Yeah, it seems like the bad news starts pouring in when temps are in the 50's and lower.

 

Hey for you guys doing the kickdowns best of luck. However if you look at all the blown motors on this board it always starts with someone saying they went WOT at 60+, you can't deny the facts. Yes you can break anytime, but with atleast 80 % of people on this board that blew their motors was because of kickdowns i wouldn't take the chance. But best of luck, cause sooner or later your gonna have some real deep pockets.

 

You may misunderstand my position. Yes, in hindsight, it would have made sense for Ford to put stronger rods in all of its supercharged vehicles. It's just too easy to mod them irresponsibly. Ford should have realized that most of the people who own Lightnings are clueless about detonation. Or worse yet, not clueless, but too stupid to utilize the sense God gave them. Or worst of all, the stupid and dishonest who made fraudulent warranty claims. But that is all hindsight.

My point is (1) the stock rods work on a stock engine, which is all that we paid for and (2) the vast majority of the broken rods would not have broken if the engine had a proper tune -- one good for something more than a dyno pull or a 1320 foot run on a cold engine.

If the average Lightning owner road raced instead of drag raced, they (and their tuners) would appreciate the need for reliable power and not pushing to shave off that last tenth in the quarter or extend their dyno pee pees. For me, 60 MPH kickdowns are not some luxury feature. On a road racing track, the entire freakin' experience is a series of WOT "kickdowns!" Lap after lap after lap. A tune that can't handle that is useless to me.

"Drive it like you own it and pay for it." OK, just make sure that you don't get any leakage from your tampon on the seats.

"Drive it like you stole it." Much better attitude.

But I like "Drive it like you hate it!"

Spank that MF like a backsassin' ho.

 

Ya but is it a real issue if you're stock? (I'm stock except for a open air filter setup)

 

True, but the story actually starts a little sooner. Go back a few months to the owner's posts about how he just got back from the dyno with his 6 lb pulley and great new tune.

 

NO!



My stock engine has done more 60-120 kickdowns than I can count. With a smokin' hot motor.

 

So tim, I know that you have done quite a few mods to your engine. Do you still- like me- do quite a bit of 60mph kick downs.

 

I don't think I've read about many "stock" motors loosing inner parts!
Furthermore, if FORD would have given us what allot of people think they should have in terms of forged internals...we wouldn't have been able to buy these trucks for 30K IMO!!

 

Don't forget that hind site is 20/20.

What people observe today... was only a guestimate at what people *would be doing* 5-10 years in the future.

I think people are just ignorant if they add more than 20% power and expect it to perform just as it came from the factory. In any car!

If your gonna play... you gotta pay. I do

Rich

 

I admit I don't know how the tuners work fully. I am curious though. I have read post that tuners can change your shift points. Couldn't you set the shift points with the tuner so that from above 60mph it won't kick to second only from od to 3rd?

 

Well I was planning on a 4lb pulley and a dyno tune sometime this spring or summer for just a little more seat of the pants power but the way I like to do kickdowns and never go to the strip, mabye it's in my best interest to stay stock unless I can go the whole mile and get the tougher aftermarket pistons and connecting rods which I don't think would be worth it for me just to have a little more seat of the pants fun power.

What I'm saying is, I'm willing to let loose no more then around $1000 to get a little seat of the pants "fun" power but am not willing to go through an expensive bottom end upgrade just for a little added fun.

If any lightning tuner out there is willing to take trade of a mint condition 2003 Yamaha 660 Raptor limited edition for around equal value engine work, lemme know, lol. Otherwise, I think I'm going to play it safe and stay stock unless I win the lottery and money becomes a non-factor, lol.

 

what do you all me by KICKDOWNS......... down shifting manually at 60mph

 

I think mashing the gas WOT from a cruise and letting the tranny kickdown a gear (by itself) under a wide open throttle and sudden power burst. Atleast that's what it means to me, lol.

 

Actually, Kicking down 2 or even 3 gears I believe!!

 

Oh now I'm really confused... So when I mash the gas at a steady 60mph cruise, and the tranny downshifts (by itself) at the same time the motor goes into WOT isn't called a kickdown?