It seems to me that I have been reading alot of 03 and 04 owners who are making some impressive runs for the mods they have. Is there a new lower intake or something that is putting these guys a couple tenths ahead of the regular L?

 

nah........just a coincidence......... they are no stronger than 01-02.

 

I have NO facts to back this up but I have read in many places, such as here and NLOC specifically, as well as a few other websites that the 03’s and 04’s have a more aggressive tune from the factory. I have also read that they are running less rich, or more lean then other years which would give some credence to the claim of a more aggressive tune from the factory.

Not sure what other year Lightning’s are putting out for hp on the dyno but for the 03’s and 04’s it is not unusual to see around 350 – 360 rwhp on the dyno, again I have NO facts to back that up either, just information from reading.

I don’t find it hard to believe from my own evidence. This summer I went to the track with some guys in this area, Don’s Bolt and some others and ran my Lightning for the first time in the ¼ mile. It was high 90’s and humidity around 90%, needless to say a very bad day for times.

Don’s Bolt and the others were saying they were running approx. 0.5 – 0.6 slower then their average times. I ran a 14 flat @ 99mph with a 2.2 60ft fully loaded truck, completely stock, full gas tank and maybe an extra 100 lbs of stuff behind my seat with me weighing 200 lbs. So I would say the truck weight was around 5,000 lb easy. Truck had approx. 900 miles on it. It now has only 2,900 miles on it.

If what Don’s Bolt was saying was true and I have no reason to not believe him I should have been able to get an easy 13.4 – 13.5 or so in the ¼ mile had it been in the 70’s and the humidity was lower, 1/3 fuel in the tank and maybe a 1.9 to 2.0 60ft etc.

This spring I will find out for sure what it will run in the ¼ mile so until then the 13.4 – 13.5 is speculation only.

 

I think it is just there are more and better mods out for the trucks, and the tuners are getting a better handle on tuning everything.

 

When my 02 engine was replaced with an 04 off the assembly line minus the supercharger, I can say that it has much more low end torque and feels stronger throughout the rpm range. My 02 engine could hardly spin the tires and now I have no problem spinning from 15mph, so I would say something is definately different , could be the tune but my L is an 02 and I don't think the dealer messed with the stock tune, could be wrong though.

 

Took my 01 to the track just after I bought it (had 800 miles on the odometer) and the only mod was a K&N panel filter and it went 13.5 @ 102 on an 85 deg. night.
Went back the next weekend with a 2# pulley and JDM warm weather program and went 12.9 @ 106!
Im sure there are alot of other L owners with stock 01-02's that have performed the same. I believe the blocks in 03' have a thicker web on them though.

 

agreed!

From everything I read and was told by a tuner, it seems the 03-04 are programmed by the factory to run leaner and are making a little more power

 

My 02 spins to the point that it is annoying. There is no way I can stomp it to the floor from a dead stop like some have suggested here. If I don't roll into the throttle the F1's are toast.

I recently raced an 03 that was supposedly "stock" and the 03 did pull me slightly on top end.

 

My 03 has always felt stronger then my 01 did <shrug>

The 03 with similar mods to my 01 ran a full tenth faster through the 1/8 mile then my 01 did so I think something is different about them in general.

Bob

 

when we took my buddy's 02 to the track it had a CAI and bassani x pipe w/ spin tech mufflers and the best we could run was a 14.0. then he got a predator and ran a 13.5. not sure about the temps or humidity, but the in the quicker run the temp was cooler out than the 1st run. but then again another buddy of mine had an 01/02 (not sure which), and it ran a 13.7 totally stock, so i guess it all depends.
just my .02

peace

 

I ran a 13.6 at 101.15 in my 2001, with just a JDM cat-back and a FRPP lowering kit. my 60' was a a crappy 2.1 though.

 

I know the 01s and up have a better lower intake so does anyone know if the 03s and up got an even better one???

 

I have a 2004 and ran a 13.2 at 102.73 on 11/24/04, I have a stock motor and a Mac catback.