650R Hennessey or Not???

[Doubleup]

Ok, I have just purchased my second viper 2008 STR10. I want to do basically all the modifications in the Hennessey 650R package. I cannot decide if it is worth an extra 3k to have a Hennessey Package (1 of 200 kits) badging etc. Or I can basically put together the same package with Belanger, K&N's, rotors etc on my own. For resale purposes (despite some of Hennessey past) some might be more wowed or secure by a kit/package addition rather that a pieced together performance car. Any thoughts on the 650R exhaust sound compared to Belanger?

1. I do not know if the Hennessey exhaust is of superior sound or quality.

2. I have not compared used sales of Vipers with Hennessey kits compared to modified vipers... This is the only place I could see (maybe) paying the 3k could help...

Any other comments or suggestions?

 

[1BADGTS]

Ballangers are the ONLY headers for a Gen 4 that will not throw a CHE light .As far as mods and value your car with the mods will not be worth ANYTHING more than a bone stock Gen 4.As a matter of fact if the mods VOID the stock factory warranty (ANY bolt on perf part that causes a CHE light can void the factory warranty )it will actually be worth less.

 

[ryan94rt10]

i'm pretty sure there are some guys on here that would say the car is worth less now that hennessey touched it...there are some really nasty stories about this guy....i would read up on his work before you have him mod anything!!!!!

 

[BLWNGTS]

do a search on his name here.... the search button is your friend

 

[FrankBarba]

2nd Viper....still an Entusiast, only 2 posts...

 

[SrtBrad]

A car builders rep is the #1 selling point in any high performance company. In my opinion I would stay away from anything that Hennessey was part of.

 

[DixieViper]

Luckily I hooked up with Hennessey before seeing some of the negative comments. I purchased the 650R kit last summer for my '08 and did the installation myself. All in all, I am pleased with the package and the support from John and his crew. Basically, the only Hennessey product was the headers (the rest is basically off the shelf stuff), but they seem well made and have an aggressive sound. I still don't have many miles on the car but I am very satisfied. And yes, it will throw a CEL. Is it worth the investment? It is to me and that's all I really care about.

 

[DMan]

I'd say it's 50/50.

To those not long in the viper community or not in it at all & only know the H name from mags, they'd probably like the badging & the tuner aspect.

Guys like me that were Gen II owners back in 99-03 when all the nastiness occurred, can't forget it, it was too bad, so for me (us), I wouldn't be interested in a car done by "he who shall not be mentioned". But a car with the mods you're considering with belangers, which I had on my GenII, done by you/your mechanic, I'd definitely consider. My 2 cents anyway.

D

 

[1BADGTS]

Luckily I hooked up with Hennessey before seeing some of the negative comments. I purchased the 650R kit last summer for my '08 and did the installation myself. All in all, I am pleased with the package and the support from John and his crew. Basically, the only Hennessey product was the headers (the rest is basically off the shelf stuff), but they seem well made and have an aggressive sound. I still don't have many miles on the car but I am very satisfied. And yes, it will throw a CEL. Is it worth the investment? It is to me and that's all I really care about.

As i posted earlyier if you throw a code which produces a CEL you can basically (depending on the dealer )say goodbye to the factory warranty.(also try selling a new car with the CEL on ).The Belangers (which are THOUSANDS cheaper than the HMS system )will not produce a CEL light.

 

[Doubleup]

Thanks guys for your input! As far as second car and 2 posts, I used to post a lot when I had my 02. I sold it to build my family a new home and now that things have settled I am getting back into my hobbies again... I couldn't even recall my old user name.

I decided to order thru JonB with Belanger and a few other of his suggestions> I'm a little worried how loud the full exhaust system is going to be but I guess I can always get different mufflers later if I can't live with it.

 

[karnatzel7]

Always loved the Aero look of the gen II GTS from Hennessey. Just purchased one from non other than Joey Arrington who reworked the motor his way. He was kinda worried about the radical cam in the 650R, so he put his twist on it himself. Can't wait for the snow to melt.

 

[Rizzo]

Im of the opinion that if it has the hennessey name on it i wont go near it. In fact a few years ago i was looking at a blue Gen 3 that was worked on by h. The second i saw his badge on the side of the car i deleted the add and never looked back. Ps way to bring back a 5 year old thread. Lol.

 

[klamathpro]

If it says Hennessey, walk away. The guy went so far as pretending to sell his company so people wouldn't go after him.

 

[Indy]

There is a new 700R GenV...
http://www.gtspirit.com/2014/01/24/official-2014-srt-viper-gts-venom-700r-by-hennessey-performance/
Hennessey does have his followers and buyers.

 

[labtec]

I suppose the monogrammed floor mats add the extra 5 of the 705hp....

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

John H is top notch now for performance and fine work however he is expensive. The old crook and deceptive days are far behind him but people will mostly remember those days compared to today.

 

[slowhatch]

John H is top notch now for performance and fine work however he is expensive. The old crook and deceptive days are far behind him but people will mostly remember those days compared to today.

"Once a cheater, always a cheater", isn't that how the story goes. I surely hope the ol' switch-a-roo days are long past him however i doubt that is of any condolence to those who were cheated out of 100s of thousands of dollars. This is a company who has been through bankruptcy 5+ times, everytime making slight modifications to its name or acronym and continuing to function. All I would say is, tread carefully.