Thanks,

What else can I do? The rewind button in my life is broken, so I just have to take what's give and move along.

It could always be worse - I'm still alive and healthy - I still love my truck - I finally got to see a 12 second quarter while pushing 4985 lbs!

I really must say....

WARNING: Kumbaya Moment Approaching

I do love the Lightning community! The is a real commeradere tied into these trucks. I highly respect that and I greatly appreciate being a part of it. I've never known a group of gear heads to be so willing to help, advice, critique and share.

It's a great family to be part of.

Thanks ALL,
Herb

 

I know exactly what you are feeling. I was in shock for the first week, then depressed. I didn't post for over month on here cause I didn't want to think about it, and then the holidays came up, and I got distracted. My engine is going back together in another week. (sigh) I really miss my truck.

I ran the exact same setup my friend had in his truck, but ran 14lbs boost to his 16 lbs for additional safety. His ran fine for 6 months before he sold it. Mine lasted 1 month.


You really never think it's gonna happen to you till it does.
If you need any advice let me know.
Good luck

 

So sorry to read this Herb I feel for you Bro
I think there's always more to it than HP level, and hell ya it'll take A LOT more than 400HP, I've been running 12's since 02.
Vinnie, Gator, Myself, and hundreds (if not thousands) of others run or ran 500 HP through stock blocks for season after season without blowing up.
Unfortunately it just happens, stock or modded mildly or heavily, there seems to be no ryme or reason SOMETIMES....

Lightning recovery to you Herb

 

Thanks Rob,

I'm pulling together as much info as I can and looking at my options (see my other recent posts). I will return!

I'll just be broke when I do. I guess I'd rather be broke than my L!

Burn one for me bro - I could use the vicarious 'effect'

Herb

 

Yeah, sorry to hear Herb.

But I bet you where running a stock exhaust system with a 6lb lower? That seems to describe how the trucks blow with the stock exhaust. Alot of boost and nowhere for it to go. And it usually happens at the end of the track, at maxium boost. Anyway, good luck in getting your truck back up and running stronger than before.

 

Oh I will, and it's gooooooooooooooooooood today

Bro I am in hock up to my eyebrows, put 7K on top of over 10K I already had on my CC's. So I live in a shack, so the kid never goes to college, so I eat cat food and live upstate NY in a trailer for my senior years, some things are just more important


somehow I think I'll regret these decisions should I life a long cold hungry life, but for now, you got to do what you got to do


You got the right outlook now, so sorry and anything I can do to help, just let me know

 

Thanks Gator,

Yeah the exhaust was 'semi' stock. I had the stock catback, but Magnaflow Hi-Flow mid pipes. I was under the impression that the 'cork' was the cat moreso than the muffler.

Everything else was on the money - End of track (and damn - I had already WON), max boost, top of third, JUST before I was going to let off!

Thanks for the well wishes. I'll be nowhere close to the ESPN or Fox worthy Gator vs. Rob contestants though.

I've been following both y'alls posts for more than a year and I love it

Herb

 

Then let Herb use your Credit Card you cheap bastard

 

I'll take ANY free CCs I can get my hands on!




(just not the bills to go with them)

Herb

 

That is true, but I've seen a half dozen Lightning's blow, just like yours in the same situation. It always led me to believe that the exhaust was killing the motors. Remember the exhaust was designed and built for 8lbs of boost. And I might add it works very fine for that. Its when you start adding the pulleys and the boost starts to build, you have problems. Thats why, I did the exhaust as one of my first mods.
Its alot of money, but I always knew where I was heading with my motor (Yeah right, I remember saying I was going to leave it stock) So you tell yourself, I bought the exhaust for the sound.
BTW......according to my AutoMeter Boost gauge, I was pushing 21-21 1/2lbs of boost thru the traps. And that was on a stock long block for 3 yrs.

And don't worry.........Iam sure Robs smoking enough for all 3 of us today. I'll have a few brews for you today if that will help

 

Slug 'em back for me Gator!!

If I wasn't now 'required' to get my 73 Scout road-worthy, I think I'd try to find the bottom on my new bottle of 'ol No. 7.


21 lbs!?! I would have to say you are probably in the except category rather than the norm!

On my gauge, I would frequently see 15 to 16 at max.

I think it would be cheeper to be addicted to Heroine!

Herb

 

I always say, if you want to keep your kids off drugs........

Introduce them to drag racing. It will keep them so broke they can't even pay attention

 

Herb,

What JDM program were you running - 39, 49, 59, etc? I only ask because a buddy at work just added 6lber to his 49 program. I think I'll send him a link to this thread.

-Edward

 

Edward,

39CAE2F and the chip was burned for an ABU2 ECM

Please understand that I'm not bashing the tune. The was an off-the shelf tune that was not 'customized' for my truck on a dyno. When I ran the chip on the dyno, everything looked OK.



(maybe too lean in retrospect)

I got the chip second hand from a fellow L owner who sold his truck.

Good luck,
Herb

 

id say its a little lean. it looks over 12 to me. Good luck with the new motor though. You will be back out on the track soon.

Vinny