July 2006 Gen 2 TOTM - Congratulations to Eric "EZ SPEED" Stewart ! (NLOC #1068)

Skritch · 06-30-2006, 11:22 PM

July 2006 Gen 2 Truck Of The Month - Congratulations to Eric “EZ SPEED” Stewart ! (NLOC #1068)

Another REAL easy choice for the Gen 2 Lightning TOTM ! An excellent and quick example of the second generation Lightning in the NLOC community. Currently Eric is making yet another round of modifications to his truck which he alludes to in his interview. Let’s have a look see at why Eric chose a Lightning for his performance vehicle, what changes he has made to his truck, and what’s coming next…

Question # 1: What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?

I was ready to buy my first new vehicle. I wanted to buy a 4x4 truck, but I had a change of heart and realized I could tow my Z28 just fine with a powerful 2-wheel drive truck. I remembered seeing guys towing their Mustangs with Lightning Trucks so I started getting information on Gen 2 Lightnings. The more I read about them the more I wanted one. I decided to buy a new 2003 Lightning as soon as they came out, but I had to wait for about 5 more months.

Question # 2: What modifications have you made to your truck since you have owned it...both show and go?
Here is a quick list of most of the mods. A lot has changed since I started the Turbo build, but this list of what was on it at LFest 2005.

Engine: Built short block, stock heads with Crower Stage 2 cams.

Induction & Exhaust: C & L intake elbow mated to a MAC 95 MM tube, JLP sheetmetal upper plenum, Kenne Bell supercharger, Dynatech longtube headers, Bassani catback.

Engine Electronics: SCT Big Air 2400 MAF, SCT Pro Racer tuner.

Fuel and Spark: NGK TR 6 spark plugs, 60 lb injectors, Walbro 255 lph fuel pumps.

Engine Cooling: electric fan, aluminum water pump.

Transmission and Driveline: Factory Tech Total Domination billet 2600 stall converter, Factory Tech transmission valve body.

Suspension and Braking: Hotchkis Lowering Kit, DJM Lowering Shackles, Strange 10-way rear shocks, QA-1 12-way adjustable front shocks, JLP driveshaft loop, JLP traction Bars, Linelock, RotorPros brake rotors, Hawk HPS Pads.

Wheels –Tires: Boyd Coddington Smoothie II wheels 20x10, Nitto NT404 Extreme Force tires 305/40-20
-OR-
Bogart D10 racing wheels size 15x5 front and 15x10 rear
Hoosier 28x4.5x15 front and Hoosier 29x10.5Wx15 slicks

Exterior: Cervini’s cowl hood, Gaylord X-2000 bed lid, Mustang Bullitt fuel door painted, smoothed and painted plastic pieces, Ford Harley Davidson chrome grille, J-Jent stainless polished lower tube grille

Interior: MGW billet “SVT” coat-hooks, Lotek triple gauge pod, Autometer Lunar gauges, AEM wideband, 2002 Lightning storage bin, tinted windows, B-Quiet extreme sound deadener.

Other: BedRug carpet bed liner, Sylvania Silverstar Headlight and Driving Light Bulbs, Optima red top battery, EGR delete.

Question # 3: Do you have any interesting stories about your Lightning?

The excitement of the first 2 months of ownership !
I bought the truck on January 30, 2003. The truck was built on January 17th and is number 1180 of 4270.
My first pass at the track was a 13.55 @ 102.01 bone stock with exactly 400 miles on the truck.

At 600 miles I added an Accufab Billet Throttle Body, 4lb. Lower pulley, Johnny Lightning Air Box, and a Bassani Catback. I got it to the track a few weeks later and ran a 12.96 @ 106.49 on March 30, 2003, exactly 2 months from the day I bought it. This was accomplished with no chip and dynoed 374 RWHP / 402 RWTQ.

Question # 4: Tell us about yourself, your hobbies, business or work, sports, family, etc.

I am a Test Technician at Honeywell Aerospace, been there for 13 years and love it. I am either at work or at home in my shop working. My Lightning hobby is really my only hobby. It takes up all my time other than when I am at work.

Question # 5: How long have you been a user of the NLOC.net, when did you become an NLOC member, and why did you choose to become a member of NLOC?

After I decided that I wanted a Lightning, I started researching all the information I could find on the Internet. Once I found the NLOC and the wealth of knowledge along with the helpful members…I knew I found a home. I have been an NLOC member since 07-25-2002. Which was about 5-6 months before I even was a Lightning owner!

Question # 6: What suggestions do you have to make the NLOC.net website easier to use and navigate?

I really like the new layout of NLOC. The gallery is taking some time to get used to but I feel as though the changes were for the better.

1st place in Gen 2 mild class at L Fest 2005 !

Question # 7: Why did you your board user name (screen name)?

