Going to get a new GTS

[SUN RA KAT]

I decided to get a new GTS very, very soon rather than a SRT-10 (in slightly over a year at best) because I like the GTS styling more than I liked the improvements to performance and creature comforts of the SRT-10. I also like the fact that the GTS is slightly quirky rather than too perfect. And also the long term collectable value and the fact that it is available today instead of the future.

Yes, I did call Bill Pemberton.

I decided to get a new GTS because I plan on keeping it a long time and I will be able to make sure the break-in period will be done correctly. A drive from Nebraska back to Ohio should be easy to get the first part of the break in period taken care of...

So, before I sign the papers, what wisdom do you wish to impart to me?

 

[Frank 03SRT]

Buy it, then enjoy it. When you drive out of Blair, watch the cops. I was driving my Viper home, exceeding the speed somewhat, and luckily there was another car in front doing the same thing. He got it and my day wasn't ruined. Bill's a great guy.

 

[jimandela]

Enjoy and follow the break in procedure!
dont hot rod it all the way home!!!
go easy first thousand miles!
do a search and find the break in procedure,

good luck and best wishes

what color?
final?

jim

 

[SUN RA KAT]

jimandela -
<FONT size="6">Viper Race Yellow</FONT s>
(I thought you'd approve.)

 

[jimandela]

Sweet!!!!
Let's hope your yellow fever turns Jaundice.
Stripes or no stripes?

1st few mods for yellow happiness:
mgw glove box door (yellow snakehead) NICE!
And being a GTS you can get the yellow gas cap!!!

yellow hood pad (do it yourself or jon b) NICE!

Anything else you can think of ?? paint it yellow!!!!
see signature for more....
post pics!!!
congrats again

JIM

 

[jimandela]

SUN RA KAT,
Also since your going with Woodhouse you might want to get some mods done there by viper techs that work on vipers daily.
Here in my area techs are few and far between.
I too purchased mine from Bill.
The mods that were done before delivery were:
skipshift.
snakeoly sub exhaust.
smooth tubes and filers.

Today with the "new" Corsa exhaust I would probably go that route.

Also stock up on Zaino!!
good luck
JIM

 

[SUN RA KAT]

Woodhouse doesn't have they Yellow GTS's with stripes. I can easily live without stripes - especially since they are $3,000 that can go towards the following probable mods I plan to have completed by the time I fly out and pick it up:

Corsa Cat Back
Random Tech Ultra High Flow Cats
Sean Roe Pre Oiler
Sean Roe Fan Kit and Timer Kit
Sean Roe Clutch Kit
Lightweight Flywheel
Sean Roe Smooth Tubes
S&B Air Filters
2" Seat Lowering Kit for driver and passenger (I have a 7' tall friend)
Skip Shift Eliminator
Woodhouse Modified Shifter
Woodhouse Beverage Holder
N.California Viper Club Floor Mats
Extended Warranty

Possibly Headers - Sean Roe says they aren't worth it for a Creampuff and Bill Pemberton says they are, so it must be a borderline flip-a-coin thingy. I set a $100 per horsepower limit on any mods and prefer to use $60 per horsepower as my general limit.

I want to do this right the first time. I think my driving style and the Sean Roe Supercharger System would work together very well, so I am trying to have all the mods I will need for it already done when I take my Viper up to the next level.

My driving style (under safe conditions) is to accellerate rapidly from a stop without laying rubber to about 10 MPH over the speed limit and the coasting back down to about 7 MPH over and then cruising. I rarely go WOT, but I usually go close to it on entrance ramps to the interstates and get up to about 85 MPH and then coast down to 73 MPH to cruise in a 65 MPH zone. I don't plan on drag racing or road racing with it. I would like to go to a high performance driving school so I can see how much faster is safe to drive a Viper than I would ever drive mine on the street. I usually have my heavily modified 2000 Ram 1500 (The Mighty Dodge) shift at 2500 to 3000 RPM (Auto Tranny)and I probably would shifting the Viper's manual tranny around the same RPMs, except much quicker. I do not abuse my vehicles.

