90 454SS vs 94 Lightning - TrucksTV

[Red94Chev]

On the new season of TrucksTV, they opened with a shoot-out build-up of a 90 454SS and a 94 Ford Lightning. The classic Chevy vs Ford comparo - 90's-style! This weekend's episode was baseline testing with an OEM tune-up for both trucks. The 454SS put down 195 rwhp and the Ford squeezed out 228 rwhp as the starting point. I can't remember the torque numbers unfortunately. Their road test was pretty cool too. The Ford had a slight edge in 0-60 and 1/4 times. Over the next few episodes, the Trucks boys are going to built these trucks up to 400+ hp.

Why am I mentioning this? The 454SS is the big brother TBI motor of the 350 TBI and there may be few pointers to pick up from their built-up. They are also doing other suspension/performance upgrades and probably heading back to the road test to assess the performance numbers (mainly stopping and acceleration I'd suspect). If past build-ups are any guide, their no-expense-spared approach to performance projects should make for some good ole healthy hi-po entertainment. Just a heads up.

My guess is that they are going to rebuild the bottom end and stick it with a complete roller valvetrain setup. They'll replace the heads with aftermarket high flow units and use either the Edelbrock 1000 cfm Pro-Flo or the Holley DFI Super-Ram setup. Aftermarket companies like to showcase new parts on these shows: maybe install Edelbrock's new Pro-Tuner setup? Of course, new exhaust from the heads back. For the Ford, I wouldn't be surprised if they go this route: http://www.musclemustangfastfords.co...ing/index.html

[1BadAction]

Originally Posted by Red94Chev

Why am I mentioning this? The 454SS is the big brother TBI motor of the 350 TBI and there may be few pointers to pick up on their built-up.

They'll just do what the SS guys have been doing since 1993. LOL. but should make for some good viewing.

personally I'd throw the engine management in the garbage along with the heads, cam, intake, and exhaust. Install a MPI, standalone and a mild street heads/cam in it and put down 500+hp.

[x95Tahoex]

Too bad they didn't get a 93 with the 411s and over drive.

[1989K1500]

I was stunned at how slow both those trucks were. Im sure back in the day they were pretty quick but now a 15.9 and 16.1 second 1/4 is horribly slow for a "sport" truck.

[cancritter]

caught that as well...was looking for any little tips

[TruedualDD32]

The 454 had 300 ft/lbs torque, don't remember what the Ford had.
The Ford had the exhaust modified (butchered) with the catalytic converter(s?) cut out. Curious to see what the HP and torque would be on the Ford with the cat and what the Chev would be without the cat. More of a consistent comparison.

[454ss]

90 454 230HP 380 ft/lbs torque

[Koots]

That is real fair, throwing a 1990 truck in a comparison to a 94. Their are numerous advances Ford could have made in order to compete with the 454SS. They really need to have a heads up comparo with it as equal as possible in terms of factory options.

[90Z71Stepside]

The ford had port injection like a mustang and the chevy had the throttle body injection. Not a fair comparison. But they are both starting at an equal performance level. 2 tenths is super close.

[Nick]

Originally Posted by 454ss

90 454 230HP 380 ft/lbs torque

He meant on the dyno

[hornsfan10609]

Originally Posted by Koots

That is real fair, throwing a 1990 truck in a comparison to a 94. Their are numerous advances Ford could have made in order to compete with the 454SS. They really need to have a heads up comparo with it as equal as possible in terms of factory options.

That is true but the Chevy has a 103 c.i.d. advantage, and they are comparing the trucks once they both have 400 HP and are all tuned up and run well. It's a fair comparison if you ask me, i'm excited about this build this is the best Trucks project since Stacey David.

Originally Posted by Red94Chev

The 454SS put down 195 rwhp

Weaksauce, for sure.

[GreaseDog]

weaksauce? the BBC in a truck was never intended for high HP, come on, its a truck motor, and that means torque. 195hp is probably about twice what your little 4.3 puts to the ground.

[454ss]

Originally Posted by Nick

He meant on the dyno

Keep it up and you'll be getting a visit from 6' guy named bubba

[Koots]

I should have watched the episode

[GreaseDog]

15.9-16.1? really. i keep telling this guy at work that he has an advantage with his lightning and MPFI... he has a 94 Lightning thats all stock, and keeps trying to get me to run him with my 92. maybe i should give it a go.

[Nick]

Originally Posted by hornsfan10609

It's a fair comparison if you ask me,

If you discount the fact that they used the weakest year of the 454SS and it had 50K more miles on it than the f**d.

[turbogunz]

yea i think it was alil unfair comparison from the start they should have used the same year trucks so gears and trannys and miliage was closer no od on the chevy is hurting it bad i think if it stays fair with and close to the same hp in the end the only advantage i see the ford having is stoping power

[yellow400ex05]

well i figure once they start building up the 454 since its a big block vs a small block it should pull away in the power department..

[speedfreek]

not sure of the exact #'s but both the lightning and the 454 SS had 290ish for torque #'s
personally I think the chevy has a slight advantage with the amount of after market parts readily available. But should make for some good watching next weekend

[90Z71Stepside]

Finally at least one show on the power block doesn't suck.