When it comes to quality and technology, I think Ford still has the edge. 
Ford Lightning
Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 539
Likes: 11
From: SYLMAR CALIFORNIA
my respects for those truck (lightning and harleys).A lightning in the west coast does 13.8 13.9's in a 1/4 mile.STOCK.But with basic bolt on like blower pullie(2.7),crank pullie(6 pound),cold air,electric fan,and a little tune.will give a c5 with bolt ons hell ..(BELIEVE ME)..that set up will boost a lightning on the dyno to push about 430 hp and 450 ft/lbs..this is a 800-1000 dollar set up.will do 12.9 in a 1/4.I own a 04 c5 .and 7 of my good friends own a lightning.(I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT I AM THE ONLY CHEVY LOVER OUT OF ALL OF THEM WITH A VETTE) TWO OF THESE TRUCKS PUT A WHOOPIN ON ME.BUT IM THEIR DADDY FROM A ROLL.LOL. stock lightning vs a stock c5 ...c5 will eat it up!
BUT ILL TAKE A VETTE ANY DAY OVER A FORD.
BUT ILL TAKE A VETTE ANY DAY OVER A FORD.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 480
Likes: 5
From: Dearborn Michigan
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Pembroke Pines Florida
I agree about Ford being a great American company, I invested in them with the belief that they would come out on top and they are sure as hell doing it.
Back to the topic though, the Lightning for its time was the best made Ford product ever. Always wanted one, and this morning I was pointing one out to my GF, she obviously likes the Vette a lot more!
Back to the topic though, the Lightning for its time was the best made Ford product ever. Always wanted one, and this morning I was pointing one out to my GF, she obviously likes the Vette a lot more!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage Ak
My son has a slightly modded Lightning and yes it is quick but he just can't get by me even with these soon to be disgarded run flats. Lets not forget this is a pick up we are talking about, very impressive stock. And I do love the blower whine when hitt'n it! If you can get the lightning to hook they will surprise you.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
The Lightning will have no-way to overcome the HP to weight Ratio -
Vette = Win, I've seen this way too many times, you're good for the WIN!
Thanks,matt
Vette = Win, I've seen this way too many times, you're good for the WIN!
Thanks,matt
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,890
Likes: 0
From: FL
I raced one in my last C5 which had all bolt ons, it was a very close race and my car ran 12.5@115. not sure if it was stock but seemed like it by the sound and looks. Def. something to not take lightly!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MO
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 240
Likes: 11
From: Plano Texas
Oldtimer
Slowest that I ever ran 1/4 mile in my 2003 Lightning when it was bone stock was 13.8-sec. Now if that was at 95-deg or hotter a 14.3 is believable. Heat kills the stock roots blower, very inefficient.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 240
Likes: 11
From: Plano Texas
Oldtimer
Not stock if it ran 12.5-sec. You can't tell by the looks or sound. The supercharger whines the same whether stock or moded.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
My best that day was 13.8 in a bone stock 92 LT1.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 5
I love my lightning, I've owned it for 9 years. With a few mods about $600, it runs 13 flat 1500 ft above sea level. Ford builds an excellent truck. I've not ever had to take it to the shop (I do all my own basic maintenance). A Lightning that has been changed over from the stock blower to a whipple or Kenne Bell and 20 lbs of boost would be a handful for a stock Z06. I realize that I'm not comparing stock to stock but you never know what your racing. I love my bolt on C5 but I don't know what it will run. My lightning has awesome torque but I think my bolt on C5 is faster.
Last edited by groundstrike; Feb 13, 2010 at 02:23 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 34
From: King George Virginia
I love my 03 Lightning also, it was tweaked on by Jack Roush and will run most stock C5's in the ground just as it sits. It cant touch my C5 but it was tweaked on some to. Don't think just because its a truck you are going to smoke it, you might just be surprised at what happens when you drop the hammer. By they way it surprises a lot of Stangs also, its only a truck.........
Last edited by 08 ATOMIC-Z; Feb 13, 2010 at 08:38 PM.
