Wing King
Enthusiast
Back on Sunday, March 2nd at 1:55pm, I officially “got blown”! 
My 97 GTS is proudly sporting Dan Cragin’s new system using not one, but TWO Vortech V2 superchargers. Yep, I have ‘twins” now!
Huge thanks go to Dan and his engineers, Chris Jensen (fuel & electronics) and Greg Edsinger, responsible for all the bracketry and other mechanical components. I also can't forget Rich Carlson of my local DC Training Center, and Keith Laxson, the Viper Tech from Huffines Dodge, who both aided greatly in either the preparation or installation
I had previously disassembled and prepared the car for installation before Dan and his team flew into Dallas last Friday night. Early Saturday we unpacked and inventoried all the parts. It took all day Saturday, and Sunday until around 1pm for five of us to complete the installation. All this action took place at 21st Century Muscle Cars in Dallas, owned by long time Viper enthusiast and racer buddy John Page. We were able to have a lift at our disposal not even 10 feet from his chassis dyno, so it was a VERY short drive to start tuning and tweaking.
I have to say, it’s an awesome experience to stand off to the side of your very own twin supercharged Viper for an entire afternoon on a dyno, covering your ears for pull after pull. Making me even MORE proud, they use a cast iron jack stand to support the exhaust gas sensor about a foot behind the rear exhaust pipes. The first pull blew that stand right off the dyno! Wahooo!
I suppose at this point I should talk about why I chose Dan Cragin’s system over so many other blower tuners on the market. I have nothing but good things to say about most all of them. But, I go way back with Dan, who is one of the very few remaining original Viper Technicians. More specifically, Dan has been an active guy at so many of the road course track events with me from the very beginning. First, I simply felt more comfortable that he was focused on the same road racing goals I had, and would be willing to sacrifice some really huge dyno numbers for my road racing durability. In fact, I told him I didn’t really want anything over 600 rear wheel horsepower, and that we could de-tune to be more conservative, since I never turn the engine over 5700 rpm anyway. His prototype testing of my system took place during weekends of 20-30 minute track sessions, designed to duplicate the use I had planned for my own car. Second, I liked the benefits I thought were available from using the two superchargers instead of one. We postponed the installation for months, until he was 100% certain the final system delivered to me would be flawless. This was “in spite of” my own impatience! Heck, I wanted it done for VOI last year, but he stood firm and even refused to take my money back then. Pure class and character.
Now, the deed is done, and his way proved best. I’ve got my bullet proof 600+ at the wheels on the dyno at low rpm’s, through stock headers and cats, and the car drives just like it always did on the street…….. until you want MORE! There is only a slight whistle from even the TWO superchargers at low speeds. But, mash the gas, bring up the revs, and the two of them shrieking are just about the most beautiful sound this car guy has ever heard. Then there’s also that special feeling supplied by seemingly unlimited amounts or torque. Wow! Now I know how the rest of you other supercharged guys feel! Should we be keeping this secret to ourselves?
Anyway, I feel like I’ve received a HUGE amount of “bang for my buck”, and would do this all over again if I could go back in time. Dr. Dan, thank you SO much for the birth of my “twins”, and for making my wishes come true.
I took many large and hi-res pics throughout this project, and have sent a few to Vipermad to see if he could shrink them down and do a follow up posting for me soon. See you guys at the track!
<font color="red">Vipermad was here!</font>
My 97 GTS is proudly sporting Dan Cragin’s new system using not one, but TWO Vortech V2 superchargers. Yep, I have ‘twins” now!Huge thanks go to Dan and his engineers, Chris Jensen (fuel & electronics) and Greg Edsinger, responsible for all the bracketry and other mechanical components. I also can't forget Rich Carlson of my local DC Training Center, and Keith Laxson, the Viper Tech from Huffines Dodge, who both aided greatly in either the preparation or installation
I had previously disassembled and prepared the car for installation before Dan and his team flew into Dallas last Friday night. Early Saturday we unpacked and inventoried all the parts. It took all day Saturday, and Sunday until around 1pm for five of us to complete the installation. All this action took place at 21st Century Muscle Cars in Dallas, owned by long time Viper enthusiast and racer buddy John Page. We were able to have a lift at our disposal not even 10 feet from his chassis dyno, so it was a VERY short drive to start tuning and tweaking.
I have to say, it’s an awesome experience to stand off to the side of your very own twin supercharged Viper for an entire afternoon on a dyno, covering your ears for pull after pull. Making me even MORE proud, they use a cast iron jack stand to support the exhaust gas sensor about a foot behind the rear exhaust pipes. The first pull blew that stand right off the dyno!
Wahooo!I suppose at this point I should talk about why I chose Dan Cragin’s system over so many other blower tuners on the market. I have nothing but good things to say about most all of them. But, I go way back with Dan, who is one of the very few remaining original Viper Technicians. More specifically, Dan has been an active guy at so many of the road course track events with me from the very beginning. First, I simply felt more comfortable that he was focused on the same road racing goals I had, and would be willing to sacrifice some really huge dyno numbers for my road racing durability. In fact, I told him I didn’t really want anything over 600 rear wheel horsepower, and that we could de-tune to be more conservative, since I never turn the engine over 5700 rpm anyway. His prototype testing of my system took place during weekends of 20-30 minute track sessions, designed to duplicate the use I had planned for my own car. Second, I liked the benefits I thought were available from using the two superchargers instead of one. We postponed the installation for months, until he was 100% certain the final system delivered to me would be flawless. This was “in spite of” my own impatience!
Heck, I wanted it done for VOI last year, but he stood firm and even refused to take my money back then. Pure class and character.Now, the deed is done, and his way proved best. I’ve got my bullet proof 600+ at the wheels on the dyno at low rpm’s, through stock headers and cats, and the car drives just like it always did on the street…….. until you want MORE! There is only a slight whistle from even the TWO superchargers at low speeds. But, mash the gas, bring up the revs, and the two of them shrieking are just about the most beautiful sound this car guy has ever heard. Then there’s also that special feeling supplied by seemingly unlimited amounts or torque. Wow! Now I know how the rest of you other supercharged guys feel! Should we be keeping this secret to ourselves?
Anyway, I feel like I’ve received a HUGE amount of “bang for my buck”, and would do this all over again if I could go back in time. Dr. Dan, thank you SO much for the birth of my “twins”, and for making my wishes come true.
I took many large and hi-res pics throughout this project, and have sent a few to Vipermad to see if he could shrink them down and do a follow up posting for me soon. See you guys at the track!
<font color="red">Vipermad was here!</font>
...AWESOME.
I'll say it again..... I asked Dan to keep me VERY conservative, at whatever sacrifice of ultimate power that might entail. That included not WANTING any more than 600 at the wheels to over stress my stock bottom end. I am EXTREMELY happy that he gave me exactly what I asked for. I know Dan DOES have some performance numbers posted on his website at The Viper Shop, for those who are curious. Otherwise, I'll just let him speak for himself when he can get here. Heck, I'm just the lucky and satisfied customer! 
