Hello Everyone and how are you. I have a wrecked 1997 Viper GTS and am running into some issues. The car was hit on the right hand side mainly... looks like a bunch of fiberglass work is ahead of me??
#1 - Does anyone know if the fiberglass panels can be fixed once cracked?? If so, do you know anyone in Florida that can be trusted to do the work??
#2 - I may need to take the roof off of the car so the fiberglass can be fixed... Is this possible?? I looked in the back and found a bunch of black glue holding the entire roof assy onto the rear tub. If anyone has taken a project on like this, please let me know.
#3 - I am going to remove the engine tomorrow.... What is the fastest way to remove this engine?? Both engine and tranny together?? Any pointers would be great....
#4 - Parts???? - Where can I find some good used parts at a good price??? Mainly body panels.. odds and ends, etc...
#5 - Gas Tank removal??? Have you guys ever done this one?? I may need to take it out and am not sure how to move forward....
Jon B at the parts rack will know more than anyone else, but you'll get an attitude if you ask to many questions, and he just selling you Pauls parts anyway.
Good luck and my advice, part it out. To many good vipers for cheap right now!
Last edited by C O D Y : September 4th, 2006 at 11:51 AM.
I would go with new panels. If you try to fix them many times they will crack through the paint once you start and drive the car. You're looking at about $10k for the roof and that was about 4-5 years ago when I had to buy one when I wrecked my 99 GTS. My understanding is that the panels are injected molds of fiberglass and once they crack you should replace them. Perhaps the guy that tried to repair mine didn't know what he was doing and that is why the panels continued to crack through the paint.
I honestly think it's gonna be cheaper to buy a clean car than to rebuild a wrecked one. "Deals" and "fixer-uppers" do not exist when it comes to these cars.
Jon B at the parts rack will know more than anyone else, but you'll get an attitude if you ask to many questions, and he just selling you Pauls parts anyway.
Good luck and my advice, part it out. To many good vipers for cheap right now!
Hello everyone and how are you. Just got back in... Thank you very much for all of the info!!!!!!!!!! I just sent an email to Paul about the parts. Yes, I have gone fishing on Ebay before... many good deals to be had on parts... trick is to get in on the bidding before it's over. Good example... last week a good Viper GTS Roof sold for $200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was watching the item... but had family over and did not get to it in time!!! my loss....
Yes, there are good deals out there on Vipers... but sometimes "fixer-uppers" are ok as well. I have a good body shop working on the fiberglass... some old "dead head" who's spent his life working on Vette wreckes... He told me today that fixing the fiberglass would not be a problem.. I guess we'll see. At $1,100 a quarter panel (OEM replacement cost)... I'll probably just give it a shot.
Has anyone taken out a GTS engine before??? What is the best way to get this done??..... Engine and tranny together?... How long will this take????
Also, let me say that I love vipers... I really do... but I have a bitch guys. The frame bends like butter!!!!!!!!! Seems like just about anything will make the frame bend. You guys with 1000+hp out there... I am surprised that the frame does not twist in half when stomping on the throttle. I would rather trade a 300lbs weight increase for a stronger frame. Just my 2 cents.
Thanks again for the info and please keep it coming!!!!!!
PSI, I have an excellent guy up here I use for parts regularly-he stocks alot of parts and his prices aren't insane. Give Franklyn Evans a call (416)729-7588 I'm sure he can help you out. He ships to the states all the time.
PSI, I have an excellent guy up here I use for parts regularly-he stocks alot of parts and his prices aren't insane. Give Franklyn Evans a call (416)729-7588 I'm sure he can help you out. He ships to the states all the time.
Franklyn is a good guy and can help you with just about anything
my loss....
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