i just bought 2003 hd
has alot of upgrades
looking for power upgrades on motor
the best bang for the $
and why does the lighting have 40 more hp

 

Welcome to the forum. The Lightning is tuned more agressive.

 

There are quite a few common, first mods that are done to the Gen 2 L's and the '02/'03 HD trucks. Since you stated your truck already has "a lot of upgrades," please list them so we won't suggest something you already have.

Also, along with the less aggressive tuning when compared the L's, as LxMan pointed out, the '02/'03 HD trucks have a 3.1x stock upper pulley on the Eaton, while the Lightnings have a 2.9x stock upper pulley on the Eaton. It all depends on where you measure, the lip of the pulley or where the belt rides. This size difference decreased total boost on the HD trucks by about 2lb's, which also lowered total HP output.

Stewart

 

thanks for helping

for up grades is mostly interior
does have exaust cat back
H I D LIGHTS
looking for comp programmer / under drive / cold air intake
what about changing air induction / throttle body even mass air
on the L 2 is it only tuning / nothing in the motor

 

The two most popular handheld flash tuners right now are the Diablosport Predator and the SCT Excal 2. I suggest you check around and figure out who you want tuning your truck (I use JJ at Woodbine Motorsport, but I understand Troyer Performance does a bang up job, and he's a supporting vendor here) then use whichever handheld he recommends.

Unlike N/A applications like my 5.0 GT, underdrive pulleys are kind of superfluous on a forced induction vehicle. Yes, they are available, and yes they do help a little, but for the work and cost involved, the returns don't justify the expense or labor.

Just get a bigger crank pulley, upping the total boost produced by your blower, and you'll be veeeeerrrrrrrrrrrry happy!

In my opinion, a CAI with a ram-like scoop bringing in the outside air is the only way to go. Something like the JLP CAI or the Chickenears Cool-Aid unit would work well.

Air induction would be considered the CAI filter setup I described above.

Changing the throttle body is a modification that can be done, but the limits of the stock throttle body are more than enough than you need, for the mods you're talking about doing.

These monsters breathe and exhale pretty well, so with the basic mods you're talking about doing, changing stuff like a throttle body or headers will only bring a nominal performance gain, until you start pushing over 500hp to the wheels.

Basically, it's just not needed and a waste of money, unless you're doing it with an eye to your future build.

If you stay with a 4lb lower, you should be fine standing pat with your stock MAF sensor. If you opt for a 6lb lower pulley, getting a MAF extender like a Diablosport MAFia, or an upgrade like the SCT 2400 might be in your best interest.

Upgrading the MAF will bring the safety margin back, making sure you don't peg the voltage of the stock MAF, which can cause catastrophic disaster with your engine, causing it to vent rods through your block.

Running a bigger MAF (like is common with the Mustangs) isn't necessary at all, unless you go fully built and top it off with some big butt turbo or something.

Stewart

 

We've gotten a lot of good reviews for the Predator: http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/performance-chips/61A1907A0A0.aspx

Here are a few programmers: http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/performance-chips/20A50211A1.aspx

 

thanks for your help

under drive i am thinking about is for the sc only smaller for more boost
never thought about lower in the motor such as crank
good idea where do i find one and are there a few diff sizes avai

the diablo looks good

if i change the trottle body and upper intake plenum what kind of changes will i see if any

i would like to do alot of the tuning myself are there any lit avai to tune these motors

 

There are two major reasons to keep the stock s/c pulley and change the lower crank pulley instead. The main one is belt slip. Keeping the stock pulley will lessen belt slip when compared to the smaller pulley's you can put on the s/c. Also, the stock pulley's are pressed on and you'll need a pulley removal tool to take it off to eliminate the risk of bending the snout.

Don't get me wrong, a lot of guys change their upper pulley, it's just not usually done when you're first starting out. Mostly because the slipping belt drives ya crazy, and you end up spending more money sooner than later, because you need to buy an idler setup.

About the same if you just sent me the money and we called it even.

You just won't be pushing enough air creating a ton of HP and torque to need an upper plenum and throttle body change.

You should check into the SCT Pro Racer Package and the Sniper self tuning kits on the market if you really wanna do your own tuning.

Stewart

 

How about 4-valve heads form a navigater? Or the new 3-valve heads?

 

lower crank who sells them and what sizes

on the changing of the heads what kind of hp might we be seeing
4 valve vs 3 valve

on the tuning i have a couple of rods some idea on tuning just not alot with FI

 

They are not plug and play. At the very least an adapter plate needs to be sourced, plus, I've read where a couple guys have had tuning problems for the 4V heads on their L blocks.

The L owners who upgrade to the 4V heads now are going all out, using the aluminum GT block or the Navigator block.

Stewart

 

I purchased my Quick Change pulley system from Lightning Force Performance. I have a 4lb lower, 6lb lower, and a 10lb lower.

Is this your daily driver? Do you tow or haul with it?

If you want to do your own tuning, I'd STRONGLY recommend you get with a reputable Lightning tuner who can teach you and show you the ropes.

Stewart

 

This Is Just A Toy / One Of A Few / Put Away Now Due To Snow Up Here In New England

Winter Project

Thanks For Leads

Local Co Does Alot With Stangs I'll Check Them Out
Good Rep