I've got the new F-150 catalog from Ford and no such engine or truck is listed.

 

I am also guessing that like the Boss Mustang, this is an aftermarket vehicle sold new on Ford dealer lots.

 

Yep, aftermarket:

http://www.lawest.com/boss/BOSS_SPECS.htm

 

Again - how do you know? Have you done aerial reconnaissance of everyone's driveway to count up the sales?

Maybe a more important question - How many potential L buyers walked away after discovering there was no back seat to be had? (BTW the Silv SS is only 343 lb heavier than the L according to edmunds.com). That's likely the core reason Ford is now out with the HD F150 too. The HD is the real competition for the SS. Speaking of muscle trucks... the SSR will soon start eating into L sales....

...and Camaro... and Firebird. Didn't look at my previously offered link did you? If you had you would have noticed that these cars are still being sold (granted, very small numbers). High-powered stuff - apparently you are also unfamiliar with the Grand Prix GTP Comp G, recently proven the best performing sports sedan in its class (see the Pontiac web site for the SCCA test results). Then there's the 350 HP GTO coming in a month or two... CTS-V after that... so on.

As for CAFE, even within trucks there has to be a balance between low MPG and high MPG models. The worse the low ones the more wimpo-base-model-trucks they have to figure a way to sell.

I don't consider 0.6 sec in the 1/4 to be "blowing the doors off the SS" (data from the TruckTrend article). Plus, the SS has better braking from 60 (119 vs 129 ft), better MPG, better payload (1787 lb vs 1375), better towing capacity (7800 lb vs 4500) and AWD. And IMHO the styling of the SS is much cleaner and more sporty... no chrome-itis

 

Maybe a Silverado SS type truck-rwd, single cab, 450 h.p. is being planned by GM. But, currentlly, an LS6 doesn't quite make in terms of hp. Stroke it? Costs money. SC? Same. I think GM is waiting for the LS2/LS7 which both have cubes. Thay way, there is no exclusive motor for the Silverado itself. This way, a ZO6 and a Silverado SS have a 6.4, 500 LS7.

 

No, but someone did post the numbers here a while back, I can't find them now. How many SS trucks do you see in the Detroit area? I haven't seen but one or two around here....and those had manufacturers plates on them.

Perhaps a handful...but you're missing the point. People looking for a blisteringly fast truck don't want a back seat. That's what the supercharged HD F-150 is for. If you can have but one performance truck why saddle it with the clumsy extended cab configuration?

Do the 100 Camaros and 25 Firebirds leftover from 2002 even count against CAFE this year? Even if they did they aren't going to make a difference at that volume. I was talking about 2003. GTO and CTS-V need not apply. Furthermore I'm well aware of the V6 GTP. There's performance and then there's performance. (no offense GTP guys, but gas milage isn't of much concern on the supercharged 3800 either, making its CAFE penalty minimal.)

For 2003, with CAFE and profits just as much at issue at Ford as it is at GM...(perhaps even moreso because Ford can't afford to play the heavy rebates game)....Ford has found a way to produce an unbelievable limited production supercharged V8 regular cab truck AND a supercharged V8 extended cab truck, both stickering under the "profit-driven" Silverado SS. This doesn't even bring into play the 2003 Cobra and the rest of the gas-guzzing V8 Mustang cars.

 

I've seen a few - about the number I'd expect to see for a niche truck. I actually ran with one from a light once in my 02 TA, up to about 50 MPH and it nearly kept up with me (he got a better launch) (AWD at work?).

...Maybe because more buyers want a back seat than 'blistering' performance? Ferrari makes some nice 'blistering' cars too... I admire the 360 Modena but they sell in very small numbers.

Not sure why the FBody's counting against CAFE matters here... I thought we were discussing the availability of 'high-power' vehicles from GM. GTO and CTS-V need not apply? Oh, ok...

I'll be zipping around in the snow this December in my GTP enjoying year-round drivability so I guess you're right, there's performance and then there's performance... (same for Impala SS and Silverado SS drivers)

 

I just noticed this price comparison to the SRT10 from the beginning of the thread. It's a wacky comparison though according to edmunds.com. It appears this $42k (+ dest?) will be one of the best 'street' prices one can get, IF they order the vehicle... meanwhile, edmunds quotes the street price on a new Silverado SS at $35,144 w/dest. That's a MAJOR difference in price of around $7000. What's the tow rating on the SRT10? No one seems to know. No SRT10 automatic is available, no AWD and of course no back seat. Yet at 5000 lb it's still about as heavy as the SS. Ugh.

