Say... How do yall think the new lightning will compete against the new Dodge Ram R/T 10. I like the way the Lightning has a short throw and not a long throw coming from the floor. And that 50 HP boost is pretty damn cool. The rims look a lot better than the Dodge’s as well. When it rolled out on the floor they looked like cheap wal-mart brand stainless spiral rims. They are also pretty close in perfomance specs also. Just curious to what yall migh think.

Thanks,
Will

 

I think the new Lightning is going to tear the crap out of the Ram SRT/10. They may have similiar power numbers, however the Lightning is most likely going to be able get all that power to ground more effectively than the Dodge. I think the current Lightning (which I have ordered) even with its lower power numbers will give that Ram a tough time.

 

I'd be more curious to see how the current L does against the Dodge. I have a feeling it would still be faster without the improved engine.

 

Dodge compared to a FORD yea right.. "Hemi" only in the plug angle. the ram is a dog. I agree even with out the modifications the Ford blows the Dodge....

 

Does anyone know or have heard if Ford is going to have an 04 L or will it not come out until fall of 04 and be an 05? Can't wait to get my hands on one.

 

2004 Lightning will be on the "Heritage" truck and thus the same as the 2003. The order guide lists power at 380HP and I don't see any changes from last year.

 

XCR440SP - Thanks for that info. Not what I wanted to hear but I guess I will have to live with it. So, they are going to produce an 04 L and it will keep the same body style and engine as the gen II's. Probably would be better if they just didn't produce an 04 and introduced the Gen III's in Dec of 04 as an 05 L.

By any chance could you scan the order guide info about the "Heritage" truck and post it?

 

I can send it to you in a PDF file. The Lightning is its own order guide separate from the Heritage. Let me know where to send it.

 

x

 

hey yall, thanks for the great responses. Do any of you guys know whether dodge has or is going to use the viper transmission for the R/T ram or did they build a new one specially for the truck? Much like the Lightning has the svt cobra transmission.

 

At this point the Ram uses the Viper transmisssion.

Word currently is that the '05 L will once again be an automatic. It will be the 5R110 trans, which is the 5-speed from the Superduty Powerstrokes. I prefer this in a performance truck, as I see there being alot of problems with the clutch, and the car type manual trans in the ram (as in it wasn't built to move 5000lbs). An automatic is also much more consistant at the track.

On another point, there was a post on CamaroZ28 a tit back about the SRT Ram and the new '05L. A member there works for a company that is supplying the brake components for both. The owner has driven both. He says that the Lightning will absolutally smoke the Ram.

 

if you've looked into comparisons between the L's other competitor, the silverado SS, you'll see the numbers there are fairly similar.

however the L smokes it, with a 1/4 time and 0-60 time that are both 2 seconds faster than the SS.

so much for chevy's superior horsepower.

i'm fairly certain that the L will brush the SRT to the side just like it did the SS.

 

The Silverado SS only comes with 345 horsepower and something like 380 ft.-lbs. of torque. Of course the supercharged Lightning is going to be quicker!!

And what's with all this stuff about the '05 Lightning being faster than the SRT-10? Neither of these trucks have been released, yet; in fact, no one even knows the official performance specifications of the PRODUCTION 2005 Lightning. The one shown at the various auto shows and in publications is merely a concept.

I'm going to reserve any further comments pertaining to either vehicle for when they're actually released.

 

The 05 L will be quicker, and heres just 2 reasons:

Its Lighter (the ram is a pig!)
Supercooler adds 50hp.

And a supercharged 500hp engine will always be quicker than a 500hp n/a engine, due to the powerband.

 

One thing that wasn't mentioned in regards to the current Gen II Lightning versus the new SRT10 was pricing. I know Dodge hasn't released pricing info yet, but you gotta know with the Viper components and all, the truck will be north of $50K. An wait until Dodge dealers start price gouging on it! Whether it's faster or not in stock form, I'd still take a Gen II anyday at $30k+, do a couple performance mods, be $15K+ under the price of the SRT10, and probably be able to smoke it. I think the Gen III Lightning might also be priced high enough that it would be out of my price range (by choice).

-Mike-