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Chevrolet
Silverado Regular
Cab SS: Build It
By: Michael Levine
 Posted: 11-05-02
07:30
© 2002 PickupTruck.com
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Gary Cowger,
President of General Motors North America, kicked off GM's media events
at SEMA amongst the setting of the Las Vegas Guggenheim Museum's Art of
the Motorcycle exhibit. And sprinkled throughout the collection of classic
bikes was a mixture of high octane vehicles crafted by GM's Performance
Division.
Cowger emphasized
GM's newly energized commitment to create "gotta have" products
that highlight the character of each division through technology and performance.
But perhaps
closest in spirit to any of the bikes on display and reflecting the true
performance heritage of Chevrolet division's hallowed Super Sport badge
was the Silverado Regular Cab SS.
Though still
considered a concept with no definite word yet on production, the Silverado
SS Regular Cab is, "the other end of the spectrum (from the 2003
Silverado SS)" according to Rick Scheidt, Marketing Director
for the Silverado. "It's where we'd like to go."
Where the
Silverado SS emphasizes sporty performance combined with the hauling capabilities
of an extended cab truck, the Regular Cab SS is strictly about the performance.
Two doors,
a bed and a powerful V8 pretty much sum it up. Serious enthusiasts can't
ask for much more than that.
The same
small block 6.0-liter engine that powers the Silverado SS is used again
under the hood of the Regular Cab SS but with a few new tricks added.
The cylinder heads have been replaced with modified aluminum versions
taken from the Chevrolet Corvette's LS6 V8 engine. The heads provide improved
airflow while working in tandem with thickened combustion chambers that
reduce volume, increasing the compression ratio. Combined with a high
lift roller camshaft, 50 horsepower has been added to bring the engine's
total output to 395hp and 409lb-ft of torque.
Forget about
an automatic transmission that adds weight while limiting the range of
engine performance available to enthusiasts. A 6-speed manual is the only
option available and it's directly related to the T-56 setup used in the
discontinued Firebird and Camaro pony cars.
The front
suspension gets a Hotchkis Performance stabilizer bar but it's back to
the future for the Regular Cab SS's rear suspension. It receives a five-link
rear suspension donated from the Chevrolet Tahoe that's literally grafted
onto the rear frame of the truck.
Five-link
rear suspensions use to be prevalent on Chevrolet pickups before leaf
springs became part of conventional wisdom for their better load handling
abilities. The five-link offers better ride comfort and control from a
performance perspective as the shocks and suspension synchronously work
together.
Further suspension
upgrades include Eibach springs that lower ride height 1.5-inches up front
and 2.25-inches in the rear and Bilstein shock absorbers.
Inside the
truck, out go the leather captains chairs seen in the Silverado SS. The
Regular Cab SS gets a simple cloth bench seat. The bench provides easy
access to the shifter while emphasizing Chevrolet's familial appeal. Everyone
can sit up front together and share the drive.
Carpeting
is also gone, replaced with a rubber floor surface.
Chevrolet
recently announced pricing for the Silverado SS starting at around $39,000.
If the Silverado Regular Cab SS gets the greenlight, Scheidt would like
to see the price kept under $30,000.
This is one
truck we would definitely like to see added to Chevrolet's collection
of SS vehicles.
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