I would guess the weather as well. Forced induction engines suffer much more than normally aspirated engines. Wait till it gets cool....and keep practicing those 60 foots

 

I don't know what to tell you - maybe you've got a slow one. I didn't think mine was particularly fast, but here are the details of my bone stock run.

1) Lousy track. Capitol Raceway in Crofton, MD. You're from Maryland so you know this track's reputation.

2) Lousy weather. This run was made on July 1, 2000 at 2:21 pm. Temperature in the mid/high 90s, humid.

3) Truck not broken in. Only 600 miles on the odometer. Bone stock, right down to the air in the tires.

4) Inexperienced driver. A buddy of mine drove the truck since I wanted to run my Stealth the same day. His total experience in the truck was the 15 minute drive to the track. His total drag racing experience was 1 or 2 runs 20 years ago in a mid 15 second 1973 Mustang Mach 1.

5) The launch: My friend reports that he launched at idle, heard a little wheelspin, let off the gas and rolled it back on gently.


In short, other than the elavation, I can't see how conditions could be much worse.

The timeslip:
1/4 mile: 14.0433
Reaction time: 1.2598 (I kid you not)
1/4 mile speed: 97.7619
60ft: 2.0719
330ft: 5.890
1/8 mile: 9.0283
1000ft: 11.7283

I never got a chance to see how the truck ran stock after break in, because I put a chip/filter on it within a couple of months. At 3000 miles with a Superchips R9 chip and JL ram air/filter, I ran a 13.110@105.91 at Cecil on a perfect fall day.

 

Heya Ebbs,

Good post. From your description I think your L sounds completely normal. My bone stock Silver 2001 L in 80 degree temps with low Baro Pressure ran a best of 14.0 at 97mph after cooling off for an hour or so. Oilwell was there with me and he ran a 13.8x in his 2001 L (also Silver), the only difference being a boost actuator adjustment, he had about 4500 miles vs. my 1800, and he had made over 40 or so passes previously (my first time at track with L). Mine typically seems to run about 14.2 to 14.5 depending on conditions. It seems that most of the other people on the board have run similar times when stock. Of course, then there are those guys that must have factory freaks that run mid 13s. Wish I was one of those. Not to mention you read in crazy mags like MM&FF that their "bone stock" 2001 L ran a 13.1 or 13.2 and was just a beast.

It sounds like the trick is cooler weather (e.g. 50s or 60s) and decent Baro Pressure (30.0+) and decent track prep. But I understand your point...I don't know how to explain how some guys Ls run mid 13s in steamy jungle rain at 10,000 ft uphill against the wind, and mine can't hit 13s flying off a cliff. Sometimes I feel like I just bring out the worst in cars when it comes to performance, lol!

I'm hoping that a chip/pulley/shift kit/oil breather will maybe get me mid or low 13s this fall (12s just seem too much to hope for).

 

Sell the Lightning, as it is obviously a dud. I say, take it to MMS and hav them throw a head and cam package on the SS. LOL.

 

It's the weather... My stock '99 ran a 14.10 a GLD in August '99 and by May '00 was running 13.60 with the only addition being air filter and slicks... This year it has run 13.45 in May '01(JL Tuned Chip), 13.01in August 90+ degrees out with JDM Tuned Chip & 75 shot of NOS...Last week it was 80+ degrees out and I got my all time best of 12.94... My truck should be running 12.90's with the JDM chip and a few other bolt ons but because of weather I can only get 12.90's with NOS...Wait a few months and then take it to the track and you will be suprised at the difference the cold air can make...

Good Luck, Justin

 

I was down at carlsbad to day and ran
2.251......60ft.
8.89.........1/8
13.675......1/4
103........Mph
this was full street trim 3/4 full gas tank and a lid. Temps were in the high 80's, and the track was super slick. Does it look like I have enough power to get into the 12's with better weather and traction?

 

Hey, Z28KLR, your mile per hour is really high for bein stock. When i ran my 13.896 at Carlsbad with 400 on the odo the mph was 99.89. I would think u have a chance at twelves because your 60z are still high as well.

 

Ebbsnflows-your 60' times are really good!! From the 60' mark to the 1/4's end, your losing alot of power somewhere. Check those plugs! Took my 01 to the track a few weeks ago with only 800 miles on her. Temp was 90 with high humidity. Ive never been on a track before in my life! My 60' was 2.078(you beat me!) and my 1/4 mile was 13.547! The only mods I did was a JDM chip and k&n panel filter. Your L is making the power because your 60' times prove that. I think if you put a chip and filter in it, it would solve your problems! It is unreal how much difference these chips make in our trucks!

 

Actually I'm not stock, I have 4.10's and the Swanson chip/ pro M comb dyno tuned 367/ 454.

 

I was at the track yesterday afternoon and my times where 7 10th's slower with this florida summer heat and humidity. I am running close to bone stock right now (engine problem had to use the warranty and take all the goodies off so ford would cover it). All I had in at the track yesterday was a JL Ram air kit, filter and 90mm maf with no chip, nos, powercooler, pulley or any other mods I usually run. My best time was a 13.6 Which was in the afternoon heat. Hell I even broke 14's a few times. I had run last winter in about 38 degree weather a 12.9 with those mods and a 12.6 best time with my chip installed. I was very embarrased because of all the **** I talked about Lightnings but as soon as fall and winter hit and I get all my mods back in, they will be extremely sorry. As far as people getting 13.6's bone stock in rain and bad weather, alot of that is the driver not the truck!!!!! These trucks are bad ***. And for the record, I watched a Grey bone stock 2001 Lightning beat the hell out of a 2000 Comaro ss with mods yesterday. The 01 L ran a 14.1 too and beat the ss by .5. That was the laughing stock of the day.

 

Without a doubt power is down one way or another. 95-96 MPH traps are low.

A tune up is in order and I'd also locate a scan tool. Just like in the F-Body world, AutoTap makes software for Ford vehicles.

Wayne "FlashSVT"

'96 Blown TA - 1.69 60', 12.055 @ 115.56 MPH (Sold)
'98 WS.6 Ragtop - Cam/Bolt-Ons (Sold)
'01 Lightning - Stock

 

Chad, nice seeing you there. Those speeds indicate that you are making good power. I could just barely get 102.

After you left, we swapped my traction bars onto Jim's truck. He picked up almost .1 in both 60' and ET. I think that he also picked up .1 when he added the ET streets.

You should be able to pick up a bunch with your 103 MPH speeds.

My son eventually ran 12.33 at 110 in his Chevelle

 

I'd definately recommend a run up to Cecil one day, just for comparison. You'd probably pick up much better times.

 

My 2000 ran a best of 14.20 stock with 1800 miles on the clock. I myself was like, WTF, so I've been there done that. Times after that first run were in the 14.30s. My 99 ran a best of 13.96. Go figure.

 

I was a little disappointed also, the best I could do was 14.02 @100 MPH. I have a JDM chip, Airrad, and electric fan. The track was pertty slick had to ease it off the line.

My very first run was against Jay Lincolin he had a 13.7, got me odd the line!

good to meet all of you, had a great time!!