1st Gen Lightning vs 454SS
 

Someone asked about real world numbers for the SS and 1st Gen Lightning. Here it is, from Car and Driver, Truckin' and Motor Trend magazines, back in the day, 1993, when Ford first came out with the Lightning, which was also the fourth and final year of the 454SS's production (please note, a good consistent ET also requires a competent driver. These employees of the magazine are considered semi-professional drivers).

Truckin Magazine
Stats Chevrolet 454SS Ford Lightning
0-60 7.48sec 7.49sec
1/4 mile 15.55 @ 84.32mph 15.75 @ 89.40mph

Motor Trend
Stats Chevrolet 454SS Ford Lightning
0-60 7.20sec 7.20sec
1/4 mile 15.8 @ 84.7mph 15.6 @ 87.4mph


Car And Driver
Stats Chevrolet 454SS Ford Lightning
0-60 7.10sec 7.20sec
1/4 mile 15.7 @ 87mph 15.8 @ 86mph

Soooo close, it does not even make sense to bitch about which is supposedly faster. Obviously the 2 are equal.

I like both. I would own at least one of each if I had the money. Not trying to start a war.

PS GM has no plans to make a Silverado SS into the forseeable future. They have decided to concentrate on competing with Brand-X Rice manufacturers instead of making a practical, but fun truck to compete with the Lightning. But they do have a new concept "truck" out. It is not an s-10. But it is a similar size and look, and comes with a 400 HP 350, and will be in production for 2001/2002 (next August).....

1st Gen Lightning vs 454SS
 

As I recollect, all the magazines said the chevy was about 0.1 sec quicker on et, but the ford was the better handler due to the use of the small block engine instead of a 460.

1st Gen Lightning vs 454SS
 

Are you sure Chevy hasnt made and SS Silverado? I saw one the other day with an SS Logo where the 1500 usually is and on the grille where the bowtie sits normally. It could be a something custom but everything on it looked factory.

1st Gen Lightning vs 454SS
 

Ive seen a few new body SS silverados around too. Near as I can gather it is just a dealer installed appearance package.

Dustin

1st Gen Lightning vs 454SS
 

The 93 454ss had 255hp (only the 454ss' not 3500 trucks) and the lightning had 4.10 gears. Weird for that feite.

I'm curious why would gm build a truck that has a 350 when the last lighter duty 350's were stopped in 1999. Gmc has a new C3 pickup that is all-wheel drive and produces over 300hp. (www.pickuptruck.com)


Pastmaster's 1993 XLT 5.0 E40d 3.55LS Normal Cab/Long bed Loaded from the factory with aid of...MSd 6a ign/s.p. wires, blaster coil, Hypertech Chip, K&N filtercharger, Cat-back dual exhuast w/o mufflers, 3.5", echo tips, Accel distributor cap, Dark Mocha over light mocha. 5% Dark tint, Alpine Cd player/remote, Pioneer speakers.

1st Gen Lightning vs 454SS
 

The 91-93 454SS's came with 4.10 gearing too. No, my mistake on the 350 engine. The new vehicle, dubbed the SSR for Super Sport Roadster, of course will not feature the old 1st. Gen. 350, but an LS-1 derived smallblock, around 348 actual c.i. Supposedly this new "truck", more of a relative to the long-discontinued El Camino than a true pickup truck, will feature a 400 hp power plant and a convertible hard top with 16" wheels in front and 18" wheels in back. No plans for an SS Silverado as a factory option yet. Too bad, the concept SS looked really neat and featured a 390 hp. naturally aspirated 6.0 truck engine, and it could tow stuff too. No such luck towing heavy things with an SSR.

1st Gen Lightning vs 454SS