1997 Viper GTS Oil Change

[HardHitter]

Hi All,

About to do my first oil change on the Viper and just wanted to see if there are any tips/tricks from your experience before I go at it or is it pretty straight forward.

I have a set of race ramps, so going to put her up on those to be able to get under. Need to purchase everything first (filter, oil, etc.) and just want to make sure I have everything and don't find out half way through I'm missing something specific for the Viper hah.

Thanks!

 

[Stuntman]

Make sure you get the white Mopar Viper oil filter.

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ID/3788/Project-Viper-GTS-Part-2--General-Maintenance.aspx

 

[71firebird400]

Mopar Filter
8.5 quarts of either 10W30 or 0W40 (I buy two 5-quart containers of M1 0W40)

If you have any seepage around the oil drain plug you can either replace the washer gasket with the Mopar part ($20 at the dealer) or get a generic gasket at Napa for $1.99 (part number NOE 7041093). If it's bone dry then you do not need to replace the gasket.

Other than that it's simple- I always pour about 8 quarts in and then top off as needed for the extra 1/2 quart so I don't overfill it. Regular rules apply; don't over torque the plug or filter unnecessarily and allow plenty of time for it to completely drain.

 

[HardHitter]

Make sure you get the white Mopar Viper oil filter.

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ID/3788/Project-Viper-GTS-Part-2--General-Maintenance.aspx

Awesome! Thanks for the link.

12 Quarts of 0W-40 M1 Synthetic for $50 at Costco and then $13 for filter.

Is this the right part number for the filter? https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Mopar-5038041AA-Oil-Filter/dp/B006T08WXM

Lastly, oil filter should be hand tight but for the oil drain plug, hand tight or certain torque settings?

 

[AZTVR]

Is this the right part number for the filter? https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Mopar-5038041AA-Oil-Filter/dp/B006T08WXM

No, that is for Gen IV which has a different thread size, I think. You want to use 05037836AB

 

[KyViper]

Torque value for the Pan drain plug is 25 ft.lbs. Pan is Aluminum and can be damaged with over tightening.

 

[ViperJohn]

Hopefully the 998 recall was done correctly and the oil filter comes out.

 

[Intrazel]

I use either Royal Purple HPS or Amsoil Racing oil, Only K&N gold filters as they have 1" nut on the end to Wrench on/off , makes it much easier, plus it's a very high quality filter !

 

[Mopar Steve]

I use either Royal Purple HPS or Amsoil Racing oil, Only K&N gold filters as they have 1" nut on the end to Wrench on/off , makes it much easier, plus it's a very high quality filter !

The filter media might be okay but the bypass spring inside the genuine Mopar/Viper filter is where the important difference is. Stick with the OE part for this application.

 

[HardHitter]

Thanks all, I have all the parts now and will be doing the oil change during Christmas break.

 

[TalonTSi90]

The filter media might be okay but the bypass spring inside the genuine Mopar/Viper filter is where the important difference is. Stick with the OE part for this application.

AMSoil makes pretty good stuff, but this is the perfect time to say "NEVER EVER USE FRAM!!!" for this very reason.

 

[SteveMat]

I've been using Mobil 1 oil and filter on my 97. Usually catch it on sale at one of the cheapy parts shops. I'd have to look but pretty sure 97's are 7.5 quarts unless you have a different pan.

 

[Intrazel]

The filter media might be okay but the bypass spring inside the genuine Mopar/Viper filter is where the important difference is. Stick with the OE part for this application.

Interesting, has anyone ever tested and compared bypass springs between these filters ? What is the spring pressure on the Mopar/Viper filter ?
I called K&N and they referred me to their tech department, I was told by their senior tech that the oil pressure in the K&N unit will be the same as the Mopar unit, I confirmed this when I checked the oil pressure after changing from the OE part to the K&N

 

[Intrazel]

I would venture to guess but I think this IPSCO filter blow's all other oil filters out of the water, including the Mopar/Viper filter !
http://ipsco.org/Viper_files/High Flow Oil Filter.htm

 

[KyViper]

I use Mobile one filter P/N M1-204.
Book calls for 9 QTs without filter and 10 QTs with filter. Last time on mine was a little over 8 QTs with the filter chg.
Been using M1 oil and filters on my Vipers for years no issues.

