'08 Technical/Engine differences

[Vipermann]

I've been reading the Summer Viper magazine story about the '08 8.4L engine closely and some points have really stood out to me:

>The SRT engineers say the valve closing impact has been slowed from 3mm/sec (on the ('03-'06) to 1.5 mm/sec for greater durability
>Because the heads were reengineered, with 20% greater flow, the valvetrain operation is said to be as stable at 6400 rpms as the prior engine was at 5700 rpms
>A stronger block
>And we all know about the new cam

Many other improvements too, and although the '08 heads and intake will be available through Mopar for '03-'06 8.3L cars, the total improvements to the '08 seem more and more amazing ...

 

[Warfang]

keeping my fingers crossed about the drive by wire.

 

[Vipermann]

Drive by wire is such a proven technology these days that it really doesn't worry me.

The key is that the 8.4L '08 is so much better than the prior 8.3L Gen3s. You could spend 10K to add 90HP to an '06, and still have an engine that is no where near as good as an '08. And then you also get the better clutch, gear box and rear diff with the '08.

 

[viperdrummer]

Drive by wire is such a proven technology these days that it really doesn't worry me.

The key is that the 8.4L '08 is so much better than the prior 8.3L Gen3s. You could spend 10K to add 90HP to an '06, and still have an engine that is no where near as good as an '08. And then you also get the better clutch, gear box and rear diff with the '08.

How in the heck do you know-other than the mags and dealers puffing? I have had every Gen, but on this one I am waiting and letting others be the guinea pig. My Viper tech who is one of the best told me to steer clear for awhile.

 

[Mopar488]

How in the heck do you know-other than the mags and dealers puffing? I have had every Gen, but on this one I am waiting and letting others be the guinea pig. My Viper tech who is one of the best told me to steer clear for awhile.

If you know something about that engine that is not right, I would like to know. I am getting ready to drop the dime on one real soon, but you got me a little shaky now.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Having been blessed to talk to the Engineers on three seperate occasions , face to face, and also been able to drive the 08 , twice, I would resoundingly suggest the new motor is absolutely phenomenal. I appreciate Viperdrummer's concern, and he has had all the Generations ,so he is quite in tune with the beasts, but his tech mentioning he should delay, is not echoed by any other tech I have chatted with ---- and this takes nothing away from his mechanical ability.

I had the chance to hammer on a 2008 Protoype with 7,000 miles on it ( and they have been hard miles ) and it drove as crisp as when I drove it a month ago. There is no lurching in 1st and 2nd, the motor pulls right to redline ( feels like a Gen III with an aluminum flywheel ) without a hiccup, and the gearbox is butter smooth. I would not be concerned, as having listened to Engineers for years, this is the first time I have seen them gloat about how unbelievably strong this V10 engine is!

No Dealer puffing here, I am just as amazed as any other Viper owner will be with this car, and the motive power is what has lit a fire under my seat -------- wouldn't surprise me to see it in some car-rag as motor of the year!

 

[MoparMan]

You could spend 10K to add 90HP to an '06, and still have an engine that is no where near as good as an '08.

That $10k figure sounds high to me, even if you mean using only NA mods. For starters, you could spend $10k on a Paxton and add about 200HP which is certainly more than 90HP.

 

[Vipermann]

That $10k figure sounds high to me, even if you mean using only NA mods. For starters, you could spend $10k on a Paxton and add about 200HP which is certainly more than 90HP.

I was talking about n/a mods to bring the Gen3 8.3L closer to the new 8.4L -- the new heads & intake (that will be available from Mopar), headers, etc.

All I'm saying here, is that after reading the technical write-up on the new 8.4L, it's a lot more impovement than just some extra 90HP and a new hood ...

As the SRT techs have said, they were given enough R&D $$ to work on the drivetrain performance or the design, but not both. I think the new '08s will show they've benefitted greatly from the focus on the drivetrain performance (with maybe fewer 'bugs,' since they weren't spread too thin trying to improve everything at once).

 

[viperdrummer]

I have gone back and forth 100 times about the 08. I recently got an 06 coupe cause I got tired of waiting (had an 05 so question how smart I am)

After reading the performance numbers from many sources, and given the little difference in design I have come to the conclusion the only reason for ME to get an 08 is if it is the last Viper built (a real concern) The performance numbers etc just don't justify it. Hell, it ain't that much faster than my XLR-V, and likely less dependable.

I just hope they make an 08 and it is great and prove me wrong--then I will buy a late 08 or 09. I know some of the Cerberus folks and I am skeptical of the snake's future. Hate to say it.