I know this isn't directly related to computer chips but I just found some cool video from the 2001 F150 Online Rally.
I guess what it shows is that it would take a lot of money for a lot of mods to get an F150 to even come close to beating a Lightning. Maybe if they come out with a Super-Duper-Chip.

This is me (in the left lane) getting my doors blown off by a beautiful Lightning.Thanks to 4D THNDR.

http://metlhed57.homestead.com/files/16.52_13.3.avi
I watched the thing over and over to see what I could have done better. I think if I had bought a Lightning that would have been better. This was my first time. I think it takes some practice to get the hang of it.

There are a bunch more cool videos at: http://metlhed57.homestead.com/index.html

They take a couple of minuets to download but they are really well done and quite cool.
Tom

 

Hi Tom,

Don't feel bad, at last year's Rally I was running my old Mark 8, and I had to run against a couple of Lightnings. The first one was running low 13's at 103+ mph, and he walked away from my 15.2 @ 94.7 mph. However, the second Lightning I had to run against was bone-stock, and he only beat my trap speed by 1.3 mph, he ran 96.0 mph to my 94.7 mph, though his ET was over 1 full second quicker, 14.2 @ 96 to my 15.26 @ 94.7. Those Mark 8's charge very hard on the top end.

The point being, I know all too well what it's like to run up against a supercharged Lightning with a few mods, and they can humble you pretty quickly, as it takes very little to get them up into the 440-450 horsepower range.

Perhaps that's why I now have a Lightning that pushing about 440 hp, and the Mark 8 is no longer?

Your truck did well considering it's state of modification, which is not heavily modified like all of those Lightnings were. You also did a decent job driving at the track for the first time, you did *very* well, so if I were you Tom, I would come away from all that pretty encouraged, actually!

We got the Rally photos back, and we're sending them to the Webmaster tomorrow, so perhaps we'll see some of that posted here.

 

I don't feel bad. It was fun as hell! I got the time that I had hoped for. I really didn't expect that I would be very competitive. It was just for fun. I think that I could improve my time. Maybe even in the 15's.
By the way Mike, the Air Force One is great. This truck can breathe freely now. The pick up in the higher rpm's is much better. I really like the sound it makes!
440hp, I'm a bit jelous. With some luck I will have a vehicle with that. Some day.
Tom

 

Good effort, looked like fun to me. You got beat by another Ford...that's what counts LOL

 

There's no shame in beaing beaten by the best, and in this case the best is an L. Now if it were a Chevy I'm not so sure you'd still be welcome here!

 

you've got a L? Cooool! Which one, color, mods, times, etc.?

Btw, I think most of the Ls would prefer runnin'/whippin' one of GM's products instead of a fellow Ford guy.

At the track a few weekends ago, I line up with an older Ranger. Huuuummm? what's goin' on here? We launch and he's staying with me! 60', 1/8 mile--then he starts to fade---I forget the times, etc. Turns out, he was on 'the juice'--lotsa fun for an 'old' guy.

Dan

 

Hi 'Rod,

Yep, got a 2001 Lightning, silver. Mods? Taking it slow and documenting each step, it hasn't been to the track yet. This one feels fairly strong, but you never know what it will do until you actually run it.

I wish we lived at sea level altitude, we're up close to 3000 ft. of elevation here, and that always hurts power oh well..........

I'll be taking a bit different approach, and not using a lot of the "tuner" parts out there that most Lightning owners go with, instead, we'll be using & developing our own, as most of the stuff I see either leaves a lot to be desired, or just doesn't deliver much for the cost. This is a street-driven vehicle, it's not going to be a garage or trailer queen, it's a driver.

Right now it's only got 1000 miles on it, as I've only had it maybe 2 weeks, and I have to get the "normal" things (isn't that a Hell of a note?) taken care of, driveline vibration, both fog lamps cracked, lubricate the steering stops, fix the alignment, check all motor & transmission mounts, etc., all the normal Lightning problems. Once all that is done, we can start the mods process, & we'll keep everyone posted.

 

Hey Mike I am very happy you decided to get a Lightning, and that you picked the fastest color. I will be very interested in what you do to the truck. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me or call me any time. Why don't you drop into the lightning board and say hi to all of us.

wittom I know what you are going through I used to have a 99 F1504x4 I went to the track and got spanked a lot worse than you did by a Lightning. Soon after that I was at the SVT dealer to take a test ride, and the rest is history. Don't take a test ride in one unless you are ready to drive it home.

Mike by the way thanks for helping my buisness associate out with his chip yesturday. I know he will be very happy.

here is the veiw most people see when they race a lightning

 

Hi Don,

Thanks for calling, I enjoyed getting a chance to talk with you again, it's been awhile!

I can't believe we did the Lightning, I still have to kinda pinch myself. We're working on some very interesting things ECU program-wise, and I'll let you know how that goes, it'll be some time yet, we've got a fair amount of data logging yet to do, so far it's looking very good.

We were happy to help your friend, & thanks very much!

Talk to you soon,

 

Wittom,

It can happen, regardless of what you drive. At least you knew it was coming. This is long, but bear with me.....

The first car I ever drag raced was a 396 Chevelle. I had built the engine myself and was damn proud of the fact I had a streetable (barely) car running 12.5s.

Our local track (actually 70 miles away) had all night "run what ya brung" grudge matches every Friday. It came to be known as the Friday night street fights. There were a lot of cars, and more than a handful running in the 12s. Back in that day the lope in the idle and the meats in the rear would give away most quick cars.

So....... I get lined up with a guy I haven't met. Long line and we shot the breeze and checked out each others rides. He's in a Camaro, 350, fairly stout build and "a couple little tricks". Good, I think to myself, something to at least make me drive hard. In the back of my mind, I already had it in the bag.

Line 'em up. I cut a good light and hook up. Short time is looking good. About the time I bang third gear....... WWWAAAAAHHHHHRRRoooommm. This guy didn't walk past me, he ran. To the tune of a 10.2 if I remember correctly.

Turns out one of his "little tricks" was nitrous. He later admitted he didn't think he would need it, and complemented my build. We got to be friends, and with his help I had my first car that was on the bottle. One night getting ready to go to the track, he was ribbing me about our first meeting. Then he reminded me that "To win in grudge racing, you must first sell what you already know is a losing proposition."

Sometimes getting your butt smoked is what motivates you. Some day when you're driving a street stomper, you'll thank 4D THNDR for giving you a new mark to shoot for.