Best year of Gen 2

[RARESNAKE]

Planning on buying a second gen lightning this year. What year is the best and what you pros and cons?

Thanks
Any help is appreciated

 

[Darren5.0L]

Check the FAQ, for more detail but pretty much 03-04 are the best years, 01-02 are right behind them lacking only a few little interior bits.

 

[fishin-nole]

Stock, the quickest and lightest are the 99's.

 

[extremeways]

Pay special attention to this note in the FAQ:

"99 to late 02 have 3-4 threads in the cylinder heads for the spark plugs, 02+ have 8-9 threads and are less prone to spark plug blow out."

My '02 came with the 4-thread heads and spit out a spark plug, which ended up being a costly repair. So I personally would recommend a newer model year with the 8-thread heads, so you don't have to worry about it. Otherwise, check your spark plug tightness regularly.

 

[4a7191a]

I'd recommend an 03-04 as well for the 8 thread heads.
When I build my 01 lightning I pretty much have to upgrade.

 

[Dusten]

Pay special attention to this note in the FAQ:

"99 to late 02 have 3-4 threads in the cylinder heads for the spark plugs, 02+ have 8-9 threads and are less prone to spark plug blow out."

My '02 came with the 4-thread heads and spit out a spark plug, which ended up being a costly repair. So I personally would recommend a newer model year with the 8-thread heads, so you don't have to worry about it. Otherwise, check your spark plug tightness regularly.

proper torque... My 01 never had issues with plugs because I know how to do proper maintenance.

 

[ViperRed91GT]

My vote is 02, as it was the only year true blue was offered for the L. "Best" is obviously an extremely subjective term.

I never had a blown plug either, and I made about as much as you'd want to make on a stock block.

 

[fishin-nole]

proper torque... My 01 never had issues with plugs because I know how to do proper maintenance.

And make plug changes on a COLD engine. Owned mine 12 yrs and not a spit plug yet on my 99.

 

[04DeadShort]

Got 4 thread heads on our 03 Cobra with 17psi of boost. No problems. Like already said, proper torque. Im biased to the 04 Lightning for the best year though.