 

Ok...$33,000 Lightning, $41,000 Silverado SS....high priced Italian exotic. You completely lost me with that logic, what are you trying to say?

Quote:

Not sure why the FBody's counting against CAFE matters here... I thought we were discussing the availability of 'high-power' vehicles from GM.

Actually I was discussing CAFE because it's one of the reasons you gave for Chevy taking the direction it did with Silverado SS. I'm simply saying I'm tired of the excuses when other companies have so obviously found ways around them.

*Beating head against wall* Okay, for the 3rd time, I'm talking about 2003. Two Thousand And Three. The 2003 model year consisted of one true performance vehicle at GM in my book. That is why I'm saying that the whole CAFE excuse you yourself used is a downright joke. We could've had a Silverado SS to really be proud of with a lineup so devoid of excitement this year.

I know GM has some great stuff coming. I'm not like some other bashers, I'm going to wait a couple years and see. My only point has been the excuses given for the way the Silverado SS was done are weak, no, LAME, when you look at what less capable companies like Ford and Dodge are putting out right now.

 

THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO COMPETE AGAINST THEM!!!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND??????? The Silverado SS WAS NOT designed to compete against the Lightning, and SRT-10! So, your comparisons have ZERO merit. GM built a truck with certain options to fit what they wanted to put in the market, not to satisfy customers who wanted raw power single cab trucks! Do you understand this? Is it really that hard to understand? We're all so sorry that GM didn't build the truck that YOU wanted, but it wasn't intended to meet what you want!

BTW, I don't own and SS truck, nor would I buy one because my car is for driving fast, and my trucks would be for towing/offroading, so I'm not an owner trying to justify his purchase. I just can't stand people b*tching and arguing about things that aren't comparable.

Take some caffene, or slap yourself in the face and wake up!

 

Interesting discussion... Or is it discussion at all...

Off topic: Haven't been to any Viper boards lately, but it's always kinda funny to read some of the members' sigs. Something like this, for example:

03 Red SRT-10
03 Porsche 911 TT
02 Yellow Z06
04 Crossfire
02 Candy Red Prowler
01 Orange Prowler
01 Silver Prowler
02 Camaro SS 35th Anniv
02 H1 Hummer
69 Camaro SS 350
67 Camaro 400SB
55 Chevy Truck
70 Chevy SWB Truck

Dang... Sometimes makes you wonder...

TS

 

Oh yeah, and there are plenty of Silverado SSs out here in SoCal without dealer plates on them.

 

Excuse me ....I'll just go back to my very original question about Silverado SS when it debuted. What exactly is the point of Silverado SS then? I mean really. We saw this very same truck a couple of years ago, it was called the GMC Sierra C3. And guess what? It's not offered anymore because it didn't sell either.

I know it isn't supposed to "compete" against L and SRT-10 but guess what? You put an SS badge on that truck and charge what you're charging then yes, you are getting my personal expectations up. Sorry if I feel that way. See, I don't just accept whatever they decide to throw at me. I want, no, I expect GM to put out some exciting product. Some competitive products. Shoot, maybe it's just me???

 

The Denali C3 was supposed to be a luxury truck. The Silverado SS is a Sport truck. Yes, it has some luxury upgrades, but it's a SPORT TRUCK, and further more not a hot rod. It has improved power and handling, and an upgraded interior and appearance. A lot of people want this type of vehicle. Why? Because they can walk into the dealership, and finance a truck with all the things on it that they maybe would have done aftermarket, and then some. It's supposed to be a good all around performing truck, which it is. Is it expensive? Yep, but maybe it's worth it to those who like the AWD system. I also would like for the SS badge to be more representative of @ss kicking, but, oh well. The bottom line is, don't go bashing on something when it does what it's supposed to do, just because it isn't exactly what YOU want.

 

I think what it all boils down to is percieved value..


Obviously in our little niche, value is highly weighed on HP/TQ and acceleration performance.. So looking at the SS, having 340 hp, and 0-60 in mid 6's, and 1/4 in 15.0 flat.. for $40,000 does not rank very high under these metrics.. Especially compared to the upcoming SRT-10 with 500 hp, est 0-60 in 5's, 1/4 in I assume 13's for about $45,000..


Some other people rank value with comfort and utility, and a bit more spunk.. This is where the SS is suppose to shine in, compared to the others.. I haven't personally compared these trucks in that regard, so I'm reserving my judgement in that respect.

EDIT: After reading this article.....It doesn't sound like the Silv SS is very impressive, at least in this article/test...
http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/...ay/index6.html