Lightning performance upgrades
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Logansport, La., USA
Lightning performance upgrades
My '99 Lightning is the first "performance" vehicle I have ever owned and I'm not very knowledgable about engine upgrades. The depth of my hatred for "the heartbeat of America" is unfathomable and I want to be prepared when the first egotistical Chevy driver in his new SS sport truck pulls up alongside me at the stoplight and looks at me in disdain. So far I have been unable to even find a K&N air filter at any of the local Auto Zones or Pepboys that will fit my Lightning. And this Superchip everyone is talking about, where do I get one of those? And do I need to modify the exhaust system, i.e., what's this about an "after cat" exhaust modification? And what about 4 valve heads? I know they have them on the Navigator. What's the feasibility of that extreme of a modification? I know you're probably thinking, "hey, this guy's dumber than a brick." But we all have to start somewhere, donchanoe? I would appreciate any constructive advice. Please keep your criticism to yourself. Thx.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,462
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From: San Antonio, Texas
Congrats on your purchase! I think you'll find that there wont be many Chevys, SS or otherwise, that can take on your lightning. The SVT has done a great job making this truck fast "out of the box". On the street, there are few non-extreme mods that you can make that will dramatically alter performance. On the track, its a different story. Keep in mind that Ford has tuned the exhaust, intake, chip, tranny, and more specifically for this vehicle. That said, as you read through this forum you'll find lots of tempting stuff to buy. I know I have. There's a healthy aftermarket for this vehicle but most of its not something you can pick up at a local pep boys. Welcome, and enjoy your truck!
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear TrkrBob49,
You can get the Superchip Flip Chip for your new Lightning from us! Just drop us an email, or, please feel free to give us a call, our contact info is below in my signature line. We offer an exclusive F150online discount to all registered participants of the message boards here, so you are eligible for that discount.
The Superchip Flip Chip adds 25 more horsepower to the rear wheels, and 38-40 hp at the flywheel, so it's basically taking the supercharged Lightning up to the 400 hp level. We have gotten reports back from the drag strip of it lowering 1/4 mile times by anywhere from a minimum of 3 tenths of a second on the quicker Lightnings, to as much as 8 tenths off the ET's of some of the slower Lightnings. Just as an example, most of the reports we've gotten back from Lightnings running say, 14.2's in hot weather (90 degrees and high humidity) were able to run 13.7's with the Superchip in performance mode, for about a half-second off the 1/4 mile times, and they are also seeing another 2-3 mph in trap speeds. The Superchip Flip Chip allows you to switch back and forth from the unmodified factory program, to the performance program.
Please contact us privately for your discounted pricing, our email and phone number are both below, for your convenience!
Welcome to F150online by the way, and congratulations on your new Lightning!
I wish you all the best,
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 10-04-1999).]
You can get the Superchip Flip Chip for your new Lightning from us! Just drop us an email, or, please feel free to give us a call, our contact info is below in my signature line. We offer an exclusive F150online discount to all registered participants of the message boards here, so you are eligible for that discount.
The Superchip Flip Chip adds 25 more horsepower to the rear wheels, and 38-40 hp at the flywheel, so it's basically taking the supercharged Lightning up to the 400 hp level. We have gotten reports back from the drag strip of it lowering 1/4 mile times by anywhere from a minimum of 3 tenths of a second on the quicker Lightnings, to as much as 8 tenths off the ET's of some of the slower Lightnings. Just as an example, most of the reports we've gotten back from Lightnings running say, 14.2's in hot weather (90 degrees and high humidity) were able to run 13.7's with the Superchip in performance mode, for about a half-second off the 1/4 mile times, and they are also seeing another 2-3 mph in trap speeds. The Superchip Flip Chip allows you to switch back and forth from the unmodified factory program, to the performance program.
Please contact us privately for your discounted pricing, our email and phone number are both below, for your convenience!
Welcome to F150online by the way, and congratulations on your new Lightning!
I wish you all the best,
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 10-04-1999).]
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Logansport, La., USA
Thanks for your reply, Nathan. But could you be a little more specific about some of these products? Because of my lack of automotive experience I am afraid that I will buy a lot of accessories that will harm--not improve--the performance of my truck. That's why I am seeking the advice of you more experienced guys, donchanoe? So far all the modifications I have made to my Lightning have been cosmetic, such as a sprayed in bedliner and a color-keyed bug shield and matching window visors. It came complete with all the THREE available options, so I didn't have to buy those. Now it's time to get serious. Question. During hard acceleration from a standstill, is it common for the transmission (or rearend?) to "bump" so violently during upshift? Although I have had my Lightning since June, it only has 1900 miles on it, so I doubt if it's broken in yet. If you are wondering, I am a truck driver and I don't get to drive it very often. Thx.
