Just got off the phone with them their pulley is done. It will be available after the first of the year. It made 3 more pounds of boost and takes about 1/2 hour to install. Scott

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RED 99 LIGHTNING
CAT BACK FLOWMASTER MUFFLER SYSTEM


[This message has been edited by SCOTTODOG (edited 12-09-1999).]

[This message has been edited by SCOTTODOG (edited 12-11-1999).]

 

Sal, what do you think about the stresses of an extra 3lbs of boost? How will this affect belt tension, and what was the deal with people damaging their SC in the process of removing the existing pulley?

 

It replaces the crank pulley so you dont have to worry about damaging the supercharger. 1/2 hour worth of work is not bad for about an extra 30 hp.

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RED 99 LIGHTNING
CAT BACK FLOWMASTER MUFFLER SYSTEM



[This message has been edited by SCOTTODOG (edited 12-09-1999).]

[This message has been edited by SCOTTODOG (edited 12-11-1999).]

 

Hey Nathan, Sal here. I had looked into having custom blower crank pullies made to sell as well. But since our filter kit worked so much better than expected, and increases boost as well (I have received feedback from some customers seeing up to 3psi increase on aftermarket gauges), I didn't want to pursue the blower pulley because I didn't want someone "overworking" the blower with the filter kit AND the pulley. As we have previously discussed, the Eaton 112 is close to maximum efficency and we only had about 3 psi of room to improve if I recall correctly. It was also close to max rpm range for the blower, and that was before we were spinning them to higher shift points with chips. There are many products that people will try, and yes they may add power, but for how long? Personally I don't think these motors are as "bulletproof" as many think. Also, changing that lower blower pulley is no fun task. it requires a special socket to fit the pulley hex, and then you have to hold the motor somehow to break it loose. Ford has a special tool that you take the starter out and bolt in and it engagest he flywheel to hold the motor. But taking the starter out isn't fun either. You can try to shock the pulley free with a breaker bar, but last time I tried that, it almost didn't work. Either way, it's no half hour job.

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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

 

The lightning supercharger is said to be working near max efficiancy. So the boost increase people are seeing from Sal's filter kit is probably from reduced air temp and less restriction. The supercharger on the lightning will make more boost but at a higher temp. A larger pulley along with a kit like sal's to lower air temp would work fine. People with chip's might have a problem with detonation and have to use an octain booster or have the chip recalibrated. As far as the 1/2 hour change time that comes directly from the Downs Ford guys that just did one.

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RED 99 LIGHTNING
CAT BACK FLOWMASTER MUFFLER SYSTEM


[This message has been edited by SCOTTODOG (edited 12-10-1999).]

 

Speaking of detonation, my superchip detonates like hell from about 4K up regardless of fuel supplier (all 93+ octane). Octane boosters in a bottle push this out to about 4500 or so. Is this common?

 

Have you tried changing your brand of gas? I know that there are some problems here on the east coast because of the different fuel used during the winter. Superchip will reprogram the chip to take care of the problem. Sounds like the timing is off a little. Scott

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RED 99 LIGHTNING
CAT BACK FLOWMASTER MUFFLER SYSTEM

 

Have you tried changing your brand of gas? I know that there are some problems here on the east coast because of the different fuel used during the winter. Superchip will reprogram the chip to take care of the problem. Sounds like the timing is off a little. Scott

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RED 99 LIGHTNING
CAT BACK FLOWMASTER MUFFLER SYSTEM


[This message has been edited by SCOTTODOG (edited 12-10-1999).]

 

Nathan,

You seem to be having the same problem I had with the Superchip the first time I got it. I had to send mine back for a reprogram to get the detonation to go away. I havn't had any detonation (that I could hear anyway) since I got the chip back.

