I just bought a 2002 SVT Lightning all stock... I was thinking Cold air intake... and possibly exhaust... What are some GOOD mods that will help me go faster, im not a big fan of making the truck look good... all that matters is speed =) I know the lightning has a lot of stock good parts, like is the exhaust good as is or what? fill me in, im a noob with lightnings... Thanks

 

I am pretty much a newb too but from what I have heard and read.... Cold air, full exhaust, pulley upgrade and a tune should be about the standard for the Lightning. I think most with this combo are putting down/enjoying closer to the 500whp 550wtq. Good luck and enjoy.

 

Thanks for the input... and what would a tune be? like buying a tuner? or taking it to a auto shop?

 

6# lower pulley, filter kit, programmer w/tune, valve body.....then enjoy.

 

Depends on how fast you want to go and how much money you can spend. There's no way you are going to make 500 rwhp with just a pulley, CAI, and a good tune. Think more like 400. A little more if you want to walk the line.

 

A tune would be carrying it to a tuner specifically for the "L" If you post up where your located I am sure some people will chime in where the closest good tuner is. The tuner would basically sell you the tuning software or tool (ie. sct, diablo, etc.) and do a custom tune to your specific truck with the new mods.

PS..... Get your tune after your mods or have the tuner install certain things for you before the tune depending on how much of a gearhead you are. Especially the pulley it could really harm the motor to run a 6# pulley without a tune.... keyword could!

 

Well... I am in REDDING, CALIFORNIA so ya... what is a 6# pulley?

 

it's a pulley that increases boost by 6#

 

Well, got a link to a site with one? sry for all the questions, but hey, arent they what forums are for?!?! lol

 

http://www.lightningforceperformance.com/

 

So if i get a Cold Air Intake, Full Exhaust, #6 pulley, and tune what do you estimate to be my new HP and FT. LB?

 

450whp 475wtq if your lucky but at least 425whp/450wtq

 

add either a larger MAF or a MAF extender just to be on the safe side

 

Thanks for the advice... Why do I want a larger MAF though? Will that really make that much of a difference? got a site with a good one you could link me to?

 

I think the MAF upgrade is not 100% necessary on an '02, but it's just an opinion. The mods I would go with would be:

New Lower Pulley (4# or 6# depending how close to the edge you like to live).
CAI (Chickenears Kool-Aid, JDM, K&N, whatever, just get rid of the box).
Shift Kit (Chickenears FTVB, JDM, others... basically rework your shift pressure).
TR6 Spark Plugs
Exhaust (Cat-back or Hi-Flo Cats & X-pipe, or add headers to all that).
Single Blade Throttle Body (Accufab... 1700 CFM vs 1100 CFM stocker).
Tune (Best is a dyno tune, next best is a canned tune)
Better Intake Elbow (Air Force 1, C & L, others) for smoother airflow.
Depending on where you live, it'd probably be best to find a "local" tuner who has a chassis dyno and experience with Ford products, especially supercharged ones. Next best is to get all your mods listed and get a canned tune from a quality tuner like JDM or JJ @ Woodbine. There are probably many others, but these guys know Lightnings inside and out. You should be able to make 400 RWHP with a 4# and the other mods, probably closer to 435 RWHP if you go with the 6#... but that's just a guesstimate, you might make more/less. I've read where some folks have made better than 425 with a 4-pounder. Also remember that a stock block original motor is somewhat safe up until around 450... maybe a little more. You push it too much and those rods may just try to escape through their tubular prison.

Have fun.