Rear Wheel Horsepower - RWHP.us - View Single Post

mach1usmc · #15 (**permalink**) 09-19-2009, 08:27 AM

Sheesh.....you should have just put a post up saying "CALLING ALL GM FANBOIS!!!"

I've owned both- I still have the Lightning. I loved the Camaro but the versatility of the Lightning is what I needed. BTW- if you want even more versatility get a Harley Davidson F150 02-04 model. The have the same drivetrain as the Lightning (with a bigger upper pulley- hence less HP) but comes in crewcab or extended cab form. With a pulley swap and tune HD's are just as potent as Lightnings.

The benefit from a performance perspective is they comes from the factory with a supercharger. With a upper/lower pulley swap, CAI, exhaust and tune you can be in the 450rwhp range in a hurry. One weakness is the fact that EVERY componant in the lower end is forged except the rods- so the bottom end is limited to 450ish rwhp.

Stats are decent- if you get one make sure you get the 01-04 Lightning. They have the reworked intercooler and 3.73 gears. The 01+ is good for 380 under rated hp (they usually dyno around 340ish stock) Car and Driver tested an 01 and got a 5.2 0-60 time and a low 13 second pass. Not bad for a 4600 lb Farm Truck!!!

If you are looking for a vehicle that gives good performance, great versatility, and good longevity a Lightning is not a bad way to go. My 01 has right at 100k miles on it and it still pulls like a demon. If you are looking for a vehicle that is fast as hell, has great performance, good looks and you don't need the room or towing capacity keep the Camaro.