Performance Modifications
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land, TX
Sorry again, this is a book, but stuff ya'll need to know....
Well, the Austin F150Online Truck Rally seems to have been a complete success. Everyone had a really good time, we made a bunch of new friends and we were the envy of almost everyone at the Whataburger car show.
We had to park off to one side of the main event in order to have enough room to line up the SIX Lightnings that showed up. 3 reds and 3 bLacks. We have some truly cool and awesome pics to post once I download them from the camera a massage them a bit, I'll post the url so those interested can go take a peek.
The Cal-Tracs traction bars:
I purchased the bolt on kit in hopes of just putting them on and going about my business. No such luck.
The kit they sent me was originally for the 1st gen Lightings. They have not even put a set on a 2nd gen truck yet and they are selling them for the 99/00 models.
The front eye bushing on the leaf springs has to have the rubber bushing pressed out and an aluminum outer bushing sleeve installed.
Inside the outer bushing, there is a steel cylinder with a 1/2" hole bored through it, this rides inside the outer bushing and gives the front pivot a very free moving but secure attachment point.
Problem #1:
The front eye bushing on the 2nd gen trucks is a grade 8, 10.9 mm bolt. When converted to SAE measurement, that's a 3/4" bolt to you and me.
This will not do. I called Calvert Racing while under the truck and they were clueless about what I was trying to tell them. They did offer to overnight a new set of inner bushings with the proper dimensions, and are doing so.
My mechanic is a lot like me, neither of us can stand to turn away from a challenge, so we figured out how to fix the problem. We chucked the pieces into a lathe and line bored the hole to 3/4". This worked like a charm and we proceeded.
We got the driver's side unit installed and adjusted and we were starting to feel better about this job when the other shoe dropped.
The pivot shackle on the passenger side unit has to mount right behind the exhaust tube. By right behind, I mean RIGHT BEHIND! With the shackle in place the u-clamp holding the exhaust tip on the trailing pipe had to be removed to leave just enough room to get the shackle in place.
Once in place, there is about a 3/8" space between the shackle and the tube. The rest of the install was fairly uneventful from that point on, but we were apprehensive about what would happen once they were adjusted and the pivot moved under duress.
The next step of course, was to adjust the spring preload and then back it off for street use. This proved to be very dicey because the connecting bar is about 1 1/2" too short. I can easiliy set them up for street use, but when I want to set for the track, I can't quite get the shackle stop to get all the way down on the leaf spring, I run out of threads on the end link adjusters.
Mr. Calvert and I are going to have a discussion Monday morning. A long detailed description that will include a bill for my engineering consulting on his product.
I will not say anything bad about the design, they are the best looking and functioning traction bars I have ever seen, but I don't like being a guinea pig unless I voulenteer.
NOW, all of the foregoing comments not withstanding, the traction bars RULE! I made a full power nitrous launch last night that would have just roasted the tires in one spot and wound up spinning for about 25 ft., hooking up and saying bye-bye to Nathan (a very nice guy w/beautiful black truck). The units will perform in an outstanding manner, once some adjustments are made. If you want them, I recommend you get them, but wait until after my discussion w/Mr. Calvert.
These truly are high quality pieces, but some assumptions were made concerning the similarity between 1st and 2nd gen Lightnings that made what assumptions generally result in.
Again apologies for the book, but I thought ya'll would like to know what I found.
------------------
Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
wyldman@houston.rr.com
Black 99.5 Lightning
CD Changer; Tow Pkg.; Lojack; Sal's custom nitrous chip; G-Tech/Pro; SnugLid; BedRug; Invinca-Shield, full kit; NOS KIT 80 hp shot (currently); Clear and smoke Lexan fog light covers; 3M Ti Window Tint; Bel radar detector (shouldn't be an accessory); PowerStack cone filter (a.k.a. supercharger waker upper); American Auto Designs ram air hood - in transit; Cal-Tracs traction bars
[This message has been edited by Wyldman (edited 10-17-1999).]
