2004 Lightning

[AustinSVT]

I lurk on here off & on, have a few friends who post here as well. I have a 2004 Lightning as well as a 1998 Ranger and 2003 Mach 1. The Lightning currently has a 3lb lower pulley (est 11psi), SCT programmer with tunes from JDM, Magnaflow muffler, 58" torque arms (no axle wrap) and a new Valve Body for the slush box. So far with hoosiers I've run 12.68 @ 108.14 w/1.86 I may be able to squeeze a hair more out of her :D 402rwhp & 496rwtq

http://www.austinsvt.com/rick/thumbs/04svt112804b.jpg (http://www.austinsvt.com/rick/pics/04svt112804b.jpg) http://www.austinsvt.com/rick/thumbs/04svt112804d.jpg (http://www.austinsvt.com/rick/pics/04svt112804d.jpg) http://www.austinsvt.com/rick/thumbs/04svthooters.jpg (http://www.austinsvt.com/rick/pics/04svthooters.jpg)

[cobrabitn]

Nice numbers....if I owned a truck it would definitely be either an L or something bigger like an F-250 to pull my snake with. :)

[beerkat]

If you haven't tried your truck on a road course you should. I have run mine in the past but shifted to a Cobra. Brakes are real hard to keep. My L is now the tow truck for the Cobra, but I do plan on autocrossing once in awhile.:thumbsup:

[AustinSVT]

I don't have the money (replacing brakes all the time) for open track events. I have a hard enough time trying to slow this thing down when I really have to (slam on the brakes to avoid hitting someone). These brakes on 03-04s suck! I know I didn't have this problem on my previous '01, maybe they changed the ABS module or something [shrug] cause I can't see anything else different.

I know of 8 other 03/04 owners who also are complaining, 3 have had a 99-02 without this problem. :eek:

[Blownsvtlightning]

there was not any change made to the later model trucks as far as brakes are concerned, only difference is the rear suspension being higher due to a different leaf spring. only thing I can think of would be the pads being made of a differnet material, but when I compare the ones I have seen, they appear to be the same???

[beerkat]

I have to agree with svt4rd that the brake systems are the same for all the Gen2 Ls.The brakes are fine for drag racing but not for open track events. I have seen recently on the NLOC forum that even the Lightning owners that have gone to the Wilwood or Brembo big brake kits have a hard time keeping pads and rotors on the trucks when doing open track.


NOTE: I am going to be putting the stock suspension back on my truck and will be selling the Hotchkis front and rear springs and the LFP torque arms that are on there now.

[Blownsvtlightning]

I have to agree with svt4rd that the brake systems are the same for all the Gen2 Ls.The brakes are fine for drag racing but not for open track events. I have seen recently on the NLOC forum that even the Lightning owners that have gone to the Wilwood or Brembo big brake kits have a hard time keeping pads and rotors on the trucks when doing open track.


NOTE: I am going to be putting the stock suspension back on my truck and will be selling the Hotchkis front and rear springs and the LFP torque arms that are on there now.
are those the 58" torque arms??

[beerkat]

Well I got my computer back up and running so I can post again.:bounce:

Yes they are the 58" torque arms.:thumbsup:

[AustinSVT]

I had a 2001, something did change with the brakes on 2003-2004s vs 1999-2002s. Vac. lines a routed different as well going to the brake booster. I've been told the ABS unit is most likely the change though, different calibration.

They suck thats for sure vs my 2001s. I know of a couple other local guys who went from an older 99-02 model to an 03-up and agree that something did in fact change.

When I find out, I'll add it to my page here-
http://www.austinsvt.com/lightning/gen2data.html