Headers

[Tom Welch]

Andrew,

Good question. I can't speak for the other brands but having installed several dozen sets of ours(Belangers)I have NEVER had to move an engine, or modify an 02 sensor wire.

The viper engine sits down at the bottom of the mount assembly and does have room to move upward, the problem with moving the engine is that when under load the engine torques.....clockwise if looking at it from the drivers seat. Hence the drivers side header moves up and the passengers side moves down in their respective frame openings. Moving the engine up may cause different brands of headers to interfere(rub) the frame, especially those with a 5 into 1 style collector assembly.

Belanger headers are designed with this torque movement in mind and the passenger side collector flange is purposely Highter in the chassis than the drivers side. They NEVER RUB.

Just my $.02. Good luck with your search.

Tom
Http://btrviper.com

 

[SoCal Rebell]

I got the full Belanger exhaust, I'm verrrry happy with it, get the bullet cats also.

 

[Ulysses]

Hi Andrew,

There are a couple of issues that you should be made aware. There have been threads that you might have seen involving headers on 2000+ Vipers and the check engine light turning on. There has been some debate as to whether this causes loss of horsepower and torque. You should check these posts out before you commit.

 

[Andrew2KRT10]

Think I may do headers and a whole exhaust over the next winter in time for Detroit. Anyone know if the engine needs to be lifted a bit toe install headers?

AC

 

[Andrew2KRT10]

Ulysses:
Thanks! That is the best info yet. The last thing I want to do is run into seeing my engine light on all the time or even a loss of H.P.
As for installation. I'm comfortable doing it and the Belangers seem like the way to go. Who distributes these? Anyone know a phone number? I'd like to do this after this season to get ready for next season in Detroit.
Another question, maybe stupid, are the cats usually eliminated and if so are there probelms with emissions passing for inspections? I know, it depends on who does the inspection. But,going by the book, what's the deal?
Thanks,
Andrew

 

[Steve 00RT/10]

I just installed a set of Belanger headers this week on our 2000. They fit up perfectly. The sound is awesome! I highly recommend Tom Welch of BTR Performance. Very straightforward and helpful. He guided me through the process expertly. I have no light as of yet, although they say it could take up to a 1000 miles to get it. The head electrical engineer on the original viper is a friend. He still works for Chrysler and is now a member of the NASCAR team. I will be talking to him Monday about the light thing. Hopefully he can get some answers for everyone.

Steve

 

[Chuck 97 GTS]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Andrew2KRT10:

Another question, maybe stupid, are the cats usually eliminated and if so are there probelms with emissions passing for inspections? I know, it depends on who does the inspection. But,going by the book, what's the deal?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's up to you whether or not to install cats with the new system. A popular way to go is to get high flow cats (Roe Racing, PartsRack). You lose only a few HP but you remain 'legal'. Without cats you won't pass a 'sniff' type emissions test (like we have in IL); not sure what other states are doing. Also, if you pull the cats you will most likely set a trouble code on a 2000. Hope this helps.

 

[wiseasp]

I am putting a full belanger kit on next week.

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I talked with the installer and he said to put on the 3" high flow cats vs stock. I was worried because of the emission test.

I live in Maryland and we have to put our cars on a treadmill for the emissions test. He said that they WILL NOT TEST the Vipers. 1) they are too low, 2) Too expensive plus I would not want some punk running through the gears to get it up to 60mph. He said that they will just give me a waiver and would not test it at all.

Now I am thinking about not putting the cats on at all.

You must be registered for see images

ROB

 

[Kid97GTS]

I would be wary of an installer telling you that they will fudge the results for a Viper's smog check. I live in California (where the CARB rules are so bad that I probably wouldn't pass after a trip to Taco Bell) and we too have the "treadmill" test. The guy who did mine just hopped in and very carefully took it took it to the required rpm for the test (he made sure that I opened/closed the doors and the hood so he couldn't get blamed for any damage).

Point being, the way the "treadmill" test is set up, the VIN of the car is entered into the computer which is linked to the DMV so that when the test is complete the info. is just forwarded on to the DMV. Thus, the only way for an individual tech to "waive" the check would be for him to input your Viper VIN and then run a smog legal car on the equipment so that a set of "clean" smog results were forwarded to your DMV. The only thing they can really fudge is the visual inspection because that just entails checking off the proper boxes on the form sent to the DMV. Also, the fines in California for falsifying a smog check are pretty draconian, including losing your ability to hand out smog certificates - so I'd be surprised if a tech you merely have a business relationship with would be willing to run another car through the check using your VIN.

Finally, you might also consider what happens if this particular tech who gave the pass moves away or isn't around the next time you need to get your smog check done.

The easiest solution outside of the high flow cats is to just have a flange installed where the cats go, so that you can bolt on your cats for the smog certificate and then switch back over to a straight pipe for the track or whatever.

 

[wiseasp]

Kid,

The state of Maryland does the test and owns the facility not an independent garage. So the STATE will not test the car and the STATE will give me the waiver. Not the installer.

The installer is Jason Heffner, he builds supercharged Vipers and has ALOT of experience with the emissions because he also lives in Maryland.

I will probably stick with the high flow 3" cats.

Good to see ya back on board!!

ROB



<FONT COLOR="#ff0000" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by wiseasp on May 25, 2001 at 16:52</font>

 

[BWoodbury]

Kid,

The last time I went for an emissions test was with my All Wheel Drive Talon. They decided to skip the "treadmill" for obvious reasons and just do an idle test. However they could not get an RPM reading. In the end a guy came out of an office and punched a magic number into the computer and I got a complete test report that I "Passed". All this without anything ever connected to the car....

I still haven't had to get the Viper checked. They keep asking me to come in in Feburary. I tell them I don't drive the car in Feburary and so they reschedule me for next Feburary...