BLOWN VIPER OWNERS - DESCRIBE YOUR BEAST

[Torquemonster]

OK - all this talk lately about these blown Vipers have the rest of us drooling or at least very impressed - but few have any idea what it would actually be like to go for a ride in or drive one of these beasties.

For the sake of the vast majority here that "only" have sampled around 450hp - could the owners of the big numbered cars please describe in your own words the feeling of driving your car.

- Talk us through the gears on the open road

- Talk us through what it's like at the lights

- Overtaking out on the interstate

- The difference at the strip

- what it's like point to point out in the open

- How useable it is

Thanks guys - your word pictures will be as close as many on this forum will ever get to experiencing what you can enjoy any day the sun is out! For some that will be by choice - but we'll all enjoy very much your descriptions.

excitedly jumping up and down ....so who's first?

 

[GaryA]

I'll go first. It would definitely take pages to describe the incredible acceleration of my Heffner supercharged Viper. If you ask anyone who has ever taken a ride in mine, they could explain the sheer power--that is after they stopped studdering and the adrenaline rush had died down.

When you get into my car you have no idea the power that lurks under the hood. The legend of my car makes most new riders a little nervous, but after we get going, they realize that this beast can be easily driven just as tame as a stock Viper.

That is until I open the Gates of Hell (otherwise known as my accelerator pedal). The first instinct of every person who has ridden in the passenger seat is to find the closest thing to grab onto (usually the passenger door handle, sometimes me). The car launches so incredibly hard, you WILL bang your head on the back seat rest.

As the tires burn off in first gear, I quickly shift into second where the car immediately begins to burn off the tires and go a little sideways. I quickly throw it into third and the passenger is still clenching his/her teeth and holding on. Fourth gear is no less awesome than the others, except that you are being catapulted down the road like no other ride you've ever experienced. I reserve these excursions for closed tracks.

At the traffic lights, the first reaction I get is the usual gawk factor for most any Viper--that is, until they realize there is a distinct "whistle" under the hood. Then the incredulous look and the dropped jaw as they realize that this is no ordinary Viper. I don't like to hit it at the lights too much, but on occasion I do. All I can say is that it looks like the light only turned green for me as I look in the rear view mirror and see what appears to be all the other cars sitting still. And believe me, so far it hasn't really mattered who else was sitting at the light with me.

On the highway is where I really enjoy this power. You know the guy that hogs the left lane (at about 70 MPH)? Well, in fourth or fifth gear (I've never gone 70 in sixth gear) the torque catapults me so fast that almost as soon as I hit it, I can look in the rear view mirror and see him behind me (only a slight exageration!).

Of course at the strip my car excels. Jason Heffner drove my car to a 10.20 ET which is the fastest for a non-nitrous S/C Viper. Need I say more?

This car is so much fun to drive because it drives like a stocker around town, runs perfectly, and when I decide (or the occasion requires) I can hit the pedal and know that there is very little out there that can match the performance of this car.

All I can say torquemonster is get on a plane and come to Maryland to experience this beast first hand.

 

[Torquemonster]

Wow - what a great post Gary! I'm convinced I need one!

And YES! I am planning to get back to the good ol USA and when I do - going for a ride in your car would be an absolute highlight!! Thanks for the offer!


Ok - who's next with a beastie Viper?

 

[Daffy Duck Viper]

Ooh, that was a really good write-up, Gary. Really helps give those of us who have never experienced such power an idea of what it is like. The most I've ever experienced is about 375-400 HP in a Camaro. And we're not talking massive torque here, like that which is the true force behind the Viper. So, truly, I cannot even imagine what your Viper is like. It sound exhilarating!

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[MHQC]

Gary, you should write for a magazine.

Nice....

 

[GaryA]

Thanks guys! I'm still impressed with the power of this car. By the way Michael, nice car!

 

[ElDiablo Viper]

Gary, do you have a fuel cell in your car? BTW great story!

 

[Torquemonster]

I think Gary's excellent prose has intimidated everyone else away

Come on guys -

hey Gerald - you never say much about your car - but your DLM car must be one awesome daily drive - how does it feel to drive that beast?

