View Poll Results: Is the lightning overated?
Yes
14
14.00%
No
86
86.00%
Voters: 100. You may not vote on this poll
Is the lightning overated?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Is the lightning overated?
big blocks are great fun...don't get me wrong. And if you wanna pull a house or yank down the eifel tower big block all the way if your going with a gas motor. But in a sports truck i'd rather have a small block high reving motor. But thats just detroits and my opinion.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Is the lightning overated?
Wrong. Detroits opinion is to use a N/A 454... Some misguided market analyst at Dearborn's opinion is to use a small block 5.4. You already know my opinion. <rant> The supercharged 5.4 in the lightning puts out 380 hp and 450 lb/ft of torque. The N/A 390 I'm building will put out approximately those numbers, without the extra weight of a supercharger. The SOHC 427, while weighing THE SAME, would put out significantly MORE than that. Naturally aspirated. Throw a supercharger on there, and you're up towards, conservatively, 800 hp and some unbelieveable amount of torque. Put an all wheel drive system on that lightning, and it'd eat pretty much everything on the road. All for a couple hundered pounds more than the supercharged 5.4. In addition, the 427 regularly ran at 7000 RPM in its racing days in the '60's and '70's. Today I'm sure it could handle that in normal street use. Can you say that about the 5.4? No. It redlines at 5200. High reving? I think not. You can have your small block. </rant>
Last edited by rusty70f100; May 9, 2003 at 08:58 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Is the lightning overated?
Big blocks in chevy ss's have left the market a while ago too. The new ss has a 6.0....Small block. Its not only ford thats going this route....chevy is as well.
I'm not going to change your mind,,,your not going to change mine. so we'll just leave it at that.
I'm not going to change your mind,,,your not going to change mine. so we'll just leave it at that.
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Is the lightning overated?
I just purchased a 2003 Lightning Tuesday and let me tell ya I'm extremely happy with my new truck. When I romped on it during the test drive, I think my face looked something like this 
. I was just blown away! Yesterday I was running about 60 when a Z-28 Comaro pulled along side of me. I glanced over and he took off. In a split second I caught him and passed him! As I slowed down he pulled beside me and sort of grinned to acknowlege the impressive power of the Lightning. I actually beat a Z-28 Comaro in a pickup! Now my truck only has 220 miles on it so it's probably a little foolish to drive it like that until the engine is broke in but I just couldn't resist. The dealer told me that I wouldn't see the full performance potential until the engine has about 3000 miles on it. I just don't see how that is possible but I'm a believer! As far as the Lightning being overated, in my opinion it's the ultimate driving machine and I'm honored to own one.
Thanks for the thread.....
. I was just blown away! Yesterday I was running about 60 when a Z-28 Comaro pulled along side of me. I glanced over and he took off. In a split second I caught him and passed him! As I slowed down he pulled beside me and sort of grinned to acknowlege the impressive power of the Lightning. I actually beat a Z-28 Comaro in a pickup! Now my truck only has 220 miles on it so it's probably a little foolish to drive it like that until the engine is broke in but I just couldn't resist. The dealer told me that I wouldn't see the full performance potential until the engine has about 3000 miles on it. I just don't see how that is possible but I'm a believer! As far as the Lightning being overated, in my opinion it's the ultimate driving machine and I'm honored to own one.Thanks for the thread.....
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: pennsylvania
Is the lightning overated?
And chalk up another stomach in your throat experience from a Lightning owner. I guess it's hard to wait till 3000 miles but I wouldn't have waited either. Lightnings are becoming more popular and I own one of the first 1000 ever made, a 93' with alot of modifications. I find it hard to get someone to race from a redlight because they can't get over where the rumbling is coming from; I see them straining their neck in the rear view to see where it's coming from, then they look down and see the lightning badge on the side and get a "forget it" look all over their face. I enjoy my truck especially getting on the freeway. I usually end up having to apply the brakes to get in a lane.
Just another Lighnting story.
ironmike
Just another Lighnting story.
ironmike
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
Is the lightning overated?
Originally posted by RICKDILL1
Does the corvette have a supercharger and ohc. When GM puts this in a stock Corvette and the Lightning beats it then I will be impressed. For right now ,What the Lightning has in it should pull better times. This engine is not performing in my book.
Does the corvette have a supercharger and ohc. When GM puts this in a stock Corvette and the Lightning beats it then I will be impressed. For right now ,What the Lightning has in it should pull better times. This engine is not performing in my book.
Does chevy offer a corvette with ohc and supercharger? What real difference does OHC make as far as performance, would the corv do better with OHC?
What if what if.... fact is chevy comes w/o SC and OHC and TRUCK does. What if the corvette came with a 5ft bed and 4wd?
I know I sound kinda pissy, but I'm not, its just not a good argument.
Fact is that the Lightning ISN'T over rated. Its pricey, but so was the Chevy SS and the Lightning can at least back up its image. Who else has a truck like this, Dodge is coming out with one, but we will see how it does.
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: pennsylvania
Is the lightning overated?