------------------
Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
wyldman@houston.rr.com
Black 99.5 Lightning Build # 1273, DOB 5-14-99, NLOC #315
Best run to date 13.16 @104.8
CD Changer; Tow Pkg.; Lojack; Sal's custom nitrous chip; G-Tech/Pro; SnugLid; BedRug; Invinca-Shield, full kit; NOS KIT 80 hp shot (currently); Clear and smoke Lexan fog light covers; 3M Ti Window Tint; Bel radar detector (shouldn't be an accessory); PowerStack cone filter (a.k.a. supercharger waker upper); American Auto Designs ram air hood; Cal-Tracs traction bars

 

Besides the above issues I think the pulley might void the warranty on your supercharger, which would suck big time. It wouldn't be too fun to swap it with the stock pulley every time you take it in for service either.

Mike

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99.5 Black Lightning
PowerSurge Cone Filter
JBA Jet-Hot coated headers
Flowmaster muffler
Watter Wetter
Lo-Jack

 

I would pretty much count on it voiding your entire warranty on your motor, supercharger, tranny, or any other driveline part that an uncooperative dealer might choose. You're putting more stress on all of those components.

Granted, legally they can't just arbitrarily void your warranty for a part unless they can prove its involvement in the problem, but it'll be your time and money spent dragging them through arbitration or court in order to get the problem taken care of.

 

Dear Nathan,

I just saw your post that you were having some detonation problems with your Superchip. A few Lightnings have needed to have their programs adjusted to compensate for their local fuel quality. We recommend using Texaco, Amoco, or Citgo, as they have high BTU content and excellent detergent additives. Steer clear of Exxon, Chevron, BP, and any no-name fuels.

You mention that you've tried different brands of fuel, so if that hasn't cleared up your detonation, then I would recommend you have it adjusted. Superchips is happy to do this for you, you can simply call them toll-free at 888-227-2447, and they'll make the arrangements with you to get it done.

If you have any questions about this, please feel free to give me a call, ok?

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com



[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 12-16-1999).]

 

The pulley listed on the Downs Ford Online store states "Blower Pulleys
(2-3 psi. increases, easy to install)."
Here is the web site for the Lightning parts & accessories.
1: http://www.thefordsource.com/store/m.../lightning.htm


I'm not quite sure what to make of this. I am going to send an e-mail to Downs regarding warranty & installation difficulty. The E-mail is info@thefordsource.com


Sal is very knowledgeable regarding the function & sophistication of the I Gen & II Gen Lightnings, so I don't doubt his information, but I would like to know how downs can list & advertise the pulley as being "easy to install." Easy for them? Or easy for the customer? See the point?

I would think that since Downs Ford is advertising these products, that there is some type of warranty advice to gain from talking with them. They are a dealer after all.

I will report back my findings and post the messages here. I did e-mail Downs once before regarding pictures of the products. Downs removed the pictures about one week ago, and I asked if they could put them back up. They will be adding photos of the Lightning products again.

 

Here is the E-mail I received back from Downs Ford:

"Here is the low down on our supercharger pulleys for the 99 Lightning's. You are probably thinking that it is the pulley that goes on the supercharger but thats not correct, what we are building is a lower supercharger pulley. The pulley will consist of the bracket, pulley and bearing already to be bolted in. There is only three bolts that hold that pulley and bracket on so yes it is easy to install. We have installed the prototype on our 99 lightning and have seen 2 1/2 psi of boost increase. Since our dyno is down we have not tested for hp increase as of yet. If you have more questions feel free to ask them. I will go the the f150online now and see if there is more questions I can answer.

Joe Amato

OOOppps almost forgot, the warranty. That is up to your dealer, each dealer is independently owned and can do with what they want with the way the cover vehicles that have been modified. We are here to sell RACING parts which are not covered under warranty. Here is an example of the way it works. Say you put gears in your truck and the gears break, well that is not covered. Say the axle bearing went than that is. This is the way it suppose to work but not every dealer does it."-Downs Ford Motorsports\

So there is what they had to say.

 

What is this detonation you guys are talking about? And would Sal's filter kit and a superchip be anough mods for around town and a couple strips every once in awhile? Thanks!

Matt