Was just catchin up on readin old posts. Funny how guys want to compare the lightning to the hemi. They are fast, but not a good comparison. I used to be a ford owner, and have owned a 4.6L, a 5.4L, and a V-6.10 (6.8L) all in quad cab trucks. None of them could hold a candle to the hemi. I lightly modded all of them, and they couldn't touch a stock 2500 qc hemi. I test drove a new Ford last week with the 5.4, and they haven't helped the power any. Chevy's seem to be powered well, but can't keep up with the hemi. My dad and brother both have 2500's with 6.0L, and they have had lots of problems. Not with the engine but with everything else. I just traded my 2004 1500 qc hemi that had 82,000 mi, and had VERY few problems. (trailer tow wiring and a pair of rotors). Guess what I am saying is that for a quick, powerful workhorse, there is no beating a hemi ram. As far as the lightning, SRT 10, Chevy SS battle, I can't say. Too rich for my blood, and everything you read steers you in another direction. I would like to see 1/4 mile times for the guy on here that has the SRT10 with the supercharger. Also, what are you guys running with the hemi and supercharger? I'd like to go nitrous 125 shot someday, but I'll never have the money for a blower. 125 shot of nitrous and a flashpaq should put my big clunk of iron down the 1/4 in about 14.25, right??

 

hold up! if u havnt looked at the price of a lightning or a ss their not that expensive compared to a quad cab 4x4 hemi dodge ram. and saying that u have owned the 5.4 their not even close to the power of the lightnings 5.4. huge differance.

 

My 06 2500 Ram with the Hemi is my first Dodge/chrysler product. I was also a long term ford guy, esp the F-150. Ford has made three versions of the 5.4 since 97, I owned a 02 F-150 260 H/P 5.4 and my last 04 Had the 5.4 3V.

I have tanged with the V/10 iin the F-250 and I held my own with the 5.7. The 7.3 6.0 and 6.4 ( 07 F-250 ) have also gone threw several design versions, why Ford can not stay consistant with thier products is down right sad.

I will never ever buy any thing with the blue oval on it. the old 302 351/400 and 460 were a thousand times better than than the 4.6 and 5.4 and the old iron blocks had issues with rear main seals, but they were better engines.

Ford marketing and thier sales people hipe abought the F-150 being the best sales leader but the quality of the F-150 is down right ready for the trash bin.

The lighting is a hell of a truck and to compare a SC 2v 5.4 to a 5.7 hemi is interseting but the extra 15 cubes ( 5.4 330 5.7 345 ) is not enough to make up for the Super Charger.

04+ F-150 are fat and heavy, the extra 40 H/p in the 5.4 are for low end grunt.

 

powerjunkie, you missed what I was saying. I know a L has a supercharger, and is way faster than a 5.7. That's why I say it isn't a good comparison. And I NEED a 4x4, so a L is out for me. I meant you need to compare the 5.7 to a naturally aspirated F150 or a F 250. Comparing a Lightning to a normal 5.7 is about as fair as comparing a Viper to a normal Mustang GT. Cyclone429, I couldn't agree more. I've had Mustangs with 5.0's, and a '95 F150 with a 5.8, and liked them better than the 4.6. My 4.6 F150 blew head gaskets at 120,000 mi. My 5.4 F150 wore out CV joints and ball joints at 90,000. My V10 F250 was pretty durable, but only kept it till 50,000. The V-10 was a bear in my opinion. It had all kinds of pulling power (which is what they are built for) but I was smoked easily by a 2500 4x4 qc hemi, stock. And I was in a regular cab. And burning WAY more gas. My point is exactly what you said. Ford has gone downhill in power, torque, and quality. As dodge goes up the quality/engine technology ladder, Ford goes down. A friend of mine works at an insurance body shop and he told me that the body insulation in the new F150 is like a big sponge. He has replaced 3 bedsides, and all of them had the insulation soaked full of water. Looks like they are going to be prone for body cavity rotout just like the '87 to '96 Ford trucks were. I LOVE MY RAM!!!!

 

A little related to the OP, but a little off topic, too:

This forum is a little funny... guys love posting 'kill' stories regardless of what kind of vehicle they beat (small cars, V6 trucks, etc), but when someone with a Hemi gets smoked by a Lightning or some diesel powered pickup, everyone cries foul and says it's not a fair comparison. I guess it's only fair when you win.

PS. I wish I had nitrous too.

 

I haven't got killed by a L, but I know I would. I have killed a Chevy 2500 6.0, which I talked about in a post, but I don't talk about the cars I have dusted. I won't either, unless I dust a vette or viper or something. Then I would post the kill so I could tell you what broke on it!!! I know there are many out there that can blow by me, but when comparing 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton 4X4 quad cab trucks, there aren't many.

 

o i am very sorry for lashing out . you are right i did missed the point. but i agree with what you are saying fully.