There are lots of good posts from the past couple days, and the more I read, the more it upsets me to see how DIFFERENT all our trucks really are, in terms of reliability, noises, rattles, POWER, etc.

So far, through 6600+ miles, I have thankfully have had no noises, rattles, or mechanical problems on the white beast (knocking on wood). However, when I ran the truck stock at the track with around 3500 miles or so, it was so much slower than most of you out here (14.3 @ 98). Granted, it was like 90% humidity, and low 80's, with brand new paving, slick track, and horrible 60' times, but nonetheless, I was very displeased. I know 1/4 mile times are a totally different topic, especially when you throw the "driver" variable into the equation, but over a full second of deviation is cause for heightened awareness.

Bottomline, I wish the way these trucks were built was more consistent. I can understand recalls, and things like that, but some guys say they have clunks with no rattles, others say they have rattles, and no clunks.............some neither, and some both..........one guy runs a 13.2..........another runs a 14.3, etc. etc...........and the differences go on and on and on.............

Don't get me wrong, this is my favorite vehicle ever, BAR NONE, and I love it to pieces. I'm not b!tching about Ford, SVT, my truck, or anything like that, but I am sure some of you have thought of these inconsistencies as well, and are probably a little frustrated at times as well.

NE-ways................felt like venting..............good luck to all w/your beast

JC

 

Its all it temps & 60 foots man. My first pass on my new L last year was a 14.2 @ 99. The next week I went 13.60's @ 101. Its all in the temp & 60 foot....

Dont let it get you upset!!

 

I still think the major variable is the owner of the vehicle. We all started out with only minor variances. But, that's just what I think....

Case in point:
We know we all treat our trucks differently, but some have been through 2-3 intercoolers. Just plain bad luck?

 

I agree with richard about the temps and 60' times.

Also the experience of the driver has a lot to do with it. I have a friend who couldn't do any better that a 14.3 on his 2000 L. I took it down the track and ran a 13.9 my first time in his truck.

It takes a while to learn how to launch these trucks. I have found especially with stock tires you have to go easy off the line for good 60' times and 1/4 mile times.

 

I learned what Don said yesterday. Let it roll with the last yellow and then WOT on the F-1's.
Marc

 

MiamiWhiteSVT-L, I know what you mean. Mine didn't come with any clunks (so far), but it did come with a ragged Ford Contour loaner car that I need to use every other week. Some of the L owners haven't had to take their trucks in one time since they bought them 3 years ago! I'l gladly take one of the slightly slower ones as long as it doesn't come with the Contour loaner option. But man I love this truck too!

 

i love your list of mods, they are cracking me up!!

 

Thanks FastAsL. Kind of off-topic but maybe not - why do you have 02 heads (as shown in your sig)? Did you blow out a plug too?

 

I think he means headlights

 

<---- I'm with stupid.... these allergy medications are really killing me, or something!

 

Don is making a true statement. I dont want to sound like a know it all or anything but I have drove a few guys trucks off of here and ran better times as well. Its all in the launch man!! The more you get off your 60 foot time, you can almost times it by 4 off on the big end. Im not saying that I drive the best in any way, im sure many could run my times or better in my own stuff!!!

I love drag racing and have done it at the best and worst tracks!!

If you can get 1.8x's or better on street tires your doing great. If you can get 1.6x's without a convertor your doing great. Dont take it personally if you get 2.x's 60 foots. Just try to form a pattern!!

I have lost many um well not at the track races do to spining. It kills your time and lets who you race pull away. I am not trying to promote anything but practicing on NON-Treated surfaces does help alot!!

 

i agree, up here in vancouver and victoria we have really low humidity, and ice cold air in the fall. Actaully most of the year its overcast with chilly air. It is VERY intercoller friendly, awesome drag racing weather.

My buddy has a 85 turbocoupe, its the turbo 2.3 without an intercoler. We ran during the day and it was 16.00, ran later that night when the temp was MUCH lower he ran a 15.1. Don't quote me on the times but i remember it was worth .9 just cuz of the air.


Ray

PS BMWbig6 do u have a page with the pics of your truck? i always have wanted to see some more of it

 

BlueL, you can look at my Lightning all day long at the dealer where it's sitting right now - lord knows I never see it anymore! Kidding aside, I'm assuming you're interested in the lightning paintjob - well I faked it in Photoshop so I don't really have any more views of it. Mine is red (the fastest color on a flatbed), and looks pretty stock. I do have a larger view of the same lightning photoshop image you see below (but you may have seen this one already too):

http://www.gearfx.com/ford/lightning_paint.jpg

 

I am obviously not a skilled drag-racer.

This was at Cecil County MD, 85+ deg, leaky intercooler and atleast 5200lb weight on F1's.

HINT: I'm not the 10second car.

 

My first time out with my 01L was a 14.10 at 98mph.

It's now in the 12's.

I too live in Miami.....no matter what ANYONE says..WPB is the worst for heat & humidity.

I kind of got discouraged, but then I realized........I'm running in 80+ degrees with sticky humidity in February......while most of the faster ones on this board are running in 60 degree weather with dry air in MAY & JUNE.

So don't get down......just make it as quick as possible.....then go North during the fall and REALLY tear up a track.