Hi all! I'm in Jacksonville, FL and I have a 1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 that I'm doing a one-off twin HX35 build with 3.5L high compression V6 (all that is irrelevant, but I'm not scared of wrenching/fabricating)
I'm looking for a car I can play around with on the weekends and not worry too much about all 4 shocks going out one at a time, or needing to buy a $1,000 cam angle sensor right after I buy the car. I eventually would like to turn it into a NASA racer after I get acclimated.
I was looking for a 'NEW OWNER' section but didn't see one or anything close to it.
My main question is, what kind of stuff routinely breaks or needs replacing on these cars? When are the major service intervals? My 3K has a 60K (timing belt, pullies, hydraulic tensioner, water pump for example) And a 120K which includes the 60K and an oil pump
I've driven a '93 RT-10 and that thing was not very enjoyable. It was put together very loose and the interior pieces would rub together and squeak when you hit bumps. Car sounded great though, and it moved out of the hole real good. I've heard the 2G's are put together MUCH better. Any input? I am hot for a '08'ish ACR, but I can't find one with enough miles for it to be in my price range lol
Lots of info if you search; but, Gen 2 is pretty damned reliable. You want a GTS if you are thinking of doing track time. The only major things are an early recall for frame reinforcement ('96-'97?) that can be done wrong and then also search for water pump issues on 2001 , I think. Other than that, the plastic power steering pump pulley needs to be replaced with a steel or aluminum one on the Gen 2. No timing belt, and no one posts about timing chain issues; but, Vipers with over 100k miles that might need that are rare. Some people have had an issue with timing cover seal; but, I don't remember that being year specific.
My interior parts make noise over bumps and stuff on my 97 RT but who the hell cares?? Turn up the stereo and step on the gas and you will forget about any subtle shortcomings of this amazing car.
My interior parts make noise over bumps and stuff on my 97 RT but who the hell cares?? Turn up the stereo and step on the gas and you will forget about any subtle shortcomings of this amazing car.
Save yourself the headaches and $thousands and ditch the 3kgt. Do a turbo on the viper and never look back.
agreed, former 3kgt owner- it is a dated design and platform, you will do nothing but break parts and lose money
FastMatt has the worlds fastest 3/s, and guess what he bought? a viper. i'm sure since his business depends on the 3/s he will defend the platform but bang for the buck is going to belong to the viper
actually, this is dumb to even compare the two cars
I have a modified 95 VR4 and the reliability sucks compared to my Viper. Vipers are easier to work on and they really don't break if you take care of them.
3kgt will never compare to a Viper in performance or reliability. I have a Gen3 and at 30k miles, the only thing I have ever changed is the oil. It's about time to change the diff fluid though and flush the radiator. But all that stuff is normal wear and tear. These cars hold up great. This is my second Viper, and the first one was the same way.
My interior parts make noise over bumps and stuff on my 97 RT but who the hell cares?? Turn up the stereo and step on the gas and you will forget about any subtle shortcomings of this amazing car.
hit well over 1000 whp and 900 fptq on my STOCK engine... 1997 GTS... on an e85 tune with barely any timing touched...
point made... tell me what other car can do that on a stock platform.
period.
Scion TC
I saw it on a commercial, the TV said it was king of the streets or something like that.
in all seriousness, I agree.
I had an 03 cobra that was built to the hills and back....never made over 850....next step was going to cost me a mortgage when I was already 40k deep in the build. the newer GT500s are getting closer but still quite a bit of money involved and reliability will begin to go down.
besides spitting a belt and a fuse, my Viper should put down north of 1200 with a budget TT kit. granted I'm not a stock block....but as you have pointed out, stock longblock is a great platform.
I'm really not looking to go out and make TX2k14 videos with the 1 million HP you guys are touting lol (It is very impressive tho!) I'm more interested in making it STOP and turn
I am familiar with Mr. Monet and his exploits on 3si. My 3K doesn't really cost me that much...all of the catastrophic failures have been self inflicted (3rd>2nd shift @ 7K to 12K rpm) and it's been mostly going through the motions dealing with electric components *shrug*
Either way, are these care prone to any particular failure? Oil leaks, all the suspension bushings going bad at once? Struts busting a hole through the top of the mount (IE: E36 BMW)
worst thing I can think of is clutch slave cylinders, which really isn't bad, or that often, and wiring in the doors getting old and breaking, easy to fix. I haven't experienced it on my 98 at all. a lot of us can't seem to get the speakers on the hood to work though. seems to be a constant problem.
other than those, no not really. Gen IIs are pretty damn rock solid cars. tires suck cause they are huge, so expensive.....otherwise, typical maintenance, oil changes, brakes, clutches, fluid changes.
Some Gen 2s oil pans will sometimes seep. No real electrical issues other than some fan relays may burn out. Stock half shafts will break under higher power launches. All the this is not that common though.
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