My plan is that it is a long term investment and plan on taking extremely good care of it so it will achieve full collector value in the future. My first choice would have been a Final Edition in Blue with White Stripes, but Dodge chose a different color combo and Race Yellow and Graphite Grey are my favorite colors of what's available this year.

Is there anything I may have missed or should delete from my list?

 

[jimandela]

Kenny,
sounds awesome!!
great mods.
but what is the:

Woodhouse Modified Shifter
Woodhouse Beverage Holder

I the mgw ripper shifter knob then no need to modify the shifter it self. very low and feels great!!!
Sounds like a solid plan!!!

congrats again.
JIM

 

[SUN RA KAT]

jimandela -
Click on Woodhouse in the upper left corner of the page and they have a section on some special accessories. The modified shifter has a spring in it to help make sure the 3-4 shift doesn't go 3-2. I've never owned a manual tranny car before, so I'm looking for anything that makes it easier not to screw up. The beverage holder looks like a pouch net that attaches to the interior and can hold a beverage or sunglasses.
Might want to put on the MGW shifter knob, too. Which model do you advise I get?

 

[jimandela]

Ken,
I like the ripper shifter.

Also you HAVE to get EBC green brake pads. They are a MUST!!!
I love mine and NO dust!!
If not every time you take it just around the block the rims
will look like

i will check the woodhouse site.
I saw the beverage holder before.. no time for a cupholder.
NO beverages in the car; sunglasses holder might be cool

Also i now have 5000 miles and missing a shift has never been a
problem.

Have you considered 5 pts?

best wishes
JIM

 

[SUN RA KAT]

I probably won't be racing it, so I'm not considering 5 points. I get brake dust on the front wheels on my Ram all the time. It's nature's way of saying "Wash Me!"

I'm trying to put together a package that will stand on its own and will be very supercharger friendly if/when I go with a Sean Roe Supercharger. I tend to roll into the throttle gently because my Ram has so much low end torque and I expect to drive the same way with all the torque of the stock Viper engine and especially with the Sean Roe Supercharger.

I'll be calling Bill Pemberton in the morning and ask his advice. Right now it's a toss up on headers being worth the $2,000 and the possibility of check engine lights. I may go conservative and keep the stock headers until the Sean Roe Supercharger has been out a while and other people have tested the value of headers on a supercharged creampuff.

There's so much more performance parts available for a Viper than a Ram pickup truck that it's hard to choose. I'm glad you guys are here to help me.

 

[jimandela]

Kenny,
I would not do the headers. IMHO not worth the headache.
Also if your going to SC it don't bother.
Trust me when it say.. get the EBC's No squeak better than stock stopping.
And it upset the daylights out of me when I wash and waxed the car. then literal went out for about 15 mins and came home with a clean car but completely filthy wheels

I have 5pts and will probably never track the car.
Too many people getting hurt in the car. And many people crediting the 5pts with saving them serious injuries in a wreck.
I wish that I had bill's guys put in mine. Seeing that they do them everyday. My local tech did a good job but took a full 8 hrs
for install. Plus they look good.
Also the satin HVAC knobs dress up the interior another MGW must have.
I love modding vipers.. even if they aren't mine

how about a GT2 rear wing, front splitter and canards?

JIM

 

[Snake Bitten]

Kenny,

The brake dust will actually degrade the clearcoat on your rims, eventually, EBC greens are the cure, and they only take about 45 mins to install on the front...IMHO, best $75 you can spend on your new car...you will not need a "cue" to shine her up, trust me...Ditto on the Zaino...I even use Z2 and Z6 on my wheels...

 

[SUN RA KAT]

I guess tomorrow when I talk to Bill, I'll have to get some more of his advice and an out-of-the dealership price to see what the total price will be. I'll also need to check on putting a deposit on one of his yellow GTS's just to get the VIN so I can officially be a VCA member & can get the PartsRack discount on the Corsa cat back. And call my banker. And my insurance company. And get a fair price estimate to sell my '78 Chevy Caprice Classic for. And continue to clean out my garage to make room for my Viper. And find out about out-of-state sales taxes in Nebraska. And call Viper Magazine and change my subcription status. And etc.,etc.,etc.

