'97 Performance Upgrades about $2K

[JBW1997]

I am recently a Viper owner again. I have a 97 RT/10. I would like to do some performance upgrades, bolt-ons. Like George, I want to be able to put it back to stock fairly easily. I would like some suggestions on what to get and where to to buy. My first Viper had the K&N air filter kit. Other than that, it was stock. I have roughly a $2K budget in mind, but if it went over it would not be a big deal. Any suggestions?

 

[JonB]

1) Rear Gear Swap

2) Intake / Exhaust / [Cats]

3) Add to budget

4) Lightened Flywheel

 

[Martin]

Cat-back exhaust and possibly replacement high-flow cats would be what I would look at first. It's a reasonably easy bolt-on to do a cat-back, and any muffler shop can replace your cats. It'll sound much better, too... Give JonB at Partsrack a call - he's got everything you'll need.

 

[plumcrazy]

what martin said.

 

[RobZilla]

Ditto, do the exhaust.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

1) Sticky tires

2) shorter rear end gears

3) stop there as your budget is blown & everything gets scary expensive from here

 

[bushido]

After you put on those light bolton mods. Get it tuned on the dyno..

 

[99 R/T 10]

I am recently a Viper owner again. I have a 97 RT/10. I would like to do some performance upgrades, bolt-ons. Like George, I want to be able to put it back to stock fairly easily. I would like some suggestions on what to get and where to to buy. My first Viper had the K&N air filter kit. Other than that, it was stock. I have roughly a $2K budget in mind, but if it went over it would not be a big deal. Any suggestions?

Post up some pictures! Those 97 RT/10s are HYPER RARE

Only 117 total made, 53 blue/white stripes and 64 red cars.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

For the cheapest way to make the biggest change in your Viper's acceleration rate: 40mm rear brakes. The SOP dyno will have no problem feeling this one. Well inside budget, bolt on, kind of "is" stock. Also a safety and driver confidence improvement.

 

[JonB]

For the cheapest way to make the biggest change in your Viper's acceleration rate: 40mm rear brakes. The SOP dyno will have no problem feeling this one. Well inside budget, bolt on, kind of "is" stock. Also a safety and driver confidence improvement.

I think he means DEceleration rate.....

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

I think he means DEceleration rate.....

Technically one can go either way, but since I list the performance improvement on the graph 40mm Performance as a negative acceleration, I did say "acceleration" on purpose this time.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

0) Tom's 40mm brake upgrade (that is so important I assumed it & forgot to put it on my list). And BTW, the sticky tires + Tom's modded rear calipers = WAY better braking.

1) Sticky tires

2) shorter rear end gears

3) stop there as your budget is blown & everything gets scary expensive from here

 

[mbccenter]

Headers and exhaust should be the next move. Much better performance and sound.

 

[Russ M]

Sticky tires

Remove cats/borla cat back

K&N filters in factory box

Tom's brakes

Nitrous kit

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Count them up - 5 of the posters in this thread have 40mm brakes already and one more keeps promising to go to Tators (where Chuck has them on his personal car) and have them put on...

 

[plumcrazy]

i swear im gonna....lol

car is snowed in at this point... and i have another part i need chuck to install too.

 

[JBW1997]

I can tell you, I did flat spot my front tires on my old '97 RT/10. I always thought it was the proportioning valve. I even had the dealer replace it under warranty. Now I know. I think I am going to start with the gear and then do the 40mm brakes. After that, tires, intake and then exhaust. It will just take some time to get the car where I want it. Thanks for everyones good advice.

 

[radta7]

1. Headers, hi flow cats and exhaust
2. Short throw shifter
3. Gears
4. Higher ratio roller rockers

 

[99 R/T 10]

Does your car have a custom interior? If so, PM sent.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Count them up - 5 of the posters in this thread have 40mm brakes already and one more keeps promising to go to Tators (where Chuck has them on his personal car) and have them put on...

Now 6 posters and one poser...

 

[hemihead]

How much would one budget for a rear gear swap?
I'm assuming you're figuring a 3:55?

 

[PhoenixGTS]

How much would one budget for a rear gear swap?
I'm assuming you're figuring a 3:55?

I bought a used differential with 3.55 installed by Unitrax who also did there posi mods. I think I paid $1,100 for the unit then had Fat Albert's shop install it for me since I do not have a lift - so about $1,500 for me but I think that was a pretty good deal. I gave my stock unit away so did not recover anything there.

 

[JonB]

How much would one budget for a rear gear swap?
I'm assuming you're figuring a 3:55?

$1300...half parts half labor

 

[maxdaddy]

Take the front two bolts out of the driver seat, you will be shocked of how much more it feels!!!!Just kidding, I think tires and exhaust,some fresh plugs and wires,smooth tubes.

 

[JBW1997]

Post up some pictures! Those 97 RT/10s are HYPER RARE

Only 117 total made, 53 blue/white stripes and 64 red cars.

Here is a pic of the '97 RT/10

 

[99 R/T 10]

Sweet car, not my old one, but nice nonetheless

 

[GTS Dean]

K&N filters, cat-back, 40mm rear calipers, new suspension bushings and performance alignment.

 

[JBW1997]

K&N filters, cat-back, 40mm rear calipers, new suspension bushings and performance alignment.

Where do you get the suspension bushings? What alignment specs do you use?

 

[GTS Dean]

Stock bushings work just fine for most people, but they take on permanent deformation after several years. The main thing to remember is to perform the final bolt torque with the car ballasted per the manual.

Alignment spec recommendations vary based on your intended driving situations, your skill level and how much tire wear you can stand to fund.