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What are the specs on 93-95 lightnings>?

3K views 25 replies 10 participants last post by  BlownGT92 
#1 ·
Looking for the Specs (hp numbers) and any problems to look for when buying a first generation lightning??
I have become interested in getting one, but I need to know what to look for, I've always had mustangs..

Thanks!!
 
#2 ·
rated by ford at 245hp but its under rated.the only real problem i have seen with them is the rearends tend to go out at around 150,000 miles so i would see if it has been rebuilt or not.other than that they gave really no problems.very good truck and i am sure you will love it once you buy one.
 
#7 · (Edited)
black93 said:
Looking for the Specs (hp numbers) and any problems to look for when buying a first generation lightning??
I have become interested in getting one, but I need to know what to look for, I've always had mustangs..

Thanks!!
http://www.thebaskins.com/faq.htm
http://members.aol.com/Traumapir8/Technical.html

Here's a couple of sites that should be of great help! :leghump:
Oh and to your concern about the L's.. The engines are Rock solid. They have the best 8.8's ever made by Ford with support fins on the housings and factory traction bars to squelch the wheel hop that occurs when the tires are trying to hook. The only things to look for is the tranny's in the 93's are not nearly as good as their newer partners, with the 95 's being, by far the best. When you get one let me know and I'll give you a list of 1st mods...

Hope this helps,
David
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the links!! You converted to roller by changing the 5.0 cam and lifters?? The only way I'll be able to get one is if somebody has a nice one around, that wants to work out a trade. Most of the time, the nice ones are held on to, ya know.

How has the front end held up on your truck?? Still ride and drive good after 10 years??
 
#9 ·
the trannies are good with the execption of them over heating and spitting fluid out the front seal.they really only do it when towing or when you are in really hot weather and stop and go traffic.the way to fix it is with an aftermarket tranny cooler and big eletric fan.not all lightning have this problem but i have seen quit a few with it.
 
#10 ·
cooldogg said:
That year ford start using a new method of rateing hp the 5.0 was 225 then put down to 205.The cobra was at 265 and the Lightning also was 265 until they decided to use a new method.So maybe underated by 20 hp's.
think about what you just posted.how does a 302 with a cobra intake and gt-40 iron heades put out the same power as a 351w with a gt-40 intake and gt-40 iron heads.they were under rated as was the 93 cobra.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I think Ford still continues to under rate their cars. A good freinds 03 Cobra is pushing almost 390h.p. on the dyno at the rear wheels, when Ford claims the cobra is making those numbers only at the crank.

Hmmm...fine with me..
 
#15 ·
Mine still runs good with 165,000 on the clock. Last time at the track produced my best time of 14.85. Its not super fast but not too bad for a big heavy pickup truck thats 10 years old and has barely any bolt-ons. My rear end lost the side gears at about 160,000 miles but it was an easy fix. The insides of the rear end is the same as the explorer rear with the exception of the 4.10's. Its a 31 spline trac-loc rear end. The engine was rated at 240 hp and 340 ft/lb. With the stock 1800 rpm stall and 4.10 gears its a blast to drive. From redlight to redlight it is really quick but it slows down drastically once it hits third gear. It corners way better than any mustang I have driven, even with 165,000 miles on the stock suspension. My tranny is still shifting pretty good for its age, but as far as I know it has never been rebuilt. I love my truck alot, but right now its just sitting in my driveway begging toi be washed and driven.
 
#16 ·
Well, the reason I would like to find me a lightning is the great similarities with the mustang. I always driven FOX cars, and they are so easy to work on. I am pretty familiar with the 351. I'd like to get me a newer Z71 or a tahoe, or something to that nature.. but I cant afford a nice one. I have a jetski and a boat and it's aggravating trying to get it to the lake during the summer, so it's time for a truck. I'll pick me up another car later on down the line.
I am looking to find a lightning in good shape, and trade my car plus cash depending on condition. I been looking around but if you know someone let me know.. Thanks
 