I'll talk to Bill about the EBC Green Pads and the ripper Shifter, too.

 

[Snake Bitten]

Kenny...check out my "cream puff" numbers...stock headers...

 

[SUN RA KAT]

Gerald -
Those numbers are most impressive! What mods have you done to get such good performance?

 

[jimandela]

Kenny,
regarding the out of state taxes.
I did not pay the nebraska taxes... and when i went to register
the car New York state collected 8% sales tax on my purchase price Minus the $3,000 luxury tax.

It sucked giving NYS a big check for doing nothing!!
but what can ya do...

good luck
jim

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

First, listen to Bill, he will not steer you wrong. I agree with him, if you're looking for horsepower per dollar, headers are your first choice. Why would you want high flow cats if you don't get headers. Why would you want the flywheel mod. without the headers. headers AND high flow cats and a large diameter catback exhaust are your first best horsepower gains. Also, if you do a small diameter catback only and go to headers later you will wind up having to replace the catback with a larger diameter, and you can't just get the larger diameter catback only without the headers. You will lose HP. and if you are worried about check engine lights etc. Get the headers done by Woodhouse.
My advice...Listen to Bill.
Or buy Mods. in this order..
1.Smooth tubes and filters.
2.Cat back exhaust.
3.HARNESSES..get 'em done while the car is there!
4.Full Zaino treatment..a bargain, my paint was too soft. My arm is still sore.
5. Sean Roe fan kit.
6. If you really want stripes, get 'em done there. Better than factory, clear coated, can't even feel the edges.
7. Shift kit or MGW knob, skip shift eliminator, although your right foot can fix this, Bill can explain.
8. Seat lowering kit.
9. DO NOT GET THE CAR WITHOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY!
10. N. California floor mats are the best.
11. Beverage holder you will need.
Stage 2...
Headers, high flow cats and large diameter catback exhaust. For the life of me I don't know why you would want the flywheel mod. without the headers. Bottom line, I could be wrong about any of this, just listen to Bill. Sean Roe is a very reputable tuner, but you, from your description, are buying a street car primarily. Don't worry about what you are going to do with the car a year from now let Woodhouse set it up right for the first year. Sure worked for me!
Stage 3..Flywheel mod. Upgraded Half shafts. Pre oiler, clutch kit,

 

[Snake Bitten]

SUN RA KAT

Nothing major...yet...just the usual mods...so far...

Smoothies and filters
Rear muffler "delete"
Magnecor Wires
Sean Roe's upper and lower rad hoses
EBC greens
Replaced the entire stock stereo system (This was good for 20 rwhp!)

High flow cats go on next weekend...plus I have put 12,500 miles on my car, mostly highway...the GenII's seem to get stronger once they are broke in...I was bone stock up until a couple of months ago...now I have "mod fever"...be careful...it is contagious...

The absolute key to those dyno numbers, IMHO, was engine temp...I sat on the dyno for about three hours, and pulled those numbers with the engine temp at around 180 Deg F...so over the winter I am bolting on / replacing anything and everything I can, to get my car to run much cooler all the time...fluidyne rad, 180 stat, better oil cooler, and an oil filter pedastal that has a shuttle valve that DOES NOT regularly cuts flow to the cooler.

I don't have a cooling problem, just wanna run no more than 180 Deg F all the time...then, who knows...

 

[SUN RA KAT]

Lee00blacksilverGTS -

Bill said the lightweight flywheel would make me very happy, but I had just talked to him about having headers put on. Your list looks very complete and has just about everything and more I felt I'd need for Stage 1. Stage 2 would be the Sean Roe Supercharger System perhaps next spring. My Viper will be a street car only. I really want to do this right the first time so Stage 1 can stand by itself and Stage 2 would be Sean's DIY Supercharger System added to Stage 1.

I hadn't considered the stripes before because the yellow GTS's in stock were stripeless. Black stripes would look real good.

