1st post and questions from newbie

[Firecat F7 Viper]

Hello,
I was finally able to buy a viper 6 months ago after many years of dreaming of owning one. I was one of the many people who used to gawk over and gives thumbs up at you as you drove by. I bought mine on ebay sight unseen and fortunately the car was delivered to me exactly as described.......perfect. A 1998 GTS with 2,200 miles. The viper is everything and more than I expected. Love the power and TORQUE, love the handling, love the styling. The attention factor is absolutely unbeleivable.
I have learned so much from this website and everyone who posts here and just wanted to introduce myself and ask a couple questions.
Since mine is a 98, I have heard there was a recall on the frame and or differential area. Is there anyway of telling whether the recall has been done by looking underneath? I do not see any rivets or anything near the frame. What damage may have been done if the recall has not been performed?
Also, I have a strange chatter when the car is idling in neutral with the clutch out. As soon as clutch is engaged, the noise disappears. It sounds like the release bearing. I read on this site that the noise is normal(neutral gear rattle). Do all vipers have this noise? Anyone else with this "problem"?
One more thing..When I first bought the car I was thinking that I would always keep it stock. Now I am starting to think that I might want to up the ante a bit. Especially after seeing some of the gains you guys have made with yours. Need some opinions of the first mods I should perform. I am thinking exhaust and smooth tubes, filters. Nothing too major at first.
I really want to keep the car relatively quiet. As much as I love the sound of the motor, I still want to be able to carry on a conversation or hear the stereo at highway cruising speeds of 75mph@1500rpm. Plus the wife will not ride with me if it is too loud(that may or may not be a good thing!!). Just some exhaust system that sounds a bit better than stock and might boost HP a little.
I am trying to drive the car when the weather is good in the northeast but we have had a lot of snow lately and the salt is everywhere so I can't drive it as much as I want and I am afraid the battery might not stay charged. What is the best battery charging device to purchase?
Thanks for any input,
Bruce

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Crawl under the car and look at the frame between the motor and the radiator. If the recall was performed you can't miss the rivets.

2,200 miles isn't enough to cause any damage. In fact, if you never track the car it's questionable as to whether you even need it done, but since it's free make the drive to Chuck Tator 914-763-3136 and have it done right.

Take it to a muffler shop and have them replace the muffler with straight pipes and weld the stock tips back on. Cost will be between $100 and $200 and the sound will be just right for you. Not loud at all, just a little more rumble. Should be mandatory on all Vipers.

Smooth tubes and filters. Call Sean Roe 904-733-5469.

 

[Ulysses]

Welcome Bruce.

If the recall was done right, you will see a couple of triangular plates riveted to the frame on each side of the front cross member with the tips of the triangles pointed forward. The rear is a little harder to tell if the recall was done unless you know what you are looking for.

NGR is normal for your year, but if your not sure have someone take a look at it.

All exhaust mods are going to bring the db's up a bit. The most quiet cat-back system out there is the Corsa. Though it is still loud compared to stock.

Have fun.

 

[ViperJoe]

998 recall - FRONT and REAR on cars built between 1996 - 1st March 1999
999 recall - FRONT ONLY on cars built after the 1st March 1999 to the end of 2000

Most of the work is in the rear of the car.
The rear end has to be dropped to add the gussets to the driver’s side of the frame.
The repair in the rear is asymmetrical, only the driver’s side receives reinforcement. \

Chatter when the clutch pedal is out is neutral gear rattle. Nature of the beast.

Welcome to the "fold"!


__

 

[SNKEBIT]

Welcome!!!!!

 

[Vreracing]

I'll admit that after some of the questions people had about the recall, since I will not be tracking my car I have not had it done.

I like your idea of buying the car sight unseen. I bought a Porsche 993TT sight unseen. It turned out to be great, but the salesman started calling me about other "ventures" since I think he thought anyone that would buy a car that expensive would buy just about anything. He ended up getting laid off from the dealership and eventually stopped calling. This was in Southern California. No names please.

I, like you, just love my car. I drive it at least 5 or 6 times a week and have put 27K miles on it. As rough as it drives I worry a little about myself. Why do I like it so much? Is there something wrong with me? It should be refined and quiet and technologically sophisticated to be loved this much.

Bottom line, its just pure unadulterated power. I can't get enough.

 

[Doc.]

Bruce,
Congratulations on your new snake and welcome to the jungle. I love my Viper now more than when I first bought it. It just gets better and better. You will get differing opinions on exhaust mods as it is somewhat subjective when it comes to sound. I'm very happy with my Corsa and I highly recommend it. You can always slither on down to Tator's and have the recall work checked out. If I were close, I'd visit Chuck just to get to meet him.

Doc

 

[Firecat F7 Viper]

Thanks for the info on the recall situation.
Will take a closer look to see if it has been done. I guess I can call a dealer and give vin number to find out for sure if it has been performed too.
I guess cheapest route for exhaust mods is to cut out muffler for better sound but I kinda like to get my hands dirty and am leaning towards the corsa cat back system. I think it just bolts to existing stock system with no welding involved. I did drive one with a borla exhaust but it was a little louder than I want. I guess headers and free flow cats will also contribute to more decibels if I decide to go that route. Will there be any hp benefit of keeping stock cats and headers or will it be a waste to just install corsa cat back without changing cats? I just want a little better sound and maybe some hp increases. It seems you guys like your corsa. I checked out their website and you can download the sound installed on a viper. Is that sound fairly accurate? Sounds like what I am looking for.
Thanks again for the advice and welcomes!!

 

[LIVIPER]

Welcome!!!

BTW, if you call Chuck Tator 914-763-3136 with your VIN he can look up the car history and tell you if the recall was done.

Enjoy!!

 

[kgrif]

battery tender!

 

[Firecat F7 Viper]

Thanks kgrif,
I am under the impression that there are different kinds of battery tenders. I think some always provide a constant charge which I have heard may not be the greatest for the battery. Then I have heard that there are some that can sense when the voltage is dropping and then it goes into a charge mode or something and shuts off when it reaches a certain voltage. Just a little unsure of which to get or if there are different brands that are better than others?

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Don't mess perfection.

All I would recommend is, polished smooth tubes, K&N air filters and join some local car clubs. Get the car on the track and you will love and appreciate it's power, and beauty even more.

And join the VCA


2000 GTS Steel Grey
6 piston Baer claws up front, Front brakes in back, Quaife differential, GKH half shafts,
Alloy fly wheel, Short throw shifter, Polished aluminum intakes, K&N air filters,
Optima battery, Sterling silver key.

 

[GaryA]

Here's the info on the Battery Tender:

Battery Tender Website

You can shop around to find the best price.

Welcome!

 

[Firecat F7 Viper]

Perfect....thanks GaryA