Lightning blower?

[Raudermaster]

I had just noticed that the top of the Eaton used on the L's somewhat resembled the Trilogy ones. Could this fit with some minor tweaking? I may be able to buy one from my buddy as he's in the process of buying KB's new 2.6l Big Bore kit for his Lightning and said he would sell me his blower for only $300 bucks. So, just wanted to ask before I dropped the coin for it. What do you all think? I mean, would it technically work with the Trilogy parts?

[Bradley G]

That is not the same size snout as the Trilogy blower.

[Rider90]

Most of us Supercharged guys have "Been there and done that." We've concluded that Trilogy, although a serious investment, is well worth it. As is any supercharger for your Marauder. Your question was directed towards the Eaton/Roots design, hence my answer - Trilogy. With everything you would need to do to make that Lightning blower fit, the actual blower is the very least of your worries.

EDIT: To get an idea of what you're up against, check out my thread:

[SHAMELESS PLUG]
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=25439
[/SHAMELESS PLUG]

[Breadfan]

Jason is dead on. The blower is actually one of the easiest parts to work out on a s/c install. It's the supporting hardware and software that gets tricky...

While the Trilogy kit may use an Eaton M112, there are several computer machined parts that complete the kit. The over-blower intake setup on the Trilogy is different than that of the Lightning and is a perfect fit for our cars - I do not think the Lightning setup is close enough to fit without hood clearance issues.

Beyond that you have alot of other things to worry about, snout length, belt and pulley setups, etc. Also, I don't think a lower intake from a lightning is the same as the '03 Cobra lower intake and intercooler that would fit our motors.

Then you need a pump, heat exchanger, hoses, boost a pump

AND...more importantly, a tune.

In the end, there is really no cost savings and often times the set-backs will make a custom setup like that more expensive not to mention the headaches. Now, if you wanna be different, try something new, and have the time, money, patience, know-how and tuner or dyno access that's a different story.

My response probably deviates from your original question a bit, but in summary I don't think the Lightning blower will fit because I think the over-blower intake runner is taller than that on the trilogy.

[Rider90]

Jason is dead on.
That's twice in 4,534 posts! I'm simply on a roll.

[Power Surge]

While they are both Eaton M112 blowers, that's where any similarity ends. The Trilogy kit uses a Magnuson MP112 "generic" blower, with it's own parts to finish off the kit, whereas the Lightning M112 is a cast specific case to fit the Lightning lower intake. So packaging wise, there is nothing in common. You'd have to make up your own intake or adapter to make it fit. Plus I doubt Trilogy would sell you the kit minus the blower, so you'd have to come up with all the other stuff on your own as well.

[MikesMerc]

The Trilogy kit uses a Magnuson MP112 "generic" blower, with it's own parts to finish off the kit, whereas the Lightning M112 is a cast specific case to fit the Lightning lower intake.

This is incorrect. Trilogy has Magnuson modify the eaton case specifically for the marauder application, in addition to using a custom snout.

That said, everyone who mentioned that using the lightning blower would not be the best way to go to is good advice.

[SergntMac]

Having less experience with the Trilogy kit than Mike ^ there, but having been involved in several projects on Marauders, I agree with the sentiment present.

It's a kit designed for the Marauder, take advantage of that?

[Power Surge]

This is incorrect. Trilogy has Magnuson modify the eaton case specifically for the marauder application, in addition to using a custom snout.

That said, everyone who mentioned that using the lightning blower would not be the best way to go to is good advice.

Whatever, I'm not going to argue with you.

The point was that the Lightning case (and all other OE Eaton blowers) is cast specific to the intake it was intended for so it wouldn't be a bolt on deal.

[Raudermaster]

Thanks for your responses guys, you educated me. I had just figured possibly in the long run it may/could be cheaper. But as Breadfan stated, forced induction isn't cheap, and you have to take a "dive" for it. Looks like the saving continues. That was the part that threw me off, because I knew they both used the M112, I had figured they were the same/similar, guess not though.

[RF Overlord]

RauderMaster, you've gotten some very good advice up there^^^.

To summarise:

1.) The Lightning blower is very similar, but not identical to the Trilogy. It will not fit directly, but possibly could be made to fit.

2.) The other supporting parts as mentioned (lower intake, snout, pulley setup, over-blower intake, etc) are also different enough that they won't fit directly.

3.) Even if you had the ability to make all the parts play nicely together, you will have an orphan that may be difficult to tune properly (key word: properly). In the end, it would probably be almost as expensive a project as just buying an already proven and supported kit.

*EDIT* I don't mean to suggest you shouldn't try, I just want you to understand what you may be in for. ;)

[DEFYANT]

It has all been said. Great advise up there. I have nothing to add here, except if you really want that to work and have the coin and time to spend (waste), anything can be done.

[MikesMerc]

Whatever, I'm not going to argue with you.


That's good, because there is no argument. Fact is fact and Jerry has always been very careful about this particular point. Misleading information is a bad thing for the consumer. No one should think that they can buy an "off the shelf" generic Magnuson MP112 and have it integrate with the rest of the Trilogy kit. It simply won't work.

No need to be so sensitive :)

[Loco1234]

I have a navigator with a 5.4L DOHC....

Would that be a bolt on to this motor...?

Or since the Lightning is an SOHC motor would it be a more difficult taks then it may seem as well...?

[Raudermaster]

I have seen this come up on other forums, and really haven't gotten a straight answer. Perhaps Sal, who has a 5.4 blown could elaborate a little more, or someone who has more knowledge about the situation. I want to lean towards no because I believe the manifold's are different on the DOHC to the SOHC. One thing I'll never understand though, why Ford never wanted to put the DOHC into the Lightning....IMO, that truck would have been unstoppable with that instead of the SOHC, reguardless it still is an insane truck.

[Loco1234]

My guess is Fuel, cost, to allow room for improvement, and most of all its FORD...... arg must we say more...LOL

I have a 2000 5.4L DOHC from a Navigator... partially spun bearing (long story) (don't ask) LOL

...but i'd like to fix it up for some drag racing....but a lightining super is the quick easy power adder for the 5.4L.... I think I'd need a custom lower intake as well... Wonder if I could fab an adapter/spacer plate...?

[Drock96Marquis]

Loco,
*someone* makes a roots style supercharger kit for the 99-05 5.4 DOHC Navigator engines. I saw one a few years back. I can't seem to find a link, though :revenge:

I wonder if a ford GT blower assembly would bolt on..... :D