Anyone Recommend a Tampa Viper Tuner?

[GTS1997]

I should take delivery of my Viper on Monday. I like to plan ahead. I might get the 708 cam installed in my 2001 RT/10, in a few months. And maybe lowering springs.

Can anyone recommend a Tampa Viper Tuner? Or should I just take it to Dodge and spend the extra money to have it done by Dodge?

Chuck, any suggestion, since you live in Tampa?

Also, what price should I expect to pay for getting the cam replaced? I think Roe offers the cam for about $370. What about labor at Dodge, or at any tuner that works on Vipers? Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[RobZilla]

M2 Motor Sports in Sanford, just east of Orlando. Worth the drive, Larry does great work.

 

[Gus Strakes]

Jason Heffner in the Bradenton Sarasota area, Heffner's Performance. One of the best.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Why do you want to replace a perfectly good cam?

 

[GTS1997]

Thanks guys for the responses.


I perfer the lumpy cam of the pre 2000 vipers. It just makes it sound so mean. The price of the "older" cam is decent, I'm just not sure how much the labor would be, or how much they have to take out of the engine bay. I know when I swaped a cam on a '95 Trans Am, the labor price was unGodly.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

How much does a 708 cam cost new?

 

[plumcrazy]

the 708 cam new is about 300 bucks. the gaskets to do the job is about 500
you'd be ******** to do a cam and not do lifters. lifters are another 350
to do the lifters, the heads have to come off....

the 708 is an OK cam, there are MUCH better available. and you might as well do the heads if youre gonna do a cam swap. kind of a waste not to....tal kto greg good first before buying a cam or doing heads. he can help you and explain more.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Thanks guys for the responses.


I perfer the lumpy cam of the pre 2000 vipers. It just makes it sound so mean. The price of the "older" cam is decent, I'm just not sure how much the labor would be, or how much they have to take out of the engine bay. I know when I swaped a cam on a '95 Trans Am, the labor price was unGodly.

That is some major surgery for just a lumpier sound. And while the cam is the main reason for it I believe the forged pistons add a bit to the "lump". You'd be better off to purchase a 96-99. For the record my 98 has always been more lumpier than my 97, but the topic has been discussed in depth before.

Instead of spending your money on something that will give zero performance benefit, spend it on a track day. SafeMotorsports.com will be at Sebring Aug 29. One day tracking will be more fun than a lifetime of lumpy cam street driving.

 

[AZTVR]

Instead of spending your money on something that will give zero performance benefit, spend it on a track day. SafeMotorsports.com will be at Sebring Aug 29. One day tracking will be more fun than a lifetime of lumpy cam street driving.

This is definitely great advice ! First experience the car for what it is was designed to be. You might decide that the lumpy cam is just an affectation that doesn't add to the real fun. Or, you may decide to go your original route. That's OK in my book also. Different strokes, as they say....

 

[GTS1997]

This is all great advice and thank you.

The Sebring event looks like fun, but I have to work that Saturday, and I'm not sure I can get it off. We'll see.
Thanks Again

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

This is all great advice and thank you.

The Sebring event looks like fun, but I have to work that Saturday, and I'm not sure I can get it off. We'll see.
Thanks Again

Sebring dates.
Aug 22 Chin Motorsports
Aug 29 SAFE Motorsports
Oct 3 SAFE Motorsports
Oct 10-11 Chin Motorsports
Nov 1 SAFE Motorsports
Nov 7-8 Chin Motorsports

 

[1TONY1]

the 708 cam new is about 300 bucks. the gaskets to do the job is about 500
you'd be ******** to do a cam and not do lifters. lifters are another 350
to do the lifters, the heads have to come off....

the 708 is an OK cam, there are MUCH better available. and you might as well do the heads if youre gonna do a cam swap. kind of a waste not to....tal kto greg good first before buying a cam or doing heads. he can help you and explain more.

Actually you can do the cam without pulling the heads.That would save on gaskets and labor. IMO it's a waste to go from a creampuff cam to an earlier cam though.

 

[plumcrazy]

tony, you can do cam but not lifters though...right ? to do the lifters, the heads come off if i remember correctly.

cam/no lifters = not a good idea typically right ?

 

[1TONY1]

tony, you can do cam but not lifters though...right ? to do the lifters, the heads come off if i remember correctly.

cam/no lifters = not a good idea typically right ?

Correct, can't get the lifters out without removing the heads.
To replace them for another cam....with normal hydraulic and solid lifters you always must replace them. With roller lifters like ours it's up in the air. When I did my new cam, instead of using mine with 65,000 miles I got a "fresh" set with 15,000 or so Just did a new cam on another car (w/o removing the heads) and we kept the same lifters. New is certainly not a bad idea for sure though. I think the risk is minimal....just depends on if you want the risk vs cost.

 

[AZTVR]

Just did a new cam on another car (w/o removing the heads) and we kept the same lifters. .

How do you hold the lifters out of the way while you replace the cam?

(I picture a contraption made out of HF magnetic pick-up tools)

 

[1TONY1]

How do you hold the lifters out of the way while you replace the cam?

(I picture a contraption made out of HF magnetic pick-up tools)

You are exactly right except no contraption. I use the little spring clamp widgets and the large headed telescoping magnets. I know someone else that uses the same magnets but rubber bands to hold them.

 

[RTTTTed]

If it's only the sound you're after then go for it. Already have exhuast Hi-flow cats with smooth tubes and K&Ns though?

I was at Larry Macedo's shop (and sent a few VCA guys to him) and I recommend his shop. As you can see from my id he did my engine long ago.

I visited his shop this spring while heading out on a Caribean Cruise. Begged and Larry took me for a ride in a Paxton Viper. I suggest calling Larry (and Sean Roe) and ask for a tour! What could be more fun than a Viper shop??? Larry and Sean are good guys and if they've got the time they're great guys to know. They support the VCA and both have helped me out for free.

You're lucky to have those guys so close to where you live. I had to fly 4,000 miles to visit their shops.

Ted