1999 Ford SVT F-150 Lightning

After the premiere of the new generation of the Ford F-150 the SVT unit started preparing a new “Lightning”, which premiered in Detroit after a three year break. For the base they took a standard pickup F-150 with two-door single-row cabin, which they equipped with a 5.4-liter Ford Triton 330, being a version with increased engine size of the upper rampart Ford Modular 4.6 engine.

To improve the performance of the mighty engine SVT specialists installed Eaton’s supercharger drive, intermediate intercooler and reinforced pistons and connecting rods, a new battery of increased capacity and a sports exhaust system with three-inch tailpipe and tuned muffler. On the intake system was installed an aluminum intake manifold and an increase in the amount of the throttle valve, and the new engine had to completely rewrite the engine management program, resulting in an engine that managed to deliver 360 ​​hp and 600 Nm of torque. In pair with it worked a reinforced automatic transmission Ford 4R100, which was additionally supplied with an oil cooler and torque of it was fed through the aluminum propeller shaft to the rear axle via a limited slip differential.

However, the aluminum engine block was not ready for such an overload, and problems with reliability began to arise. Thus, in the company were noted cases of loosening cylinder head, the failure of the threads in the spark plugs, overheating and increased wear of the connecting rod and piston. SVT specialists conducted a comprehensive modernization, which resulted in the truck to get the engine of the same size in 2003, but equipped with a cast iron cylinder block, modified cylinder head with increased channels in it, new Eaton M112 supercharger with limited boost pressure and extra space intercooler. As a result of the new engine configuration the truck’s power was increased to 380 hp, with torque of 610 Nm. Under increased characteristics were set a new propeller shaft of larger diameter, and a new rear axle gearbox.

As a result, the super pickup could accelerate to 50 mph in 5.2 seconds and a reached a top speed of 235 km/h. Especially for the “Lightning” were created 18-inch cast aluminum wheels and low-profile Goodyear tires with a special rubber compound that can withstand long-term movement at maximum speed and full load.

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