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shoe3k

welcome to the board. Read this and you'll see the differences:



http://www.svtlightnings.com/faq1/faq.htm#Mod%20Vendors

the louder whining from the blower comes from an open element air filter...........

 

http://www.austinsvt.com/lightning/gen2data.html


best webpage so far detailing the differences

 

I recently purchased a Lightning and was asking the same questions. I felt after the help I received on this forum and the research I did, I wound up going with a 2001, due to these reasons. The upgrade in HP and Torque is a plus, driveshaft went from steel to aluminum, upgrade in interior such as sun visor vanity mirror light group, double sunvisors, overhead storage compartment with temperture reading, handle on windshield post, color keyed mirrors and the wheel rim change, I feel, has a more dominant look to it. Also, the intercooler splitting problem was supposed to have been addressed in the '01 and up models. Basically, the 2001 is the best value for your money, and has all the upgrades that the '04 has, except for some minor additions on the later model.

 

A couple things:

1. I wouldn't necessarily consider the aluminum driveshaft better.
2. 2000s have double sunvisors
3. 2000s have the sun visor lights I think? honestly I never have any makeup to ever put on, so who gives a crap if it aint, lol.
4. 2000s have the overhead console with the temp guage
5. 2000s also have the color coded mirrors.

You also should consider the following:

1. Some believe the 99-00 blocks are a little better
2. Gear ratio went to 3.73 from 3.55 in 2001
3. 2001+ got rid of the ugly honeycomb grille, but that is a personal preference.
4. Light changes all the way around in 2001+.
5. Turn signals on mirrors in 2001+.
6. Bilstien shocks on 2001+.

You probably really cant go wrong with any of the years, just find out what you can get the best deal on.

-Kimball

 

Where can I get the newer color coded mirror caps????

I have the older, all black plastic ones. The local dealer guy had no idea what I was asking for.

 

Another advantage to the 99/00 is the computer. If memory serves me correctly there's more tunability in the CUX2. As for the intercooler, it's rare to find one that hasn't been replaced by a dealer with the '01 and later intercooler. The main difference in HP/torque numbers results from a few things: 1) being tuned pig rich from the factory - fixed on '01 and later and nothing a good reflash won't cure 2) 80mm MAF - I upgraded to the 90 and had a tune to match, problem solved 3) the previously mentioned intercooler - replaced as well.

The rest is mainly appearance preference and conjecture (99/00's are supposed to have better rods too).

BTW: I know where there's a red '00 with a warranty for sale LOL!

 

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I am surprised that nobody has mentioned the intercooler problem on the '99 and '00 models.

Be sure that the intercooler has been upgraded or you could be in for a $700 (parts) repair.

 

Iceman302 mentioned it.

 

nope!

 

dito

 

maybe i skimmed over it but did anyone mention the 01 up have a different lower intake manifold????