Ok, I'll weigh in. And while I buy my cars from Bill P. I cant say I 100% agree with him on this one.
1st its not really myth, as I have easily been to about 10 Dyno days including Vipers, and STOCK 96/97s MORE TIMES THEN NOT, put down more HP their their later year counter parts. I owned a 2002 and put down 410 rwhp, and was happy about it. Others did as much as 420-425 with old faithful blue and whites. So real world has shown me, stock for stock the earlier year gen 2's are actually stronger HP producing stock cars.
2nd I cant believe anyone would contest that forged pistons arent better then hyper eutectic? I know in a NA situation you would never know the difference, but when it comes to boost and spray, a forged piston can just handle more adverse conditions then a hyper eutectic.
3rd 2000 has THE hottest color I think, Steal Grey. PERIOD. Its the ONLY thing that would ever make me consider a 2000, but sadly hypereutectic pistons and no ABS makes it so even the color cant persuade me.
4th and Finally, I know this is going to piss off 2000 owners, but yes, its the least desirable year IN MY OPINION, becasue it has NOT the Good FORGED pistons, OR the ABS. All other gen 2 years you will get either Forged PISTONS or ABS. The ONLY year you get NEITHER is 2000.
Ok spam away, personally buying 3 vipers all new hopefully speaks volumes to how much I love these snakes, but I know the good, bad and ugly about them too. Like build quality on my 06 blows, but thats another topic.
Jon [/quote
Jon,
Oddly enough your findings have been exactly the same as mine. I've seen 97's lay down truly impressive numbers bone stock, and with a couple mods (smooth tubes, headers, etc) the gains proportionally get better than the later year cars due to the more agressive cam.
HU pistons offer only very slight advantages in weight. The major reason for using them in a production operation is longevity, and noise. Forged pistons have a higher coefficient of expansion and thus have a looser tolerance in the bore. This can and does lead to a little piston rock which makes a little clater. It doesn't hurt a thing, but it makes the motor harmonics sound more like a 70's big block than an exotic. The weight difference is negligible on the piston end.
That being said, is why I consider 00' the "bastard year" it has IMO nothing but the worst properties.
Steel Grey is a great color. Almost as great as Sapphire. . . Almost
I don't know where you guys are seeing the smaller cam cars make more power, but I have never once witnessed this. I have seen a 97' gts with nothing more than roller rockers, boost a pump, and a pair of T04 61's lay down 800rwhp on pump gas @ a hair under 11psi. From a future mod standpoint you can't touch the forged piston cars.
Did I mention the ABS that everyone praises ***** big hairy donkey
Heck I disabled it on my car cause it was such a hinderance.
Yes I own an 01'... only because I got an absolutely smokin deal on it, and it's a CA smog legal car so I didn't much care. That and if/when I mod it, the first step is to rip the motor out and build it, so it's a non-issue. After I replace this lame red with something attractive (aka sapphire, or possibly black).
At any rate, not buying any hype, just basing my judgement off of first hand experience.
But then again, what do I know. . . oh wait.
