Lighting v8 trike

[TRIKERCAJUN]

Can anyone on here give me your input on the v8 trikes built by lighting trikes out of las vegas, good or bad?
Thanks

[trikes4ever]

I had a Lightning for a couple of years and absolutely loved it. Incredible acceleration, well made, heavy springer made specifically for this trike, nice lines - unlike Ecstasy V8 trikes - which look like farm tractors to me, and have that goofy link-rod steering. Default power is a Chevy 350 with TH350 3 speed automatic trans. 9" Ford rear, 4-link rear suspension, dual fuel cells, comfortable bucket seating.

I didn't think they were still in business, but here's a link to them.

Are you considering buying one - used I presume? I did have some minor problems. It came with a Holley double-pumper carb, which kept blowing out some valve. I replaced it with a Rochester Quadrajet. I had problems with water in the gas tanks, and the fuel pickup was all the way at the bottom, so if water was in there it got into the fuel lines. I'd recommend a marine fuel water separator. It also had a slight pull to the left. The manufacturer told me that they all did - that the frame relaxed slightly when it came out of the welding jig.

Mine was relatively new - it was a 'demo' model that was trailered around and taken to shows, customer demos, etc.

Good luck should you decide to purchase - and let us know and post pics.

All in all - a really nice looking and fun machine to own and drive - and my wife drove it too. Put her in drive, hold on, and step on the gas.

[TRIKERCAJUN]

Have a friend near by that has a new[used one] only 2000 miles on it, and thinking of buying it, don't like the estacy trike, too boxy looking, reminds me of a mailtruck on steriods.
Thanks for the info.

[TRIKERCAJUN]

WELL WENT AND LOOKED AT THE V8 TRIKE THAT MY FRIEND HAD, WELL IT IS NOT WORTH IT TO ME, SO I GUESS I WILL KEEP LOOKING, IT HAD A FORD FLATHEAD MOTOR IN IT, BUT NOT FOR ME. I REALLY LIKE THE LOOKS OF THE GOLDWINGS, BUT I AM TOO TALL TO SIT ON THEM AND BE COMFY TOO, TOO BAD THEY DON'T MAKE A STRECHED GOLDWING.

[trikes4ever]

It was a hack job then. Lightning never made one with a Ford flathead that I know of. Sounds like you made a good choice to stay away. A mildly souped VW would probably blow that thing away.

[TRIKERCAJUN]

Morning, and thanks for the info, vw's and me never got along too well, but looks like i may have to go that way
the reason i was wanting the v8 trike was for long trips accross the states, but it has to make it and not breakdown on me, when you say mildly souped up, what do you mean in way of a vw?

[KDHUFF]

its common now days to use a subaru in a vw trans, more power and less maintance for the money and reliable as well.build it just like a vw trike only big difference is you need a place for the radiator. I am leaning that way for one of mine.

[TRIKERCAJUN]

I hear what you are saying about the subie's for a motor, but down here, they are hard to find, unless you buy the whole car,
i would try my hand at a fwd unit in the rear, small enhine unit,plenty of them around here, seems like everyone is using the subie's for the drivetrain, i'd like to shy away from the vw trannies, if you get my drift on where i am trying to go,
here is a little humor about everyone using the subie motor, back when marylyn monroe had her skirt blown up while walking over the steel grate on the sidewalk and then every woman, even the ugly ones were looking for that grate to have it done too, but could not find it, , just a little humor,
so just cause it works for someone else, don't mean it is the way to go, maybe i am saying this wrong, no pun intended, just kidding and i appreciate all the help,
thanks

[KDHUFF]

the v6 trikes are nice, but the wiring and electronics.....if you figure that out you can have a nice trike with all the "passing" power you need

[caveman50]

I hope to post pics in a few days of my subie trike with subie auto trans, pretty neat set up

[KDHUFF]

Did you take any pictures during the build?

[trikes4ever]

I've had many VWs over the years - Beetles and trikes. My experience is they are very reliable. You do have to perform periodic maintenance - including valve adjustment - but with chromaloy pushrods that is greatly simplified. I ran a 1776 with dual 44 Kadrons in my last trike and it had plenty of power and never had a problem over a period of 25k miles. Also had the freeway flyer gears in the transaxle which keeps the rpms down at highway speeds but still delivers more than adequate power. Subaru is nice but more complicated and lots of extra wiring and electronics to deal with. Dave Watt ran a Subaru on the Alchemist, which mine was modeled after.

I bought my engine (a 1776 with dual 44s, deep sump, hardened rocker shafts, SS pushrod tubes, swivel foot rockers) from Strictly Foreign in Oregon. Mark is very knowledgeable and a great guy to deal with. They're mostly into sand-rails but really know these motors well. He can build you anything from a mild street to a dragster and you'll have it in a week.

[caveman50]

Yes KD, it is still during the build (unfortunately) I have a few pics, will try to get some better ones before i post them. Caveman

[caveman50]

Almost forgot, Nana posted some earlier pics on page 2 of post your vw pics here, of my subie trike, trying to get some detailed pics of air ride suspension etc. to post later. Caveman

[BeHereNow]

I'm surprised no one mentioed Boss Hoss. 350 V8. Four models, I like the coupe.
Some late model low milage going for under $25K, and some really nice ones going for low $30's.