New Owner of an 03' Lightning
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Davie, Fl
New Owner of an 03' Lightning
Hey whats up guys..I finally found myself a lightning last month with low miles and a decent price..I had to travel 2 hours to go get it but damn it sure was worth it!! It's an 03' Dark Shadow Gray with only 18000 miles on her. It's stock except for a K&N airfilter..I don't know too much about the mechanics side but I want to hook it up..Any ideas where I should start?? I def want to get some exhaust but I'm not sure with what one I should get..I just dont want the exhaust to wipe out the whining noise cause I love that..Anyone with any ideas on where I should start on hooking this bad boy up let me know!!! thanks
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Paradise
Congratulations and Welcome!
Suggestion Number One:
Filter, pulley and Tune is where you should start if you really want to make a difference with minimal investment.
Suggestion Number Two:
Keep your original cats and you won't get tooo crazy on the exhaust with most cat back systems.
Suggestion Number Three:
Take your time, hit the "search" option frequently and remember everyone has an opinion.
Good Luck you will have a blast with your new L!
D-Day
Suggestion Number One:
Filter, pulley and Tune is where you should start if you really want to make a difference with minimal investment.
Suggestion Number Two:
Keep your original cats and you won't get tooo crazy on the exhaust with most cat back systems.
Suggestion Number Three:
Take your time, hit the "search" option frequently and remember everyone has an opinion.
Good Luck you will have a blast with your new L!
D-Day
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 926
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From: Los Angeles, CA
I think suggestion #3 should be #1
SEARCH
There's a newbie asking this same exact question every week.
Good luck with the L and congrats
got mine not too long ago, '04 w/ 6K miles. Sad thing is I knew more about them than the average owner before I had one
SEARCH
There's a newbie asking this same exact question every week.
Good luck with the L and congrats
got mine not too long ago, '04 w/ 6K miles. Sad thing is I knew more about them than the average owner before I had one
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 537
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From: Booneville, Mississippi
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Gainesville, FL.
Congrats! You didn't happen to buy Dave's DSG in Ocala did you? If so, NICE purchase. In any case, weclome to the club!
Josh
Lightning stuff: http://www.hyperfiberbbq.com/gallery/lightning
Josh
Lightning stuff: http://www.hyperfiberbbq.com/gallery/lightning
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,928
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From: The People's Republic of Los Angeles
Oh yeah, welcome 03BadAzzLghtn.
Here is my advice:
1. Read.
2. Critically evaluate the source. Lots of pure idiots roaming these boards.
3. Read more.
4. Ask.
5. Do.
Follow the above steps, and you greatly increase your chances for a satisfying ownership experience. Lots of people here willing to help.
Get the steps wrong, and you too may be a proud member of the My-stupid-***-launched-a-rod-through-the-block-and-I'm-falsely-blaming-Ford-for-making-weak-rods Club. With a supercharged motor, you have in your hands the abililty to blow the motor in 10 seconds - with no warning at all. The standard "chip, pulley, and filter" advice is the source of nearly every blown Lightning engine.
And if you decide that you want to dabble in going fast for more than 1320 feet, check out my Web site for some suspension and brake stuff.
Here is my advice:
1. Read.
2. Critically evaluate the source. Lots of pure idiots roaming these boards.
3. Read more.
4. Ask.
5. Do.
Follow the above steps, and you greatly increase your chances for a satisfying ownership experience. Lots of people here willing to help.
Get the steps wrong, and you too may be a proud member of the My-stupid-***-launched-a-rod-through-the-block-and-I'm-falsely-blaming-Ford-for-making-weak-rods Club. With a supercharged motor, you have in your hands the abililty to blow the motor in 10 seconds - with no warning at all. The standard "chip, pulley, and filter" advice is the source of nearly every blown Lightning engine.
And if you decide that you want to dabble in going fast for more than 1320 feet, check out my Web site for some suspension and brake stuff.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 463
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From: Florida
As a follow-up to Tim's advice, if you plan to increase HP the first mod should be a datalogging wideband. By datalogging the air/fuel ratio and mass air voltage you can provide this information to a vendor who can help keep the tune safe during your mod madness. Then do lots of 
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,394
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From: San Antonio
Originally Posted by 03BadAzzLghtn
It's an 03' Dark Shadow Gray with only 18000 miles on her. It's stock except for a K&N airfilter..Any ideas where I should start?? I def want to get some exhaust but I'm not sure with what one I should get..
1. Start with a Factory Tech valve body and a fluid change on the trans.
2. Then check the condition of your K/N filter and make sure its clean. Check and make sure the oil from the K/N has not accumulated on the MAF sensor....if its dirty clean it.
3. Check the vendors in Site Sponsor in the upper right hand corner of this screen for exhaust systems styles and prices, then for recomendations do a "search" on this site because everyone has a favorite and a reason why.
My Lightning exhaust sounds the best for a lightly modded truck ......I put a MAC catback on it.
My MAC looks as good as the day I put it on 3 years ago.
BUT..... Its garaged and has 7K miles..... I wouldnt reccomend it for a daily driver in humid florida - RUST -
So like I said ...do a search on catbacks for a variety of recomendations
If you add a chip/handheld tuner or add a pulley you could viod any warranty you may have.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,123
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From: Paradise
"I wouldnt reccomend it for a daily driver in humid florida - RUST -"
Lets clarify a few details on the realities of rust in "Florida", especially with a bother in San Antonio
Having lived in the great white north for most of my life, spending a number of years in AZ - ahhhhh the dry climate and then the current time in "Florida" I have an angle on "rust". Salt, moisture, humidity all ugly words to any enthusiast...... BUT - there is hope - and in Florida you will find many 60's, 70's daily drivers around - have they been rust proofed - no, but they still last.
Even for my '66 fast back that has been sitting for four years in Florida, ohhh and driving around she's fine.
So I say to our newbie, drive on, enjoy it day to day! That's part of the reason you live in Florida, isn't it?
Enjoy!
D-Day
Lets clarify a few details on the realities of rust in "Florida", especially with a bother in San Antonio
Having lived in the great white north for most of my life, spending a number of years in AZ - ahhhhh the dry climate and then the current time in "Florida" I have an angle on "rust". Salt, moisture, humidity all ugly words to any enthusiast...... BUT - there is hope - and in Florida you will find many 60's, 70's daily drivers around - have they been rust proofed - no, but they still last.
Even for my '66 fast back that has been sitting for four years in Florida, ohhh and driving around she's fine.
So I say to our newbie, drive on, enjoy it day to day! That's part of the reason you live in Florida, isn't it?
Enjoy!
D-Day