Well.....I e-mailed B&B about an exhaust system for our wonderful Trucks.....At least they had the decency to respond to me...unlike Borla who don't give a rats A#$.......

Here goes:

"PAUL, WE NEED TO BORROW A LIGHTNING FOR 5 WORKING DAYS TO BE ABLE TO
DEVELOPE AND DYNO TEST A PERFORMANCE SYSTEM. ANY VOLUNTEERS ??? TWO
WEEKS AFTER WE FIND A VEHICLE THE SYSTEM WILL BE READY FOR PRODUCTION."

-----Original Message-----
From: P. Gastaldin [SMTPgas@echo-on.net]
Sent: Monday, October 11, 1999 8:43 PM
To: info@bbtriflo.com
Subject: Exhaust for 1999 Lightning

>>>>>>>>>Well.....

I can see that the race is on between B&B, Borla, and Bassani for an
exhaust system for the 1999 Ford Lightning Pickups. So.....my question is:

Are you guys going to even build/consider a system for these trucks?

It's a well known fact that these trucks will be built for the next few
years. It's also a well known fact that there are about 4000 of us
already with these wonderful trucks that have an interest in getting a
better sound and a bit more power out of it....like 360 HP isn't enough
already!
It's also a well known fact that F150online has a whole bunch of
Lightning owners that contribute to the Lightning area regularly. All
that it takes is one good word or hint that an exhaust system is under
developement, etc....and then BOOM.....sales!!!!!

I had a B&B system on my 95 Z28 and loved it. I would also love one on
my 1999 Lightning!

Please, Please build a system soon!!!! I am hoping the B&B will be the
first one to consider this!

Thx for reading!

Paul Gastaldin<<<<<<<<

--------------------------------------------
I trust these gents because I remember when I wanted an exhaust system for my 98 Z28, everybody was on about the flattened Y-pipe on the car and how restrictive it was. So....in reality they actually tested it and compared it with one they made hooked up to their exhaust system. Instead of being greedy and money hungry, they actually didn't end up manufacturing the pipe because it made NO difference in power at all. Yet companies such as SLP sell a y-pipe for the same car and claim 10HP!!! I know someone that has this pipe and it made NO difference on the track on on the chassis dyno. The price of the exhaust was therefore also cheaper. They could have made some fantastic exaggerated claim but they didn't. In essence...they were honest and I appreciate that. The quality of the exhaust that I installed was wonderful. It fit well and looked/sounded absolutely amazing....

Any guinea pigs for this project? They will probably give you the exhaust for FREE!!!! I would gladly do this but I live up in Canada and they are in Phoenix (I think), so that isn't the greatest scenerio for me....

contact..... Mike Ryan <miker@bbtriflo.com>

Hope this helps!!!!

Paul G.


[This message has been edited by PBGas (edited 10-12-1999).]

 

I contacted EDELBROCK and they said they will do headers soon. Another possible source for headers is GALE BANKS ENG., they make great products,there # is 1-800-GET-POWER.

------------------
99 Lightning Black Dark Gray Bedrock Spray
in liner to match rails. CD Changer Class III Hitch Stock Power Surge Filter(ordered)

 

Wow, I don't know if I would want to volunteer my truck or not. As good a product as B&B may produce, they may need to be a little brutal to the test Lightning on the dyno a few times over those 5 days and I'm not sure if a free exhaust system would be worth it.

I speak from experience. About 8 years ago, I volunteered my '90 SHO to Superchips to use in the development of the original chip for the SHO. I was there for the entire day-long development process and enjoyed it, but they really wrung out my poor SHO on the dyno for several hours. (Burned a whole tank of gas.) Got a free, custom burned chip out of the deal (which works great, btw) but don't think I would do it again. In fact, they asked about using my '99 Lightning to help develop the new Lightning chip and I politely declined.

Just my thoughts.

Mike Philpott
'99.5 Black Lightning

 

I too sent e-mails to both sources (Borla & BB). BB responded to my first - Borla never answered any of the four I sent. I had two previous Borla systems - one full and the other a catback. Even with my name on their files as a two time customer they didn't respond. BB answered immediately and said they would be willing to develop a system for our babies if enough interest was shown. Now it's down to brass tacks - all they need is a test vehicle, eh? Too bad I live in Michigan. I hope someone is willing to do the dirty deed!

