How was Popular Mechanics able to get 13.62 seconds in the quarter with the lightning? Considering it was originally rated for 14.6's.

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'98 F-150 XLT Reg. Cab Flareside 4x4, Black, 5.4l, 3.55LS, tow package, K&N, GTS headlight covers, Alpine changer w/FM mod, Clifford alarm system w/keyless entry & starter disable // Future considerations: 285/75/r16 Mud Terrain BFG's, bed mat, tonneau cover, suspension lift.

 

The theory is that SVT, rates their slowest vehicle they could ship out the door, Cobras excluded. And the PM test truck "Just happened" to have the best stack up tolerances.

 

In addition to sharply factory tuned 99 percentile vehicles, my understanding is they rent the track for the day so they can make as many runs as they want, trying as many launch combinations as they need, and in addition, they specially prepare the track surface to enhance traction before each run.

They must do something along these lines because just about each of the "PM 13" claims faster times than anybody else turns in similar vehicles.

Mike

 

I read that article. they said that they started in 3rd gear. applied the brakes and reved to just over idle and then lauched.

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98 F150 2WD,Bright Red, Regular Cab, 4.2, 3.55, 5 Speed, Superchip, 2 Superchip Decals (I Think They Add 5 HP Each), 3 Inch Bullseye Lift Spindles, Manik Grill Guard,Nerf Bars, Vent Visors, Fog Lights Mounted In Front Air Dam , Kc Lights, Back Up Lights, Alpine CD Player, 2 Kenwood Amps, 10 Inch MTX Blue Thunder SubWoofer, Tinted Windows. And Coming Soon: 3 Inch Body Lift Kit, 16x8 American Racing Baja Wheels Wrapped With 33's

 

Hey guys, Sal here. The 99 used in that test was a pre-production Lightning, but it wasn't really a ringer. That was the same truck that Car and Driver and Motor Trend got 14.4 and 14.2 out of. A lot of variables affect your ETs, and I think based on the fact that all the test cars ran great numbers, those variables were in thier favor that day. 13.6 isn't that much faster than I have gone bone stock in my truck (13.8) and Even Smith tested the 99 at (13.7). As for the boost, it will also vary from area to area, depending on air quality and elevation. All the 99s around here make 10psi at WOT also.

SAL

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Power Surge Performance--- Your SOURCE for SVT Lightning EFI Tuning and Performance!! <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/NLOCsvt/svt.html


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Jimmy Joe,

Not just one person knows info on the lightnings. SAL knows about them. Trust me, and him!

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Fast46Triton


1999 Ford F150 XLT Supercab, Shortbed, 4x2, 4 wheel disc brakes/4 wheel Anti-Lock Brakes, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter
Future Mods:
1)Superchip
2)Airbox Mod
3)Gibson Exhaust

My new home page! I have a owner's gallery setup. Email me your pictures!
http://members.aol.com/polokid54/fseries.html

 

since all the vehicles tested run faster when PM tests them, maybe all the manufacturers' use the same mod ( a bag of cash on the front seat)

 

JJJ, just about everyone is getting 320-340 rwhp and 10psi on our lightnings,so the literature is off by a bit. the ford guy could not have spent too much time "tweaking that ringer truck" to get a 13.6 if others are getting 13.7,13.8 "stock", or did they simply pick up the phone and order a chip for it.

 

I agree with Mr. BBQ...Not only are we getting in the 13.80's and 13.90's stock, but if I recall the article in PM said it was a rather cool morning when they tested. I don't know about others but I have definitely realized some seat-of-the-pants difference on the cooler nights we have been having in Memphis here and there.

I really think that the truck PM tested was just a good runner, a fast one out of the box...with a little practice launching and some cool weather I don't think 13.6 is out of the question.

Finally, JJJ I don't think all of the screaming (all caps) is necessary about Sal. He has been very informative and friendly. You may well know an inside guy at Ford but don't get so upset with others that might want to voice there opinion about what they think. Usually, when two people disagree, somewhere in the middle is the right answer.

Collin

 

Hey Jimmyjoe
What where the mods to the truck then to get 13.6 out of it.Sal just said trucks around here get 10psi thats all.What is the guys name that said it wasnt stock.

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95Lightning(9psi boost)
NLOC MEMBER
Marcus Harrison

 

I think the difference is in the location of the track (altitude/air density). It seems pretty coincidental, that *each* vehicle is running that much quicker than there advertised quarter mile time. So I would rule out that they modified each and every car. Just to give an example: I live in Canada, so the altitude of most tracks are around 3500' above sea level. Using the NHRA altidude convervsion index, a time of 14.2 at 3500', multiplied by 0.9575 = 13.6. That's a pretty drastic altitude difference though. Does anybody know the altitude of the track they used?

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'98 F-150 XLT Reg. Cab Flareside 4x4, Black, 5.4l, 3.55LS, tow package, K&N, GTS headlight covers, Alpine changer w/FM mod, Clifford alarm system w/keyless entry & starter disable // Future considerations: 285/75/r16 Mud Terrain BFG's, bed mat, tonneau cover, suspension lift.

 

Give me a Lightning and access to Ford's machine shop, flow benchs, and some parts, and I'll show you a ringer...

I think it may have been tuned, but in no way a ringer.

My .0000002 cents.

 

Hey Jimmy Joe, Sal here. You have to realize that MANY people were involved with the 99 project. I happen to know many of the engineers in several departments that had a big part in the 99, and some of them even came to me (unofficially) for tuning advice on some of the calibration. While the truck was not a production vehicle (production had not started yet), it was NOT a ringer truck. It did have a slightly different calibration than what went to production, but it was not a "ringer" calibration, it was what they planned to use on the production trucks before they made a few last minute changes. Nothing drastic that would really effect ET either. A ringer is a vehicle purposely made to run better than a production model. Ford does not intentionally build ringer cars. GM does, and they openly admited that many of the Z28SS and WS-6 Firebirds that the magazines tested were ringer cars. As for the PM test, I still stand by my original thought that they just had really good conditions that day. On a 50-60 degree day, with low humidity, and the barometer around 30.5 and up, the 99 will go mid 13s.

SAL

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Power Surge Performance--- Your SOURCE for SVT Lightning EFI Tuning and Performance!! <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/NLOCsvt/svt.html


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Sal, Those of us that understand heat tansfer at all can definitely appreciate your last post. Relative humidity is one of the biggest factors in determining how well our intercoolers work. People should also understand that all things being equal, these superchargers are putting out around 8-9 PSI. The stock gauges are nowhere near accurate....

It would not surprise me if SVE got rid of the numbers on the gauge and went with a plain boost/vacuum gauge.

I am also quite certain that Ford is not out there using any ringer vehicles for the magazine testing. Why would they possibly want the negative press on such a unique vehicle that they own the market on????

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99 Lightning, Black, CD
changer, Downey SST tonneau, Class 3 hitch, Ford bed mat
DOB: 4-21-99
My one really cool toy..
(except my Mercury Parklane "hobby")

SVT RULES!!!!!

 

I agree, a ringer would be A VERY BAD IDEA.
After the Cobra situation, don't you think?