Had 2 guys follow me home in a Syclone tonight. I noticed them park in street as I pulled in garage, so I immediately backed out and sparked a good conversation. We both showed great respect for one anothers rigs. We decided to run them on back roads near my house. 1st run I knew I would have to use what I've read here, so I power braked it just above idle then we both let go. I lit them up so bad I flashed him and he stopped. He saw the whole thing and we reset. He counted off again and I just nailed it with some spin. Up to 60 I kept on his back bumper twice. I acknowledged defeat and he said that was the best run he has had which included "new vetts and F-bodies". We then went to my favorite country road and let them loose. Same results, but at 65 I began to slowly pull up on him. I didn't fully pass him until 110 but then it was all over. Was a great night for these two great vehicles. Remember to respect these trucks when you see one (which is very rare I might add). There is alot to be said for 4x4 traction. Keep it safe everyone...

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99 Black Lightning
Built July 26, 1999
Build # 2883 of 4000

 

hey nice story, any mods on your truck? did he have any mods? You said that you kinda kept up with him to about 65, how far out in front did he get, 1 or 2 car lenghts?

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99' Black Bolt
Clear Corner lenses
PSP Filter (on order)
SVT #3443


[This message has been edited by Yoda (edited 11-21-1999).]

 

Hey Shonut,I too had the priveledge to race a GMC Syclone a week after I bought my SVT.I must admit that I was very surprised at what this vehicle had to offer,Don`t get me wrong I knew what they are capable of. But, Damn...that all wheel drive had no problem off the line.But you know what I say give me a chance with that GMC now.....

By the way anyone remeber what the factory claimed these trucks ran in the 1/4? was it mid 13`s?

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99 SVT Lightning
BLK. #1476 5/20/99
2 Chamber Flowmasters
Downs Air Intake
B.F.Goodrich Drag T/A`s
Superchips
A-pillar Phantom Boost Guage
Sportmaster Flip tonneau
Tow package
CD changer

Best run to date
13.064 @105.33
N.O.S. (on order)

"Empty Pockets Racing"Drag Race Team NJ-DE

 

Mine is totally stock with 2000 miles. Considering a K&N. I kept up to his back bumper until I began to pull.

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99 Black Lightning
Built July 26, 1999
Build # 2883 of 4000

 

The stock times were quoted as 13.6's, but if the driver knows what he's doing (Which doesn't mean he is good, just knows his truck), they can run 13.2's stock.

Good kill story. A Lightning will pull on a stock Sy/Ty on the big end, but isn't even close off the line. No flame intended, but if you stayed on his bumper, his truck has problems, or he was unable or unwilling to lauch his truck correctly. I sold my Typhoon to buy the Lightning, but my favorite story is about when I took someone for a ride, and showed them how it launched. I had a can in the front drink holder, it became airborn on takeoff and landed in the back seat. That was a ~9 lbs. launch.

Spiro,

Your truck should take one now, but if he has even mild mods, look out. Just changing their chip can raise their boost by 3 lbs, more if they use race gas. I've seen them running race gas and 20-22psi when they were out on the prowl. I still have a link to a guy that with less than $300 in mods was running 12.4's in his Sy. They weigh less and can put their power to the ground better, which makes a nasty combination. If mine would have been more reliable, I would still have it.

 

Good story, shonut (do you own an SHO too?).

I agree with all the above comments. I sold my Syclone (#2424 of 3000) to buy my Lightning. Owned the little Sy for 6 years (bought it originally from my next door neighbor) and loved every minute of it. And, I sold it for more than I paid for it!

The Sy/Ty's and the Lightnings (both the old version and the new) are fantastic sport trucks and I consider myself very fortunate to have experienced both of them. There's just something about a really fast truck ....

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Mike Philpott
Orlando, FL
'99.5 Black Lightning
SVT #2190 - Build Date 6/9/99
6 CD Changer, Class 3 Hitch, A.R.E. LSII Lid, BedRug Liner, Invinca-Shield/3M Scotchcal protective film, Clear Lexan fog light covers, 16% Window Tint, LoJack, Val-1

 

Can't help myself, I have to put in my two cents worth. In all my years of street/strip racing, I can't remember the last time I (or anyone else I know) ever "flashed" my opponent for a re-start because I made a poor launch. Where you guys at, I would like yto move there so I never lose another race...........

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Mark Swaim
1999 Black Lightning
1997 Cobra (deceased)
1993 Cadillac Allante

 

Just seems to me that the Sy owner knew he'd hook up and the Lightning would have traction problems and wanted a fair race based on power, not traction. Based on many years of racing people on the street, I'd have to say that it's extremely rare that you actually have what could be considered a FAIR street race. It's always "I had no traciton", "I missed a shift", "A car turned in front of me", "I spilled my Big Gulp", or any other odd and exaggerated excuse. And admittingly I've been on both sides of them. All always get a kick out of someone who brags they beat someone else even if it wasn't a fair race. "Hey I beat that Mustang with my Geo Storm,even though he was hit by a train halfway through, I still beat him!!" I have to tip my hat to the Sy owner and to shonut for being above all that arrogant crap.

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SAL
13.35@103mph
All stock with PSP 99 Lightning Chip and Filter Kit

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

 

Yes there is a 96 sho in the family also. I have myself never flashed someone due to a bad start, but when you want a door to door run which was displaying power not traction (Which we both wanted) it was the best I could think of. By the way he did not want to do a rolling start because he thought the tide would have turned. We both had a great time and were totally respectful which allows these wimpy "can we restart," BS..It is nice to come across people who respect one anothers rigs and want to run as safely as one can with out being at the track (closed for season).

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99 Black Lightning
Built July 26, 1999
Build # 2883 of 4000

 

shonut,

Good to see another SHO owner on this list. There are several of us here (not to mention current and former Sy/Ty owners). I own a black '90 which I bought new. It's in great shape, runs strong, and I still get a kick out of driving it.

Mike

 

Hey,F150SVT and SHONUT....

What's the longest or should I say most mileage Ya'll have heard of accumulated on a SHO without a timing belt replacement.

Curious as mine should have been changed ...I know.

Jeff C.

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Red 99 Lightning (Totaled)
Black 99 Lightning
White 88 SVO Merkur Xr4ti
Sand Gold 88 Xr4ti
Silver 95 SHO

 

Hi Twisted,

Hey, anybody with TWO Xr4ti's shouldn't worry too much about SHO valve train damage due to a busted timing belt! You've probably had LOTS of practice spinning those wrenches. <grin>

For the 1st gen SHO's (89-91), the timing belt replacement/valve shim adjustment service cycle is every 60,000 miles. On the 2nd gen cars like yours, I think it was extended to 80,000 miles or more. I have heard of mileage in excess of 100,000 without catastrophic failure, but I don't think I would push mine that far.

As you probably know, there are many early SHO's out there with way over 200,000 miles on them that are still in great mechanical shape but I'm sure their belts were changed at regular (if extended) intervals.

Mike
'90 Black SHO w/82K mi.




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Mike Philpott
Orlando, FL
'99.5 Black Lightning
SVT #2190 - Build Date 6/9/99
6 CD Changer, Class 3 Hitch, A.R.E. LSII Lid, BedRug Liner, Invinca-Shield/3M Scotchcal protective film, Clear Lexan fog light covers, 16% Window Tint, LoJack, Val-1