Ultimate sleeper?

[tremblay]

They say we learn something new everyday. Well today, I just read about a really cool little black truck. I don't know, I guess I must of been living under a rock for the past 20 years or so but I had no idea this thing existed. I also couldn't believe the 0-60 or 1/4 mile this thing could make, bone stock! I read somewhere that corvette guys starting complaining because it was too fast and cheap. Most of you guys must know by now what I must be talking about. Probably the older crowd but for those, like me, that had no idea such a little machine existed, here it is:

1991 GMC Syclone


http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad96/tremblaysi/syclone.jpg

The 1991-1992 GMC Syclone was based on GMC's regular-cab compact Sonoma pickup. It had a 108.3-inch wheelbase and a six-foot cargo box. Sonoma engine (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm) choices ranged from a mild four-cylinder to the 160-bhp 4.3-liter EFI Vortec V-6.


The 1991-1992 GMC Syclone used the Vortec V-6, then added a liquid-intercooled turbocharger (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/turbo.htm) with 14-psi boost, 8.35:1 compression, port injectors, special pistons, oil cooler, and dual exhaust outlets. That yielded a rousing 280 horsepower (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/horsepower.htm) at 4400 rpm and 350 lbs/ft of torque at 3600. A four-speed automatic (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/automatic-transmission.htm) was the only transmission. A special "sport-calibrated" suspension (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-suspension.htm) lowered the ride height by two inches compared to the regular Sonoma's. Up front were independent low-rate torsion bars and a thick stabilizer bar; a solid axle on semi-elliptic springs held up the rear. Bilstein gas shocks were mounted, and tires (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/tire.htm) were meaty P245/50VR-16 Firestone Firehawks on turbine aluminum wheels. Applying the 1991-1992 GMC Syclone's turbo torque to the rear wheels only would have caused serious traction problems. So GMC installed all-wheel-drive. Produced by Borg Warner, the system featured a viscous coupling and 35-percent front/65-percent rear torque split. A limited-slip differential further aided grip. GMC said the Syclone had "the first four-wheel anti-lock braking system (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/anti-lock-brake.htm) ever available on a pickup truck," though rear brakes were drums (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/drum-brake.htm), not discs (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/disc-brake.htm). The 1991-1992 GMC Syclone looked the business. It came only in black, with matte-black aero-trim on the lower body and racy red "Syclone" insignia. Inside were contoured buckets, floor shift, leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and big analog instruments, including a tach and turbo boost gauge. Air conditioning, stereo cassette, cruise control, tinted glass, and a host of power accessories were standard. So was the handsome Lexxus TruxCover tonneau cover for the cargo bed.

The 1991-1992 GMC Syclone could blast from 0-60 mph in under 5.0 seconds and rip through the quarter-mile in 13.4. Production was limited to about 3,500 yearly.

I mean still today that car would blast the doors off most STOCK cars! I always liked sleepers and I think this one takes the cake. I know Chrysler with the help of shelby created some alright sleepers but...nothing like this

Before I read this, if one of those came up to me at the red light I would of laughed at it, but know I will hide hahaha. I mean come on a little pick-up that looks like this, that fast? Hard to believe.

If you guys know of better FACTORY sleepers, please let me know I would love to read about them.

What do you guys think is the ULTIMATE SLEEPER?

[TWINSCRW]

They also had the "typhoon" which was the same power plant but it was installed in the S-10 Blazer

[DTUB]

I had a Syclone with a built motor to 600 hp. Ran low 11's and 3.5 60's.
Truck was quick out of the hole but with the AWD you had to make sure it was pointed straight.

[jlangmaid]

With the all wheel drive, they'd run away from about anything in the wet. Test drove the Typhoon (same concept, but in the s-10 blazer). It was a bit slower than the Syclone due to increased weight but still pretty hot. At the time couldn't bring myself to buy a GM.
For my one brief flirtation with GM bought a cast iron LT-1 powered Buick Roadmaster wagon with just a couple added mods that could shake things up pretty good, esp. for something that weighed 4800 lbs. With the woodgrain vinyl sides it was definitely a sleeper (less so once I put the Impala SS wheels and tires on), 'til the kids around town started recognizing it. Sold it for the marauder though-back to all Ford again. That engine was about impossible to work on (at least in the car), and man were the parts high $.
Dodge Omni GLHS (Shelby) was also a heckuva sleeper. Pretty evil little turbo-200+ horses in an Omni, and it handled too. Ran one once with my brand new '91 LX Stang hatch. Pretty well embarassed me...
Don't see many in the states, but overseas the old Cosworth Escorts are tough to beat as well.
John

[RF Overlord]

Those were mean little trucks, but my favourite sleeper truck was the SS 454. There's no replacement for displacement.

