Lightning Supercharger Swap in an '04 Expy write-up

[boiler71]

As my first post here,I want to thank you for taking the time to do this write up.
For roughly 3-4 months,I've been reading it over & over while I compile all the pieces to do the swap on my 04 Expedition. That time has come This thread is going to be a great help. I do have afew questions,Im hoping you may be able to shed some light on.

- I've noticed that we have a 6 rib serpentine setup,while the F150's & Lightnings have 8 rib pulleys for their accessories...more than likely why we have that extra idler on the drivers side,just a guess.
From looking over my truck & the best photos I can find of lightning & F150 timing covers,im thinking I can remove that pulley where the bridge would mount,and simply run the proper length 6 rib belt,which would be alittle shorter. The span from the alternator to the power steering pump would be identical to the F150's,lengthwise...only difference being that I would be a 6rib vs their 8rib eight setup.

Is my thinking wrong on this? Im trying to prepare as much as possible for the least amount of down time. least amount of surprises.
I was also curious, if there were any belt alignment issue with mounting the blower pulley on the 6 rib dampner? Im assuming that bolted right up w/no alignment issues? And when you purchased your lightning alternator,did yours come with a 8 rib pulley & you swaped your 6rib on? are the threads counter clockwise on the alternators,if you happen to know?

Sorry for so many questions. Not many folks have tackled this job & documented online like this,so I knew where to ask when the time came




Mike

Mike...sent you a PM

 

[boiler71]

Time for another update. After spending entirely too much money on breather filters, I decided to go back to the oil separator. I spoke with Vince at L&S regarding oil being sucked into the intake from the driver side valve cover when the separator was hooked up before. Vince instructed me to hook the separator up per the instructions with one exception. He told me to remove the PCV valve.

It has been several weeks since doing this and so far....NO OIL IN THE INTAKE!!! Will continue to monitor and update periodically.

On a side note, EXPYFAN is in the process of putting together his 04 supercharged Expy. Can't wait to see the pics! Hurry up Mike!!

 

[toms89]

Time for another update. After spending entirely too much money on breather filters, I decided to go back to the oil separator. I spoke with Vince at L&S regarding oil being sucked into the intake from the driver side valve cover when the separator was hooked up before. Vince instructed me to hook the separator up per the instructions with one exception. He told me to remove the PCV valve.

It has been several weeks since doing this and so far....NO OIL IN THE INTAKE!!! Will continue to monitor and update periodically.

On a side note, EXPYFAN is in the process of putting together his 04 supercharged Expy. Can't wait to see the pics! Hurry up Mike!!

Hmmm... I would think it would run as if it had a large vacuum leak except it would be metered air as it would pull vacuum through the block via the hose on the drivers side. Since it is metered air the only potential issue I see would be the additional air allowed past the throttle plates. Does it idle ok??

 

[boiler71]

Its funny you should mention "idle" Tom. I haven't had a single issue with the idle on the Expy since doing this mod.

With that said, I added the oil separator back on the F150 (did EXACTLY the same as the Expy) and now I do have a slightly elevated idle...maybe 300-400 RPM. The IAC on the F150 is old...could just be coincidence. Have another IAC laying around I will use to verify.

Assuming the IAC is fine, why would the truck idle high and the Expy idle perfectly with the same setup?

 

[rca510]

now that i have seen that someone has tried a lightning swap/sc on a 03 and up expi i am going to look into gathering parts for my swap...maybe after i finish with my mustang swap...i just have to get more info on the swap so i might hit you up with dumb questions here and there if thats koo with you...and nice write up

 

[rca510]

just one quick question. wat did you do with your exhaust because i thought of doing a costume one for mine but not sure if i can make it duel and still keep the spare tire

 

[GAINMOB]

you can...just have to go under the IRS and turn them out behind wheels or straight out...you can even go with a smaller diameter pipe to go through the IRS...both have been done by ppl on here

 

[rca510]

yeah but i have to get pics so i can show the shops around my area because they say it cant be duel exhaust. but i want to make it a true duel like the 96 to 00 explorers

 

[Shadowless127]

yeah but i have to get pics so i can show the shops around my area because they say it cant be duel exhaust. but i want to make it a true duel like the 96 to 00 explorers

A lot of shops don't like doing dual setups if it involves relocating a spare tire, or routing the exhaust in an unconventional way. If you find a shop that specializes in high performance exhausts I'm sure they will figure out a way to do it. I ran into the same problem with my Explorers over the years; no one wants to do duals because I'd have to ditch my spare tire.

 

[GAINMOB]

look up knautical2001...he posted pics of his dual setup that runs under the IRS...thats what im going to do...

 

[GAINMOB]

theyre not in his album so you'll have to search his posts

 

[boiler71]

just one quick question. wat did you do with your exhaust because i thought of doing a costume one for mine but not sure if i can make it duel and still keep the spare tire

We did true dual exhaust on ours. You can see the pics here:

http://www.expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=11425

Our muffler guy did say that one 3" pipe would do the same as two 2.25" pipes.

 

[rca510]

it looks nice but i wan to try to get them to come out one per side if possible. i found a shop back home that might be able to get it done and for like 300 they said so i might go to them after i get home from deployment...

 

[rvm1]

Great write up!! Did you need a new engine wiring harness for the swap? The Mad Enterprise site indicates that you need one, but your install seems to have eliminated the need.

 

[boiler71]

Great write up!! Did you need a new engine wiring harness for the swap? The Mad Enterprise site indicates that you need one, but your install seems to have eliminated the need.

I used the stock Expy wiring. I had to lengthen a few of the connections though: TPS, IAC, and IAT.

The Lightning has 2 additional connections that the Expy doesn't: the boost by-pass solenoid and a barometric pressure sensor. Both are located on the black bracket located on the driver side of the blower. Neither are needed.

Lastly, I don't believe the Lightning harness will work on the 2nd Gen Expys...1st Gen yes, but not the 2nd Gens.

 

[rvm1]

That's good to know. How's your fuel consumption?

Sent from my HTC Sensation using Tapatalk 2

 

[boiler71]

That's good to know. How's your fuel consumption?

Sent from my HTC Sensation using Tapatalk 2

Gas mileage isn't bad if you can keep your foot out of it. Around town we get about 10 - 11 mpg and about 13 - 14 mpg on the interstate.

One thing I remembered from your previous question...the Lightning actually has 2 IAT sensors; 1 in the air tube up by the air filter and another in one of the intake runners. Although the Lightning uses 2, you only need 1...the one in the intake runner. That will give the PCM the most accurate reading on inlet air temps.

 

[rvm1]

Wonder why the Lightning would need 2 sensors. It makes sense you'd get better readings from the intake runner.

Hope you don't mind the questions. I'm thinking of putting parts together to try a swap.

Sent from my HTC Sensastion using Tapatalk 2

 

[boiler71]

No problem Dude...feel free to ask all the questions you like.

 

[daoud elmassri]

2000 ford expedition super charge

I have a 2000 ford expedition 4x4. I am installing a suppercharger on it the motor have in the truck now is a 4.6 . The truck is a 2001 that I bot has a 5.4 I bot the hole truck it is a 4x4 I need help to in stall the supercharger from a to z . On how to hook up the emision hoses on th suppercharer please help