================================================

Snake Bitten -

I run a 180 thermostat in my Ram that has quite a few mods for street use rather than just trying to get a high max on a dyno. I get about 360 HP out of the 360 c.i. Magnum V8. I think the Viper thermostat could be changed when I change intake manifolds for the Sean Roe Supercharger.

 

[SUN RA KAT]

The deposit is down and Bill Pemberton has come up with this list of mods & accessories for my new Viper based upon my previous posts here and our telephone conversations. I plan on getting most (if not all) of Bill's Choices (First, Second, & Third). Is there any mod or accessory that we forgot about including on the list?
(I took the 5-point harnesses off the Third choice list because I'm not going racing and the price would put me too far over budget, but I may change my mind late afternoon July 6th.)

STAGE ONE

First Choices:
1. Corsa 3 inch catback
2. 2 inch seat lowering kit for both seats
3. Smooth tubes and K&N's or Sean Roe's equivalent
4. Extended Serv. Contract
5. Rear Brake Tool
6. 2002 Serv. Manual
7. Sean Roe Clutch kit
8. Sean Roe Pre -Oiler
9. EBC brakes
10. Lightweight Flywheel
11. N. Cal. VCA floormats
12. MGW short throw shift knob
13. MGW glove box door with matching Snake logo and cupholder
14. MGW a/c knobs and cig. lighter
15. Sean Roe Fan & Timer

Second Choices
1. Headers
2. Hi-flow cats
3. Skip Shift Eliminator
4. MGW side sill covers


Third Choices
1. Woodhouse Modified shifter
2. 3.55 gears, but probably not since I plan to go to...

STAGE TWO

Sean Roe Supercharger System (or other street car boost instead of racing boost supercharger) perhaps next spring.

 

[jimandela]

Ken,
the only things left to consider are stripes, rear wing and
the harnesses. I have snakeoly harnesses and they were not that much. Also stripes and gt2 rear wing is nice.
good luck and pics when your done.
also the mgw gas cap is cool

i went the snake oly floor mats that match the car also.

good luck
JIM

 

[SUN RA KAT]

For a car with almost no options, there are sure a lot of options!

I think I'm at the brink of my budget. While I'm on the subject of brink of budget, a gentleman approached me about getting his beautiful yellow GTS with 750 HP for an extremely low price. Unfortunately the low price was way over my budget, but someone will be getting one great modded Viper when they do get it. The person selling it is a well respected supertuner and wants to be ready for supertuning the SRT-10 when it gets here. I wish I was rich. Fantastic car he has...

The stripes would be very nice, but they'd be a budget-buster. The $ for the stripes will probably be taken by the extended warranty. Fortunately, Race Yellow Vipers look very good "plain".

The wing thing would look wild, but wings are very expensive except on Tuesdays when they are 25 cents each with hot sauce from a local restaurant. Wings look great, but for the $ a wing costs (on any day except Tuesday), I have half or more of my exhaust system paid for.

The 5-point harness would look great and be fun to use, but the initial cost would cover most of my other aftermarket add-ons. If I was considering ever racing it, I'd get the 5-points. Maybe after July 5th I'll put them back on the list along with a few more things, depending on what happens.

I'm probably, make that certainly, over budget right now - but aren't we all?

 

[jimandela]

Kenny,
your learning once you start modding you can't stop.

i understand budget constrants. I am wanting/saving for a carbon fiber airbox. And you can always find something else for the car.
Don't forget 1 very important item Valentine 1 radar detector.
it saved me many times!

JIM

 

[SUN RA KAT]

Jim -
I had the same problem in modding The Mighty Dodge, my 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 with almost all the options and then I built up the 245 HP 360 to about 360 HP. I had so much low end torque that it was hard to drive in wet road conditions so I put on the M1 2 bbl intake manifold and that lessened the extreme low end & gave me a huge boost in the high RPM. Yeah, I know about modding and can't stop.