[tremblay]

Those were mean little trucks, but my favourite sleeper truck was the SS 454. There's no replacement for displacement.

I just did a quick internet search and thats what I came up with.

Also in 1990 the GMC 3500 EFI with a powerful 454 (7.4 L) was available. The 454 EFI produced 230 hp (172 kW) and 385 lb·ft (522 N·m).

If thats right. Its kind of disappointing for such a big truck if you compare it to the Syclone....even with all that torque. I think my stock Marauder has a similar problem! ahha

[Blackened300a]

Those were mean little trucks, but my favourite sleeper truck was the SS 454. There's no replacement for displacement.

Maybe in the potential department. In the 1/4 they only ran high 15's.

[Blk Mamba]

Those were mean little trucks, but my favourite sleeper truck was the SS 454. There's no replacement for displacement.

this was the fastest production "car" made that year, yes including the 'vette.

[LANDY]

The 454ss in 1990 was real slow I raced one with my previous mm with just a cold air intake. And smoked it.

[Joe Walsh]

Those Syclones/Typhoons were/are sick little trucks.

I remember back in the day a car magazine (C&D?) ran one against a Ferrari in the 1/4 mile and the Syclone smoked it!

I always gave GM respect for producing those neat AWD turbo terrors!

[guspech750]

There was also the GMC Sanoma GT. It looked just like the Syclone except for different rims, two wheel drive and the 4.3 liter V-6 with no turbo. It said Sonama GT on the side where the Syclone is. A friend mine used to have one and wanted to mod it his way but sold it for a Grand National. It was a very cool looking truck if you couldn't pony up the coin for it's turboed cousins.

[Jolly Roger]

I drove a friends typoon back in 95 and it went 13.48 e.t. clawing for traction and cutting out on the big end because we ran the tank low on gas.
By comparison I drove my other friends new 95 mustang cobra convertible 5.0 5 speed and it only went a 14:59 e.t.. (same night at the track).

[burtreynolds]

Syclones and Typhoons roll around here knee deep so they kind of lost their sleeper status...however they are pretty amazing.

[PhastPhil]

Another bit of trivia. Gm spelled the name Syclone because Mercury still owned the rights to the name Cyclone.

[Baaad GN]

Hmmmm no one mentioned the Grand National? In 1987 with a v6 it was the fastest production car made in that year, I bought one, it's still in my Garage!

[Joe Walsh]

My college roommate bought an '86 GN (the first year with the intercooler)

Back in '86 no one knew what they were, nor how quick they were.

That car would walk just about anything, including my '85 5.0 Mustang GT.

It was funny when people that he'd just destroyed would pull up at the next light and ask what his 'Monte Carlo' had under the hood.
He would just smile and say: "It's a Buick and it has a V6!".....:D

[JimP]

Hmmmm no one mentioned the Grand National? In 1987 with a v6 it was the fastest production car made in that year, I bought one, it's still in my Garage!


That makes two of us. Purchased mine Nov 1987 when I was 17 and in Grade 11:burnout:Still have it today and still kicking A** with it.

[mrjones]

It's funny that this was posted. I was out on the bike Sat and stopped to get gas when a Syclone drove by. I thought "Wow, you don't see those very often".

[tremblay]

The Grand National was probably somewhat of a sleeper when it first came out but it still has a very aggressive and distinctive look. Nowdays, noway a GN could be considered a sleeper. Especially after the great movie "Fast and Furious" LOL

[Hauser717]

I know I'm a little late on this, but a friend of mine had a '72 Plymouth Fury station wagon. In 1988 it was a faded dark blue and pretty well beat up. But... It had a stock 440 under the hood. The kid that owned it loved to pull up next to the rich kids driving their Camaros and Mustangs at the stoplight and then embarrass them. Good times...

[Zack]

The Marauder is the best sleeper of all!













................after you shell out about 15k in upgrades! :eek:

[2,4shofast]

I think the best sleeper ever was the 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T.

Ugly as sin...Not many made and at the time would walk just about everything.

