I recently purchased a bright red '01 Lightning (two days ago), it has only 123 miles on right now. I have been reading this board for the same amount of time. Today, after reading and seeing all this tire smoke on the board, I decided to see how the lightning reacted to just stomping it from a dead stop ( I assumed this would result in a massive burnout of the poor F1's), my tires barely barked, and from looking at the gauge, it seemed that full boost didn't happen until around 5000 RPM, before then it hovers at around 6psi, then at 5000 goes to 8psi. I was under the impression that the Eaton 112 generated full boost at 2000 RPMs?? Mine starts generating boost at 2K, but doesn't finish up until after the 1-2 shift.

To be more clear, this is exactly what I observed while driving it. Pulled out onto a clear road, stopped, sat for 2-3 seconds, then without power-braking, I nailed the throttle. Immediatly the RPM's Shot to 3K and the supercharger started whining, right about that time, the tires chirped briefly, at this point I am at 6psi of boost, around 5000rpm I was making the full 8psi of boost, at around 42mph the 1-2 shift occured and full boost was maintained, however I did feel the "torque" reduction crap through a "double" shift feel, at least I think that is what it must be, maybe converter lockup, but that soon???

This makes me scared to go out and mess with a honda, hell my 380hp, 450ft-lb monster can't even spin the moderate sized F1's. My previous expierience is with a 1991 Mustang GT with a Kenne Bell supercharger running 8psi of boost. It produced roughly the same numbers at this truck, and it will kill 315's all day if that is what you want, and that is rolling starts from 20-25mph (granted my stang probably wieghs around 1800lb less). My question to the other more expierience owners, should I be real concerned here, or is just the way the truck is when it comes to you. If something is wrong, what should I do?? My blue oval dealer (Cheerokee Ford, in Woodstock GA) seems to be pretty good, at least from the sales side, should I bring it in, and if so, how do I explain beating on a brand new truck?

 

I wouldn't worry about it at all just yet. These things don't wake up for a few thousand miles. Give it time, my 2000 bone stock at the time started roasting the tires from a standstill after about 3000 miles...now that it's modded more I have to ease into the throttle from a stop to save tire wear and the 1-2 will get me sideways if I'm not careful

There's lot's of folks here from the ATL and GA area. I myself am a former Atlantan, welcome aboard!

 

My truck was the say way. They changed the suppension up on the 01's. They hook a lot better. Chip the truck that will make a big difference.

 

What DB said. Plus, I think the '01's have a stickier compound in the F-1's than the earlier trucks do. I wish mine didn't smoke the tires as bad as it does. It's really tricky to launch. Get an airkit and your boost will improve too.

 

These trucks arent designed to roast the tires. They're made to hook-up and go. Also, the power is deceiving because we sit up so high off of the ground compared to a Vette or Camaro.

 

Thanks for all the quick responses. I will try to squeze a new K&N pannel filter in the truck over the next few days, my wife is hating me for wanting to change this brand new truck . The only reason she really let me buy it is because I said that I probably wouldn't need to change anything about it for at least a year, hehehe yeah, two days later I am looking at pullies, chips, and air filters....

Is there an Atlanta lightning chapter?? If not, it any one interested in starting one?

 

Exuviae-Mine wouldnt even chirp the tires when it was brand new!!! I was kinda dissapointed also because @ a 30-35 mph stomp it wouldnt downshift to 1st gear!(yours wont either) Until I put a chip in it. Its like daylight and dark between a stock 01 and one thats chipped. With 800 miles on her I went to the track with just the chip and k&n panel filter and went 13.5 @ 102 in 95 deg. hot humid air!! I have since installed an upper pulley and it pulls really freakin' hard now. Cant wait to go back to the track.I only have 1400 miles on her now and it seems it gets stronger by the week! Dont give up, these are awesome trucks and respond well to simple mods, but the chip is your best bang for the buck. I have the JDM chip and he claims a gain of 40 HP at the rear wheels!!! Believe me, its true!!! I also told my wife,"no mods" for a long time! I had the chip and filter on it the next day!! Better to get forgiveness than permission! LOL!
Have fun!!

 

don't forget that the boost gauge is erroneous at best--your readings may be better--or worse than what you saw. As others have said, give it time--by that I mean, it will 'loosen' up. Help it out---nail it every once in a while. Mine 'acted' just like you described at first.

Look at my sig--it runs pretty good now(10,000 miles). Btw, a chip makes all the difference in the world--Ford made us a wonderful 'platform' or 'easel'(damn, I'm gettin' too poetic!) and it's up to us to decide just what the final(if ever) outcome or product will be.

When my wife gets too curious or close(in the garage), I tell her of the cleanin' and servicin' I'm doin'......"just a new air cleaner honey."

Come on down to Reynolds, Ga. some Fri nite and join in the racin' and jawbonin'.

Dan

 

Man,Leave it alone and drive it with an attitude.3000 miles on the motor and tires,you'll feel a different truck.Been there,got the T-shirt.

Hey Lightningrod,thats a whole lotta cleaning and maintanence!

 

My '99 did same as you new. Would not spin tires when accelerating from a dead stop and not power-braking. Truck is still stock, but with 16500 miles, from a dead stop and gradually depressing the go pedal, I will leave rubber for at least 80 feet or so on the street. Also, does a nice job of regularily breaking the rear-end loose at or near WOT going into second gear, accelerating from a dead stop.

I am not a racer, so I have never been to the track. As is, the truck is good enough for a geezer like me.

 

Ditto. When I first got the truck I could not break the tires loose from a stop unless I braked first. Now I can break at will when stopped.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of big fat heavy trucks that kick ***!!! Yes my friend, give your truck 3000 miles, to get to know you. Don't WASTE your hard earned money on a "drop-in" filter. Buy a filter kit from one of our great tuners on this board. Tell your wife,You Had To , it's the law, Lightning Law After you reach the magic 3000 mile mark with a better air induction kit, you will be pissed about your rear tire wear! Then, it's chips, pulleys and shift kits O My

 

I had a PIG when I first got my 2000L. Dynoed at a weak 314.8 rwhp.....with 450 miles on the odo. 14.40 et's. By the time it had 2500 miles it felt like a different truck. I traded it in with 22k miles on a NEW 2001L.
The last run on my 2000L? 13.34@104 with Pro-M, Muffler, Blower Pulley and Autologic Chip (387 rwhp).

The new 2001L? 1,086 miles, Just ran it last nite!
14.38@95.80 OVER 90° and 84% humidity. Damn Sticky!!!
Feels like a pig also, but I know it will get better. Especially with the JL Lower Pulley and a Chip going in this Saturday.


2001 Silver Lightning
1994 Indy Pace Car Cobra Convertible
1993 Teal Cobra

 

Actually, a K&N air filter will gain him about 5 rwhp for minimum amounts of investment. This has been dyno proven on this board time and time again. It's a worthy upgrade immediately IMHO. Although you will not feel the difference at all probably, it is there and it is helping.

BfB