I'm looking to get a lightning within the next few months, but since I'm purchasing my first home too, I need to buy a used L. Anyone have any links describing the differences between the generations/years. I'm looking mainly to find info on what motors came with what yrs. Thanks in advance.

 

Go to www.nloc.net plenty of info there about all Lightnings

Scott

 

Thanks for the link. Lots of good info and the guys seem cool. Quick question though. As dumb as this sounds, do all the 2nd gens have the same supercharged motor?

 

Same? No the Gen 1s (93-95) had an N/A 351 with GT40 heads....the Gen 2s (99+) have a supercharged 5.4 liter.

 

all the 2nd gens for the most part have the same basic 5.4 s/c motor. There are small differences in between them, except for the 03, which has a much more beefed up block, aside from that they are basically the same. The 01-02 boasts more hp, i forget the reason, was it intake?

 

But the discrepancies can be alleviated by the aftermarket, correct? My past 3 cars have had decent support, and I like wrenching on them myself, so this is a major factor I'm looking at. Thanks again for all the info.

 

Whoops I misread your question. The differences include leaky intercooler recall in the 99-00s, 80mm MAFs in the 99-00s, and some other minor stuff. I would make sure the recall on the IC was done if you're considering the 99-00s. The 03s have 8 threads in the heads as opposed to 4...

Also, be aware that there are chassis changes in the 99-03s.

 

well. . . . . yes the mod market for lightnings is very extensive and you'll easily be able to push your truck must faster and much harder. My suggestion is to hang around the forums for that next couple months and youll see all the good things you can do to make your machine faster. Youll also get to see some of the problems people have and other issues that you run into. And yes youll be able to do almost all of the mods yourself, and if you run into trouble people are very quick to help, so i wouldnt worry about that too much. Good luck.

 

Oh yeah i forgot about that head thing, duh, yeah some lightnings like to *ahem* throw plugs, 8 thread heads is supposed to stop that.

LoL@ chassis change, i would hope he knows that.