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2005 Chevrolet Silverado, LT - VHO Performance Edition Review

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2005 Chevrolet Silverado VHO
by Frank Guerrero

(2006-11-20)

The Vortec High Output, optioned as the "silverado performance edition" was first introduced in 2004 to a limited market (mainly consisting of Texas and several surrounding areas). The VHO package (under option code B4V) includes quite a few options previously not found on the standard 1500 model, most notably the LQ9 6.0 liter V-8 engine (the same used for the Silverado SS).

The LQ9 motor was rated at 345 hp at 5200 rpm and 380 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm. The package also included one style of the newly introduced GM 20 inch wheels installed from the factory. The B4V package can only be ordered on an extended cab, light duty, 2 wheel drive Silverado or Sierra. This marked the first time the LQ9 engine was available for a two wheel drive application. For the 2005 model year the VHO It was also made available for crew cab models (in addition to the extended cab) and customers were able to purchase these trucks outside of the original market of the VHO. Some of the other key attributes of the truck include being built on the AWD platform featuring Torsion bar front suspension and an increased towing capacity over the typical 1500 pickups.

CarForums.net Review of the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado VHO Performance Edition

Price as tested- $32,952

Exterior First look at the truck really hits you as a bit of a basic truck with the usual farm variety dealer additions like the wheels. Suffice to say when you get up on the truck read the badges and the vehicle sticker you are quick to see this is not your run of the mill Silverado. Personally the little disguise is nice rather than the big bold look of the SS truck you get the more docile appearance much like a wolf in sheep's clothing. The super clean lines of the Silverado are definitely unmistakable and unique definitely stands the market apart between the Dodge or Ford answers to the full-size line. Interior The interior has a fairly simple but very user friendly layout. The seats in this particular model are optioned cloth but leather is available. There also is a premium Bose sound system that is available as well on these trucks this was not however optioned in the model as tested. The really nice feature I fell for on the truck was the steering wheel controls of both the audio system as well as the vehicle settings menu's that allow you to read miles per gallon on average two separate trip counters a timer and the ability to select different profiles of the security system and side view mirrors. I found the mirror option a great asset when parking the truck. They offer a curb view option which automatically adjusts the mirrors either one or both, to the curb level to assist when backing up or parking. As soon as you put the truck in reverse the mirrors adjust for you. Fantastic idea.
The inside of the truck also is very roomy the back seat area with it's rear extended cab door access allows you to comfortably fit 4-5 adults in this truck without being too cramped. The back seat is perfect for kids or smaller adults if you are traveling far but for long trips I would definitely want to be in the front seat. Performance The performance aspect of the truck is definitely first class. I was very put back to find out the real feel of the truck under acceleration versus its all wheel drive cousin the SS. The VHO package really comes to life in the 2wd platform. The ability for this truck to put you in your seat is second to none in the full-size pickup line. Comparing it to the Lightning or the Dodge hemi class trucks, for a lot less cash and without a supercharger, this truck really shows you your money's worth. The tested model came equipped with a dealer installed Corsa Cat back exhaust system, this definitely gave the truck a presence and a nice growl almost a NASCAR like sound under acceleration. The really nice part about that was at wide open the truck sounds pretty aggressive but under part throttle and cruising in the cab it was very calm. The combined aspects of this truck's build really make this truck quite the contender in the performance truck line.