 

[Geronimo]

Hopefully the 998 recall was done correctly and the oil filter comes out.

LOL. .......

 

[Edward 96GTS]

any updates on recommended oil and oil filters?

 

[lane_viper]

Nothing like reviving a 3 year old thread.

see this thread. https://www.viperclub.org/vca/threads/motor-oil.676351/unread

 

[ViperJeff]

We should never count how many times a question is asked, but how many people we’ve been able to help

 

[steve e]

The great thing about being old is every post seems new, and every movie I watch is like the first time, all I have to do is cycle my 4 favorite movies over a one week time span and they all seem like new movies, its awesome. I feel bad for you young people always needing new stuff

 

[ViperJeff]

The great thing about being old is every post seems new, and every movie I watch is like the first time, all I have to do is cycle my 4 favorite movies over a one week time span and they all seem like new movies, its awesome. I feel bad for you young people always needing new stuff

I’m old, just bough a new RAM....

 

[steve e]

Awesome Jeff, I was just in my garage and found a new Viper, not sure how it got there. and its a 1999.

 

[ViperJeff]

Awesome Jeff, I was just in my garage and found a new Viper, not sure how it got there. and its a 1999.

10 times more fun and I bet you spent less than I did LOL


Congrats!!!!

 

[Viper-10]

NAPA Gold or Wix are the best filters made... these are the same thing. Second choice is Mobile 1 filter. No paper internal filtration materials. They are all 100% cloth fabric internals. If you drive the car hard (or track the car), always over fill with 1 additional quart so you won't starve the oil pickup in high G turns. There are baffled oil pans available in after market. Racers dry sump their cars.

 

[AZTVR]

NAPA Gold or Wix are the best filters made... these are the same thing.

And, the white MOPAR filters mentioned above are made by WIX with the performance characteristics specified by the Dodge engineers to accommodate the V10 requirements.

 

[steve e]

10 times more fun and I bet you spent less than I did LOL


Congrats!!!!

No, I bought it new in 99, just forgot I had one, found some other stuff in there to that I forgot I had.

 

[ViperJeff]

No, I bought it new in 99, just forgot I had one, found some other stuff in there to that I forgot I had.

Still congrats

I’m happy with the Long Horn, does everything I need it to do but go really fast

 

[steve e]

That is a nice truck, and the older I get the faster everything seems to get, I am sure that Long Horn is fast enough. Congrats.

 

[ViperJeff]

Thanks, traveling is all about comfort these days and on any road trips, we take the truck

 

[Mark Crosby]

10w 30 mobile one full synthetic with a mobile one filter. I don't have any problems with this filter and have put over 10,000 miles on my car running this filter with 3 oil changes with it and changing the filter. During hot weathers here in California with 90 plus I will run 15w 50 mobile one full synthetic and I have documented sent of a little over 7000 miles in these conditions while using the mobile one oil filter. In my opinion, the oil filter will not matter so much in brand as long as you change your our oil in a productive time and manner while keeping the system clean. I have ran and compared the the oem oil filter compared to the mobile one and found no such difference in oil pressures at all temps. In my experience of driving my car and having the joy of working on it with all my heart, its your choice on what oil filter you pick. BUT remember to change your oil more often than normal from the book, you don't just drive a viper easy and everyone can agree with me on that note. You want all those internals nice and lubricated at all times with the oils max lifespan. If you own one of these cars from all the research I've done with guys that race these cars and casually drive them, don't pinch penny's on when to do an oil change. An oil change is a lot cheaper than replacing internals and you will enjoy the car for many years more.