[Lucifer]

Hey all, new to the board and I have a few questions.

I'll be looking for a 00~02' Viper in about 2 months and I was wondering if there are any major items to be alert for on these cars. Anything that wears out with normal usage, things to be aware of while looking, etc. Second, I think a blower will be in order right off the bat. I know of all the different types and exactly how they work (I do automotive design) but would like to hear actual owner first hand experiences. What are the benefits of going with a centrifugal like the Paxton over a twin screw such as the Roe and the other way around?

Thanks guys!

 

[McGuireV10]

2000 to 2002, you should be pretty safe. Starting in 2001, they all came with ABS. Just make sure you check the car over in great detail. I've seen Vipers sold as "never wrecked", but you get 'em up on jack stands and the frame has big ugly welds everywhere. Never buy sight unseen, unless you have somebody you know and trust check it out for you.

Consider calling Pemberton at Woodhouse Dodge, or Chuck Tator at Tator Dodge. Most people consider them the hands-down first choice for buying a Viper.

 

[BAD68GTO]

McGuire gave you EXCELLENT advice, nothing to add here! Good luck, and welcome to the Alley! /images/graemlins/thumbs2

 

[Lucifer]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[GaryA]

If you're going to be adding a supercharger, you really should consider getting a pre-2000 car. The 2000's and up all have cast pistons and if you plan to run more than just a little boost you'll have to get forged pistons. There are people out there who will tell you that you can supercharge a cast piston car, but there are a quite a few cast piston cars that have blown motors.

As far as centrifugal versus screw-type blowers, if you want to make a lot of horsepower, the centrifugal blowers make the most. One of the best ways to increase horsepower in a forced induction setup is achieved by using an intercooler. The twin-screw types (at least the ones available for the Viper) don't accommodate an intercooler. The air-to-air type is the best for daily driving. The water-to-air type just doesn't stay cool enough to be as effective. I picked up more than 150 rwhp just by adding an intercooler to my Heffner supercharged car.

Finally, you should consider a twin turbo setup. I'm a believer after riding in one of Heffner's new Twin Turbo cars and it was incredible. The low-end torque is neck snapping and the boost can be varied on the fly for whatever situation you find yourself in.

Good luck!

 

[Lucifer]

Thanks for the wealth of infomation Gary, seems I need to do a bit more research before just going out and writing a check. This is going to be a daily driver/crusier type deal, not out to make 1000hp, I have other cars for that. Just was thinking of ways to make it different from every other Viper in the area. The blower will be down the road a bit, I'll be doing all standard bolt ons first. When it comes time for forced induction, I'm not afraid of pulling the motor and swaping the pistons with some forged, cryo, and heat treated ones.

Again, thinks for the info.

 

[par]

...Every other viper in the area.?! It's not like there are an abundance of vipers around -it's not vettes we are talking about!

 

[McGuireV10]

Unless you've had similar cars, just get the Viper and drive it, first. It'll take awhile for THAT to wear off. There are a lot of very high-power Vipers out there which are driven often, but in my opinion, for a true daily driver you aren't going to want more than 600ish unless you're really, really into the drag racing scene or something like that. Just my opinion, I'm sure others will disagree.

 

[par]

When i find that the rush is not coming to me that much anymore i stay away from the viper for a few weeks, it's brings that rush back every time!

 

[McGuireV10]

Ain't it great? :thumb:

 

[SapphireGTS]

Id do a pre 2000. I have an 01 but did forged pistons for my blower.

Oh yeah. Glen is mad that you call your self lucifer.

[image]http://www.metallibrary.ru/bands/discographies/deicide/photos/glen_benton_01.jpg[/image]

 

[BAD68GTO]

Another McGuireV10 good advice thread. Get the car, keep it stock and think about what you want to do first ebfore just starting to write checks, then add slowly until you get your expectations IMHO. I have a 650-680 HP street Pontiac GTO, but that is a poop load of HP for a street car, and I would agree 600 HP max for a street car, and even that is a bit on the overkill side.

 

[GaryA]

I definitely agree with McGuire. I would recommend driving the car awhile too. It'll give you plenty of time to figure out where you want to take the car in terms of performance. It's best to figure out the big picture first, even if you implement it in steps.

As far as how much horsepower is enough really depends on you. 600 rwhp is a lot of fun and doesn't stretch the limits of the Viper. You won't find too much competition at 600 rwhp, that is, unless you live near me! :burn:

 

[Lucifer]

600 is more or less what I was planning on, and the mods wouldn't be right off the bat. I currently have a mid 11 second Stealth twin turbo so the performance has got to at lease match that.

...Every other viper in the area.?! It's not like there are an abundance of vipers around -it's not vettes we are talking about!

I know of 5 Vipers in the Lubbock area and at least 25 in Saint Louis.

 

[Lucifer]

Oh yeah. Glen is mad that you call your self lucifer.

[image]http://www.metallibrary.ru/bands/discographies/deicide/photos/glen_benton_01.jpg[/image]

I've used the name since 97' when I used to play Quake professionally, nothing more. But hey, it helped pay for school. /images/graemlins/thumbs2