formula 377 is that a lightning classic or lightning? I'm going to look at a 1999 classic this sat. I'm stoked!!!!

also whats your cruise speed and fuel consumption if you know it? thanks

Mine is a 1999 42 Fountain Lightning with stepped hull and giant grandpa winsheild. I have a friend with a 1995 Lightning which actually looks like the Executioner. It is about 5 mph slower.
Cruise speed for me is about 50mph @ 3500rpm. I am running 1.5 ratio Bravo 1's with labbed merc 4 blades. I am not sure about fuel consumption.

I am told that the style 1995, 1996, 1997 Fountain Lightning became the Executioner and had the small steps in the hull

The 1998, 1999 Lightning hulls had the big steps in the hull. This made them very fast with small power.

The 2000 and newer models had a medium step in the hull but were much more stable above 100 mph.

I chose the 1999 model because I can attain the greatest speed for the least amount of power.

In my opinion Fresh 500HP=80mph, 600HP=90mph and 700hp=100+mph

I was out running with a stock 2007 lightning with 700's and consistently he could do 105mph top end.

(Obviously I was not running with him;)

These are just my opinions and what I have seen. If anyone has other input feel free to chime in.

42 L - 575 hp
 

What will a 42 lightning - 2001 - 575 run speed wise?

ive got a 98 classic deck that i ordered new in 98 it has side by side 500hps with the big steps, she will run 77-78 all day long regard less of temp or fuel load and right at 80 with cool temps and light fuel load. in the early years the 42 was called a lightning, in 98 they changed to the tall winshields and taller freeboard continue the lightning name, they would still build the older style and called it a classic deck then somewere around 04 they decided to advertise the classic deck and called it the executioner, most early lightnings ( classic deck are a side by side enigine configuration and all newer executioners are a staggered configuration.

later

Man I need to get rid of the grandpa winsheild! I bet it gives me 3 MPH! :)

Sure is nice on those cold Oct nights though.

Hey LATER sounds like your ride is similar to mine. Have you done anything mechanical outside of routine maintenance to her since you bought it?

nope i change the oil every 40-50 hrs or once a year same with the drives keep everything greased, other then i had a ignition module inside the distributor go bad on one moter and a trim pump stop working it has been a very reliable boat. this is the 2nd 42 ive had, my first was a 90, and i have loved both, few years back i was going to trade to a newer one with 525's and staggered boat just could not bring myself to give up the extra room in the cockpit for the staggered, beside the cost on a new one is just not justified anymore. so ill keep the one i got, i keep my boats nice my upholstry is always covered with towels so the sunlotion doest soil the vinyal gets washed and waxed regular and is covered up when not in use so for being 10 yrs old its mistaken for a new one all the time.

later

It is hard for me to keep track of the HP in all the motors.
The new N/A 525's actually have about 565. The old 525SC are about the same with better exhaust. So it is all tough to say.

I would say an 01 with 575-600hp is probably worth 90+mph.

Would anyone agree?

An 01 Lightning with 500 effies is a 77-78 mph boat. A 575 boat will run 84-85 maybe a little better wish shorties and 5 blades.

Is there an HP difference fromt he carbed 500hp and the 500 HP EFI?
Carbed is 500hp athe crank and 470 at the prop correct?