Ben?

Dr Roof?

Anyone with over 697rwhp? (why 697... cause there's someone here that has exactly that.... ... don't want to exclude them by saying 700

Hey Wayne - you're joining this club now - have you driven that 1000hp monster yet?

 

[Gerald]

TORKY,
I'll let you describe it. If your ever vacationing in FL, gimme a call...!


It's otherwise stock, unless you go underboost. Just image 1st gear pull in all 5 gears. That's pretty close.. Look down at the speedo and your hitting 140 still pulling, then you realize OH ****! won't stop the car...so... time to slow down..
G

 

[GaryA]

Gary, do you have a fuel cell in your car? BTW great story!

My car runs on 93 octane fuel and so I have no need for an auxilliary fuel cell. The nice part about that is that all I have to do is go to almost any gas station and fill 'er up with super unleaded (91 or 93). I like simplicity and reliability.

 

[Gerald]

TORKY,

I opted for a fuel cell in my car. Bad gas will detonate a motor, audible or inaudible. I can run pump gas if I want in my fuel cell, and have plenty of times to be honest. When your pushing serious HP, you want to be sure of what you put in your car.....and if you car is tuned to a science to a certain fuel, not having it or having bad gas COULD be disaterious...
How many times have you gotten bad gas at a pump?

Gerald

 

[GaryA]

That's the great thing about my car. It isn't tuned to a science for a certain fuel, it was engineered for great performance using normal pump gas. I would hate to have to worry about whether I got "bad gas" or not.

 

[Dr Roof]

My car runs pump Gas only no fuel cell! I have no worries!

 

[Torquemonster]

Thanks Gerald! FL is definitely on the list of places I need to go - missed it last time! I'd drive over from New Orleans just to meet you anyway The car ride would be a bonus!

re tune for pump gas - fine tune or conservative tune?

2 schools of thought summed up by the respective owners - one school wants simplicity the other wants finer tuning and is prepared to go to a little more trouble to keep it safe. Both are valid...

I tend to like living a little dangerously and go for the killer tune - then find ways to make it safe. Adding a bottle of NOS Octane Booster to my tank never worried me on a weekend driver.... it was just peace of mind plus the knowlege my tune was as good as I could get it without having to worry about the weather.

For my daily driver - I ran 18psi with 24 degrees advance at full boost at 9:1 on pump gas available everywhere. It had lots of cylinder pressure. I relied on a trick water injection system and made sure it never ran dry It didn't use hardly any water as it only injected water (at 120psi) when over a certain boost - and that was never for long as it'd run out of road. Great combo.

If I never had to worry about a thing - I'd be worrying about how i could get a bit more out of it.... then I'd have to worry about protecting it from detonation.... grin! Course the other argument is to make so much power that the last thing you want is "a little more".... grin

 

[dgeviper1]

My DLM ACR drives like a dream. It makes 750rwhp on pump gas with no fuel cell and 93 octane. That last dyno was prior to Doug installing headers on the car this winter. The engine is otherwise bone stock. I'm not sure yet what difference the header install will make in HP, but it comes out of the hole with a bunch more punch. If it would ever stop raining here in NY I will get a chance to really play around again and report back.

Theres is no comparison...once you drive a blown Viper you can never go back! And a DLM Blown Viper, from my experience, is unique in every way. Everybody's car is a bit different and tuned specifically to the both the customers needs and the specific cars desires. My car has been perfect in everyway and just simply flies, pulling hard in every gear. Doug...can you start building tires that work for these things?????

 

[Gerald]

That's the great thing about my car. It isn't tuned to a science for a certain fuel, it was engineered for great performance using normal pump gas. I would hate to have to worry about whether I got "bad gas" or not.

I would have to worry about bad gas too... I find rolaids helps a lot...

 

[MaxedGTS]

I have a level 1 DLM supercharger that makes good power in all gears. Its very controllable unless you nail it hard. For the street this is a perfect package for me. i am opting to go for more power soon although im not a nut like Treynor, life is good here . My car is a cast piston and has run strong for about 3 years. Doug has many cast piston cars making over 700 rwhp. You DONT have to use race gas in any of his cars but is an option.

