Left dealer about noon with new L. Have driven it off and on (290 miles) till 9 p.m. My thoughts are:

1. I am amazed at how smooth this truck is, yet with only minor pedal it responds so easily.
2. On the other hand it becomes a completely diffent vehicle when WOT is applied. Amazing.
3. First WOT at 50 miles and last WOT at 275 miles seems like 20 extra horsepower difference. Already loosening up.
4. Handling is good, feedback through the steeing wheel is somewhat lacking. It will take a little getting use to.
5. I now understand where you guys and gals are coming from. This truck is a piece of work. It will likely become the best money I
have ever spent and a very enjoyable part of my life. Thanks for leading me down this road on this message board.

 

The fun has just begun. Congrats.

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99 red lightning, bassani complete system
2-2000 arctic cat zr440 snopro's
2000 super duty v10
Arctic cat 400 4x4
99 chev c1500 pickup
2000 red Lightning on order 2-14-00, Build date 5-8-00

 

Congrats! I've had mine for a week now and it seems to get faster daily. Did WOT and was amazed how quickly it accelerates, even in second gear. You'll love it forever.

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2000 Black Lightning, Snuglid,Clear corners,Lightning banner, tinted windows
delvered Apr 6. NLOC #377

 

Congrats on your new 'bolt. I've got 3100 miles on mine now, and feel like it's finally broken in. It was really tight for the first 2K. Enjoy.

 

Echoing Mooshine - Mine passed 3000 this weekend and is performing a whole lot better. Amazing pull off line and shifts are better too.

You will love it

Doug

 

'00BlackLightning,
I am refering to your post:

"...Did WOT and was amazed how quickly it accelerates, even in second gear..."

Let me tell you, after around 3000 miles have passed and you added a chip and filter, only second gear will hold the power. When you go WOT in first, you only get wheelspin

 

Y'know, I keep reading about how the L. "loosens up" after 3000 miles or so. I am not that mechanical, but I am extremely sceptical that significant engine wear would occur in this short a time span. I have a theory that the perceived "loosening" is because the serpentine belts are stretching, resulting in less parasitic drag. Any comments from the technically inclined?

 

BlackLight
"...When you go WOT in first, you only get wheelspin ..."

I can hardly wait!

 

Alpha

I am mechanically deprived but I know this I ran the p*ss out of mine this weekend at the SA rally and it runs better than ever.

3000 miles is enough timne for a significant number of heat / cooling cycles which will help seat/mate parts, and is one of the primary causes of wear in an engine.

Maybe we can get someone who knows what they are talking about to educate us

Doug

 

Put another 250 miles on the new L yesterday. It continues to loosen up and continues to get quicker. I've never seen a motor come around the way this one does. It took my old truck w/351 about 12,000 miles to really get it's best.

I've notice a whistling or vacuum sound when I turn the wheel driving very slow. Appears it is coming from the power steering. Anybody else have this? Thinking maybe it is normal for this truck. May just be those Goodyears, hard to tell from inside.

 

Y2K Bolt,

I too have the power steering pump sound when turning at slow speeds. As yet it is undetermined what the problem is. I'm getting a new engine installed as we speak. Had 1500 miles on it. We'll work that problem out first and see whats up with the pump.

I'll keep you posted.

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2000 Red Lightning Born 3-8-00 / Delivered 3-22-00
22% Window Tint, Clear Corners

'99 Yukon Denali - Silver, Lowered 1", Borbet CW4's, 285/60R18 Toyo Proxes S/T's, Hotchkis AntiSways, Edelbrock Shocks

2000 Red Trans Am Ram Air WS6, 6 Speed - Delivered 2-15-00 - Awesome Looking Car




[This message has been edited by WHAT04 (edited 04-19-2000).]

 

Do ya think some of the "loosening up" could also be the computer and tranny learning how you drive? I'm assuming the tranny in the L's is electronic, so it should take about 40 keystarts to fully "learn" how you drive.

 

I am a mechanical designer/engineer, and I have dealt with bearing and bushing design in detail in the past. I do not want to sound like I know it all, since I don't (!), but here goes:

1) Rotating/sliding parts usually rely on a thin oil film to seperate them and prevent metal-to-metal contact.

2) During the initial "run-in" time, some contact does occur, mainly removing the high points of two surfaces. All very high accuracy fits are produced with this lapping process. This produces heat, small metal debris and a better fit with lower friction.

3) During this run-in period, steady state operation is to be avoided. Let the engine experience a range of speeds and loads, similar to the stretching and jogging an athlete does before a race.

4) Change the oil & filter on a short interval because any particles can cause grinding instead of lapping.

 

What04: Thanks for the reply on the power steering pump. Looking forward to what you find out. Good luck with dealer fixes.

Speeyuk: I agree, no doubt the computer is going through its learning process. The transmission shifts seem to have stayed about the same, fairly firm, but that engine is learning how to haul a$$.

Blacklight: The new L has seen a varity of driving styles the past three days. RPM's have been varied constantly. At 750 miles today I finally ran it up to 110 for the first time. Will change oil tomorrow or Friday. Love the feel of this truck through the pedal when easing in and out of throttle.