I am actually on my 3rd screen name. When I first registered at NLOC my screen name was “Six Spd Z28” because at that time I had a pretty awesome 1995 Camaro Z28 show car.

After the Mod Bug bit me I changed my screen name to “KB ZILLA” in reference to the added horsepower that I gained from the Kenne Bell supercharger I installed on my (at that time) stock engine.

Then last fall when I removed the KB to build a custom Turbo setup, a few of my friends suggested that I needed to change my screen name to something that was more oriented towards me…instead of my vehicles since I change them so much. So I went with “EZ SPEED” because co-workers nicknamed me “EZ” many years ago, and I call my home workshop my “Speed Shop”, so “EZ SPEED” seemed to fit nicely.

Question # 8: What are your plans for future changes to your truck?

I have a lot of plans for my 2003 Lightning. I am currently building a complete custom turbo setup for it. After L Fest last year I raced the truck for a few more weeks and then parked it to start my next round of mods. I originally planned on installing some stage 2 heads and turbo cams on my built short block and then sell all the supercharger stuff to help offset the costs of building my new turbo setup. But I wound up removing the engine and rebuilding the bottom end myself before adding the heads and cams.

As of right now, the engine is reinstalled, the Turbo headers are built, I’ve finished up fabricating the rear portion of the exhaust system, and I have a ton of new parts waiting to be modified and/or installed. I took a short break from working on the 2003 Lightning to finish up the Turbo install and tuning on my 1993 Lightning, which is now in excellent shape. Now I can concentrate on the 2003.

Question # 9: Whom you would like to thank for help\donations\support for putting the truck together??

I would like to thank my wife for her help and support with my obsession. I spend countless hours in my shop working on my Lightning getting it ready for the next venture down the drag strip or polishing it in preparation for the next show.

I would also like to thank the members of NLOC for the friendship, advice, pictures, and inspiration that helped me to build my Lightning into what it is now…and what it will be in the near future when this round of modifications are finished.

And one final thought. Lightning Fest 2005 was one of the best times I have ever had on vacation. I got to meet so many new friends and put faces with names that I had seen on my computer screen for years. I can’t wait for L Fest 06 !!!, but I better get busy with my truck and get it running again first !!

I am very honored to have been chosen to be Gen 2 TOTM !!! Thanks to all my NLOC family !!!

Eric’s best to date is a 1.62 60 foot at 11.85 and 115 MPH on Hoosier Slicks.

Congratulations to Eric Stewart and his 2003 Ford Lightning for Gen 2 Truck of the Month, July 2006

Frank5L · 07-01-2006, 01:07 AM

Congrats Eric! One of the cleanest gen2s on the planet!

Scott even doing his moderating job on the road! He's somewhere lost in Florida posting July's TOTM!

madramper · 07-01-2006, 08:38 AM

Congrats man! That truck is awesome!

falstaff · 07-01-2006, 11:21 AM

congrats man!

dealerjim · 07-01-2006, 01:07 PM

Congrats Eric!! Beautiful truck.

O'doyle · 07-01-2006, 01:48 PM

Congrats bro! Very sweet Truck!

Kevin

Ronnie · 07-01-2006, 02:30 PM

Awesome!

Soul Rebel · 07-01-2006, 09:03 PM

Congrats! I really love the look of the deep dish rims. I think you could be the first member to win both TOTM awards. Your turbo 93L is awesome as well!

wjm5806 · 07-02-2006, 06:02 AM

Congrats...that is an awesome machine there!

wjm

EZ SPEED · 07-02-2006, 11:19 AM

Thanks !!!!!!!!!!

Lightning Dude · 07-02-2006, 06:01 PM

Good looking truck.

StruckBy · 07-03-2006, 12:32 AM

that is one awesome Gen 2.every mod looks so well planned out!!

congrats!!

EZ SPEED · 07-03-2006, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StruckBy

that is one awesome Gen 2.every mod looks so well planned out!!

congrats!!

Thanks Ed !! ... see you in KC?

five0drw · 07-03-2006, 09:04 AM

That truck rock's... good choice,, congrats

StruckBy · 07-03-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZ SPEED

Thanks Ed !! ... see you in KC?