Once you go boost you get hooked on it!


Max

 

[Vipermed 97.01]

Absolute no pussyfooting around uncontrollable everyday driving obnoxious neighbor hating all holds barred BEAST..........and then i supercharged it

 

[MaxedGTS]

That's the great thing about my car. It isn't tuned to a science for a certain fuel, it was engineered for great performance using normal pump gas. I would hate to have to worry about whether I got "bad gas" or not.

I would have to worry about bad gas too... I find rolaids helps a lot...

Gerald that was a classic!

LMAO

 

[Paolo Castellano]

That's the great thing about my car. It isn't tuned to a science for a certain fuel, it was engineered for great performance using normal pump gas. I would hate to have to worry about whether I got "bad gas" or not.

I would have to worry about bad gas too... I find rolaids helps a lot...

Gerald that was a classic!

LMAO

Maxed GTS, You guys are more entertaining than a hoarde of comedians!

 

[GaryA]

I have a level 1 DLM supercharger that makes good power in all gears. Its very controllable unless you nail it hard. For the street this is a perfect package for me. i am opting to go for more power soon although im not a nut like Treynor, life is good here . My car is a cast piston and has run strong for about 3 years. Doug has many cast piston cars making over 700 rwhp. You DONT have to use race gas in any of his cars but is an option.

Once you go boost you get hooked on it!


Max

Max,

I've never heard what kind of HP your car makes. Also, how much boost do you make and do you run race gas?

 

[Torquemonster]

Vipermed - "obnoxious neighbor hating" .... that takes me back to my old 440 Mopar days....sigh!

That thing would literally shake the house when it fired into life like a thunder clap - crockery would rattle, and if any neighbors were asleep at the time - they were suddenly wide awake, falling off the ceiling, hearts thumping.... grin

Fortunately for me - they were all easy going types and no one ever complained other than the odd joke about it.

So I can relate to your comment - that's funny!

"....then I supercharged it!" boys and their toys!

I bet all you guys have neighbors who could recount stories of hearing the whine of your blower late at night long before you pulled into your driveways! I wonder how many like it....grin

 

[Nexus-6]

I hear that torque...my neighbors must really hate me.

Both the SS and Lightning set off car alarms when I sneak in late at night...even when idling gently to keep it down. Not something I especially like...nor do the owners I'm certain.

I'm quite fond of the old 'Don't sh~t where you sleep' line of thinking...

 

[2MANYTOYS]

Absolute no pussyfooting around uncontrollable everyday driving obnoxious neighbor hating all holds barred BEAST..........and then i supercharged it

 

[ExecUtron Technologies]

You haven't seen God until you've "fish-tailed" at 145mph in fourth gear with lots more boost to go...

 

[Chuck B 98 GTS]

You haven't seen God until you've "fish-tailed" at 145mph in fourth gear with lots more boost to go...

I love it!!!!

 

[V10 MOJO]

sorry, i cant post here, the title threw me off; at first i thought i was gonna talk about last nights fun, LOL

 

[Daffy Duck Viper]

Hah-hah. Yeah, the title of this thread is one big innuendo. LOL

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[Torquemonster]

sorry, i cant post here, the title threw me off; at first i thought i was gonna talk about last nights fun, LOL

I never even thought about that! that's terrible - I can't even look at the post title now

Back on subject - "seeing God during a fishtail at 145mph!" lol - I reckon!! A change of underwear too I'd think. That's serious power!

I've just got back from my friends place (on business) - and we were looking at his timeslips for his 2800lb Pro Mod Mopar A body.... his best was 60ft in 1.03, 1/8 mile in 4.1 at 177mph, and 1/4 in 6.6 @211mph. Some of you guys who try to tame 800rwhp on the pavement will be able to appreciate what the Pro Mod cars achieve on the track. The public look at them and think - "yeah, that's fast" then watch a 9-10 second street car and think - that's not that quick!! They have no idea how awesome those street cars are on the public highway. Anything near or above 700rwhp in two wheel drive will be either awe-inspiring or frightening - depending upon the person - there's no middle ground up there.
The strip makes it look easy - but it isn't.