I guess by this time next year we'll need Main girdles, billet rods & crank!!!???

 

Johnny, do you have data which disproves Factory Tech's observation that the L has only 11% drivetrain loss? According to FT, he has observed this firsthand at Ford. Plus, this jives with the stock rwHP people see (380 crank HP X .89 = 338 rwHP).

At 11% loss, you're looking at 675 crank HP (675 crank HP X .89 = 600.75 rwHP).

TLS

 

Johnny, I have to question the 55hp number. According to Eaton, the 112 barely uses 60hp at 14000rpm and 10psi. If you are suggesting that the KB unit uses only 5hp, I've got a bridge for you...

If on the other hand, you're talking about much higher boost (I would assume), it's not a very fair comparison since you are running the Eaton way outside of its effeciency curve...

Coldie

 

Not only do I question the 55 hp number (or the 75!!), I also want to know how in clear conscience you can rate a motor as "good to 875 hp" when you have never even done it before. That is definitely a made up number, which would be ok if you said "I THINK the motor will be good to 875 horse"

I'm sure the KB blower itself is an acceptable product since it is made by Autorotor not Kenne Bell. But all the JL guys are hypnotized by the razzle dazzle of JL's big quoted and the slanted magazine article which NOW admits to race gas.

Doesn't it strike everyone as a little too much to swallow that a top inlet 130 cid blower with exposed rotors and a stock inlet casting bolted on top, is better than a rear inlet 140 cid blower with a better-than-stock inlet casting?

Oh and the KB blower is going to be later than ever, big surprise. hate to say it but I told ya so

 

How much is the Kenne Bell going to cost? When can you buy one?

 

For a current production motor (modified) to have a "xxx" hp rating, it has to have had the lubrication, block design (crank area/mains), and cooling system upgraded to sustain that figure.

Any "good" engineer will stick a percentage above that in his back pocket too.

I'm sure wondering about this motor being strung out to 2.3 times it's original power output?!

Not that it's a bad thing! I'm interested what it'll take. All I'm saying is; just because one talented individual has been able to achieve this level of power, don't expect we can even come close with out putting/risking what he has.

And certianly dont expect to do some simple bolt on's and think your gonna claim big numbers like that.

WOT

 

before anyone tries to flame JL I have done some research on the blower provided by KB. truckin magazine has a swap in it and those 550 hp numbers correspond to JL's claims i will mention that they acheived 550 WITHOUT any tuning. And the reason the numbers are better is improved heat dissapation/cooling, a more effecient design, and in improved airflow design. So yes it is an improvement and has been proven on the dyno and yes the results were similar to JL's

 

Sometimes people kill me on here, probably why I don't post very often. First off if you've never had a hot rod before a Lightning or have never had any experience with blowers you don't need to reply about your knowledge. I hate to tell you,but superchagers have been around a long time I mean a really long time. If you don't understand how a certain design is more efficient then don't rag on someone else. I can't vouch for the numbers,but since I've been playing with all kinds of forced induction for over ten years it is easy to believe how much more efficient the Kenne Bell could be. Secondly, the 5.4 isn't only made in the Lightning and he is giving a general basis of HP rating according to the parts he used. In case some of you need schooling on the mod motors. There are at least two 5.4 Nav motors running 7's in the 1/4 with basically a stock motor (crank,block,heads). Open your eye's sometimes and listen to what someone has to say instead of giving a opinion with no merit. Nobody has all the answers,and nobody is always right,BUT he did help the Lightning comunity grow so his opinion has to be worth something.Sorry had to vent for once.

Thanks Mike

 

Damn good post Mike!!!! I couldnt agree more.

There are too many armchair Lightning owners here that believe they know it all just because they have been online and have been fed all the wrong info by all the wrong people.

Dont think the KB is better than the Works??? How many Works blowers have gone consistant 10's without Nitrous?? NONE. G

 

The bickering can stop...

Truckin Magazine, October 2002 issue. Hard dyno numbers of the Kenne Bell unit (among many other mods), tested on a '99 L that was upped to 2001 specs. Pages 282-292. In a nutshell, the Kenne Bell gets you 55hp, with no other mods.

Read the article, it is very well done and thorough! They test the Kenne Bell, Accufab throttle body, MAF, blower pulleys.

So there!

 

What is there not to believe? Anyone who has followed JL's progress since he has installed the Kenne Belle blower can see that he speaks the truth with his numbers he claims!Ever since JL put the Kenne Belle blower on he has been in the low to mid 11's all summer at many different tracks in the U.S where most likely he would of been running low 12's with the stock 112 on in those same conditions.Now he has taken his truck into the 10's without the help of nitrous still in not that great of air.I believe the Kenne Belle and Works 140 are both going to be a great setup for the L especially with the proper tune behind it.You guys really need to chill out over here that is one of several reasons i changed over to a 03 Cobra and by what i have seen there are many other L owners making the same decision i did!

 

Not exactly. Yes, the KB got 50 (not 55) more HP with the stock pullies, but that was with higher boost on the KB (9.3 versus 13.2). With both at 9 PSIG, the difference is only 16 HP. The only fair comparison of power gained from efficiency is pound-for-pound.

Truckin article

Don't get me wrong--I like the KB. Let's just make sure the numbers are fair.

TLS

 

Just curiuos, How do you have 750 at the flywheel and lose 150 through the driveline? That is a ton of loss. And I would also like to know what you are baseing the 850 hp figure on. Are you assuming it will handle that much power, or have you made 850 on the dyno and not broken it. It seems that if you are going to state that as fact and are willing to charge someone big money for one you should have some indisputable proof. Especially around here, Because the first time one breaks you will be crucified just like all the other tuners who somtimes get caught up in all of the mudslinging on this board. I guess I am just trying to say that until you have done it, you should probably keep it under your hat or you will be constantly be the subject of somebodys BS. Kinda like Dons Bolt when he was having his motor done, it seemed like everyone knew more than he did about his own truck.

 

Dude you need to chill if a forum has any factor on selling your L.

 

I have to agree.

Nice numbers with the '03 Cobra. THAT could be the deciding factor in an "03 Cobra switch for me.