Power to Weight Ratio
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Power to Weight Ratio
Ok time for dad to get a new vehicle. We'd like you guys inputs.
Must be a truck, must be either Chevy or Ford. He's a Chevy man but he wants power and nothing more. No incredible options or great trim. It's going to and from work every day and occasionally pulling our light bass boat around, might pull the horse trailer occasionally.
Anyways, all he wants is power. He'll go for a half, three-quarter, or full ton, but he wants pure muscle under the hood pulling the least amount of weight possible. AKA, he wants to go fast lol.
Money isn't their first concern, they'll pay whatever. He looked at used Lightnings/Harleys but isn't too interested.
So, suggestions please? Thanks guys.
RP
Zach (and Jay and Karen right now!)
Must be a truck, must be either Chevy or Ford. He's a Chevy man but he wants power and nothing more. No incredible options or great trim. It's going to and from work every day and occasionally pulling our light bass boat around, might pull the horse trailer occasionally.
Anyways, all he wants is power. He'll go for a half, three-quarter, or full ton, but he wants pure muscle under the hood pulling the least amount of weight possible. AKA, he wants to go fast lol.
Money isn't their first concern, they'll pay whatever. He looked at used Lightnings/Harleys but isn't too interested.
So, suggestions please? Thanks guys.
RP
Zach (and Jay and Karen right now!)
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
Well, the Lightning would have been my first suggestion. Maybe a stangard cab half ton Chevy with a 5.3. I have an 01 extended cab that is quick for it's size running a 5.3. Mine is rated at 285hp, but the new ones are around 300-325 I believe. There's also a good amount of aftermarket support for these engines. You might be able to find one with a 6.0 in it, but I think that only comes in the 3/4 ton trucks. I would suggest something from Ford with a 5.4, but I don't have any first hand experience with that engine and it sounds like Dad is more interested in a truck wearing a bow-tie. Of course there's always the diesel option, add some goodies from Gale Banks and hang on.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
Im not sure what your question is, but a "half ton" model is always going to tip the scales less, so for the same engine, it will accelerate better. That is why I dont buy more truck than I need to do the job. The horse trailer poses the problem. A bass boat is no big deal, but horse trailers generally push you up to the "heavy duty" class of pickup, where you need a big engine to go fast, the 5.4 wont do it.
Jim
Jim
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
Likes: 7
From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Isn't this a no-brainer? Since it's between a Ford and a Chevy, how about this:
F-250 2WD regular-cab, V-10, preferably with the 6-speed manual. The 150 might be a bit lighter, but the extra HP and torque of the V10 would more than offset the extra weight.
F-250 2WD regular-cab, V-10, preferably with the 6-speed manual. The 150 might be a bit lighter, but the extra HP and torque of the V10 would more than offset the extra weight.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 1
From: Alvin, Texas.
If pops just has to have a half-ton, find him a 454SS. Actually, I am not even sure if that kind of truck would be similar to a "heavy half" that GM made with the 6.5L diesel in it....with the 6 or 8 lug axles (really a 3/4-ton in disguise), but it's fast. It'll probably have the HD truck tranny, though.
http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticles/1353/index3.html
http://www.454ss.com/
Right off a hot rod google thread...
The 454 SS truck was introduced in 1990 and was produced until 1994. Declining
sales were primarily responsible for its demise. The truck was available only
as a regular cab, short bed and was based on GM's half ton truck chassis
(C1500). It was the only one of the current generation of GM full size trucks
to carry a big block (454 engine). A 350 (small block) was the largest engine
available in a half ton truck. In the 1990 model, the 454 was mated to GM's
bullet proof Turbo 400 automatic transmission which drove a 12 bolt, 3.73:1
limited slip differential. The truck had heavy duty springs and shocks and
wore meaty 275 60HR rubber on 15 X 8 inch steel wheels. Black exterior with
red "custom cloth" interior was the only available color combination in 1990.
For 1991 model year, the SS continued to evolve. The 454 received many design
enhancements which increased both its output and its reliability. Power was up
to 255 hp and 405 ft lbs of torque, primarily due to a new low restriction,
true dual exhaust system. In addition, GM updated the 400 trans by adding a
forth gear (overdrive) and allowing the PCM (powertrain control module) to
control the tranny's shifting strategies. Out back, the 3.73 ratio was
increased to 4.10. The interior received new larger bucket seats and the
instrument panel was redesigned to include real analog gauges with a 120 mph
speedo and a 6000 rpm tachometer (this instrument cluster was unique to the SS,
the rest of the truck line got an 85 mph speedo and a 5000 rpm tach).
On the street, the 1991 SS was much improved over the 1990 SS. Acceleration
and gas mileage improved primarily because of the lower axle ratio and the
addition of the overdrive, respectively.
With the exception of additional exterior color availability, the 1992 through
1994 SS models remained identical to the '91.
Car and Driver tested the Lightning against the 454 SS in an issue sometime
last summer (I think). You might try to locate it at your local library.
Also, Sport Truck magazine published many articles and test reports on the SS
during the time of its (the truck's) existence. Not many SS were produced
(well under 10,000, I think) during its last few years, so finding one of these
babies probably won't be easy (nor inexpensive). However, should you acquire
one, you can be certain that you'll have something pretty darn unique! Good
Luck.
http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticles/1353/index3.html
http://www.454ss.com/
Right off a hot rod google thread...
