Quite a delema
Quite a delema So for the past year or so I've been gathering parts to do LS swaps in two vehicles, a 94 lightning with LS1 4L80e and 94 cobra with LS1 T56. The delema is now that I have everything to do it I'm having trouble pulling the trigger.
When I say I have everything I really do have everything from water pump to tail shaft, ecu, harness, bigger cams, circle d stall. You get the picture.
Keep in mind these are not pristin low mile vehicles but the bodys are straight, paint is good, interiors are nice and motors are mostly stock. They have 180,000 and 210,000 miles but both still run strong.
It has crossed my mind to just sell everything, put a blower on both and call it a day but I keep looking at everything I have and asking why not.
I can say that if I do the swaps I have it worked out to the point that it will be tastefully done and no part of either will be cut up or destroyed, even the wiring will stay intact. Matter of fact I will keep both motors an transmissions in case I ever want to restore them.
So what I'm asking is what route would you take. Stick with my plan or sell everything an go with blowers.
When I say I have everything I really do have everything from water pump to tail shaft, ecu, harness, bigger cams, circle d stall. You get the picture.
Keep in mind these are not pristin low mile vehicles but the bodys are straight, paint is good, interiors are nice and motors are mostly stock. They have 180,000 and 210,000 miles but both still run strong.
It has crossed my mind to just sell everything, put a blower on both and call it a day but I keep looking at everything I have and asking why not.
I can say that if I do the swaps I have it worked out to the point that it will be tastefully done and no part of either will be cut up or destroyed, even the wiring will stay intact. Matter of fact I will keep both motors an transmissions in case I ever want to restore them.
So what I'm asking is what route would you take. Stick with my plan or sell everything an go with blowers.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
I hope you don't take this the wrong way, I'm going to be honest...
The only things the 94 Cobra and 94 Lightning have going for them are the names and the decent parts which Ford installed originally, and even then, that really just boils down to only the brakes on the Cobra, everything else Ford put in them are just kind of "who cares" budget build type components. The vehicles you have there are not the versions of the same models which will be desirable and pull big dollars in the future. I don't see a reason to not swap them.
Putting a blower like an S Trim or equivalent on the 5.0 in the Cobra with GT40 iron heads and a Cobra intake and long tubes and aftermarket cam will put the car somewhere in 450-500 rwhp range. Beat on it alot and plan on splitting the block and/or demolishing the T5, neither of which will be very much fun.
Frankly, and this is now my opinion so ignore as necessary, I don't see a point in swapping two vehicles. Choose one and sell the other. Or sell both and pick up a V6 SN95 for practically free and piece together a set of Cobra brakes and leather interior and Cobra bumper cover and you will be 99% of the way back to Cobra status post LS swap.
The only things the 94 Cobra and 94 Lightning have going for them are the names and the decent parts which Ford installed originally, and even then, that really just boils down to only the brakes on the Cobra, everything else Ford put in them are just kind of "who cares" budget build type components. The vehicles you have there are not the versions of the same models which will be desirable and pull big dollars in the future. I don't see a reason to not swap them.
Putting a blower like an S Trim or equivalent on the 5.0 in the Cobra with GT40 iron heads and a Cobra intake and long tubes and aftermarket cam will put the car somewhere in 450-500 rwhp range. Beat on it alot and plan on splitting the block and/or demolishing the T5, neither of which will be very much fun.
Frankly, and this is now my opinion so ignore as necessary, I don't see a point in swapping two vehicles. Choose one and sell the other. Or sell both and pick up a V6 SN95 for practically free and piece together a set of Cobra brakes and leather interior and Cobra bumper cover and you will be 99% of the way back to Cobra status post LS swap.
On The Tree
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
I'd do it. Both will run faster, have better street manners and get better gas mileage (probably not a concern) with the LS. And if your going to do it like you stated and keep the old parts so you could swap them back in later then why not do it. Lol I know the type of responses your getting on a lightning forum, you'd think they were all holding the holy grail talking to some of those guys. In the end its your vehicles, your project, so your decision but I think the swap itself would be fun and they will both definitely be fun once swapped. Win win.
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Usdmholdem, 1slo5ohh I agree with you both almost 100%. The only thing I don't on is the 6cyl idea. I've wanted a cobra and lightning ever since they came out, so I couldn't stand to sell one or both. You hit the nail on the head with the rest of your post though. I've been through a few T5's and even split a block in my old blower coupe.
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The Lightning was a well-packaged truck.
But, the 351W has nowhere near the cylinder head and engine management tech of an LS engine.
New decals in the same font with "LSinstalled"
But, the 351W has nowhere near the cylinder head and engine management tech of an LS engine.
New decals in the same font with "LSinstalled"
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
I actually would leave the Lightning as is and just do the blower on the Lightning and swap the Cobra. The roller 351W is a decent engine except that the induction system is lousy. Either that or just drive the Lightning. Have two projects in parallel makes it much harder to complete a just one vehicle than just one project.
The lightnings don't have roller cams. Most 94 and all 95's came with a roller block but a flat tappet cam. The 93's didn't even have that. The cam that is in them pretty much equates to a little bit better than a broom stick. An early 80's windsor 4x4 truck came with a bigger cam. Why Ford would do some of the stuff they did is beyond me.
Last edited by thumper67; May 29, 2014 at 09:13 AM.
Tough call for me on the lightning. A fresh 351 with a decent head/cam/intake set up would be awesome.
As for the Cobra, rip that junk iron 302 boat anchor of a motor out, and turn it into a proper street machine!
As for the Cobra, rip that junk iron 302 boat anchor of a motor out, and turn it into a proper street machine!
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 800
Likes: 1
From: Simi VAlley,CA
Do it.
I got nothing but flaming grief when I was ready to do my 1935 Ford 15 years ago... the "purists" gave me crap about doing a total restoration... the "traditional" rodders gave me a bad time about the LS1 power plant instead of a flathead or a y-block or some other traditional hot rod engine (they said the LS was not a "proven" engine). Go ahead and do what you want.... to hell with what "they" say.
I got nothing but flaming grief when I was ready to do my 1935 Ford 15 years ago... the "purists" gave me crap about doing a total restoration... the "traditional" rodders gave me a bad time about the LS1 power plant instead of a flathead or a y-block or some other traditional hot rod engine (they said the LS was not a "proven" engine). Go ahead and do what you want.... to hell with what "they" say.