As soon as I saw a pic of the 08 Viper I had to have the hood. I knew if it would fit correctly, especially with strips and a SC, that you would have better air flow characteristics and possibly the engine would run cooler. The louvers are designed, as air passes over them, to create a suction and pull out even more hot air.
I had a opportunity to purchase a 08 Mopar Hood about a month ago. As soon as I got the hood I took the hood and my 2006 B/S coupe to a very good body shop.
The hood fit perfect but the challenge was the stripping. The painter, who mixes his own paint, said he could make the paint match and align the stripes on the hood to the bumper stripes. To do this the stripe on the hood had to go over the edge of the first vent. I had no problem with this. I knew, with stripes, one could not get a perfect flow but that the positives would out weigh any negative.
Believe me the hood looks better in person. The stripes could be tapered to the bumper and the bumper repainted. But I like the wide stripes. It all comes down to what a person likes.
These are big holes in the hood and since it will be a few months before the factory grills are ready I made the grills. I got the grills local -2 - 4' by 8" hexagon shaped pieces that I cut - painted black and fitted.. This took a lot of work
I told the painter to take his time . He did a first class paint job. The hood had 3 coats of blue and silver for the stripes and 2 coats of clear.
I have driven the Viper for about a week with the new hood. Immediately I noticed more air flow and the engine ran at 8-10 degree cooler around town and a cooler temp on the highway. The sound was different - little louder exhaust-with the big vents and small pad you can hear all kinds of sounds-you heard a lot with the old hood but with the 08 hood -you can hear a lot going on in the engine bay and almost feel the Viper breathing better. Butt dyno - it seems the throttle response is better and the Viper is a little quicker.
When the SC kicks in - You could hear it pretty good before but now-whew
I really like the hood and believe the engine loves it.
Here are some pics of the install-in the next to last pic I had not installed the grills.
Last edited by Blue Streak : December 9th, 2007 at 11:07 AM.
I just got back from the hospital-had to take my 92 year old mother with a little chest discomfort. They say she will be fine and will keep her over night for observation. What a mother-she does very very good for her age. When I first got the Viper I showed it to her and her response-" hot looking car". Took her for a ride and when she got in and we pulled out of the drive she said "floor it". You need to obey your parents so I-well not quite floored it but took her for a pretty good ride-she got a big kick out of it.
I thought about getting a 08 but just could not part with my 06. Ive got the Viper the way I want it and it has 100 plus more wheel HP and lot more torque than the 08. It has the 3.55 gear and spec light weight fly wheel. It is very quick especially on the run. I drive the Viper and I have put near 11000 on it this past year.
The Viper has been good for a man of my age. I really enjoy the Alley you all keep me laughing all the time. Their are some words and phrases that some of you use that I have never heard before and I have been in this world a long time and haven't lived a sheltered life.
Back to the hood-I love it. Very aggressive looking-even more so in person.
Last edited by Blue Streak : December 8th, 2007 at 08:19 AM.
The only problem I am having is a bad cat on the drivers side and possibly a plug wire going bad on #1.
This weekend I am taking the Viper to AB or Adam in Louisville to have him check it over and install his quality wires and new set of plugs. Adam has worked on the Viper before and the man is some Viper mechanic. Fortunate to have someone with his Viper knowledge within driving distance.
Since I have a set of 02 simms I am thinking about going catless. Right now I am running only the primary cats and the drivers side sill is getting very hot and I have that rotten egg smell.
Looks awesome bro, mine came out OK too, i just couldn't find the grills so i had to custom make some. here are some pictures i took with my cell phone, i will eventually post pictures with a nice background.
Been wondering how your install was going. Looks great-can't wait to see other pics.
I had to make my own grills- not a easy job to get them cut right because the vents are different sizes. Custom car grill .com has some nice black powder coated flat grill in different sizes. I got my diamond shape grill local but if I had it to do over I would have ordered from custom car grill. The flat diamond XXL would be much easier to work with.
I think you would agree with me-the hood looks even better in person. Very aggressive looking.
If any one else is thinking about the hood install here are a couple of pics of the underside of the hood showing the installed grills. At the top of each vent is a opening that goes across the vent. The grill can be inserted into this opening for about 1/2". I put #12-1/2" screws and washers on one side and the bottom of the grill.
In the second pic on the middle grill I did not cut it proper so that the top of the grill would insert into the opening. I plan to take the grills off soon and cut and trim a little more and make a new grill for the middle vent.
Lethlvnm--Really looks good - under the hood is very nice. Great job. I would like to see a up close pic of the grill work on the under side of the hood.
Thanks King--I like the wide stripes. My painter liked the wider also and suggested not to taper the hood strip and repaint the bumper. King-Their was a interesting comment by another Viper owner(JohnK) on the wide stripes ---quote---
"Just my opinion, I think the wide stripes dipping into the vents adds more character, interest, and uniqueness to the car than just the plain stripes (whether wide on the stock '06 hood or narrow on an '08 hood."
Most people screw up their Vipers when they change appearance but everything you did is an improvement, Blue Streak. In my opinion, your Viper looks better than the '08 model because of the thicker front stripe. The engine bay is also done with good taste. Great job!
I had to bump this thread. #1 because I'm just seeing the pics. And #2 this hood is freakin' money! This hood has totally renewed my vigor and enthusiasm for my Viper!
You need to obey your parents so I-well not quite floored it but took her for a pretty good ride-she got a big kick out of it.
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