yeah I should be there Eric, no truck though. we will most likely fly into KCI

06-30-2006, 11:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Skritch Moderator Paid Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The socialist kingdom of Washington State Posts: 4,507 NLOC member #: 1461 View this user's gallery iTrader: 6 / 100%	July 2006 Gen 2 TOTM - Congratulations to Eric "EZ SPEED" Stewart ! (NLOC #1068) July 2006 Gen 2 Truck Of The Month - Congratulations to Eric “EZ SPEED” Stewart ! (NLOC #1068) Another REAL easy choice for the Gen 2 Lightning TOTM ! An excellent and quick example of the second generation Lightning in the NLOC community. Currently Eric is making yet another round of modifications to his truck which he alludes to in his interview. Let’s have a look see at why Eric chose a Lightning for his performance vehicle, what changes he has made to his truck, and what’s coming next… *Question # 1: What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?* I was ready to buy my first new vehicle. I wanted to buy a 4x4 truck, but I had a change of heart and realized I could tow my Z28 just fine with a powerful 2-wheel drive truck. I remembered seeing guys towing their Mustangs with Lightning Trucks so I started getting information on Gen 2 Lightnings. The more I read about them the more I wanted one. I decided to buy a new 2003 Lightning as soon as they came out, but I had to wait for about 5 more months. *Question # 2: What modifications have you made to your truck since you have owned it...both show and go?* Here is a quick list of most of the mods. A lot has changed since I started the Turbo build, but this list of what was on it at LFest 2005. Engine: Built short block, stock heads with Crower Stage 2 cams. Induction & Exhaust: C & L intake elbow mated to a MAC 95 MM tube, JLP sheetmetal upper plenum, Kenne Bell supercharger, Dynatech longtube headers, Bassani catback. Engine Electronics: SCT Big Air 2400 MAF, SCT Pro Racer tuner. Fuel and Spark: NGK TR 6 spark plugs, 60 lb injectors, Walbro 255 lph fuel pumps. Engine Cooling: electric fan, aluminum water pump. Transmission and Driveline: Factory Tech Total Domination billet 2600 stall converter, Factory Tech transmission valve body. Suspension and Braking: Hotchkis Lowering Kit, DJM Lowering Shackles, Strange 10-way rear shocks, QA-1 12-way adjustable front shocks, JLP driveshaft loop, JLP traction Bars, Linelock, RotorPros brake rotors, Hawk HPS Pads. Wheels –Tires: Boyd Coddington Smoothie II wheels 20x10, Nitto NT404 Extreme Force tires 305/40-20 -OR- Bogart D10 racing wheels size 15x5 front and 15x10 rear Hoosier 28x4.5x15 front and Hoosier 29x10.5Wx15 slicks Exterior: Cervini’s cowl hood, Gaylord X-2000 bed lid, Mustang Bullitt fuel door painted, smoothed and painted plastic pieces, Ford Harley Davidson chrome grille, J-Jent stainless polished lower tube grille Interior: MGW billet “SVT” coat-hooks, Lotek triple gauge pod, Autometer Lunar gauges, AEM wideband, 2002 Lightning storage bin, tinted windows, B-Quiet extreme sound deadener. Other: BedRug carpet bed liner, Sylvania Silverstar Headlight and Driving Light Bulbs, Optima red top battery, EGR delete. *Question # 3: Do you have any interesting stories about your Lightning?* The excitement of the first 2 months of ownership ! I bought the truck on January 30, 2003. The truck was built on January 17th and is number 1180 of 4270. My first pass at the track was a 13.55 @ 102.01 bone stock with exactly 400 miles on the truck. At 600 miles I added an Accufab Billet Throttle Body, 4lb. Lower pulley, Johnny Lightning Air Box, and a Bassani Catback. I got it to the track a few weeks later and ran a 12.96 @ 106.49 on March 30, 2003, exactly 2 months from the day I bought it. This was accomplished with no chip and dynoed 374 RWHP / 402 RWTQ. *Question # 4: Tell us about yourself, your hobbies, business or work, sports, family, etc.* I am a Test Technician at Honeywell Aerospace, been there for 13 years and love it. I am either at work or at home in my shop working. My Lightning hobby is really my only hobby. It takes up all my time other than when I am at work. *Question # 5: How long have you been a user of the NLOC.net, when did you become an NLOC member, and why did you choose to become a member of NLOC?* After I decided that I wanted a Lightning, I started researching all the information I could find on the Internet. Once I found the NLOC and the wealth of knowledge along with the helpful members…I knew I found a home. I have been an NLOC member since 07-25-2002. Which was about 5-6 months before I even was a Lightning owner! *Question # 6: What suggestions do you have to make the NLOC.net website easier to use and navigate?* I really like the new layout of NLOC. The gallery is taking some time to get used to but I feel as though the changes were for the better. 1st place in Gen 2 mild class at L Fest 2005 ! *Question # 7: Why did you your board user name (screen name)?* I am actually on my 3rd screen name. When I first registered at NLOC my screen name was “Six Spd Z28” because at that time I had a pretty awesome 1995 Camaro Z28 show car. After the Mod Bug bit me I changed my screen name to “KB ZILLA” in reference to the added horsepower that I gained from the Kenne Bell supercharger I installed on my (at that time) stock engine. Then last fall when I removed the KB to build a custom Turbo setup, a few of my friends suggested that I needed to change my screen name to something that was more oriented towards me…instead of my vehicles since I change them so much. So I went with “EZ SPEED” because co-workers nicknamed me “EZ” many years ago, and I call my home workshop my “Speed Shop”, so “EZ SPEED” seemed to fit nicely. *Question # 8: What are your plans for future changes to your truck?* I have a lot of plans for my 2003 Lightning. I am currently building a complete custom turbo setup for it. After L Fest last year I raced the truck for a few more weeks and then parked it to start my next round of mods. I originally planned on installing some stage 2 heads and turbo cams on my built short block and then sell all the supercharger stuff to help offset the costs of building my new turbo setup. But I wound up removing the engine and rebuilding the bottom end myself before adding the heads and cams. As of right now, the engine is reinstalled, the Turbo headers are built, I’ve finished up fabricating the rear portion of the exhaust system, and I have a ton of new parts waiting to be modified and/or installed. I took a short break from working on the 2003 Lightning to finish up the Turbo install and tuning on my 1993 Lightning, which is now in excellent shape. Now I can concentrate on the 2003. *Question # 9: Whom you would like to thank for help\donations\support for putting the truck together??* I would like to thank my wife for her help and support with my obsession. I spend countless hours in my shop working on my Lightning getting it ready for the next venture down the drag strip or polishing it in preparation for the next show. I would also like to thank the members of NLOC for the friendship, advice, pictures, and inspiration that helped me to build my Lightning into what it is now…and what it will be in the near future when this round of modifications are finished. And one final thought. Lightning Fest 2005 was one of the best times I have ever had on vacation. I got to meet so many new friends and put faces with names that I had seen on my computer screen for years. I can’t wait for L Fest 06 !!!, but I better get busy with my truck and get it running again first !! I am very honored to have been chosen to be Gen 2 TOTM !!! Thanks to all my NLOC family !!! Eric’s best to date is a 1.62 60 foot at 11.85 and 115 MPH on Hoosier Slicks. Congratulations to Eric Stewart and his 2003 Ford Lightning for Gen 2 Truck of the Month, July 2006

