C5/Ford lightning
Discussion
I'm having a bit of trouble at the moment trying to decide whether i would enjoy the drive of a Lightning,instead of my C5.
it would be more practical for me although its not really that important,i guess ive just got a bit of an itch but at the same time i really like my vette.
struggling to decide.
any experience/thoughts.
mike.
it would be more practical for me although its not really that important,i guess ive just got a bit of an itch but at the same time i really like my vette.
struggling to decide.
any experience/thoughts.
mike.
Lightnings are pretty good vehicles but will handle like a truck but then I like driving Suzuki Vitaras so what do I know? The Lightning can be made faster than a C5 very easily. They run 13's stock and can be dragged into the 12's with some work (but the power output is under-rated and over 400hp is on tap).
For everyday use, the Lightning will be fine. It won't handle like a vette but then it's a truck. It's barn door aerodynamics will make you weep like a child at the fuel pumps if you use it in anger.
For me though, the cons outweigh the pros. It's not a simple bulletproof pushrod like the LS1/6 that you can service yourself, it's a big complicated dohc with a supercharger and if it goes wrong, it's likely to grenade itself. It's a big cast iron lump too, not a lightweight alloy engine.
As a true alternative to a Vette, it's like comparing an AMG Mercedes G-Wagen to an SL55 AMG. Fast but hardly a sports car. Great in the King's Road in the bling bling stakes but would you want to deploy 400bhp through a lightly loaded live truck axle on a greasy bend.
Ultimately, my view is that power is nothing without control. Even a V10 Dodge Ram only runs the quarter in the same time as my Z28. If you want a sports car, buy a sports car as there is no such thing as a successful compromise except perhaps the Porsche Cayenne which had a little more development than the Lightning.
For everyday use, the Lightning will be fine. It won't handle like a vette but then it's a truck. It's barn door aerodynamics will make you weep like a child at the fuel pumps if you use it in anger.
For me though, the cons outweigh the pros. It's not a simple bulletproof pushrod like the LS1/6 that you can service yourself, it's a big complicated dohc with a supercharger and if it goes wrong, it's likely to grenade itself. It's a big cast iron lump too, not a lightweight alloy engine.
As a true alternative to a Vette, it's like comparing an AMG Mercedes G-Wagen to an SL55 AMG. Fast but hardly a sports car. Great in the King's Road in the bling bling stakes but would you want to deploy 400bhp through a lightly loaded live truck axle on a greasy bend.
Ultimately, my view is that power is nothing without control. Even a V10 Dodge Ram only runs the quarter in the same time as my Z28. If you want a sports car, buy a sports car as there is no such thing as a successful compromise except perhaps the Porsche Cayenne which had a little more development than the Lightning.
Friend of mine had a F150.
Looked cool, went very well. Was bizare being so high and going so fast. Handling wasnt fantastic as its already been stated. His fuel bills were stupid. His F150 made my old RX7 look econmoical!!!
I would have a C5 over A F150 any day, but thats my opinion.
Looked cool, went very well. Was bizare being so high and going so fast. Handling wasnt fantastic as its already been stated. His fuel bills were stupid. His F150 made my old RX7 look econmoical!!!
I would have a C5 over A F150 any day, but thats my opinion.
Boosted LS1 said:
"It's a big cast iron lump too, not a lightweight alloy engine".
Are they all iron? I though the later engines were alloy blocked. Still far to fat and complex for me though!
Boosted.
On the supercharged engine in the Mustang Cobra (and presumably the Lightning), the aluminium block was replaced by an iron block. I wonder if the Ford GT has an iron block?
LuS1fer said:
"It's a big cast iron lump too, not a lightweight alloy engine".
Are they all iron? I though the later engines were alloy blocked. Still far to fat and complex for me though!
Boosted.
On the supercharged engine in the Mustang Cobra (and presumably the Lightning), the aluminium block was replaced by an iron block. I wonder if the Ford GT has an iron block?
Golly, that almost seems like a backwards move. they must have had some issues or concerns.
Boosted.
I currently run a Ford Lightning and its sort of up up for sale.
Its not a bad drive but it just needs to be a bit more involving.( i like gearboxes !)
I tried a Corvette just before Xmas and i thought that was even more mind numbingly boring than the truck.Looked stunning but No character what-so-ever!
Would of definitely benefitted from an exhaust upgrade.
From what I have read the Lightning are very reliable and I,ve had no problems with mine.Currently does about 18/19 MPG mixed driving.
HTH
Scorcher
Its not a bad drive but it just needs to be a bit more involving.( i like gearboxes !)
I tried a Corvette just before Xmas and i thought that was even more mind numbingly boring than the truck.Looked stunning but No character what-so-ever!
Would of definitely benefitted from an exhaust upgrade.
From what I have read the Lightning are very reliable and I,ve had no problems with mine.Currently does about 18/19 MPG mixed driving.
HTH
Scorcher
mlumb said:
I'm having a bit of trouble at the moment trying to decide whether i would enjoy the drive of a Lightning,instead of my C5.
it would be more practical for me although its not really that important,i guess ive just got a bit of an itch but at the same time i really like my vette.
struggling to decide.
any experience/thoughts.
mike.
I've owned both at the same time. The C5 I had was supercharged and was fun to drive for different reasons than the Lightning. A C5 is a high volume car, so lots of them around. I had to add the supercharger to make it unique like the Lightning. The Lightning is a limited production vehicle, so it gets noticed for that reason. It still rides like a truck, but more like a well-engineered truck than your everyday truck. Since it is a sleeper, it is also fun to drive. Let me put it this way.... I sold the C5 and upgraded to a Noble 3R which is even more rare and faster than a supercharged C5. I liked the C5, but around where I live (near Detroit) they are a dime a dozen. I still have the Lightning....but neither one will ever be as cool as the Noble.
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