Is there a Gen 3 " most desirable year " ?

[CarGo]

Hello all, my first post here, I have a nice 08 Z06 but I wouldn't mind a vert with more of the tactile sensation of the good old days. I really like the look of the Gen 3 vert so I'm lurking for a nice one and reading about forged rods in 03, small crank damper bolts in 04, ( what's the fix for that and how do I check for it in an early 05?? ) etc. So any thoughts on a " best " Gen3 year would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Venomiss]

This was posted by wormdoggy and he got it from someone else in a search-

Here are some differences :

03 and 04 came with factory 7/70 powertrain warranty
04's possible cam bolt torque problem is built prior to 01/31/04
04's had a different oil pressure and temp gauge
05's had a different factory head unit
05's and up have a slightly diff. valve cover. vent tubes at the front
04's and up came with trunk mat
03's and 04's factory oil fill is 10w-30 while 05's and up 0w-40
no special editions made in 03
2003 have different connecting rod then 04's. they are forged in the 03's and PM in 04. Crank balance is also different
05's have different PCM
crank trigger location moved from the flywheel in 03/04 to side of block in 95.
05's up changed the damper bolt to 3/4" vs the smaller 13mm in 03's and up.
Main bearings changed in 05 to 180 degree mains from 120 in order to address oil starvation issues at rods. this is the reason for the lower oil pressure at idle for the 05 cars
04's up have red calipers
timing cover changed in 05 to incorporate a wire holder for the cam sensor. old covers used a bolt on clip.

Hope this helps. I printed this off from some other post and have had it ever since. Thanks to the writer for some great information.

Patrick

 

[Viper X]

05's and up also have knock sensors. They usually make less hp / tq bone stock than the 03's / 04's if you plan to stay stock.

Tuning can also be a bit more difficult on the 05's and 06's due to the knock sensors.

 

[BlknBlu]

06 is the only year for the coupe.

Bruce

 

[Ray W]

pm sent....

 

[jknappster]

T

Main bearings changed in 05 to 180 degree mains from 120 in order to address oil starvation issues at rods. this is the reason for the lower oil pressure at idle for the 05 cars.

Patrick

So the 03 & 04 model years have oil starvation issues at the rods?

 

[CarGo]

So is the smaller crank dampener bolt on the 04 anything to worry about? can anybody elaborate?
Thanks,
DanB

 

[Newport Viper]

05's and up also have knock sensors. They usually make less hp / tq bone stock than the 03's / 04's if you plan to stay stock.

Tuning can also be a bit more difficult on the 05's and 06's due to the knock sensors.

For sure on this one.. Note numbers below.

 

[Cop Magnet]

'06 coupe is the way to go!

 

[mrnycguy]

I vote for 06 coupe

 

[First Strike]

Give me the 06 coupe also...

 

[Bandit3]

06 coupe since I have one and love it

 

[QUICKSRT10/SRT8]

06 coupe!!!

 

[Venomiss]

So is the smaller crank dampener bolt on the 04 anything to worry about? can anybody elaborate?
Thanks,
DanB

Since it sounds like you have been searching you may have already found this:

http://forums.viperclub.org/srt10-srt10-coupe-discussions/625830-crank-bolt-loose-again.html

Talk with a Viper Tech here or shoot them a PM. Even better a phone call may be best to give you the best information.
Mark Jorgensen
Chuck Tator
Tom Sessions

 

[CarGo]

But I wanted a vert.
Top down on starry nights, infinite headroom, warm ( 90-96 degree ) Florida air through my remaining hair during summer days..

Can't get that in a coupe.

 

[CarGo]

Since it sounds like you have been searching you may have already found this:

http://forums.viperclub.org/srt10-srt10-coupe-discussions/625830-crank-bolt-loose-again.html

Talk with a Viper Tech here or shoot them a PM. Even better a phone call may be best to give you the best information.
Mark Jorgensen
Chuck Tator
Tom Sessions

Thanks, Venomiss

 

[SilveRT8]

But I wanted a vert.
Top down on starry nights, infinite headroom, warm ( 90-96 degree ) Florida air through my remaining hair during summer days..

Can't get that in a coupe.

True, there's something magic cruising in a Vert on a nice day

 

[Sandy G]

A vert here in Florida is a bonus!

 

[Xhlr8n]

Here is a link to my silver 04 vert, she's a beauty and a beast...! Hellofa deal too.

Paxton Super Charged Viper - ViperClub Classifieds

Thanks

 

[slysnake]

'05 is the only year the "true" Copperhead was made.

 

[cpperhead1]

amen to that !

 

[CarGo]

'05 is the only year the "true" Copperhead was made.

I DO like that color!

 

[MuscleJunkie]

'05 is the only year the "true" Copperhead was made.

06 was the only year the "true" copperhead "color" Coupe was made

51 versus 300. Lol!!! Just had to yank your chain there!!

 

[Twister]

2003's are the fastest

 

[Nader]

I believe that the 04 Mambas are the most desirable - why? Because I have one! 003 of 200.

 

[Newport Viper]

05's and up also have knock sensors. They usually make less hp / tq bone stock than the 03's / 04's if you plan to stay stock.

Tuning can also be a bit more difficult on the 05's and 06's due to the knock sensors.

If you want a vert find an 04 and check to see if it has the 7/70,000 factory power train warranty and pay attention to the above quote.

 

[Darbgnik]

05's and up also have knock sensors. They usually make less hp / tq bone stock than the 03's / 04's if you plan to stay stock.

Tuning can also be a bit more difficult on the 05's and 06's due to the knock sensors.

Wouldn't the knock sensors be a nice safety feature if you're tuning for more power? Especially forced induction, no?

I don't know, that's why I'm asking.