*********************************************
Red Gen. II Lightning (#0763), towing, liner, SST soft tonneau, CD, clear turn signal lenses, color keyed side view mirror caps

 

You mentioned that u think that they r in Phoenix Az? i live there, post the tn# here or E-mail it to me. if they do need a test i might be willing to donate my baby.

dongen@futureone.com

Hey TOPCAT where did u get ur clear-turn lenses? from a local shop, or in a mag, & how much $$ were they?

------------------
Driver of a FF Lightning
Black 99
Very Dark (read illegal) Tint
looks great on the Black Bolt
Bone Stock
Phoenix, Az



[This message has been edited by Yoda (edited 10-13-1999).]

 

I also sent an e-mail to Borla and got no response. I thought they might make a dual exit system like they did for the Cobra. I think I'll send them another e-mail and tell them that not getting back to customers is not good business. Scott

------------------
RED 99 LIGHTNING STOCK (FOR NOW)

 

Yodo....

Yup they are in Phoenix!!!!
Here are the details! Do it! Do us all a favour! PLEASE!!!!

B&B Fabrication
23045 N 15th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85027
Toll Free Phone / 1-888-228-7435
info@bbtriflo.com

 

Yoda: Go to the bottom of this site and click on "F150online home page". Once there click on "Product Reviews". Click on "Front Corner Lenses" and it'll provide you with all the pertinent information, including detailed installation instructions. Steve Lemere did a first class job. I drove home for lunch the day they arrived and installed them both in under 15 minutes total. Absolute no brainer. Best of luck - Chuck

*********************************************
Red Gen. II Lightning (#0763), towing, liner, SST soft tonneau, CD, clear turn signal lenses, color keyed side view mirror caps AND replacement front wheel arrived at dealership today (damaged during shipment from Canada)

 

I will call them first thing in the morning to see what thay say. I am kind of concerned as to what they might do 2 my beloved Bolt. But i will call to see what they will be doing to it, like how many dyno pulls, how much they will be taking apart my lightning etc... will post their reply tomrw

 

Contacted B&B yertrdy about a lightning exhaust. Currently they are working on prepping up 2 vehicles for the SEMA show so after that they want to get toghter with me to discuss using my truck as a test mule to develop a complete system. Didnt talk to much about the specifics about what they will be doing but they said they wil need it for a few days, running dyno's etc... He mentioned that thye will be tryng to extra max hp & get a nice deep exhaust note coming out, sounds great but I am kinda worried about leaving my Bolt with them. When I meet with them I guess I will be finding out how much abuse my truck will be receiving, hope its not that bad. + I will be needing to find some type of transprtn while its there. Anyways I will be reporting back on the subject after I meet with them in a few weeks. Hope I get a free exhuast out of it

------------------
Driver of a FF Lightning
Black 99
Very Dark (read illegal) Tint
looks great on the Black Bolt
Bone Stock
Phoenix, Az

 

Yoda,

One thing you might want to clarify with B&B before you give them your truck is who will pay for repairing any damage which might be inflicted during, or as a result of, the testing process. I mention this because many aftermarket performance hardware outfits (including Superchips in my above example) require you to sign a waiver absolving them of any responsibility.

Mike

 

Awesome Yoda!!!! I am glad you checked them out! I don't think that you have a whole lot to worry about with this......a friend of mine in your neck of the woods was in the LS-1 group. He had just purchased a 98 Z28 back in Dec. of 97. He too had a similar worry but decided that he wanted to try it. So...his holidays coincided on the time that B&B wanted to develop the exhaust and he observed everything. Basically, they unbolted the setup a few times to get it right, made a few before and after dyno pulls and that was it. They have a basic muffler design with the 3 vanes that direct flow and flow strategy calculation that is dependent on the type of exhaust system being utilized whether that be dual or single. I am glad you at least contacted them and made the effort.

Great stuff. I sincerely hope it works out!

Paul G.