JES, I know what you went thru to rebuild that car. Your unfortunate saga is the EXACT reason that owners of 1996-7-8-9 Gen-2 Vipers MUST do things to prevent oil starvation.
PAY NOW OR PAY LATER.
--Check Oil Level EVERY fill up of gas. KEEP FULL.
--The dip-stick low-mark is TWO QUARTS LOW!
--If you drive aggressively, at least put in oil pan trap doors.
--If you track the car occasionally, put in the 1.4qt deeper pan.
--If you track regularly, add the valve-less oil filter adapter to cool your oil 100% of the time, and increase PSI 5-12 lbs.
--If you are eligible for a warrnty (pays to check) BUY IT.
The deeper pan upgrades include better windage tray to scrape oil back down faster. Our trap-door kit mates much better with this tray, and pulls oil down FAST and keeps it above the pickup.
2000+ cars have the pan and tray...just need the trap door baffles, valve-less filter adapter, and an eye at the oil level.
P.S. I feel your pain. I was over-my-head in a 1971.5 XKE-V12 that I bought from the Busch family (Bud!) in 1972. Spun a bearing at 25k babied miles. I sold it in disgust, and have regretted it ever since. I wish I had "won" over that emotional problem....I lost. Lesson learned. You will NEVER be satisfied again with a sports car! FIX THE VIPER after your family needs come first. If you had the $$$ for HRE wheels and fedex shipping, you can get good used parts. Its all available. Sell the wheels. Fix the car. GOOD LUCK.