The 454 SS truck was introduced in 1990 and was produced until 1994. Declining
sales were primarily responsible for its demise. The truck was available only
as a regular cab, short bed and was based on GM's half ton truck chassis
(C1500). It was the only one of the current generation of GM full size trucks
to carry a big block (454 engine). A 350 (small block) was the largest engine
available in a half ton truck. In the 1990 model, the 454 was mated to GM's
bullet proof Turbo 400 automatic transmission which drove a 12 bolt, 3.73:1
limited slip differential. The truck had heavy duty springs and shocks and
wore meaty 275 60HR rubber on 15 X 8 inch steel wheels. Black exterior with
red "custom cloth" interior was the only available color combination in 1990.
For 1991 model year, the SS continued to evolve. The 454 received many design
enhancements which increased both its output and its reliability. Power was up
to 255 hp and 405 ft lbs of torque, primarily due to a new low restriction,
true dual exhaust system. In addition, GM updated the 400 trans by adding a
forth gear (overdrive) and allowing the PCM (powertrain control module) to
control the tranny's shifting strategies. Out back, the 3.73 ratio was
increased to 4.10. The interior received new larger bucket seats and the
instrument panel was redesigned to include real analog gauges with a 120 mph
speedo and a 6000 rpm tachometer (this instrument cluster was unique to the SS,
the rest of the truck line got an 85 mph speedo and a 5000 rpm tach).
On the street, the 1991 SS was much improved over the 1990 SS. Acceleration
and gas mileage improved primarily because of the lower axle ratio and the
addition of the overdrive, respectively.
With the exception of additional exterior color availability, the 1992 through
1994 SS models remained identical to the '91.
Car and Driver tested the Lightning against the 454 SS in an issue sometime
last summer (I think). You might try to locate it at your local library.
Also, Sport Truck magazine published many articles and test reports on the SS
during the time of its (the truck's) existence. Not many SS were produced
(well under 10,000, I think) during its last few years, so finding one of these
babies probably won't be easy (nor inexpensive). However, should you acquire
one, you can be certain that you'll have something pretty darn unique! Good
Luck.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
Likes: 30
From: Melbourne, Aus
If power is all he wants, and its between Ford and Chevy, either a Vortec Max, or a V10...
I would definately go for the latter personally - those V10s can really haul...
I would definately go for the latter personally - those V10s can really haul...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Yeah he's never run a diesel before...and I'm worried. Things to break. Expensive things lol.
The V10 is veryyyy appealing. Plus you get the little V10 badge on the truck lol.
My mom has a '00 Silverado with the 5.3, it'll move pretty good.
I guess I should add it's a small four horse trailer, not the ungodly large ones some people pull.
My best friends dad has an 8.1L in his Silverado, that's impressive. What's the displacement on the V10 and how do they run against each other? Not all in power but in reliability, ride, handling, maintenance, economy, etc?
Thanks for your help guys.
The V10 is veryyyy appealing. Plus you get the little V10 badge on the truck lol.
My mom has a '00 Silverado with the 5.3, it'll move pretty good.
I guess I should add it's a small four horse trailer, not the ungodly large ones some people pull.
My best friends dad has an 8.1L in his Silverado, that's impressive. What's the displacement on the V10 and how do they run against each other? Not all in power but in reliability, ride, handling, maintenance, economy, etc?
Thanks for your help guys.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
My boss is also a Chebby guy and has about 30 of them; Z-71's with the 6.0 go pretty good, the 2500's are pretty nice... for a Chev. I would never buy one; so many things about the way chev's are made bug me (function vs. form vs. irritation), but if you just wanna go fast, then it's probably the best bet.
Oh yeah, they're all pretty well toast at 200,000 Km or 125,000 miles.
Oh yeah, they're all pretty well toast at 200,000 Km or 125,000 miles.
Last edited by furball69; Mar 30, 2006 at 05:18 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3
From: Durham, NC
This is what you first posted:
"Chevy man but he wants power and nothing more"
Now it sounds like he has changed his mind.....
"Chevy man but he wants power and nothing more"
Now it sounds like he has changed his mind.....
Originally Posted by RangerPilot
Not all in power but in reliability, ride, handling, maintenance, economy, etc?
Thanks for your help guys.
Thanks for your help guys.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Ok I guess I should have been more specific sorry.
He's a Chevy man (well GM in general) but he'll switch if need be. He wants power over anything else, but like he wouldn't want a Silverado over an F-150 for 10 ft pounds more torque but a much rougher ride. He wants power, but won't compromise ride, reliability, stuff like that for it.
Sorry about that.
He's a Chevy man (well GM in general) but he'll switch if need be. He wants power over anything else, but like he wouldn't want a Silverado over an F-150 for 10 ft pounds more torque but a much rougher ride. He wants power, but won't compromise ride, reliability, stuff like that for it.
Sorry about that.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3
From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by RangerPilot
Ok I guess I should have been more specific sorry.
He's a Chevy man (well GM in general) but he'll switch if need be. He wants power over anything else, but like he wouldn't want a Silverado over an F-150 for 10 ft pounds more torque but a much rougher ride. He wants power, but won't compromise ride, reliability, stuff like that for it.
Sorry about that.
He's a Chevy man (well GM in general) but he'll switch if need be. He wants power over anything else, but like he wouldn't want a Silverado over an F-150 for 10 ft pounds more torque but a much rougher ride. He wants power, but won't compromise ride, reliability, stuff like that for it.
Sorry about that.