UPS delivered the Bassani Exhaust System today When I got home there were three boxes on the porch. I opened them up and examined their contents and have to say I am thoroughly impressed with the product. As for installation, I think that I will be waiting until the SS Comp gaskets arrive because I don't want to have to remove the fender wells a second time and lift the engine up. I can hardly wait to get it on. The tailpipes are SWEET.

 

Hey 99,
Do you or does anyone know if the Bassani increases the performance of these trucks?
Or is it mostly an aesthetics/sound thing?

Also, if I may ask, roughly how much did you pay for your system?
Thanks for any info...

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Brad Lynskey
99.5 SVT Lightning
Oxford White
#1791, born 6/1/99, delivery taken 6/29/99
CD changer, tow package
Lund Premier soft tonneau
Lumar window tint, rubber bed mat
K&N Filter, Soon to be chipped

 

There's a nice article in the Jan 2000 issue of Truckin' magazine on the Bassani Xhaust. It has dyno numbers listed. As for the gains/improvements...I for one am much more dedicated to hp/tq than looks or sound. Bassani tested two different Lightnings on two different dynos and came up with 22-46 rwhp and 30-50 lb/ft of torque. I've talked with the guys at Bassani and they've implied that the system with "rock the house off its foundation". It looks KILLER. The pictures don't do justice. I'm tempted to stay up all night and use the OEM gaskets that were included. Naaaaa! I've got to find a place for the pieces in the garage now. They were so neatly packaged in 3 boxes and I just had to open them up and scatter the contents onto my living room floor.

[This message has been edited by 99Lightning (edited 12-07-1999).]

 

For the economy minded, I have heard that since the only really restrictive part of the '99 Lightning's exhaust system are the headers, you could just install those and use the OEM exhaust, mufflers and tail pipes and come very close to (or even equal) the horsepower and torque gains of the full Bassani system. Of course, you wouldn't get the same sound (although it would be different from stock), but could save a tidy sum and still achieve the same performance improvement.

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Mike Philpott
Orlando, FL
'99.5 Black Lightning
SVT #2190 - Build Date 6/9/99
NLOC #361
6 CD Changer, Class 3 Hitch, A.R.E. LSII Lid, BedRug Liner, Invinca-Shield/3M Scotchcal protective film, Wyldman's Clear Lexan Fog Light Covers, 16% Window Tint, LoJack, Val-1 (Sal's PSP Chip & Air Filter Kit on order!!)

 

Hey 99Lightning, are the headers equal length, long tube, or just standard length headers?

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


**Millions have seen Lightning
Few have ridden one**



[This message has been edited by Yoda (edited 12-08-1999).]

 

F150SVT- I have to disagree. Although you will see the largest gains with the headers, there is still some gain with the high-flow cats and dual mufflers.

Yoda - The headers are equal-length shorty headers. Bassani has sent a large packet of material w/several articles about the R&D of exhaust.

For the economy minded, I believe I would have to go with the SVO headers that you can get through the f150online store. The price is great and from what I've read in bassani's literature, SVO is a close 2nd to the bassani design. Hope this helps.

 

99Lightning,

You may be right about there being some performance gains in the hi-flow cats and mufflers - depends on how restrictive the OEM parts are (and the Lightning's are pretty free flowing). All I was really trying to say is that the lion's share of any hp/tq increase (especially on our '99 L's) will come from better flowing headers. And, of course, if the SVO units (or anybody else's) flow nearly as well as the Bassani's and cost less, then that would be the way to go to maximize your performance dollars.

If you can afford it, however, I will agree that a full Bassani system would be my personal choice. And, what with our already $30-40K investment in our trucks, I would venture to say that most of us could find a way to get the good stuff.

Mike