Airbox Question on 2000 GTS

[KevinATX]

So, I bought a used viper a few weeks ago from a dealership and dont know who the previous owner was. I was looking the car over and took the airbox out to examine the DIY mod the previous owner did to it. Essentially, there is a piece of hard plastic riveted to the top of the airbox (which I understand the purpose of). The part I dont understand is why the bottom of the airbox has been cut out as well. I will take pictures when I get home, but thought someone might be able to picture this now.

The bottom of the airbox has been cut out allowing you to see the top part of the radiator when looking down into it. Seems like this would defeat the purpose of trying to pull cool air in from the fascia. Any ideas on why this was done?

Kevin

 

[01sapphirebob]

 

[KevinATX]

Gotta love forums where you ask a question and someone takes the time to read it and gives you the old popcorn routine...

 

[dave6666]

If the rain dam was removed it could be for additional drainage in case you got caught in the rain. It also could have melted due to a mishap and was cosmetically unappealing. Or, too many leaves were getting sucked in there and it is a leaf drain lol.

 

[KevinATX]

If the rain dam was removed it could be for additional drainage in case you got caught in the rain. It also could have melted due to a mishap and was cosmetically unappealing. Or, too many leaves were getting sucked in there and it is a leaf drain lol.

Thanks, Dave. This is what I thought. Dont understand why someone would go to all the trouble riveting plastic on top of the box and then cutting such a large section out of the bottom.. It almost looks as if it was cut out to allow clearance for the cooling fan, but seems strange the stock box would need that. Maybe a larger cooling fan was installed??

 

[dave6666]

The factory airbox (as well as other aftermarket boxes) comes close to the fan on a good day. I doubt the fan was upgraded although I've heard of it being done.

Factory fan...

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[denniskgb]

Nice car welcome to the club.

 

[KevinATX]

Thanks, dennis! Im certainly enjoying driving and getting to know it!

Dave, here is a pic of my airbox. Im not sure what the stock airbox looks like (as far as the section that is cut out goes). The fan looks stock comparing to your pic, but the shroud would definitely hit the airbox unless the stock one has a bevel where this one is cut. Tried finding a stock picture everywhere, but they only show from the top.

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[01sapphirebob]

Gotta love forums where you ask a question and someone takes the time to read it and gives you the old popcorn routine...

Just curious to see what some of the responses will be. Sounded interesting.

 

[ViperTony]

It looks like the goal was to get more hot air into the intake.

 

[KevinATX]

Seems pretty dumb huh? But if that piece wasnt cut out, is the airbox formed to go around the fan shroud right there?

 

[ViperTony]

Yes, the stock airbox is formed to go over the fan shroud. Not sure what the reasoning was for that cut out. If you decide to replace it look into the JMB Performance airboxes or high flow airbox from Vipair. While on the subject, this thread is a MUST READ for new Viper owners. http://forums.viperclub.org/threads...ults-on-99-RT-16-RWHP!!?highlight=vipair+dyno

Congratulations and welcome to the club!

 

[LifeIsGood]

Your's looks like crap...here's the stock airbox on my 2001...

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[KevinATX]

Yes, the stock airbox is formed to go over the fan shroud... this thread is a MUST READ for new Viper owners. http://forums.viperclub.org/threads...ults-on-99-RT-16-RWHP!!?highlight=vipair+dyno

Congratulations and welcome to the club!

HAHA! I actually read several pages of that thread a few days ago. I couldnt make it any further. Thanks for the help and the welcome!

LifeIsGood - One day I will have an air intake that looks as great as yours... one day...

 

[KevinATX]

Ok... I think i figured out why the airbox is cut like it is. (although it probably wasnt the best solution)

After admiring the beauty of LifeIsGoods airbox, I went back out to see how I could polish mine up to look half as good as his. I noticed that the radiator was a 3 core Fluidyne. This pushed the fan into the airbox and the solution by the previous owner was to trim the box around the shroud. Thanks to all for the pics of OEM equipment. I probably wouldnt have noticed that without the comparison help. Appreciate it!

Kevin

 

[dave6666]

If you want something to admire get a JMB

 

[speedracervr4]

My 99 has a Fluidyne and my airbox doesn't have a hole in it...

Ok... I think i figured out why the airbox is cut like it is. (although it probably wasnt the best solution)

After admiring the beauty of LifeIsGoods airbox, I went back out to see how I could polish mine up to look half as good as his. I noticed that the radiator was a 3 core Fluidyne. This pushed the fan into the airbox and the solution by the previous owner was to trim the box around the shroud. Thanks to all for the pics of OEM equipment. I probably wouldnt have noticed that without the comparison help. Appreciate it!

Kevin

 

[KevinATX]

Hmmmm. Do you have the 3 core? From what i could tell, the stock mounting holes for the airbox were set too far forward to clear the fan with the thicker radiator in it. Any pics? I posted the pic of mine positioned in the mounting location and the fan shroud is definitely in the way... Thought i had this figured out.

 

[speedracervr4]

Car is tore apart right now since I'm doing my heads/cam blower upgrade. I can mesure my radiator though.

 

[speedracervr4]

Yea I have the 3 core radiator..measures approx 4" or so. Maybe the prior owner thought it would help...

 

[CEJ]

LifeisGood...where did you get those billet fasteners for the airbox? They look sharp.

 

[dave6666]

Those are DBB (rip Dave). They allow you to tighten securely with a hex key.

 

[KevinATX]

They do look great.

 

[LifeIsGood]

I got them from Big Brake Dave - RIP. Mark at IPSCO might be able to make some for you. Good luck!

 

[KevinATX]

Yea I have the 3 core radiator..measures approx 4" or so. Maybe the prior owner thought it would help...

Yup same one as mine.. Unless your airbox mounting brackets were relocated, I dont have any idea why yours would fit and mine wouldnt. Cooling fan Supercharger idea who knows..

 

[dave6666]

Just looked at IPSCO and they are not listed. Of course since I have a JMB mine are technically not needed any more

ONE MILLION DOLLARS STARTING BID.

 

[LifeIsGood]

Just looked at IPSCO and they are not listed.

Mark has a lot of stuff in his shop that isn't listed on his website. He's made a ton of stuff over the years. I've seen his storage area...a lot of nice viper stuff.

 

[CEJ]

Mark (IPSCrg) has 7 sets remaining. One is on the way to Raleigh. LifeIsGood, thanks again for the tip.

Here's a link of these knobs:
http://www.ipsco.org/Viper_files/Air Box Knob.htm

Dave, the million dollar bid was tempting, but Mark has them for $40.

 

[CEJ]

Got the knobs from Mark at IPSCO. Fast shipping, super nice quality, went on very easily, and looks great. Another winner from Mark.