Hey there, everyone

I am a new Lightning owner. Purchased it about two weeks ago. 1999, "Arrest-me"-Red.

I'm actually coming out of a regular cab 99 F-150 which I loved.. but was met with some.. less-than-favorable results a few months ago when I lost a rear drive tire on the Indiana turnpike. (See: http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/17...600x600Q85.jpg)

All that aside - it's been a couple months, all healed up... I did some shopping and wound up with a pretty nice deal on the L.

It has around 50,000 miles on it. I've had it about two weeks and haven't done much in the way of check it out simply because... it's so much fun to drive.

I'm aware of a cat-back exhaust (with magnaflow for.. atleast the muffler, possibly more) and CAI on it, but I haven't done much digging yet. Immediately looking it over, it seems more or less stock outside of that. Boost pressure seems to peak around 8PSI..

So, I figure I have plans to play around this weekend, and I'm wondering what I can immediately do to have some fun with her?

I have.. what I would describe as an intermediate to advanced knowledge of mechanics (depending on the topic), and I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty.

Increasing the boost pressure would be fun for starters, but I don't know if I'd want to go for a tune, plus buy the tools implicit with the pulley removal right away. What are the stock specs for the supercharger?

This is, I suppose, less of a question of what to do and more... the order to do it, so that it makes sense economically and performance-wise.

Help me out, give me some ideas! Really looking forward to getting involved in turning this into one fun machine.

 

Contratulations and welcome! It is an unofficial requirement that you post pics of the truck.

I'm sure some of the Lighning crew will chime in soon.

 

Welcome aboard, congrats on the purchase, and very well done first post.

Since you have a 99 I would go over some of the more common problems before adding any mods.

#1 very important, has the intercooler (located below the blower in the lower intake) been replaced under the past ford recall? if not then you will have some coolant leaking into the lower intake, which is not good. you can find a used 2001-2004 intercooler on ebay or forum classifieds.

#2 Change all the important fluids, Trans (Mercon/DexronIII) Rear end (75w-140 full syn & ford friction modifier), Brake fluid, power steering, etc.

#3 check all sparkplugs for tightness, 1999-2002 have only 4 threads holding the plugs, 2003-2004 have 8 threads.



when you want to start modding the best bet would be to get a 90MM Maf from a 2001-2004 to start, and a SCT excalibrator with a tune for the 90mm maf, after that you can easily toss a 4# lower pulley on the crank and get a great kick in the pants.

Speaking of kick in the pants the Best mod for the money is the FTVB (Factory tech valve body) it is a modified valve body shift kit for our 4R100 tranny and greatly improves shift firmness and extends the life of the trans as well.

I am sure others will chime in with their advice as well.

good luck be safe and have fun.

 

Sadly I'm at work, and a cell-phone picture is the best I can muster right now. More glamorous shots to surface shortly, rest assured.



Pit, the intercooler was the first thing I checked, and yes it was apparently taken care of immediately after the recall was issued. I was happy about that.

Fluids are definitely being changed this weekend, and I will certainly check the plugs. How often is it that I should change the oil in the blower?

Appreciate the replys, guys.

 

Very nice!

 

Very nice truck, looks like it has all the 2001 updates (wheels, corner and headlights, grilles, mirrors)

the blower oil anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000 miles depending who you ask, I'd say change it now and dont worry for a few more years, buy the blower oil at GM it is way cheaper than at ford and the same oil.

the best thing you can also do is use the search button on this forum and the others.

you will find alot of useful info at the other places as well.

www.nloc.net
www.svtperformance.com

 

I appreciate the links.

Gonna do some snooping around hopefully yield some good results.

Anyone else's input on the order of mods, any of that is welcome to chime in. Always looking for input.

Thanks!

 

No prob Doc, the first mod to do is when you have the trans pan dropped to change the filter, it is a perfect time to put in the new performance valve body.

I got mine from this place years ago, great service and price, http://www.chickenears.com/transmission.htm for $279 you also get a deeper pan and new filter.

 

All very good suggestions, Glad to hear the intercooler was updated, you'll love the FTVB, I won't drive one without anymore, But I would add traction bars of some sort since it sounds like you will be getting on it a bit, and probibly going for more grip in the tires soon.
and later when you get tired of it, after the pully change, a stiegmier port is the Next best bang for the buck