I haven't read much on it... so I always just assumed that the SSR had an LS1 in it. If it doesn't, it SHOULD.

 

I remember one of the first times I saw one of those at a car show, here in Phx. and thought it was an awesome idea from Chevy.
Everything until I read the motor specs....

I'm just not sure why it is Chevy isn't stepping up to the plate with thier trucks?
They make a huge deal about the Escalade being the most powerful SUV on the planet, HP wise anyways, (Yeah, until it meets up with a Porsche Cayene, or BMW X-5 (Another topic)), but yet the SSR, and the SS, are both just sporty trucks, and not performance trucks!? They could have easily S/C'd the 5.3, or dropped an 8.1L in one (SS)...? I don't know much about thier motors, so forgive me if the 8.1L is like the V-10 Ford makes (ie. work truck motor).

Just curious why this is?

 

You know when you see a new car and you say, "I bet it will cost X". When I first saw the SSR, it had a real nice interior with a bunch of aluminum parts in it and a 6.0L V8. I thought, "It'll probably cost $30K if it comes out looking like the prototype. $24K if they make all bling out of plastic, smaller rims, etc".

The damn thing comes out with less power then the prototype, without the nice interior on the prototype, and is priced at $40K. $40K?!? No LS6? Heck no LS1?

Chevy definitely goofed on this one. How is it for $32K you can get a GTO... a nice car with an LS1, but for $40K you get a "truck" you can't tow, haul, etc with without an LS1? Its basically a two seat sports car with a big trunk.

Let me tell you when I bought my truck it took about a half a millisecond to decide on a '03 HD F150 over an SSR.

 

I saw where SoCal speed shop customized one with body work, wheels, suspension, and a Whipple charger. They said 400 horsepower. I'm not big on the stock ones, but for probably 60k, this one-off was tight.

BD

 

They do still sell/make it as a crate engine. http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/gmgoodwr...on=ce&cat=9274 Just over 1/2way down the page.

I'm not saying that's what was in that truck, but you know, weirder things have happened, and it is technically possible. I mean, there's a Focus around Michigan that's got a V8 and RWD that looks pretty stock from outside.

Just trying to be helpful.

 

Rumor has it...the SSR's will get the new LS2's soon. That will be sick, and will definitely be something for lightning owners to watch out for.

The base ls2 has 405 hp, and the higher end engine will have around 500hp.

 

Oh well,the same sh*t happened back in the 90's when the first ford lightning whipped the 454ss.Even if the SSR had a 454 It would not outrun a lightning and be emissions legal,You would have to step up to 502 crate engine or put a blower on it.A ford focus with V8 is not all that uncommon.I have seen 3 this month and one had a 97 4.6 dohc cobra engine with 5 speed and vortech.Damn thing should have been in a magazine.The guy with SSR would be crazy to put in 454 when 5.3 runs better.Just for the record,all 4.8,5.3,and 6.0 litre trucks from gm are LS1 derived,as a matter of fact most gm ls1 tuners use ported Truck heads as a swap!

 

i have both a 2004 chevrolet ssr and a 2004 ford black lightning. and all i can say is they are both lots of fun to drive in there own seperate ways. i love the power of the lightning.when that boost gauge goes up and the gas gauge goes down I LOVE IT.
the ssr is fun to alot of fun to drive. by no means is it a dog. it has good power. it is by no means even close to a lightning but it will fly. first gear to second it will throw the hole rear sideways. i want to thank all of you on these boards i have learned alot and i can't wait till i start beefing up the lightning.

thanks again
john

 

That's the engine that comes in the SSR. There isnt an option for the 454. As nice as that would be, or the LS1, it's only a 5.3. I have seena bunch of them around here. I've yet to drive one. I'd be curious to see a supercharged one, that'd pry be just as quick if not quicker than the Lightning. I just dont like the way the truck looks. It is growing on me a little. But if I had $45,000 I'd rather spend it on a new L.
Shane

 

yeah that was it. i dont know jack about chebys(nor do i want to), so thats why i first believed the guy. i know that the 454 is an enormous engine, and the engine i saw (same as in pic from shane) wasnt all that big looking, but i gave the guy the benefit of the doubt. he was an older guy too, probably in his 50s, i wonder why he lied to me:o oh well, he probably thought it really did have one, thats what the salesman told him

 

Pics from this weekend:

 

Intercooled Radix Magna-Charger for SSR

 

Hmm, that "R" looks just like the "Type R" that all the ricers like to put on their cars.

 

Yep, thats what I thought too!

 

You must be one rich guy to be able to afford both of those trucks