funny.

Also…any reproductions of the rear bumper available? This one is damaged. All I could find are roll pans but I’d prefer a proper bumper.

- fuel tank delete? Do anyone run a custom tank? I’ve seen it on YouTube with high power builds. I’ll likely just run a walbro 255 like in the bronco.

 

[Burntoutaccountant]

Lastly are any of you guys running a terminator or pro m efi? Or is anyone running the new Dakota digital gauge cluster?

 

[FMOS Racing]

Dang, sooooo many questions.

If you search here, you'll find a lot about the manual tranny swaps, and EFI. We're pretty much split between the Stinger PimpXS and Holley. You won't need the transmission control, so that opens up a ton of options.

There's also a lot of information regarding what you're wanting to do in terms of brakes, suspension, etc if you read the build thread from @Briansshop

Really, except for the manual transmission and engine setup, his build will give you a lot of what you're asking about. He stuck a turbo setup on a fairly mild stock bottom end motor and ran hard.

 

[oilwell1415]

Based on what you've said I think you need to decide for sure what you are doing suspension wise before you decide on anything else. If you do a Crown Vic swap on the front and use the Crown Vic axle in the rear you will open up a whole world of wheel and brake choices that aren't available with the stock setup. In the rear I wouldn't mess with a 4 link. Leafs with a Panhard bar and traction bars will be 95% as capable while costing a lot less, retaining mostly stock parts in the important areas, and still allowing you to use it as a truck if needed.

I've seen a T-56 done and that's what I want to do. I've seen a lot more TKO600 swaps and the info is pretty readily available for them. Clutch pedal brackets and master cylinders are easy to come by.

 

[Burntoutaccountant]

Trans wise I was going to get a beefier built t56 from tick. The standard magnum is rated at 700 and I want to have overbuilt.

I’ve already backed off the crown Vic ifs because it’s a real lightning and I don’t want to cut the frame. I’ll probably just lower it although I’d love rack steering.

I’m leaning pro m for efi from my days on corral building my gt40 bronco. Just have to see where they are on price now. I want the ability to scan and have an idiot light. Just preference due to being a service manager.

 

[FMOS Racing]

The Stinger EFI is basically plug-and-play. You can set it up to turn on the CEL if you want it. It's a nice option. You could de-pin the trans stuff and use the non-XShift version.

 

[Biscuit93]

Check out TCE brakes they will make anything you want.