How many people have built-by-yourself Lightnings? I know it is common practice to drop your truck off at XXX tuner, write a check, and pick up a 10 or 11 second truck. Not that there is nothing wrong with that... it's just not me.

I'm just wondering how many people are deranged like me and like to do everything by themselves. Who has built their own L and has the bloody nuckles to prove it? Any fast home-built Lightnings?

 

these motors have alot of tight clearances, and is alot harder to work on compared with the 350's

tuners have the tools to blueprint them and make sure everything is exact

most people dont have those tools


with people knowing its alot harder to built a motor, they rather spend the extra grand for insurance that the motor is right than keep taking it apart if somethings wrong

 

I'm definitely not trying to put down anyone who has someone else build their motor, or anyone who has had work done by outside parties. I would be the first to witness that it is a pain in the ***. There is no doubt that XXX does a better job then me.

I was just wondering who else is like me. I won't let anyone change my oil. I am a do-it-yourself guy. I was just wondering if there was any fast, 10 or 11 second trucks, that people have built themselves.

 

... I don't think a 350, or a Chevy big block, is that much different than building a 5.4. Just follow the specs and you'll be fine.

 

well its not a L but it sure is a lot of fun and i have done everything myself. plan on doing the lower end the Sal is selling this winter and that to will be done by me. my truck runs smooth as butter and its got some great power. just waiting on the lower end before i open her up to about 19 to 20 #'s boost. also gonna install factory techs tranny and convertor at the same time this winter here are some pics.

 

 

Not bad times for fully loaded on street tires and first time ever at a track. needless to say it wont leave the line at much over idle without breaking them loose. i need some traction bad i can get it sideways at like 45 on a WOT romp. going to enis next weekend to get me a 1/4 pass and see where im at in the 13's

 

i have done alot of mods exhaust , pulleys ,air filter ,track bars,chips,boot bypass next i will change the blower a soon as my L come back from the paint shop then i will change the torque convertor


but the bottom end will have to be a short block or i will just fluck it up

 

I have done every install on my truck. That includes swapping short blocks, installing cams and springs, full exhuast, rancho bars, E-fan, plugs, in tank pumps, shift kit, nitrous kit and many more. My truck has never seen the dealership after it was in my hands. Last weekend i ran 5 consistant 12.0's without nitrous at between 114 and 115.5 mph in the quarter mile.

Zach

 

I have put every mod on my truck or anything else i own but i will have to buy a built short block this summer when i decide to go built because i know i couldnt do it and be right but i will pull my stock block and put the built one in.

 

Everything aftermarket on my truck has been installed in my garage about 50ft from where I'm sitting. One of the things I enjoy most is spending a Sunday in the garage getting in some wrench time with a little ACDC or Aerosmith in the background.

BTW- Just picked up my Dynatech headers and Magnaflow catback today Goin in soon

 

With the exception of tuning I will be doing all the work myself. If I actually can find the time. Cause I work on the road so I am almost never home.