Best Year for a Gen II is what?

[MannyC]

I know this is a very subjective question with a million variables, but here goes.

If one would like to by a Gen 2 RT/10, with the fastest and highest hp color (red), which year would you pick and why?

Obviously there have been refinements made with each year, but the cost also goes up as well. And then in the latest years, they go from Forged to Cast pistons.

Oh yeah, the one criteria is that a Supercharger or Turbo Charger would be added to the otherwise stock car. So which year would you get, and why?

 

[Russ M]

For an RT/10 it would have to be a 1999, it seems to have the complete package of what you are looking for although I am not sure if red was available.

 

[Janni]

1997 - cars are rare with nice lumpy cams, probably the most agreeable to mods
1999 - most improvements pre-ABS, still with forged pistons
2002 - most improvements overall, including ABS

Probably can't go wrong with any of them

 

[slaughterj]

1998 is the clear choice You get: forged pistons for strength when doing mods (96-99), upgraded lighter exhaust manifold saving ~25lbs (started in 98), upgraded fan (started mid-98, early models don't have it), alarm keyhole override (started in 98), and you don't get the fru-fru crap (e.g., power sideview mirrors, IIRC, started in 99).

99 does give you 18" rather than 17" wheels though.

 

[Nexus-6]

If your criteria calls for the fastest color "red" as you posted there then you need to track down a 2002 Final Edition.

 

[ntmatter]

I'd agree with slaughterj - 98 is probably the best "performance" year. The more refined cars can be better to drive (smoother cam, ABS, power mirrors), but if you're building a beast then I'd go with a 98.

 

[MannyC]

Anybody have a 98 or 99 Red RT/10 that's supercharged that they are looking to sell? Would be nice to buy one, all ready to go.

 

[jamie]

superbar,

Get a red 99 if you can find one, they are hard to come by for some reason though. Anyone know how many red RT's where made in 99? The 99' info is missing on this site..

 

[BigCarrot]

99 was my choice this time. Lumpiest cam, forged pistons, 18" wheels, interior refinements, etc. I chose mine, because of all these things, and it was the first year for the ACR. I couldn't be happier.... unless I had ABS.

 

[GTS Dean]

Why, '96 - of course! Best color, best stripes, lumpy cam, no silly frills to break like ABS, power mirrors, remote hatch release, etc...

 

[ViperJoe]

We don't need no stinking power mirrors and ALB! LOL

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Red is always an option on sportcars. I think congress passed a law or something.

I like 98.

Lots of discussion on this topic if you search.

 

[CHAD]

You could also take into account the cars that required the frame recall, whatever years those were.

Chad

 

[Daffy Duck Viper]

Recall 998 -- 1996-1999 1/2 Steering Rack Mounts and Differential Mounts

Recall 999 -- 1999 1/2 (post March 1 build date) through 2000 JUST the STEERING RACK MOUNTS

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[RSNAKE]

1997 - cars are rare with nice lumpy cams, probably the most agreeable to mods
1999 - most improvements pre-ABS, still with forged pistons
2002 - most improvements overall, including ABS

Probably can't go wrong with any of them

There is a lot of misinformation about this. All 1997 - 1999 GTS and RT/10s and the 1996 GTS have exactly the same cam (in stock condition), one is just as lumpy as the next.

 

[BigCarrot]

1997 - cars are rare with nice lumpy cams, probably the most agreeable to mods
1999 - most improvements pre-ABS, still with forged pistons
2002 - most improvements overall, including ABS

Probably can't go wrong with any of them

There is a lot of misinformation about this. All 1997 - 1999 GTS and RT/10s and the 1996 GTS have exactly the same cam (in stock condition), one is just as lumpy as the next.

According to the VIN database on this site, the 98-99's have a tiny bit more lift than the 96-97's. .542 vs .541 http://www.viperclub.org/menus/index_ivr.htm

 

[C O D Y]

ABS! If you can afford it.... BUY IT!!!!

If not, any year viper that is clean and free from any damage at a good price will work.

 

[DEVILDOG]

'98 with STOPTECH and threshold braking. We don't need no stinking ABS.

 

[dwhitt]

In retrospect wish I had kept my '99. Would love to get a supercharger but the cast pistons scare me on my '02. Also loved the lumpy cam on the '99. Bought it for $50k and later sold it for $51.5k - not bad!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

'98 with STOPTECH and threshold braking. We don't need no stinking ABS.

2nd that!

 

[Jerry Dobson]

My first choice has and is 1998. Even little things like Fog Light covers.

Second choice is 1999.

Third choice.... ???

1998 and 1999 had slighter higer lift cams. The cream puff 2000+ cars kept the lift but drop the overlap like a bomb. They fell from 66 degrees to 60 degrees. Just one of the reason they don't respond to many of the mods.

Jerry

 

[Triple7]

Is there any performance (horsepower) loss due to the cam change from 1999s to 2000s? (I know the factory ratings stayed the same.)

 

[beckertb]

'97 of course--RT/10 in red, supercharged, with '98 hood just to confuse others

 

[slaughterj]

1998 is the clear choice You get: forged pistons for strength when doing mods (96-99), upgraded lighter exhaust manifold saving ~25lbs (started in 98), upgraded fan (started mid-98, early models don't have it), alarm keyhole override (started in 98), and you don't get the fru-fru crap (e.g., power sideview mirrors, IIRC, started in 99).

99 does give you 18" rather than 17" wheels though.

Oh, and I believe the passenger airbag cutoff switch started in 98 as well...

 

[BigCarrot]

Is there any performance (horsepower) loss due to the cam change from 1999s to 2000s? (I know the factory ratings stayed the same.)

No, not much of one. In 00, they went to cast pistons which are lighter. That offset the horsepower loss from the smaller cam. It balances out. If you have no plans of forced induction, and you can afford it, I'd probably go with an ABS car. Nice to have! I love the sound of my lumpy 99 cam though. I had an 01, and it didn't sound NEARLY as good!

 

[LPE 383]

If you can afford it, get the ABS. Seems like the only ones that dont like are those that dont have it.