The Lightning is a TRUCK not a (SPORTS CAR). If your gonna compare then do it right. There is no other truck out there on the market that even comes near the lightning. In 04' we have dodge coming out with VIPER power, w/500 hp but the 04' Lightning will have 500hp+ and extra boost of 50 more horses for 30 some seconds, that ends dodges try. Who cares what a Corvette does or what a 454ss does etc. Were talking about trucks here. How can you possibly compare the two? What it boils down to is this: The SVT team will continue to beat the competition-whatever it is. For looks and performance the Lightning is best BANG FOR YOUR BUCK.
ironmike
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Is the lightning overated?
Well i dont know about the lightning not being a sports car...have ya driven one lately? The thing glues to corners better then the camaro i used to have...and it sure moves like a sports car.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
From: Covington, Tn
Is the lightning overated?
OK for the power I have a 2000 poewr stroke for a pickup i have a 150 extended cab (ok i could & would love a little more power its a 92 )for off roading i have a 81 JEEP . thats that . If you want a DODGE you might pay 50 or 60 thousandmayby buy something likre a lighting for the price ( I could afford one ) a 454 try making a road trip how much is that going to cost !? In the lighting , there is no equal !
New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: austin tx
Is the lightning overated?
ok, i know im a little out of place here, but take it from us buick guys... you don have to have large displacement and/or a big block to make horsepower. there is a replacement for displacement, it is called technology.
our 3.8 liter V6's stock put out over 300 hp. put in some race gas and turn up the boost and make over 400. also, how much weight does a supercharger add really. and for the reason that a big block will never be put in a half ton truck ever again is these guys known as the EPA. N/A + big hp = horible gas mileage.
Whereas a smaller displacement motor that is turbo/supercharged can make pretty good gas mileage and have low emissions(assuming you can keep your foot out of it).
My friend drove his buick to the nationals in kentucky from austin with 4 guys, and 4 sets of wheels (a set with drag radials and a set with slicks) in the trunk and got 22 mpg. and he ran an 11.56. now he has run a 10.65 and he still drives the car all over town.
thats just my $.02
-jeff
our 3.8 liter V6's stock put out over 300 hp. put in some race gas and turn up the boost and make over 400. also, how much weight does a supercharger add really. and for the reason that a big block will never be put in a half ton truck ever again is these guys known as the EPA. N/A + big hp = horible gas mileage.
Whereas a smaller displacement motor that is turbo/supercharged can make pretty good gas mileage and have low emissions(assuming you can keep your foot out of it).
My friend drove his buick to the nationals in kentucky from austin with 4 guys, and 4 sets of wheels (a set with drag radials and a set with slicks) in the trunk and got 22 mpg. and he ran an 11.56. now he has run a 10.65 and he still drives the car all over town.
thats just my $.02
-jeff
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
Is the lightning overated?
I worked a car show today. And one of the entries was a Lightning. He was gentle on the throttle but you could still hear the sweet whine of the blower.
He got out and walked away after putting it in his slot. He never stopped smiling. I pointed the truck out to the guys I was working with. Nearly all of them had no idea what a Lightning was.
After a while he came walking back and he was still smiling. I then turned to the fellows I was working and grilling with and asked them: "How do you spot a Lightning owner?"
They didn't know.
They are the ones always smiling.
He got out and walked away after putting it in his slot. He never stopped smiling. I pointed the truck out to the guys I was working with. Nearly all of them had no idea what a Lightning was.
After a while he came walking back and he was still smiling. I then turned to the fellows I was working and grilling with and asked them: "How do you spot a Lightning owner?"
They didn't know.
They are the ones always smiling.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Is the lightning overated?
You can't say there is a replacement for displacement. Of course you can have a smaller motor have more power than the bigger motor, but not if the same mods are done.
New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: austin tx
Is the lightning overated?
i believe that i just did say that... my point is that there are other ways to make horsepower then simply adding displacement. there are three factors that dictate power. one is displacement one is chamber pressure, and i dont remember the last one. increase any one, and power increaces. at least that is what this guy named corky bell had to say about it.
where have these people been that they dont know what a lightning is. theyve gotta be import people...
oh, and as a final note, i have to admit that the only thing cooler then the sound of a spooling turbo, is the sound of a big block with a nasty cam. it kinda gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.
-jeff
where have these people been that they dont know what a lightning is. theyve gotta be import people...
oh, and as a final note, i have to admit that the only thing cooler then the sound of a spooling turbo, is the sound of a big block with a nasty cam. it kinda gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.
-jeff
Last edited by iamjeff171; Jun 8, 2003 at 12:07 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,321
Likes: 0
From: Western Colorado USA
Is the lightning overated?
Originally posted by MustangGT221
You can't say there is a replacement for displacement. Of coarse you can have a smaller motor have more power than the bigger motor, but not if the same mods are done.
You can't say there is a replacement for displacement. Of coarse you can have a smaller motor have more power than the bigger motor, but not if the same mods are done.
Maybe we should send him an old chain saw engine, plenty of RPM's. . .
