There's a big rumor going around that the SVT Lightning has been cancelled, at least for a couple of years. Apparently the tranny can't handle the engines output. People working for companies that were developing parts for the Lightning report having their contracts bought out by Ford. Anyone else heard anything? Big disappointment if true, but I can understand not wanting that kind of headache.

 

They need to dump the stupid auto, and use a good strong 6spd like the one used the Ford GT. Problem solved. Yeah, it'll probably be an expensive option, but why let a less than capable auto tranny hold the car/truck back?

 

That would make sense, since my friend has owned 4 lightnings and went through two trannies on his first one, another on his '02 and he just upgraded the one on his '04. They seem to have a LOT of tranny problems.

 

Time for a real Silverado SS to step it

If GM could build a 400HP LS2 that was offered in both Reg and Ext cab, RWD & AWD, auto & 6 speed manual, and allow it to be on a mainstream LS trim instead of fully loaded heated leather LT trim then they would have a winner.

Forget about the SRT-10 Ram. It is too expensive to be a real player and a AWD LS2 reg cab would be about as fast.

I'd rather buy a Reg cab, 2WD, 400HP, 6 speed, cloth seat, Silverado SS for $29K than a $45K 500HP Ram. 100HP is not worth $15,000 to me. Lets also not forget the Ram is heavier.

 

Heard the same rumor over the weekend at the NMRA race - though there were no details about why, and someone else was there to rebuke the rumor.

Bottom line? Like most things - who knows.

 

Here is a link that I saw at another board but I just thought it was a silly rumor. (There is a member who works for a supplier that confirms the contracts were bought out) I just never figured a replacement L was in question but a done deal

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums...hreadid=127920

 

Looks like the L guys and gals are feeling the F-car's pain.

Bummer. It was a nice truck and pushed GM into building the Silverado SS.

Now that only the Dodge is left, there isn't going to be much incentive for GM to finally give the SS some performance to match the looks.

 

Don't give up hope just yet, I think we're just going to see it delayed for awhile. There's little doubt in my mind it will be back. Just consider it on vacation Kinda like the Camaro

 

Correct me if I am wrong but did Ford not already announce that SVT would stop ALL production for at least a year???

 

Huh! 2 years because they can't find an auto tranny that can handle the torque? Is it really that hard to find an auto tranny that can handle the abuse. Really? Seriously.. I'm asking... not trying to pretend I know.. Any engineers care to chime in. I mean what about the trannies people are running in 9 and 10 second cars that can handle massive torque (a lot more than 500 ft lb). Heck GM high tech had an article on building a bullet proof trans this last month. If the aftermarket can do it, surely an OEM has the power to build or source one?
Or is it long term durability that is the issue?

 

That's their normal break between new models, this is something different.

 

I imagine a little of both. Long term durability is a big issue at these power levels (500+ ft-lbs tq). There's not a whole lot of auto trannies that can handle that kind of power. While some shops can build them, how many can they build a year? They would have to build at a minimum 7 to 8 thousand per year based upon Lightning sales. I don't know anyone that can do that, but then again, I'm not in the tranny business. It may take Ford a couple of years to get one going.

 

Maybe GM would be nice enough to sell them one...

A beefed up 4L80E, the next GM 6 speed automatic (for Corvette) or an Allison should shrug off anything the Ford motor can throw at it.

 

Kind of a dumb question, but Pace mentioning the Allison tranny got me thinking....why not use the Auto from the superduty? Seeing as how they're behind engines making 560+lb-ft of tq, 500lb-ft shouldn't be much of an issue.

I guess the gearing would have to be modified to suit the L, but why can't the superduty's auto be usuable on the L?

 

Why couldn't they do that? Ford has to know how to build a tranny that can handle the power, but I'm betting that its just too expensive.