How to search engine history via VIN

[Jeff_ATX]

Hi Viper gang,

I was hoping someone could help me gather history on an engine using the VIN number. I've spent hours doing research and can't track it down including predicting the numbers preceding the engine VIN. I also used the thread that breaks down what each number represents and experimented from there.

I'd love to hear what the community has to say or what help it can provide.

 

[GTS Dean]

Just your engine, or more generally? If it's yours, you should be able to go to a local dealer in your car, or with your license renewal / insurance card and have them search your VIN history for dealer visits/recalls.

 

[MoparMap]

What kind of information are you looking for regarding it? I'm guessing you're not going to find much as engines alone don't really have much tracking info on stuff like CarFax. You could maybe at least tie it back to the vehicle it came out of and determine what sort of accidents that vehicle may have been in that could have caused any damage, but engines can typically be rebuilt more robustly than the vehicles they come in, so hard to say if that would really offer much.

 

[Jeff_ATX]

Just your engine, or more generally? If it's yours, you should be able to go to a local dealer in your car, or with your license renewal / insurance card and have them search your VIN history for dealer visits/recalls.

Hey Dean, thanks for the reply and sorry for not clarifying further. I'm getting a good amount of work done on my Viper and we noticed that the VIN on the engine didn't match the car. I called a few local dealers in Austin, Tx and they weren't able to help.

The engine's VIN only had the last 8 digits: 5V500182 and my car's VIN is 6V100158

I'm trying to find history on that 5V500182 VIN because it threw a rod bearing which seems unlikely given my car's history is clean and with low miles (assuming that was all done on the original matching VIN motor). @MoparMap including you as well.

 

[GTS Dean]

Possibly it went to Arrow/Prefix for a warranty exchange for the previous car and ended up in your car after re-man.

 

[Jeff_ATX]

Possibly it went to Arrow/Prefix for a warranty exchange for the previous car and ended up in your car after re-man.

What's funny is this motor is at Prefix as we speak. I'm a bit doubtful and more fearful it was a higher mileage motor swapped with mine. We're seeing a good amount of amateur work around the motor that's been catching our attention. Beyond what we see with the motor we're tracking other questionable work.

I'm determined to restore this car to it's former glory and ready to spend a good amount of money but given what we see so far we have good info to take action on. If I can track the history of this motor and find out it's a high mileage motor but the car was sold (and promised) as a fully original car we have ourself a serious implication.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Hi, Jeff...interesting "situation".

I notice that you are using the last 8 digits of the VAN's in your post. Do you have the full VIN for the Viper from which your motor came?

If not, I have a suggestion for you that MIGHT lead you into more historical info.

Feel free to contact me.

Steve

 

[Jeff_ATX]

Hi, Jeff...interesting "situation".

I notice that you are using the last 8 digits of the VAN's in your post. Do you have the full VIN for the Viper from which your motor came?

If not, I have a suggestion for you that MIGHT lead you into more historical info.

Feel free to contact me.

Steve

Hey Steve, unfortunately I don't have the full VIN that the motor came from. I'll shoot you a DM but the questionable motor VIN is 5V500182

 

[Steve-Indy]

Jeff, my number is 317-402-9013

Sorry, I forgot to post it due to an incoming phone call.

 

[Jeff_ATX]

All good, I'll give you a buzz tomorrow Steve. Really appreciate the help. I'm slammed with a good number of meetings but will reach out around late afternoon

 

[Steve-Indy]

Understood !!

That phone is on from 6 AM til 9 PM daily.

 

[ViperJeff]

Dodge Viper
2005 DODGE VIPER SRT-10 TWO DOOR CONVERTIBLE


Details


Build Date: 8/2/2004 2:00:00 PM
PA9 Viper Bright Silver Metallic C/C
Mileage:
VIN: 1B3JZ65ZX5V500182


Location
,




Pictures

Equipment Listing
VIN 1B3JZ65ZX5V500182
Vehicle Description 2005 DODGE VIPER SRT-10 TWO DOOR CONVERTIBLE
Monotone Paint
136 Amp Alternator
600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
Battery Run Down Protection
Anti-Lock 4-Wheel-Disc Brakes
Child Seat Upper Tether Anchorage
Child Seat Anchor System-LATCH Ready
Passenger Air Bag On/Off Switch
Next Gen Multistage Front Air Bags*_
Floor Carpet
Trunk Dress-Up
Full Length Floor Console
Removable Ash Tray
Leather Wrapped Shift Knob
3.07 Rear Axle Ratio
12" Clutch
Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
Tinted Windshield Glass
Rear Window Defroster
Driver Side Sun Visor
Rear View Mirror w/Reading Lamps
Passenger Side Sun Visor
Power Mirrors
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Keyless Entry
Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System
Air Conditioning
Instrument Panel
220 MPH Primary Speedometer
Fuel/Oil Press/Volt/Coolant Gauges
Tachometer
Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Cigar Lighter
Dual Note Electric Horns
12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
Locking Glove Box
Inside Emergency Trunk Lid Release
Power Trunklid Release
Speed Sensitive Power Locks
Pwr Windows, Front 1-Touch Down
VIPER SILVER - Badge - Viper SRT-1
EXTERIOR COMPONENT COLOR
EXTERIOR COMPONENT COLOR
Warning Chime
Headlamps On Warning Chimes
Shift Indicator Warning Lamp
Message Center
High Intensity Discharge Headlamps
Fog Lamps
Security Alarm
Front License Plate Bracket
Dual Side Exhaust
18.5 Gallon Fuel Tank
Engine Oil Cooler
Hydraulic Engine Cooling
Viper Bright Silver Metallic C/C
AM/FM CD 6-Disc Radio
7 Speakers Inc Subwoofer/Tweeters
310 Watt Amplifier
Power Rack and Pinion Steering
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
Sport Suspension
Tilt Steering Column
275/35ZR18 345/30ZR19 BSW Tires
18X10.0 19X13.0 Aluminum Wheels
Power Adjustable Pedals
Convertible Top Cover Boot
O/B Refueling Vapor Rec Fuel Syst
Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications
U.S. Dealer Retail
Zone 66-Orlando
ZB-Vehicle Family
Vehicle Order Tracking
U.S. Specifications Label
Florida Ship to State Code
Florida Sold to State Code
Preferred Suede & Leather Trim Seats
Black
6-Speed Manual TREMEC Transmission
8.3L V10 SFI Engine
$3OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
50 State Emissions
Federal Tier 2, Bin 9 Emissions
Viper Bright Silver Metallic C/C
Michelin Brand Tires
Black Soft Top
5 Additional Gallons of Gas
Customer Preferred Package 2DA
Customer Preferred Package 21A
Gas Guzzler Tax

 

[ViperJeff]

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Steve-Indy]

Viper Jeff is the Man !!

Jeff_ATX, there may be one more beneficial source to explore...unless, you have decided to drop the issue.

 

[Jeff_ATX]

Thanks @ViperJeff that's amazing brother, much appreciated!

And sorry @Steve-Indy got distracted with work and spent most of yesterday replacing the radiator on my grand cherokee. Let me give you a buzz tomorrow if you're around

 

[Steve-Indy]

Always around !!