"whatisthatsound" (whatisthatsound)
02/01/2015 at 13:00 • Filed to: None
26
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"whatisthatsound" (whatisthatsound)
02/01/2015 at 13:00 • Filed to: None | 26
| 18 |
Nine days have passed since I brought the snake into the garage. I have decided a few things over week one of ownership. First, I'm going to set out to give actual reviews of the Viper. Sure, here and there, I'll input a few jokes. For the most part though, these write-ups won't be me saying the Viper is an iron-sled pushing 510 of Hades finest horses through the streets of Gotham ridding it of crime by shooting flames and hammers from the exhaust. Instead, I'm going to be as specific as I can to give you all a concise picture of owning an American icon.
Now let me begin. I dropped the Viper off at the dealership on Monday for a full inspection. I had every fluid changed, 11 quarts of oil later along with brake, diff, tranny, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid I left with a four figure bill and a warm fuzzy feeling nothing engine/drivetrain related was broken. The SRT tech did inform me my left front and rear struts were leaking and the sway bar end links were bad. It would cost $3k to get OEM parts. I immediately said no. I have never modded a car because of resale value though, but I did not want OEM parts that failed. Since I don't plan on selling this car, I went off to the Viper forums. After two days of digging and talking to a lot of experienced Viper mechanics, the overwhelming consensus was the Gen III had one major issue, the suspension cannot keep up with the car. My suspension was bad anyway, so a perfect opportunity arose to get everything done now, by Wednesday parts were on the way.
While on the forums and buying parts I had to address any issues from the factory. I bought rear toe link supports because I saw pictures and heard stories of toe link failures causing the rear wheel to turn in 45°, and then pushing you into the nearest object without any warning. These supports are a small price to pay for piece of mind.
Next up was Team Tech 6 point racing harnesses for both seats because tracking/autox'ing this car in the three point seatbelt is actually insane. Handling 500+ horses from the passenger side because you have been thrown from the drivers seat is a difficult task. After autoxing with these on Saturday I'm 100% satisfied with the quality and fit, as a bonus the harnesses let the car retain the stock belt system for DD duties. Safety was taken care of. Time to tackle the suspension.
While I'm installing the toe link supports I'll be replacing all the 10 year old bushings to polyurethane. Adjustable sway bar end links will be put on all four corners. Most importantly the Viper will be sitting an inch lower on MCS 2 way remote adjustable coil overs. They are regarded as the best thing you can put on this car. They did eat up all of my upgrade budget, but I'm not looking for anything else. All these parts should be installed, aligned, and ready to race in a week or two.
However, I couldn't wait two weeks before taking the Viper out…
I met up with my local Gulf Coast Autox group, and with 7 days of ownership (4 of those it was in the shop) under my belt I took to the course. It kept up with the top half of the pack with bad struts and a worse driver. Let me explain something in plain detail now. When I autox'd the Elise I found it responds to finesse and smooth refined techniques. I struggled on every corner with one of the most capable cars of all time because... I am not that guy, and luckily the Viper is not that car. I did not finesse anything with the SRT-10. I punched the gas, slammed the brakes, threw it into corners, and hoped the 13 inch wide Super Sports in the rear would grab onto the aging asphalt. This car can handle. Period. I will say it again. The Dodge Viper can handle. The rear end progressively gets loose, there is no snap oversteer. Braking is done with ease, turns are tight, acceleration is head snapping, and the sound fills everyones ear holes to alert them I'm coming in hot. I didn't spin, I didn't crash, most importantly I didn't die. Once again my dream car has not disappointed me.
Disclaimer: I have no experience whatsoever with Gen 1 or 2 Vipers. They may be actively trying to kill their owners.
Side note, I've averaged 14 MPGs since I bought it! Now, here is some Viper porn.
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> whatisthatsound
02/01/2015 at 13:09 |
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Today is great Viper weather, isn't it?
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whatisthatsound
> Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
02/01/2015 at 13:11 |
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I wish, after I got it home last night I put it back up on jack stands and took everything off so install will be faster when the parts start arriving. Also it started raining here in Pensacola about 30 minutes ago.
Decay buys too many beaters
> whatisthatsound
02/01/2015 at 13:13 |
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You sure got some purdy shocks there!
daender
> whatisthatsound
02/01/2015 at 13:15 |
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Hell yeah, I wish my autox region had more daring Viper owners like you!
That said, a Gen 2 came out once but here's the kicker: the owner's wife smoked him by 3-4 seconds at the end of the day in the same car.
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Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> whatisthatsound
02/01/2015 at 13:15 |
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Oh I know, I'm currently waiting on my Dad in Cantonment. I just had to run out to his truck, maybe 30 yards, and I'm soaked. At least it isn't cold.
Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
> whatisthatsound
02/01/2015 at 13:30 |
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god that car is gorgeous. im jelly haha
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whatisthatsound
> Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
02/01/2015 at 13:31 |
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Thank you very much!
gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun
> whatisthatsound
02/01/2015 at 13:45 |
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Oh god yes
Cherry_man1
> whatisthatsound
02/01/2015 at 13:46 |
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Ever sense I saw you got one it reignited my passion for the car. I love the way they look and sound. I found one in I think copper head orange satin and I want it so badly...but yet the Torino beckons me still...but thats good insight into what can go wrong with the Viper.
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whatisthatsound
> Cherry_man1
02/01/2015 at 13:49 |
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I was surprised to say the least about the suspension, I wasn't really too excited about the upfront cost. Honestly, I could still get awhile out of these I don't think the leak is too bad. I would rather just get it all done now though.
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Cherry_man1
> whatisthatsound
02/01/2015 at 13:52 |
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Ya I don't blame you. *shudders* I soon will have to get under my GTS (Gran Torino Sport) and possibly change it's suspension out.....cause it looks like they haven't been changed in say maybe 20-25 years......BUT I had it checked and a family friend who is a very good mechanic said it was just fine. This GTS is like a god car. It will run until it meets uber rust.
Axial
> daender
02/01/2015 at 14:53 |
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Plot twist: the wife was the actual owner.
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Axial
> whatisthatsound
02/01/2015 at 14:55 |
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One of these things is not like the others!
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daender
> Axial
02/01/2015 at 16:23 |
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Haha, a lot of the guys at the event, including me, were hoping for that but nope!
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Axial
> daender
02/01/2015 at 17:06 |
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Was the owner a good sport about it, at least? I know some people who would just get upset and start throwing excuses all over the place.
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daender
> Axial
02/01/2015 at 18:41 |
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Nah, no excuses, his wife is just a badass.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> whatisthatsound
02/02/2015 at 09:59 |
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Love it. Straight to work!
saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars
> whatisthatsound
02/05/2015 at 00:51 |
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I think that the Viper is one of the most Jalop cars out there: it has a weird engine layout, unusual proportions, RWD, manual and all that good stuff, but it's not the best at anything besides murdering its pilot. It's like a resentful 17 year-old at the orphanage, and I think that car people are kind of like that too. It's a perfect match. #deepthoughts, anyone?