1991 Dodge Spirit R/T Specifications
price $20 503 USD
engine Inline-4
valvetrain DOHC 4 Valves / Cyl
displacement 2213 cc / 135.0 cu in
power 167.0 kw / 223.9 bhp @ 6000 rpm
hp per litre 101.17 bhp per litre
bhp/weight
torque 294.21 nm / 217.0 ft lbs @ 2800 rpm
drive wheels Front Engine / FWD
front brakes Vented Discs w/ABS
rear brakes Discs w/ABS
front wheels F 38.1 x 15.2 cm / 15.0 x 6.0 in
rear wheels R 38.1 x 15.2 cm / 15.0 x 6.0 in
front tire size P205/60HR15
rear tire size P205/60HR15
weight 1388 kg / 3060 lbs
wheelbase 2624 mm / 103.3 in
length 4602 mm / 181.2 in
transmission 5-Speed Manual
gear ratios 3.00:1, 1.89:1, 1.28:1, 0.94:1, 0.72:1
final drive 3.85:1
top speed 226.9 kph / 141.0 mph
0 - 60 mph 5.8 seconds
0 - 1/4 mile 14.5 seconds
epa city/hwy 19 / 27 mpg

[Jolly Roger]

On the suject of sleepers,
years ago I got the doors of my 84 Mustang SVO handed to me by an old timer in a Garlits Edition turbo 4 cyl. Dodge Omni.:o LOL.

[MMBLUE]

On the suject of sleepers,
years ago I got the doors of my 84 Mustang SVO handed to me by an old timer in a Garlits Edition turbo 4 cyl. Dodge Omni.:o LOL.

I had one of those Omni turbo's. I could bearly hold the steering wheel in my hands. Cool little car.

[CBT]

The only time I ever actually saw a Syclone on the road, it passed me doing about 20 more than what I was doing, and his tags had FRD SUX on them. That was years ago.

[secretservice]

Ultimate sleeper. Ford Thunderbolt on some steelies. Get rid of the tear drop hood for ultra stealthiness.
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo347/f0dd/define-1964-ford-thunderbolt-1.jpg
My stepsis has a GN. I like that car a lot. :D

[TFB]

Those were mean little trucks, but my favourite sleeper truck was the SS 454. There's no replacement for displacement.


this was the fastest production "car" made that year, yes including the 'vette.
Depends on who you believe(This is for the '93 models, the SS had been around since '90)...

The Lightning was a tenth or two slower in a couple of the tests but made more mph in two runs, so on top end the Ford was apparently making more power with 100 less cubes...

Yeah I own a '93 Lightning, so am a bit sensitive to a blanket statement saying the SS was quicker...

Truckin Magazine
Stats Chevrolet 454SS - Ford Lightning
0-60 7.48sec ---------------- 7.49sec
1/4 mile 15.55@84.32mph - 15.75@89.40mph

Motor Trend
Stats Chevrolet 454SS - Ford Lightning
0-60 7.20sec --------------- 7.20sec
1/4 mile 15.8@84.7mph - 15.6@87.4mph


Car And Driver
Stats Chevrolet 454SS - Ford Lightning
0-60 7.10sec -------------- 7.20sec
1/4 mile 15.7@87mph - 15.8@86mph

[Joe Walsh]

I think the best sleeper ever was the 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T.

Ugly as sin...Not many made and at the time would walk just about everything.

top speed 226.9 kph / 141.0 mph
0 - 60 mph 5.8 seconds
0 - 1/4 mile 14.5 seconds
epa city/hwy 19 / 27 mpg

Was that the one with the Lotus DOHC cylinder head?

I knew a guy who had a red one and it was a tire fryer!..........:burnout:

[MOTOWN]

ahhh yes the buick!, i had an 87 buick regal turbo "T", silver w/silver interior and t-tops loved that car! wayyy fast

[MercNasty]

i want one

[guspech750]

Hmmmm no one mentioned the Grand National? In 1987 with a v6 it was the fastest production car made in that year, I bought one, it's still in my Garage!

Werent the T-Types lighter and a little quicker? I thought the T-Types had aluminum rims and I thought possible aluminum bumpers.

And lets not foreget the Shelby GLHS Chargers and Omni's. Those were some cool four bangers until the fart can turdmobiles of today came out.

And there were I think 5 red Marborol cigarete GMC Syclones built with Boyde Coddington rims, t-tops and Recaro seats. I still have an article on those somewhere around here.

[TAKEDOWN]

Hmmmm no one mentioned the Grand National? In 1987 with a v6 it was the fastest production car made in that year, I bought one, it's still in my Garage!

... Yeah, but who doesn't know about a Grand National! :burnout: