Hello to all on the lightning boards!!! I just purchased a 2000 Lightning with around 32,000 miles and can't believe I waited so long to do so. The truck is mint and I couldn't believe the power when I hit it!!!
You can't beat the smile off my face!!!
I tell family and friends that I bought an L and they say ..."What is that?" .....hurts me deep down. ( I think I'll be OK)
I believe the L is stock and holds 360 hp and 440 ft lbs of torque....according to user manual......my question is...what are my list of mods to start out with? I know a cold air kit and new exhaust (borla, magnaflow,..flowmaster...) and maybe some new plugs to start. I also hear a lot about this boost bypass valve....is this a necessity?? I see them on ebay, but not sure if that is what I need.
Any guidance would be much appreciated as I read the posts and know there are some serious owners here.
thanks ....

 

First off, CONGRATS!! awesome truck isn't it? don't ya love that WHINE?!

regarding your question: depends on how far you want to go and how much you're willing to spend

most people find the best thing to do is a chip (from one of the supporting vendors!!! don't go CHEAP, you'll regret it!), filter, and a 4# pulley. this will really wake the truck up and make it knock on the doors of 12-second quarter mile times on stock tires.

Cat backs do nothing more for this truck than make it sound better and look better. you might gain a couple horses with a good system like JDM silver bullit or Bassani, but some systems alot of people have reported actually LOSING power. you won't see gains in exhaust work unless you do long tube headers and cat pipe along with your catback.

congrats again, and welcome! what color is it?

-Mike

 

Thanks Mike.... I do love the whine.... the dealership I bought it from still has to hook up the stereo because the guy who turned it in took out his aftermarket system...... not really worried about the radio, because I like to listen to the truck!!!! That is awesome.... (haven't had it a week yet)
It is Black and looks very well taken care of.
Once I finish the website I'm building for it, I'll post pics.

Thanks for the info.....the exhaust sounds really good now, so I may hold off on that.
I think the air intake will be the first thing......I raced my buddy who has an '01 Cobra with 410 gears and stayed right with him.....so I figure a few mods and he'll be lunch.

 

Welcome shelpdoggSVT,

See my web page for the mods I have. Got a vid on there from last sat too..... so you can see how it runs with them. (btw: I have about the quietest aftermarket cat-back out there. Jyst fyi)

As far as the boost by-pass goes.. many many people do not understand what it is or what it does.
Unless your into dragracing with burnouts where you might over rev on accident? No need to spend the $1.50 at home depot.

Rich

 

HEres what id do if i had it to over again.

Flip chip
4lb pulley
ported eaton
cold air and 90mm mass air upgrade
boost bypass (homemade)
58" traction bars
NGK tr6 plugs
160-170 thermo

Get ready to have a whole new truck power wise. I have all these mods and more and i chose JDM to do all my tunning. CHeck out there site in my sig.

 

Welcome to the board and the L family. I might get flamed for this, but.....avoid e-bay, at least until you get comfortable enough with what is available and exactly what you are buying. Before running out and buying pulleys and chips and intakes, take care of the problems that might be there first.

1) '99 and '00 had a recall for leaky intercooler core. Not good; coolant leaks into the intake manifold and intake air stream. Bring the truck to a dealer service dept. and find out if the recall has been done.
a) If the recall has been done, how long ago was it? At 32000 miles, the intercooler is probably coated with oil. Remove, clean, and reinstall intercooler and use one of the many available fixes to prevent more oil from being blown down into the intake (do a search on this forum for "oil separator" or "intake oil" or something like that. It is too long of a story to repost)
b) If recall has not been done, track down a newer intercooler and replace it.

2) Get a Factory Tech valve body for the transmission. They are good, just about everyone here has one and things it ranks up there with one of the best mods they have ever done to their truck. It firms up the shifts, lessening the wear due to slippage. At 32000 miles, you're due for a trans. oil change change anyway.

3) Replace the fuel filter. They clog up easily and need to be replaced often (some do it at every oil change).

4) Check for the dreaded "suspension clunk" and fix using "Herb's washers". A search on this forum will yield you plenty of info on this.

5) Enjoy vehicle and always keep your goals in mind when buying mods for the truck.

Welcome again! Randy

 

VERY good advice...glad to know there's people out there looking out for even the Newbies in the L community. thanks for adding your input for this new L owner

-Mike

 

Thanks Randy for the critical info...... I bought the truck at a dealership and it has the ELP 3yr/36mile warranty, so I will inquire about the intercooler.
I will also ask about all of the other points you referenced. I tend to take great care in making certain all services are timely and correct. We're talking about the L for God Sake!!!

Thanks to everyone for the replies.......this is exactly what I was looking for in this forum.

thanks again.

Mike

 

oops....almost forgot.

Thanks to the others for tips on mods as well......I will keep a list of what I want......and need.
Won't be taking trips to the strip......just some street racing.

(for now)

 

Whats Up Shelp?

I just got an 04 L a month ago. You can see my mods in my signature below. My first mods were Bassani Exhaust, Diablo Chip, and a 6# Lower. After that it was almost like a different truck. The boost bypass just keeps your supercharger from dumping all the boost when the truck shifts gears. It cost me about $2 for mine at an auto parts store. All it is is a couple of vacuum fittings. Anyway, welcome to the family.

 

CONGRATS shelpdoggSVT
and best of luck

Like everyone said, it depends what you want from it

Want a 12 sec Lightning, then all you need if filter chip n pulley,
want an 11 sec L, add more boost or Juice,
want a 10 sec lightning, it'll cost you from 10 -15 K

EITHER WAY, THEY ROCK BEST OF LUCK AND WELCOME

 

thanks guys !!!
I love that truck already and haven't owned it a week!!!

Also, I live in St. Pete, FL so anybody that has a club or knows where there is a place that "L" owner congregate , then let me know.

I really do appreciate all of the replies.... let's me know where I stand and what I need.


Hey.."thegeez" ....do you know me? I just wondered because everybody just calls me Shelp. I saw that and just wondered.....hmm

anyway...thanks again

 

Welcome to the site, you will find a wealth of info here. most of the guys here generaly want to help. so ask or do some searches you can find stuff to read for more hours than you can stay awake. good luck with your mods....


Dale