Well, the Austin F150Online Truck Rally seems to have been a complete success. Everyone had a really good time, we made a bunch of new friends and we were the envy of almost everyone at the Whataburger car show.
We had to park off to one side of the main event in order to have enough room to line up the SIX Lightnings that showed up. 3 reds and 3 bLacks. We have some truly cool and awesome pics to post once I download them from the camera a massage them a bit, I'll post the url so those interested can go take a peek.
The Cal-Tracs traction bars:
I purchased the bolt on kit in hopes of just putting them on and going about my business. No such luck.
The kit they sent me was originally for the 1st gen Lightings. They have not even put a set on a 2nd gen truck yet and they are selling them for the 99/00 models.
The front eye bushing on the leaf springs has to have the rubber bushing pressed out and an aluminum outer bushing sleeve installed.
Inside the outer bushing, there is a steel cylinder with a 1/2" hole bored through it, this rides inside the outer bushing and gives the front pivot a very free moving but secure attachment point.
Problem #1:
The front eye bushing on the 2nd gen trucks is a grade 8, 10.9 mm bolt. When converted to SAE measurement, that's a 3/4" bolt to you and me.
This will not do. I called Calvert Racing while under the truck and they were clueless about what I was trying to tell them. They did offer to overnight a new set of inner bushings with the proper dimensions, and are doing so.
My mechanic is a lot like me, neither of us can stand to turn away from a challenge, so we figured out how to fix the problem. We chucked the pieces into a lathe and line bored the hole to 3/4". This worked like a charm and we proceeded.
We got the driver's side unit installed and adjusted and we were starting to feel better about this job when the other shoe dropped.
The pivot shackle on the passenger side unit has to mount right behind the exhaust tube. By right behind, I mean RIGHT BEHIND! With the shackle in place the u-clamp holding the exhaust tip on the trailing pipe had to be removed to leave just enough room to get the shackle in place.
Once in place, there is about a 3/8" space between the shackle and the tube. The rest of the install was fairly uneventful from that point on, but we were apprehensive about what would happen once they were adjusted and the pivot moved under duress.
The next step of course, was to adjust the spring preload and then back it off for street use. This proved to be very dicey because the connecting bar is about 1 1/2" too short. I can easiliy set them up for street use, but when I want to set for the track, I can't quite get the shackle stop to get all the way down on the leaf spring, I run out of threads on the end link adjusters.
Mr. Calvert and I are going to have a discussion Monday morning. A long detailed description that will include a bill for my engineering consulting on his product.
I will not say anything bad about the design, they are the best looking and functioning traction bars I have ever seen, but I don't like being a guinea pig unless I voulenteer.
NOW, all of the foregoing comments not withstanding, the traction bars RULE! I made a full power nitrous launch last night that would have just roasted the tires in one spot and wound up spinning for about 25 ft., hooking up and saying bye-bye to Nathan (a very nice guy w/beautiful black truck). The units will perform in an outstanding manner, once some adjustments are made. If you want them, I recommend you get them, but wait until after my discussion w/Mr. Calvert.
These truly are high quality pieces, but some assumptions were made concerning the similarity between 1st and 2nd gen Lightnings that made what assumptions generally result in.
Again apologies for the book, but I thought ya'll would like to know what I found.
------------------
Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
wyldman@houston.rr.com
Black 99.5 Lightning
CD Changer; Tow Pkg.; Lojack; Sal's custom nitrous chip; G-Tech/Pro; SnugLid; BedRug; Invinca-Shield, full kit; NOS KIT 80 hp shot (currently); Clear and smoke Lexan fog light covers; 3M Ti Window Tint; Bel radar detector (shouldn't be an accessory); PowerStack cone filter (a.k.a. supercharger waker upper); American Auto Designs ram air hood - in transit; Cal-Tracs traction bars
[This message has been edited by Wyldman (edited 10-17-1999).]
