Ok, I need some feedback before I drop some bucks..

I currently have an '02 Black L with about 10k miles on it.. my mods are:
snuglid
bedrug
Wet Okele's
stereo upgrade (wont waste your time with all of it, but I am happy)
Line Valve Mod to tranny
larger trans pan with drain
K&N flat panel filter
SilverStar headlight bulbs (cracked and flooded fog lamps)
alarm system with remote start
Bosch wiper blades

so I am contemplating the following:

cat back exhaust upgrade
Accufab TB
brake rotor/brake pad upgrade (Porterfield pads/not sure on which rotors yet)
paint brake calipers
a 1/2 lowering with coils in front/shackles in back to keep towing capability for my boat
Filter Kit for more air
Chromed stock wheels

I use this truck as my daily driver and want to keep the thing stock for longevity and to make sure I dont void the warranty. I plan on buying an ext warranty before the 3 yrs is out.. I dont want an exhaust that is too loud or will drone on the freeway ( My Mustang's Flowmasters do this and it drives me nuts, such that I am strongly thinking of just staying with the stock exhaust)
I dont want to chip it for warranty purposes..

So let loose with your ideas, thoughts, flames whatever..

Thanks
Dana

 

The Accustick is a waste of $..

I would go with a Chip,. Filter and pulley!

You can bling it later. Have the go, then go show

 

I was told the Accufab TB was worth another 10 hp.. hmmmm

I didnt want to do the chip and pulley for warranty and longevity reasons.. I am pretty happy with the current performance.. but appreciate the comments..

anyone else?

 

I would really consider not lowering it if you are going to pull a boat. What size is the boat?

If you did lower it, I would make sure you got the right kit. I'm sure there is a limit on what you can pull with a L. I don't know what the tow capacity is on those, since I don't own one, but from what i'm seeing, an L is not a very good daily truck. I could be wrong though. I don't know many people in person that own a Lightning, and the ones that I do know, don't do diddly squat with it for daily use.

 

I would skip the Accufab, filter, and catback. Not enough return on $1K+. I would spend that money on an upgrade to Hotchkis suspension and QA1 shocks.

I am looking for an exhaust that is just a hair louder. I don't want to be cop bait or be droned to death on the road. I'm thinking stock exhaust with hi-flow cats.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by fox32601
[B]I would really consider not lowering it if you are going to pull a boat. What size is the boat?

it just an 18' Bayliner.. doesnt weigh much and the tongue weight isnt much either.. you could pull it with a 4 banger..
on the lowering kit, thats why I am looking at shackles rather than a leaf spring replacement.. trying to have the best of both worlds..

thanks
Dana

 

well the upgrade would be Hotchkiss, but what is the real difference of the QA1 shocks over the Bilsteins?
your ideas on the exhaust are the same as mine..
Thanks

 

qa1 are adjustable and rebuildable not to mention if you drop it the stock shocks will be out of there operating range and will start to leak

 

the Accufab throttle body and a airfilter kit are definatly two very good mods for a Lightning, the throttle body is good for about 8-10 hp, throttle response is greatly improved, a good airfilter will gain you an extra pound of boost, (atleast it did on my truck) you might also think about an electric fan and cobra r water pump.

I hope this helps.

Larry.

 

Chip filter and pulley are the big power for the buck mods.

They ALL will cause you warranty problems. Ford has clamped down HARD. EVERYTHING else on the market is a MINOR incremental improvement.

RE: throttle bodys there is quite a bit of debate as to whether they help power or not. The perception of throttle response come mostly from a lighter throttle return spring..

my $0.02

Exhaust work should ONLY be done if you can afford it ONLY for the sound...

Doug

 

I say screw the warranty and put a chipnpulley on your truck

 

K*N intake, bassani true duals and 2"drop is what im thinkin...

 

that bone stock you are faster than 99% of whats on the road already. When you factor in how often you will see your truck or just do normal driving VS. how often you will actually race it - I say Chrome the stock wheels. I saw someone here a little while back posted pics of their stock exhaust tips chromed...I'll be doing that too and recommend it based on what those pics looked like. Besides the fact that you went with a line mod and I a valvebody our trucks are practically clones of one another and I have been happy with its stock performance. The chrome wheels make a world of difference.

 

I have an 03 If I put those drop shackles just on the back and leave the front stock drop the back 2 inches maybe three will it affect my stock shocks at all...?

 

Ya Like Gator said
At one point or another you got to stop worrying
and start moding