Any SVT Lightning owners here?

[John]

I test drove a '02 yesterday and it was thrilling. Lotsa torque and handles extremely well. Insurance would only run me 65.00 mo which is reasonable. I just found out that Ian, 2cooltek.com, owns a modded red one. I am interested to see how many AnandTech'ers fall into the "L" category.

 

[Adul]

??? watch out john, I think etech may bother you to for neffing.

 

[Geekbabe]

Originally posted by: John
Hi

Well hello John, how are you ? hahaha

 

[toph99]

i would LOVE to have one... easy to make faster too. all you need is a new pulley and a new chip these guys have a project lightning that runs in the 12's i think

 

[N8Magic]

I wish I did.

I priced one out when I was shopping for my new car. I can't believe the insurance for it was LESS than the VW I drive now.

 

[AlwaysWong]

I'm just curious. Do Lightning owners really use the cargo bed?

Also, does Ford allow towing with it? I ask because my SuperCoupe manual specifically says to never tow anything b/c of the supercharger.

 

[John]

Yea a new pulley and chip should dip the L into the 12's from what I have read. I think the first thing i would do is get some Belltech 2" drop shackles and level out the rear end. I see several owners using a bedrug so the bed doesn't get all mangled. They come with a hitch installed, so you can tow some jet skis if you like.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

See F150online.com for more Lightning info - they can give you more info than anyone else here.

You sure it's $65 a month? What insurance comp. do you have? Most insurance companies are now charging Mustang/Camaro rates for L's because they figured out it's actually fast. And you can tow stuff (superwong) - it's just rated at 1000lbs less than a regular F150 w/ the 5.4. (I think) If you do end up getting one, and you do mod it - change out the lower pulley, not the upper - I was reading up on some site about that - the upper uses some special tool that only Ford seems to possess to properly take off the upper pulley - most shops who do upper pulley swaps end up damaging something holding the upper pulley which isn't good in the long run. And it just depends on your luck - MM&FF's project L ran 13.36 bone stock - the avg. is around 13.6-13.7 I think, so it will take more than a JDM Chip (most popular chip for L's) and a pulley to get a L into the 12's.

BTW - do you plan on selling the 'Bird or keeping it?

 

[Peyton]

I have an SVT Contour!Just thought I would mention!Great car.
Wanna see a picture?

 

[John]

RB, I have been hanging out at f150online.com and that's how I came across Ian (2cool). I have Allstate Insurance (Austin, TX) with 50/100/50, 2.5K PIP, 500 collision, 100 other than collision, towing & rental car reimbursement. My 02 Hawk is 85 a month, and the 02 L would be 65 w/ same coverage. I also asked my agent to notate that it is a 33K vehicle on their records. He used the VIN to pull up the vehicle so it is accurate. I am trading in my Hawk for the L.

I gave it a thorough inspection today under flourescent lights, and asked for one final inspection on Monday to make sure no flaws creep up over the weekend. I will probably sign the papers and take it home that afternoon. My credit union gave me 4.99% for 60mo. which is pretty attractive.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: John
My credit union gave me 4.99% for 60mo. which is pretty attractive.

Very good rate on a used car!!!

 

[John]

The 4.99% APR is for a new 2002 Lightning.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Hey John,

Congrats on your new truck! Please post some pictures of it whenever you get it. BTW - what color did you get?

 

[Valhalla1]

john you gonna trade in that pontiac or sell it

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: John
RB, I have been hanging out at f150online.com and that's how I came across Ian (2cool). I have Allstate Insurance (Austin, TX) with 50/100/50, 2.5K PIP, 500 collision, 100 other than collision, towing & rental car reimbursement. My 02 Hawk is 85 a month, and the 02 L would be 65 w/ same coverage. I also asked my agent to notate that it is a 33K vehicle on their records. He used the VIN to pull up the vehicle so it is accurate. I am trading in my Hawk for the L.

I gave it a thorough inspection today under flourescent lights, and asked for one final inspection on Monday to make sure no flaws creep up over the weekend. I will probably sign the papers and take it home that afternoon. My credit union gave me 4.99% for 60mo. which is pretty attractive.

 

[John]

I am trading my "bad luck" Hawk in tomorrow for the black 02 L. I won the BBB case I had against the local GM dealer, but I am still very upset with the whole ordeal. I will never buy a Pontiac again. I went and gave the L another look yesterday in the sun, and boy it sure is pretty. However, black is really hard to keep clean. I guess I should order the Zaino goodies now.

Thanks for all the kind feedback thus far.

 

[LAUST]

Also, does Ford allow towing with it? I ask because my SuperCoupe manual specifically says to never tow anything b/c of the supercharger.

Yes 5000lb rating

 

[BlackOmen]

My friend owns a 2000 Lightning. He through a new pulley on the supercharger, although I'm not sure what he ran at the strip.
At 80mph on the street it handles like its on rails. Beautiful machine.

 

[John]

I have read up on SC pulleys, and it's best to replace the lower one instead. They cost around 250.00 :Q

 

[LAUST]

Originally posted by: John
I have read up on SC pulleys, and it's best to replace the lower one instead. They cost around 250.00 :Q

Crank Pulley, the most fun to change too

 

[Angrymarshmello]

What happened with your Hawk exactly?

 

[crab]

Originally posted by: Peyton
I have an SVT Contour!Just thought I would mention!Great car.
Wanna see a picture?

Only if the picture contains said Contour doing a burnout...

 

[John]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
What happened with your Hawk exactly?

Paint issues and the dealer failed to fix it properly. I took it up with the BBB and won, but the car is not fixed like it should be. I gave up dealing with the morons at the local Pontiac dealer and with GM. I decided to get rid of the Hawk before the paint starts falling off.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: John

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
What happened with your Hawk exactly?

Paint issues and the dealer failed to fix it properly. I took it up with the BBB and won, but the car is not fixed like it should be. I gave up dealing with the morons at the local Pontiac dealer and with GM. I decided to get rid of the Hawk before the paint starts falling off.

Heh, I'm sure the Ford dealership won't be too happy when they see globs of paint start falling off as soon as drive off in your shiny new L

 

[compuwiz1]

Uh, John....I drive one to lunch about every other day....does that qualify? You're right, they friggin rock!

Also, does Ford allow towing with it? I ask because my SuperCoupe manual specifically says to never tow anything b/c of the supercharger.

Not true! Most of the ones we have in stock have a class III or better hitch and tow package on them. Up to 7000lbs, you will be fine.