#17 ·
black93 said:
Well, the reason I would like to find me a lightning is the great similarities with the mustang. I always driven FOX cars, and they are so easy to work on. I am pretty familiar with the 351. I'd like to get me a newer Z71 or a tahoe, or something to that nature.. but I cant afford a nice one. I have a jetski and a boat and it's aggravating trying to get it to the lake during the summer, so it's time for a truck. I'll pick me up another car later on down the line.
I am looking to find a lightning in good shape, and trade my car plus cash depending on condition. I been looking around but if you know someone let me know.. Thanks
I was in the same predicament. I had a '91 lx and a '93 lx before I got my truck. My '93 was nice, reef blue and black interior and I had built a 331 for it with TFS heads, cam, and intake. I liked the car alot, but I kept dumping more money into it to try and make it something that I really wanted. All along though I wanted a lightning, and thats why I traded the 93 for the lightning even though I took a hit. I don't regret it at all because my truck is what I wanted. Keep an eye on the classifieds at www.nloc.net. Good luck.
 
#18 ·
I been watching NLOC like a hawk. I really hate to get rid of my car but I cant afford both, so you gotta do what u gotta do.
P.s. Seen you were from LA, I'll be going down to Mardi gras again this year...woohoo
 
#19 ·
black93 said:
Thanks for the links!! You converted to roller by changing the 5.0 cam and lifters?? The only way I'll be able to get one is if somebody has a nice one around, that wants to work out a trade. Most of the time, the nice ones are held on to, ya know.

How has the front end held up on your truck?? Still ride and drive good after 10 years??
Sorry to take so long to get back with you. Yes it is the set up out of the 5.0 HO. 5.0 cam, lifters, dog bones, spider and pushrods from a 96 bronco.
In response to the other posts about handling....These trucks handle better than any mustang I've ever rode in. IT is hard to believe that a truck this high off of the ground can handle like these do. I've scared to of my friends that rode with me...lol ;)

David
 
#20 ·
My 93L is absolutely a blast to drive. The only reason I bought another vehicle was to have something to drive when it's time to park the L and get down to business on it. My truck has something on the order of 128,475 miles on it, and it's in pretty nice shape. Sure I've had a few things wear out on it (starter, battery, TPS, MLPS, EVR solenoid), but that's just normal wear and tear on a vehicle that will be 12 years old next month. The '95 trannies are better than the other years. Also, the '94 and '95 engine blocks are already roller-cam ready. Some '93s are (not mine). If you'd like, if you get a '93L, I'd be happy to tell you how to determine if it's a roller ready block, and any other questions you may have.
 
#21 · (Edited)
Most stuff is underrated to keep insurance rates down.

Also I was under the impression that all the 351 blocks were roller lifter/cam ready after 87...but may not be equipped with roller lifters. Therefore, if I am correct, the block itself is ready for roller stuff, but may not actually have roller stuff in it.

I know that the 302s were that way, in after 93 is when they made the jump from 185 hp to 205 hp (302) when changing to roller lifters.
 
#22 ·
MustangGT221 said:
Most stuff is underrated to keep insurance rates down.

Also I was under the impression that all the 351 blocks were roller lifter/cam ready after 87...but may not be equipped with roller lifters. Therefore, if I am correct, the block itself is ready for roller stuff, but may not actually have roller stuff in it.

I know that the 302s were that way, in after 93 is when they made the jump from 185 hp to 205 hp (302) when changing to roller lifters.

The '93 lightning blocks are NOT roller ready. Only the 94-95 lightnings have a roller ready block.
 
#25 ·
black93 said:
Most of the time, the nice ones are held on to, ya know.

Your telling me , it took me 3 years of searching to finally find a real nice one with low miles, The problem is most of them were modded alot and are beat up alot. I finally ended up finding a bone stock red 93 with 16k on it when i bought it but now it has 22k, nothing changed on it besides the oil. just put its first new set of tires on this last spring. I love the truck get one yourself and you will see
 
#26 ·
behay20 said:
Your telling me , it took me 3 years of searching to finally find a real nice one with low miles, The problem is most of them were modded alot and are beat up alot. I finally ended up finding a bone stock red 93 with 16k on it when i bought it but now it has 22k, nothing changed on it besides the oil. just put its first new set of tires on this last spring. I love the truck get one yourself and you will see
Thats kinda funny, Mine only has 78k miles on it and is about as stock as you can get and in awesome shape. I have been trying to sell it for a month and everyone seems to want the higher mileage and modded stuff. I don't want to get rid of mine, but there is about to be a new driver in the house and all we own are the mustangs and lightning so a better daily driver is needed.
 
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