EPA Observed Fuel Economy (miles per gallon): 14 city 18 highway Overall Score: 9.5 out of a possible 10 --------------------------------------------- High points: The truck has a very comfortable feel to it. Even compared to the SS the cloth interior is warm and inviting it feels very classy for the comparison to its more expensive counterpart. The main aspect of the performance edition is the addition of the 6.0 lq9 power plant that is not available in any other 1500 series truck. The added power under the pedal really makes it fun to drive. You just can't go wrong with a vehicle on factory 20 inch rims either with some real shine to them. Low points: The truck is definitely built as a truck but not so much a true sport truck. The suspension is not really as nimble as I would have hoped for it is a bit cumbersome in turns and short stops. The braking distance is also a bit more so than I would have hoped for. The counterpart being the SS has 4 wheel disc brakes unfortunately with the upgraded rear differential that the VHO has the disc brakes were not an option available in 05. Many aftermarket upgrades for brakes are available but truly the factory should have spent a little more on that aspect.
Spec Sheet Specifications from automobilemag.com Auxiliary oil cooler 5,967 cc 6 liters V 8 front engine with 101.6 mm bore, 92 mm stroke, 9.4 compression ratio, overhead valve and two valves per cylinder LQ4 Unleaded fuel 87 Multi-point injection fuel system 34.1 gallon main unleaded fuel tank Heavy duty engine cooling system Power: 224 kW , 300 HP SAE @ 4,400 rpm; 360 ft lb , 488 Nm @ 4,000 rpm 2005 Chevrolet Silverado Handling, Ride & Braking Specs Four-wheel ABS 4.1:1 axle ratio Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs Dual rear wheels Electronic brake distribution Immobilizer Fullsize steel rim under body spare wheel Wishbone front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and torsion springs , beam rear suspension rigid with leaf springs 2005 Chevrolet Silverado Exterior & Aerodynamics Specs Chrome front and rear bumpers Day time running lights Driver and passenger power heated black door mirrors External dimensions: overall length (inches): 246.6, overall width (inches): 96.1, overall height (inches): 76.3, ground clearance (inches): 9.1, wheelbase (inches): 157.5, front track (inches): 68.6, rear track (inches): 74.7 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 50.7 Complex surface lens halogen bulb headlights Heat reflective glass Opening rear ? windows Metallic paint Straight side pickup bed Fixed rear window with defogger Rear platform step Tinted glass on cabin, rear and side Weights: gross vehicle weight rating (lbs) 11,400, curb weight (lbs) 6,043, gross trailer weight braked (lbs) 9,700 and max payload (lbs) 5,355 Windshield wipers with variable intermittent wipe 2005 Chevrolet Silverado Interior Specs 12v power outlet: front and 1 Air conditioning Fixed mast antenna Peripheral anti-theft protection Front ashtray RDS audio system with AM/FM and CD player Cargo area dimensions: length (inches): 97.6, front width (inches): 64.8, width between arches (inches): 50, height (inches): 19.5 and loading floor height (inches): 35.7 Cargo area light Rear tailgate cargo doors Front seats cigar lighter Clearance lights Clock Compass Partial overhead console with open storage box Delayed/fade courtesy lights Cruise control Front seats and rear seats cup holders fixed Door entry light Door pockets/bins for driver seat, passenger seat and rear seats External temperature Floor covering: Floor mats Driver front airbag , passenger front airbag with occupant switch off 40/20/40 split driver seat with lumbar adjustment , 40/20/40 split passenger seat with lumbar adjustment , 40/20/40 split center seat 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat integrated , 3-point reel front seat belts on passenger seat integrated , lap static front seat belts on center seat Glove compartment Two height adjustable head restraints on front seats and rear seats Headlight control with dusk sensor Illuminated entry system Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 41, rear headroom (inches): 38.4, front hip room (inches): 61.4, rear hip room (inches): 61.5, front leg room (inches): 41.3, rear leg room (inches): 33.7, front shoulder room (inches): 65.2 and rear shoulder room (inches): 66.3 Low fuel level warning Remote power locks Power steering Front power windows with two one-touch Front reading lights 3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side , 3-point reel rear seat belts on passenger side , lap static rear seat belts on center side Three one-piece split bench front facing rear seats with zero adjustments Automatic operation rear view mirror Front seat back storage Upgraded cloth/velour seat upholstery with additional upgraded cloth/velour Seating: six seats Six speaker(s) Leather covered steering wheel with tilt adjustment Tachometer Passenger vanity mirror Ventilation system with recirculation setting Acknowledgements A special thank you to Gage chevrolet in Grand Haven Michigan, www.gagemotormall.com And to SilveradoSS.com for addtional information.
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