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 829
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, CA, USA
Wyldman,
Let us know how it goes with your conversation/consultation. I'm glad I wasn't the guinea pig for this, as I am within driving distance of these guys and they told me to come on down any afternoon. At least they did say it would be $100 for the install whether it takes 2 hours or 5 hours.
Hopefully your "prototype" will make things much easier for when I come in.
Thanks,
Mike
Let us know how it goes with your conversation/consultation. I'm glad I wasn't the guinea pig for this, as I am within driving distance of these guys and they told me to come on down any afternoon. At least they did say it would be $100 for the install whether it takes 2 hours or 5 hours.
Hopefully your "prototype" will make things much easier for when I come in.
Thanks,
Mike
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land, TX
Good morning all,
John Calvert called me last night in response to my message. We discussed the issues involved in the kit that I was sent, and apparantly the wrong kit was issued.
Mr. Calvert indicated that they knew about the 10.9 mm bolt being larger than the original 1st gen truck's .5" bolt.
We also discussed about the clearance issue between the right side front shackle and the exhaust and I beleive we came up with a plan to remedy that situation. I won't go into details about this, as it may be proprietary information.
He is also in the process of making new center link bars that are longer than the standard kit. They only need to be maybe 1-2" longer, to allow the shackle stop to come to rest on the top of the leaf spring and allow for proper preloading. This should also allow changing the attachment points to allow experimantation with the best setup.
Mr. Calvert was very professional and listened well to my suggestions and information. I feel sure that he will get the new kit right very soon. I still recommend the Cal-Tracs for anyone having problems hooking up to the track.
I jokingly asked him what address to send my bill for consulting, and he gave it to me. I then told him I was kidding and asked for a discount on the kit. He told me he would rather pay for the consulting charges directly and would I please send him a bill.
I am in a bit of a quandry over this, as my hourly rate for consulting is rather high, and if I charged him what I normally would, he would pay me twice what I paid for the kit to begin with. I also don't like billing people for services rendered w/o pre-approval. He didn't even know at the time that I was working the problem. A professional ethics dilema. Do I bill him or not?
What do you all think?
------------------
Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
wyldman@houston.rr.com
Black 99.5 Lightning
CD Changer; Tow Pkg.; Lojack; Sal's custom nitrous chip; G-Tech/Pro; SnugLid; BedRug; Invinca-Shield, full kit; NOS KIT 80 hp shot (currently); Clear and smoke Lexan fog light covers; 3M Ti Window Tint; Bel radar detector (shouldn't be an accessory); PowerStack cone filter (a.k.a. supercharger waker upper); American Auto Designs ram air hood - in transit; Cal-Tracs traction bars
John Calvert called me last night in response to my message. We discussed the issues involved in the kit that I was sent, and apparantly the wrong kit was issued.
Mr. Calvert indicated that they knew about the 10.9 mm bolt being larger than the original 1st gen truck's .5" bolt.
We also discussed about the clearance issue between the right side front shackle and the exhaust and I beleive we came up with a plan to remedy that situation. I won't go into details about this, as it may be proprietary information.
He is also in the process of making new center link bars that are longer than the standard kit. They only need to be maybe 1-2" longer, to allow the shackle stop to come to rest on the top of the leaf spring and allow for proper preloading. This should also allow changing the attachment points to allow experimantation with the best setup.
Mr. Calvert was very professional and listened well to my suggestions and information. I feel sure that he will get the new kit right very soon. I still recommend the Cal-Tracs for anyone having problems hooking up to the track.
I jokingly asked him what address to send my bill for consulting, and he gave it to me. I then told him I was kidding and asked for a discount on the kit. He told me he would rather pay for the consulting charges directly and would I please send him a bill.
I am in a bit of a quandry over this, as my hourly rate for consulting is rather high, and if I charged him what I normally would, he would pay me twice what I paid for the kit to begin with. I also don't like billing people for services rendered w/o pre-approval. He didn't even know at the time that I was working the problem. A professional ethics dilema. Do I bill him or not?