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode




Home \| Classified Ads \| Gallery \| Join the Club \| Register on the Forum \| Merchandise \| Supporting Vendors \| Chat

07-01-2006, 01:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
Frank5L 1.37 60' on Drag Radials Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Central AR Posts: 10,909 View this user's gallery iTrader: 22 / 100%	Congrats Eric! One of the cleanest gen2s on the planet! Scott even doing his moderating job on the road! He's somewhere lost in Florida posting July's TOTM!

07-01-2006, 08:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
madramper Supporting Vendor Paid Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Alloway, NJ Posts: 11,493 NLOC member #: 937 View this user's gallery iTrader: 43 / 100%	Congrats man! That truck is awesome!

07-01-2006, 11:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
falstaff I am a jerk and banned! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gone! Posts: 4,294,967,288 View this user's gallery iTrader: 12 / 100%	congrats man!

07-01-2006, 01:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
dealerjim Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Walls, MS Posts: 2,216 View this user's gallery iTrader: 2 / 100%	Congrats Eric!! Beautiful truck.

07-01-2006, 01:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
O'doyle Will it ever end? Paid Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Shawnee, OK Posts: 2,500 NLOC member #: 2415 View this user's gallery iTrader: 24 / 100%	Congrats bro! Very sweet Truck! Kevin

07-01-2006, 02:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ronnie Will Work For Truck Parts Paid Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 6,470 NLOC member #: 1661 View this user's gallery iTrader: 12 / 100%	Awesome!

07-01-2006, 09:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
Soul Rebel E ne'e paha 'oe! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ma uka Posts: 1,072 View this user's gallery iTrader: 1 / 100%	Congrats! I really love the look of the deep dish rims. I think you could be the first member to win both TOTM awards. Your turbo 93L is awesome as well!

07-02-2006, 06:02 AM	#9 (permalink)
wjm5806 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Gloucester County, Va. Posts: 1,402 View this user's gallery iTrader: 11 / 100%	Congrats...that is an awesome machine there! wjm

07-02-2006, 11:19 AM	#10 (permalink)
EZ SPEED Boost Kills !!!!!!! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oxford, Alabama Posts: 2,640 View this user's gallery iTrader: 24 / 100%	Thanks !!!!!!!!!!

07-02-2006, 06:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
Lightning Dude Hit it. Paid Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nacogdoches/DFW Texas Posts: 872 NLOC member #: 1772 View this user's gallery iTrader: 0 / 0%	Good looking truck.

07-03-2006, 12:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
StruckBy Electric Edward Join Date: May 2000 Location: Orlando,FL. Posts: 6,435 View this user's gallery iTrader: 36 / 100%	that is one awesome Gen 2.every mod looks so well planned out!! congrats!!

07-03-2006, 09:04 AM	#14 (permalink)
five0drw Moderator Paid Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,410 NLOC member #: 354 View this user's gallery iTrader: 3 / 100%	That truck rock's... good choice,, congrats