My friend went with me to check out a Viper, and he's in love with them. He really wants to get one someday. Problem is that he is in a wheelchair and can only drive with hands controls. Ever heard of anyone putting an automatic on the viper, or would it be a big hassle?
It has been done both for the handicapped and for performance reasons.
I know John Hennessey does them for performance reasons and I see no reason why he can't do it for your buddy. The hand controls just might take some doing.
I was at the NMEDA show in Dallas and there was a 6 speed GTS there with hand controls. Supposedly no foot input is needed at all and the driver/owner autocrosses the car. The clutch was an electric unit actuated on the shifter I believe. I was very impressed.
Try contacting them at:
National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association
11211 N. Nebraska Avenue, Suite A-5
Tampa, Florida 33612
Phone: (800) 833-0427
(813) 977-6603
Fax: (813) 977-6402 nmeda@aol.com
The SRT 10 Ram pace trucks have an automatic in them (because of NASCAR regulations). The new quad cab version of the SRT 10 Ram will have an automatic also. I don't know if they can cram a truck transmission into a Viper car, but they've got experience with automatics on the V10 now.
TH200 comes the closest to fitting without cutting inter frame rails.
It's a GM trans used in Buick GNs. Originally light duty but the GN crowd has made it work with 1000HP.
I Think HMS has a kit to use this unit with a special flywheel and adapter plate. Any Mopar trans is to big for the tunnel and requires major surgery.