What do you all think?
------------------
Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
wyldman@houston.rr.com
Black 99.5 Lightning
CD Changer; Tow Pkg.; Lojack; Sal's custom nitrous chip; G-Tech/Pro; SnugLid; BedRug; Invinca-Shield, full kit; NOS KIT 80 hp shot (currently); Clear and smoke Lexan fog light covers; 3M Ti Window Tint; Bel radar detector (shouldn't be an accessory); PowerStack cone filter (a.k.a. supercharger waker upper); American Auto Designs ram air hood - in transit; Cal-Tracs traction bars
Really Old "Member"
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga. USA
Hey Wyldman:
Thanks again for the tip about the Louisiana Troopers.
Personally, I would not bill him, but get some PR, maybe a little press and a hell of a lot of goodwill.
You have posted elsewhere that folks are sending you stuff to try, and this may lead to more.
Sorry I missed you guys. You could have toasted a White one too!
------------------
Bill Murray
99.5 Lightning
Oxford White
Bedrug/ARE LSII lid
Tow Package CD Player
Superchip
HobbyTownUSA Graphics
Identical 1/10 Scale Tamiya RC Truck incl. graphics.
Truck interest e-mail:
fastwhitey@myf150.com
4 heavy decals!
Kennesaw (Atlanta) Ga.
Thanks again for the tip about the Louisiana Troopers.
Personally, I would not bill him, but get some PR, maybe a little press and a hell of a lot of goodwill.
You have posted elsewhere that folks are sending you stuff to try, and this may lead to more.
Sorry I missed you guys. You could have toasted a White one too!
------------------
Bill Murray
99.5 Lightning
Oxford White
Bedrug/ARE LSII lid
Tow Package CD Player
Superchip
HobbyTownUSA Graphics
Identical 1/10 Scale Tamiya RC Truck incl. graphics.
Truck interest e-mail:
fastwhitey@myf150.com
4 heavy decals!
Kennesaw (Atlanta) Ga.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land, TX
Bill,
You are quite welcome. I have an aversion to the concept of speed traps and the whole state seems to be one big money maker for the "Tax Man". Other than that, Louisiana is beautiful country and a most enjoyable place.
As to the billing, that is the way I'm leaning, but would still like some opinions from the gang.
------------------
Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
wyldman@houston.rr.com
Black 99.5 Lightning
CD Changer; Tow Pkg.; Lojack; Sal's custom nitrous chip; G-Tech/Pro; SnugLid; BedRug; Invinca-Shield, full kit; NOS KIT 80 hp shot (currently); Clear and smoke Lexan fog light covers; 3M Ti Window Tint; Bel radar detector (shouldn't be an accessory); PowerStack cone filter (a.k.a. supercharger waker upper); American Auto Designs ram air hood - in transit; Cal-Tracs traction bars
You are quite welcome. I have an aversion to the concept of speed traps and the whole state seems to be one big money maker for the "Tax Man". Other than that, Louisiana is beautiful country and a most enjoyable place.
As to the billing, that is the way I'm leaning, but would still like some opinions from the gang.
