Cabinetmaker Mike Lohmeyer’s ’99 SVT Lightning is quite familiar with wide-open throttle.
As owner and operator of Harbor Woodworks, Mike designs, crafts, and installs custom cabinetry in Safety Harbor, Florida, and surrounding communities.
When he wants to break away from the monotony of his daily grind, though, he climbs behind the wheel of his amp’d ’99 SVT Lightning. Similar to the way Mike’s hometown harbors more than just palm trees and retirees, his Lightning has a secret of its own--1,000 rwhp.
Mike has had performance Fords in the past, but nothing on this level. Back when I was growing up, I had a ’66 Ford Mustang with a ’70 302 engine. It had typical bolt-ons for the daya four-barrel carburetor, headers, a small cam, a four-speed, and a little bit of gear in the back, says Mike of the Pony. "In those days, a 12- or 13-second car was the baddest car in the area."
A couple of years ago, when Mike bought the truck, he set out to build a high-horsepower street/strip animal. But not having the mechanical ability or time to build the truck himself, he turned to a number of local businesses to complete the project. I am not a mechanic, so I’ve had to wheel and deal everywhere to get this project done, says Mike. "I’ve even bartered and built some cabinets for people so they would work on it for me."
Mike’s list of trade partners includes Nelson Competition in Pinellas Park, Florida, which built the 0.060-over, 5.4L Two-Valve with a ModMax crankshaft, Manley H-beam rods, and Diamond pistons. The 8.5:1 engine is topped off with Patriot Stage 3 heads, custom Comp cams, and an Edelbrock Victor Jr. intake with a Sullivan elbow.
Mike also partnered with Gearhead Performance. This Dunedin, Florida-based performance company and its owner, Leonard Borman, designed the entire performance package and supplied all of the parts.
Disassembly was put in the hands of Mike Yonke at Fifth Gear Performance in Port Richey, Florida. Then Walt Drakeford at Real Speed Parts helped Mike shed a few extra pounds off the two-ton beast. Once reassembled, Mike’s friends Chris Leko and Kevin Brancato reinstalled the wiring harness and installed the FAST XIM. The setup was tuned at Hartline Performance in West Melbourne, Florida.
The root of Mike’s truck’s 6.05-second eighth-mile e.t. (which would be in the 9s) is its 88mm turbine from Precision Turbo. With the help of an air-to-air intercooler and custom hot and cold pipes by LHT Performance in Pinellas Park, Florida, the turbo system delivers 25 pounds of boost to the 330ci powerplant. The 1,000-plus horsepower is transferred through a CRT Turbo 400 to a stock rear with 4.10s. With the help of a trans brake, Mike regularly pulls 1.32 60-foot times at his local test and tune--not bad for a two-ton truck.
Though Mike spends most of his time helping his customers and looking after his business, he always knows where to go to let loose. "My truck is indescribable when the power comes on. Anybody who thinks they like power and speed should have a chance to ride in a vehicle with 1,000 horsepower," says Mike. "It truly is amazing!"