1999corvettels1

This was a LONG time ago(the thread on BSM and my reply made me start thinking back when I first got the C5 16 years ago), after I got my C5 in spring 2003, at a gas station pumping gas this guy in Ford Lightning truck started carrying on how his truck is faster than Corvettes, and he beat a Z06.

By the way I didn't know what Z06 was until after getting my C5 and started reading a book I bought about LS1 and LS6 performance, I wanted to know all about the new generation engine.

I sensed he was BS'ing because if his truck was faster, why does he need to start bragging about it to strangers.

After he kept going on about beating a Z06 I said "good for you"

Back then I don't think Wikipedia existed, or I wasn't aware of it, so I thought maybe his Lightning was fast.

Just looked up Lightning truck in Wikipedia.

"Second Generation (1999-2004)Edit

In 1999, after four years of break, the second generation Lightning came. It came with a 5.4 liter Triton engine with 360 hp and 600 Nm and an Eaton compressor . It also has a 4R100 automatic transmission. At Lightning, it is original with 18 "wheels and Goodyear 295 45 18 tires. Lightning is lowered one inch front and two rear from the original F-150.

From the 2001 model came Lightning with slightly better engine power. Ford made a new intercooler that made Lightning get 380 hp and 610 Nm. Then it did 0-100 in 5.2 seconds. Ford SVT Lightning Generation 2 was made at the Ontario Truck in Oakville , Ontario"

Maybe it would have beat a base C5, but I don't see how it could beat a Z06.

acuevo

Stock for stock I don't think it would beat a base c5.

I've had people tak crap on corvettes to me too, in my younger days I would argue. Now, I just smile knowing that I'm having a much better experience with my car than they are with whatever they're driving. If they have to talk crap that means they want to prove something, rather than just appreciating a nice car when they see it. If its a cool car, I like it. So that means mustangs, miatas, porsche etc etc. More often than not I get compliments on my 20 year old C5. Save the wave and stay positive let other people be miserable if they want to. Its not your problem lol.

LilNutSac

A friend of a friend was kind of talking crap. He mentioned "I'd never own a corvette". I was laughing because he drives an old ford ranger, "by choice, I'm sure". hahaha! "I'd never bang Sophie Mudd!!"

Jackie N

The Lightning was a badass truck. Supercharged 5.4 V8, super easy to mod. With just a pulley and a tune it could put down 400rwhp/500tq. That would certainly give a stock C5Z a run for it's money on a roll. Unfortunately it weighs like 4500lbs so from a stop, the C5Z would only lose if granny was shifting

Fcar 98

Yes I did when my car was new. I was at a car cruise, and some a$$ come over to me and asked me what it was. I guess at the time the C5 was so new people had not seen any. He continued on and on how it wasn't a corvette. He tore apart every aspect of the car. He was an older Fellow I guess it didn't meet the standers of what he thought a true corvette should be. I walked him too the back of the car and pointed to the corvette script across the back and asked "What does that say" At that point i had heard enough and walked away. He went off mumbling, how all the plastic look like hell.. Never did run across that guy again. After all these years.

4XLR8N

Some people try to build themselves up by tearing other people down. Criticizing your car is one such way these miserable people manifest themselves. Never had it happen on my Vette, but on one of my other collector cars I have. It usually takes about 30 seconds (or less) to figure out that's what these asshats are all about...and I just walk away without so much as a goodbye.

flyingmfrc

Maybe the Lightning is a fast truck.....but it's still a "Truck".....

vettefordays

Yeah, sure. Any car you ever own, people talk ****. It’s life

Evil-Twin

IN 55 years of owning Corvettes. Ive been approached by hundreds of people.. literally hundreds.. 300 maybe 400 or more.. Most noteworthy, were two elderly ladies. About 15 years ago, I was leaving a local Breakfast spot. Getting into my car. Both of these ladies, in their late 70's. and very well kept made some comments about my car. I said thank you and answered a few questions. they seemed curious about the car. Ive told this story here a few times. To make a long story short they were both retired Air force fighter pilots. Not combat, but ferry Pilots. They showed me pictures. both were engineers. WE talked cars and planes for about 30 minutes in the parking lot. and no they were not hitting on me. they wanted to see the engine bay, etc. I told them I had seven designed in this car and showed them some features and some history of the design..

IN those 300 or 400 encounters over 55 years , 99.5% were very positive exchanges... Ive only had a few boo birds in all that time. I Had a guy in my gun club last year tell me I was too old to be driving that car. lol

Bill aka ET

grampi50

No way that lightning would beat ANY C5....

grampi50

Lol! That truck couldn't do 0-100 in 5.2 seconds with an F-16 engine bolted to the bed...

Josephu

Only way to know for sure is to......Line Em' Up.....

gimp

Who cares? Let people talk.

jrprich

I think the 0-100 was actually 0 - 100 kph 5.8 s

0 - 100 mph 15.5 s

http://accelerationtimes.com/models/...ning-f-150-svt

knewblewkorvette

You are too old to drive that car, you should sell it to someone younger



I believe a stock C5 did 0-60 in 4.7 seconds and when the Z06 had 405 HP it did 0-60 in 4.0 seconds. So that guy was full of it, did not have a stock Lightning, or the Corvette was driven by a complete amateur.

deejbee

We owned a Sonic Blue 2004 Lightning, and I highly doubt that truck would beat a C5 on a track, or 0-60. It was fun to drive in a straight line, and definitely was quick but it was a heavy pig.
It had sloppy handling, and the brakes were terrible - almost dangerous.

Having said that, I would buy another in a heartbeat if the right one came along. Unfortunately there are not too many "good" ones left out there that are intact, with the factory tonneau cover, bone stuck etc.
It may have not been the quickest vehicle I have owned but definitely was, and still is, a head turner. They are really nice trucks and fun to rip around in. You can't beat the whine of that supercharger when you get on it. It was the first supercharged vehicle I owned and I have been hooked since.

Just my 2c from a guy who owned a Lightning and a C5.

vettefordays

I "lost" to a stock Chevy SS in my C7 Z06 because he could put the power down but I couldn't. I'm sure he tells everyone he runs neck and neck with C7Zs when in reality, I was spinning through 1st and 2nd between a stoplight.

I would bet my life that same situation happened between this Lightning and the C5Z.

Irish31

Only way that lightning could do 0-100 in 5.2 seconds is if it were dropped out of an airplane!

MikeyMcFly

The only people who have ever talked trash about my car (besides me) were other, older Corvette owners at a car show because I have modifications that weren't to their liking.

Go figure.

70RT440

I used to talk trash about Corvettes all the time...then I bought one.

I have never, however,been such a boorish *** that I have said anything to anyone about his car.