Air Intakes for Lightnings

[eschulz]

I'm looking for an intake for my 2000 Lightning, I know there's a number of different brands, does anybody have any recommendations on which one to get and where to get it from for the best price? I don't really want to replace my chip yet so I would prefer a system that doesnt require that.

[BlueOvalBolt]

No air kit will "require" a chip to be installed or reburned. Most people do the air kit with a chip at the same time because it's a relatively inexpensive first step and when installed together, produce a noticable difference in performance. The 99's and 00's respond particularly well to air kits.

It's hard to say which is the best. I have seen excellent results using temperature probes while driving with the PSP Fast Air system. JLP makes a system nearly identical. Both are fairly expensive but do the best job of shielding the intake from engine air.

Both PSP and JLP along with JDM, REM and LFP make lesser expensive systems that don't shield the intake as well from engine air but are still effective. I had a JLP Ram Air on my 99 and it worked very well.

The only system that I have seen consistent problems and poor performance results was the Volant system.

What are your goals? If you are racing it and want to produce consistent times in bracket racing, you may want to consider a fully shielded system. If you are just looking for a little more kick along with hearing some more blower whistle, one of the lesser expensive open systems may be all you need.

I still have my adapter, filter and most of the plumbing (I am using the scoop from the kit on my 01 currently) from my JLP system from my 99 that would fit the 80mm MAF on your 00. If you're interested, let me know. The filter needs cleaning but I'll give you a great deal. :beer:

Chris

[animal]

Be careful with systems though. JDM likes to tell you that you need the 90mm MAF upgrade on the 99-00 rather than just a filter. THAT is why you need the chip, not because of the filter. With just a plain filter install, you won't need a chip. Granted the L really wakes up with just a chip, it's not for everyone. Depending how warranty works out, you might almost be out of one at this point, so in that case, you don't have a whole lot to lose as long as you get a safe tune on the chip.

Like chris said, the more "sealed" boxes can give you more consistant times, but are really not needed. My L hotlapped 6 runs in a row within .05, and I have a non shrouded cheapest-one-at-the-time filter setup. It was also a 42* night.

I got my L down to 13.2 with a filter, catback, and a trans valve body. Would it have gone lower with the more expensive shrouded system? It's a topic of much debate in the Lightning community. I personally think I wouldn't have gone faster with it. Those who own one would probably argue with me, as would the tuners that make them.

What it really comes down to... is that little bit of consistency (be it little) really worth the extra 100 bux to ya? For me, I went with the $160 LFP filter, and it's been working excellent for me.

Let me know if you need any of our acronyms defined :D