1995 RT/10 Road Coursing

[MannyC]

Guys,

1st: I like the look the the Gen 1 RT/10 better than I do the Gen2. This may change after a while -- I think it is the side pipes. I do like the hood on the Gen2 though.

2nd: I currently road course a 2001 Z06 (Button Willow, Willow Springs, etc.... I live in San Diego.)

Question: Will a 95 RT/10 make a good car to road course in? Granted, I know a coupe is better for various reasons, but I want the roadster since I will be using the car on the street and will only occasionally track the car. So if I am going to take this car to Button Willow or Willow Springs, am I in for a big dissapointment, when compared to the Z06? And yes, I know one is 6 years newer than the other -- just kind of want to get a feel for what you think for those of you who have driven both cars.

Lastly, would you recommend any upgrades or changes that are critical if I am going to track the car occasionally, and if so, what would they be and how much do those upgrades typically cost?

Thanks

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

That car is 8 years old. I wouldn't want to be the one pounding on it at a track hard. Anything could happen. I would buy a later model RT/10 than the gen 1's if it was to see occasional track use.

 

[RSNAKE]

I don't have enough experience in either car to answer your question directly, however everything that I have heard and read tells me that the GEN II is going to be much better around a track than a GEN I (stock for stock). Also you can buy side pipes and modify a GEN II to have the GEN I look.

There are tons of track modifications that you can make to Vipers. Searchs on the board for brakes, tires, suspension, exhaust, heads, etc will give you an idea. It seems that the most common track mods center around brakes, as that seems to be the weakest link for GEN I and GEN II Vipers.

Good luck.

 

[Bonkers]

Tom beat the days best SRT10 score with his stock 94RT by almost 4 seconds. Same course, same conditions.

The car is worthy. If you are really serious find a wrecked 01-02 with the ABS...

 

[MannyC]

Wrecked?

 

[SnakeBitten]

Tom beat the days best SRT10 score with his stock 94RT by almost 4 seconds. Same course, same conditions.

The car is worthy. If you are really serious find a wrecked 01-02 with the ABS...

From seeing some of Superbars posts I dont think he will have a problem purchasing a brand new Viper or a used 2k+ snake.......As for the Srt10 losing to a gen 1 by 4 secs???Common sence will tell ya that something has to be a reason for that, and it aint the SRT.......Gotta be the gasket between the steering wheel and seat.........

 

[SoCal Rebell]

My buddy IMSOSLO took his fairly stock '94 with Hoosier S03s around WSIR in 1:31.7, not bad. That aside the Gen II is a MUCH better handling car, a stock Gen II with Hoosiers has turned a 1:27.5 there.

BTW, you can put sidepipes on a Gen II.

 

[prodiver]

I had a 96 Vette that I used to do a lot of open track events with including the Silver State Challange and The pony Express 100.
I sold the Vette and bought a 95 Viper a year ago with 17k on it. It has 45k on it now. A lot of track time and open road racing.
I didn't set out to break any track records with it but just to have fun. I use slicks when on the track with it and they make quite a difference.
The Vette is a refined sports car, the Viper is raw horsepower and looks. If you can live without the
cruise control, automatic millage readout, power seats, and some of the other creature comforts that the
Vette has then you will like the Viper. It took a little adjusting for me but I love the car now.

 

[Bonkers]

Wrecked?

You can find slightly muffed Vipers everywhere. Get one cheap (relatively) put some go fast goodies on and still be at (or under) the price of a GenI. That would be my plan if I had time to race.

 

[Bonkers]

As for the Srt10 losing to a gen 1 by 4 secs???

Tell telling it as I remember it. Tom ran a 31.*** in his (as he tells me) stock Green RT and a 35.*** (may have been 34.***, Andy was in second at 35.somthing.) on his run with the SRT. Granted it was only his second lap ever in the SRT but it goes to prove that the GenI car is capible if the driver is too...

I think JoeH got a printout of the offical times, maybe he can clear up the actual numbers...

 

[FrankBarba]

Ok i have to chime in here. Having tracked a 95 RT/10 i can vouch that it is more of the person behind the wheel than the car itself. I have been to Road Atlanta, Summit Point and other Various Track Events/Races. My RT can hang in with the best of them, I can hang with the GenII and the Corvette Z06. The Back Stretch at Road Atlana i can hit 155 before i back out of the throttle..not bad for an 8 year old car. If anyone of you Gen II boys want bring them to Summit Point June 14-15 run with me in the ITE Class and we will see what happens. If this is not suitable for you maybe NASA at Summit Point the following weekend we can run in the Viper Vette Challange...Let me know, and come check out this 95.....