I've been very, very lucky in not have gotten any speeding tickets for many years. I try to use the color of my car to my psychological advantage by getting my last several cars in blue or silver. I was accellerating pretty fast when one of Ohio's Finest had his radar on me when I was close to him (he was behind some bushes) and I jammed on the brakes and by the time I passed in front of him I had slowed from 95 MPH to the 65 MPH speed limit. I was in my Ram the is Intense Blue. The same day I saw another of Ohio's finest pull over a non-descript car for going 68 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. The car was arrest-me-red. I like red cars, but red is a psychologically agressive color.

I almost got my Viper in Graphite Gray because of the stealthiness of the gray color, but how do you hide a Viper? I figured the best way to hide a Viper is in plain site with a happy color like Viper Race Yellow. If I can make Ohio's finest smile when they see my happy yellow Viper, they will be too happy to do grumpy things like chase me down and spend some time with me doing unhappy things. The yellow will also send me a psychological signal to be very, very carefull so I don't get bit by the snake.

I haven't gotten any speeding tickets ever since I got rid of my radar detector almost 20 years ago and I have exceeded the speed limit many, many times (but only in safe road & traffic conditions).

Getting back to mods - I'm getting most everything on Bill's list as my Stage One so when I'm ready for Sean Roe Supercharger System, everything will already be in place for maximum safe power from the supercharger. I can save money now and put stuff on later, but Dayton, Ohio does not have dealers that sell many Vipers and I'd much rather have the installation done by techs that are familiar with the Viper - such as Woodhouse. So I'm stretching my budget to the breaking point, but I want everything done right the first time.

Bill at Woodhouse wants me to drive my Viper home with all my mods ASAP, which is much faster than I thought it would take to get everything done. He thinks it should be ready for me by mid July, if not a week before. I've been using the great search feature here to learn all I can about the break in period and found out I'll have about 3/4 of my break in period done by the time I get back home in Ohio from Nebraska (765 miles). I'll probably have to find a Dodge dealer in eastern Iowa or western Illinois for my 1st oil change.

My funds look too tapped out to go to VOI 7, but I plan on going to Viper Days at Mid-Ohio next spring for driving instruction and practice. Might get Sean Roe's Supercharger System in fall of 2003 or spring of 2004 or by 2005 at the latest.

Oh, yeah - my auto insurance with $50 deductable will be $1100 per year for the Viper.

 

[jimandela]

Kenny,
Mine is $600 for 6 months. state farm multi discount.
house, 2 other cars all with state so it is pretty cheap!
JIM

 

[RaceDeck]

Nothing like a <FONT COLOR="Yellow">YELLOW GTS!</FONT c>....And once you start doing the Mods....you can't stop.....I recomend your first mod be a Valentine1 radar detector....I get hit with radar/laser everytime I go out.....

 

[Kurt 97 GTS]

Kenny,

Sounds like you are well on your way!!! I have a friend who bought a yellow GTS from Woodhouse and had the black stripes painted on. They did a VERY nice job!!

Also, I highly second the EBC brakes. Don't go home without them!!

 

[SUN RA KAT]

My Stage One Mod List is:

1. Corsa 3" Cat Back
2. Belanger Headers
3. Random Tech Ultra High Flow Cats
4. Woodhouse Modified Shifter
5. Skip Shift Eliminator
6. Extended Service Contract (Factory)
7. 2" non adjustable seat lowering kits for both seats
8. Lightweight Flywheel
9. Rear Brake Tool
10.2002 Viper Service Manual
11.EBC Brakes
12.Sean Roe Smooth Tubes and S&B Filters and Cleaning Kit
13.Sean Roe Clutch Kit
14.Sean Roe Fan and Timer Kit
15.MGW Short Throw Shift Knob, Glove Box Door, Cup Holder, Coin holder, Power Outlet Plug (EJECT), and Air Conditioner Knobs- (everything in satin finish)
AND
16.N.California VCA Floormats (as soon as I get my VCA member number next week)

Stage One will be completed by Woodhouse Dodge before I drive my Viper home in about two weeks.

AND BY LATE FALL
17.Sean Roe Pre Lube Oiler

My Stage Two Mod List is:
1. Sean Roe Supercharger System

Stage Two will be done sometime from Spring of 2003 to Spring of 2004 depending on the Financial gods.

 

[jimandela]

Pics please!