------------------
Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
wyldman@houston.rr.com
Black 99.5 Lightning
CD Changer; Tow Pkg.; Lojack; Sal's custom nitrous chip; G-Tech/Pro; SnugLid; BedRug; Invinca-Shield, full kit; NOS KIT 80 hp shot (currently); Clear and smoke Lexan fog light covers; 3M Ti Window Tint; Bel radar detector (shouldn't be an accessory); PowerStack cone filter (a.k.a. supercharger waker upper); American Auto Designs ram air hood - in transit; Cal-Tracs traction bars
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Logansport, La., USA
I've been reading the posts for quite awhile now and I haven't seen any mention of anyone planning to modify their engine with 4v heads. I realize that the Navigator has 4v heads and I wonder if they are the same heads that are on the Cobra. I have read that Threshie is supposed to be making an intake manifold for the Cobra that is supposed to make an additional 50-55 HP. I just wonder if they will make one for the 5.4, too. I want to add a different filter, less restrictive exhaust and a chip, but I wonder if I should wait until I have my heads installed because I might have to change everything again. So right now my wish list includes the 4v heads, better intake, filter, chip, nitrous, free flowing exhaust and billet front end. I stopped by my neighborhood Ford dealer yesterday and inquired about a set of mirrors with the turn signals, but they wanted over $400 before installation, so I scratched those off my wish list. It looks like my Lightning is becoming a money pit. Thank God I'm single!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Wyldman,I had the same experience with NOS, reguarding a kit for GM 60 degree V6s, like my Grand Am GT, the kit they sold needed to be modified to fit, what they did was give me the extra parts, and a discount on some extras, not a bad deal for me.
I'm sure some small performance shop would faint at the cost of engineering consulting fees...
I'm sure some small performance shop would faint at the cost of engineering consulting fees...
Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Savannah, Ga. USA
Chuck......I was planning on giving you a call about your NOS setup, but now that you might start charging I guess I'll have to lift the 1-900 block on my phone, so I can dial 1-900-NOS-Chuk!!!!!!
Also, again thanks for the covers, GREAT JOB!
Bill, got you latest package.....I'm a burnin dem batteries up! Thanks!
Tybee
Also, again thanks for the covers, GREAT JOB!
Bill, got you latest package.....I'm a burnin dem batteries up! Thanks!
Tybee
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land, TX
Tybee,
I am not going to charge him or anyone for engineering consulting. That was an idle threat made at peak of irritation.
I really don't think that way, but, as I stated before, I don't like being a guinea pig unless I know it in advance. That way I know what I'm getting into.
Just happy that everything is working out and I love the new Cal-Tracs, they work well, now.
------------------
Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
wyldman@houston.rr.com
Black 99.5 Lightning
CD Changer; Tow Pkg.; Lojack; Sal's custom nitrous chip; G-Tech/Pro; SnugLid; BedRug; Invinca-Shield, full kit; NOS KIT 80 hp shot (currently); Clear and smoke Lexan fog light covers; 3M Ti Window Tint; Bel radar detector (shouldn't be an accessory); PowerStack cone filter (a.k.a. supercharger waker upper); American Auto Designs ram air hood - in transit; Cal-Tracs traction bars
I am not going to charge him or anyone for engineering consulting. That was an idle threat made at peak of irritation.
I really don't think that way, but, as I stated before, I don't like being a guinea pig unless I know it in advance. That way I know what I'm getting into.
Just happy that everything is working out and I love the new Cal-Tracs, they work well, now.
------------------
Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
wyldman@houston.rr.com
Black 99.5 Lightning
CD Changer; Tow Pkg.; Lojack; Sal's custom nitrous chip; G-Tech/Pro; SnugLid; BedRug; Invinca-Shield, full kit; NOS KIT 80 hp shot (currently); Clear and smoke Lexan fog light covers; 3M Ti Window Tint; Bel radar detector (shouldn't be an accessory); PowerStack cone filter (a.k.a. supercharger waker upper); American Auto Designs ram air hood - in transit; Cal-Tracs traction bars
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Ypsilanti, michigan
Chuck, send him a bill, even if it is for 25% of your cost! trust me, no skin off his end, if he gives you a discount on the kit, he loses money, if you send him a bill which equals the discount you wanted, he gets to write that off on company taxes, so its a win win...
my 0.02!
------------------
David
'99 F150 XLT SC, STYLESIDE
4X4 ORP 5.4L, AUTO,
139wb, Rhino, K&N,
BugGuard, RainGuards
Superchip
my 0.02!
------------------
David
'99 F150 XLT SC, STYLESIDE
4X4 ORP 5.4L, AUTO,
139wb, Rhino, K&N,
BugGuard, RainGuards
Superchip