Newcomer.........GTS mod's and ????

mntngts99

Viper Owner
Joined
Dec 18, 2002
Posts
440
Reaction score
0
Location
Boise, ID, USA
Newcomer.........GTS mod\'s and ????

I'd like to start by saying thanks. For the past month ,I've be sitting back and taking in as much as possible.The information has been good and very entertaining. But there still seems to be too many ???? . I have K&N / smooth tubs.I want Cat/backs next but which ones,BTR ,B&B, or corsa? (Rear-end),stay 3.07 or go 3.55/3.54 Any feed back??? (please.)
 

RX VIPER

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 15, 2002
Posts
2,740
Reaction score
0
Location
Chesterfield, MO
Re: Newcomer.........GTS mod\'s and ????

First the gears. The 3:54 in my opinion is the way to go. It's great at the track, but it's still shift-friendly for driving around town or racing the Z06's on the highway. I'm on my 3rd Viper and this is the first one without the stock 3:07. I wish now I had changed it on the first two. You won't dyno (rwhp)any higher it will just rev up there quicker. The power, especially in the higher gears, is much more responsive when you nail it. Also, don't forget the aluminum flywheel. The car will want a big "S" painted on it's hood (Superman)with lighter flywheel. I have Ballinger headers and 3" exhaust. It's low throaty tone is among the best I've ever heard. There are also many other good exhaust makers, but I'm very partial to mine. Good luck, and let the mods begin!!!
 

genXgts

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 24, 2001
Posts
1,340
Reaction score
1
Location
windsor, ontario, canada
Re: Newcomer.........GTS mod\'s and ????

Hey, your on the right track for only a month of lurking, talking the lingo like the veterans, which after 18 months not sure I qualify, regardless:

While gears are universally known as a huge SOTP (seat of the pants) improvement, so far no one has offered any documented gain in 1/4 mile times.
The theory goes beyond scope of a post, but do a search on gears and you'll find lots of goodies. Bottom line as you bang into the next gear with numerically higher rear gears (lower gear), your "torque multiplication factor" drops when the the actual engaged gear ratio comes into play. Since each gear has a shorter run (top end MPH per gear) you spend less time in higher torque factors when compared to the stock gear.

But what does it all mean Basil (credit Austin Powers):

Hopefully Motor City Madman will chime in, we have raced dozens of times, my car with 3.07s, his with I think 3.54 at least, and then several more races with him back to stock 3.07. We are neck each and every time, on the street on the track, no matter what the gear. The only sensation different with his high gear was us leap frogging a fender here and there on the gear bangs occurring at obviously different times. Keep in mind this is maybe what Sean, 30 drag runs against each other?, as well as dozens of roll ons getting to the track, and sometimes my local police force puts out APBs on the both of us. I like my Viper.

Also keep in mind if you ever get serious with the car power wise (any power adder/heads&cam), the gear may have to go back to stock as you would outrun the higher rear gear.

That's my take on it, and I certainly welcome anyone elses opinion. Furthermore attempting to lay down 450 horse to the tires is always tricky with stock gears in first, and often on the 1-2 shift depending on surface. Adding gear only compounds the situation in my book. I'll let any car stick with me for 20 feet at a 1200 feather out, after that I'm on my game.

As for exhaust, listen to different packages if at all possible, in person. Forget the internet other than generalizations, too many unknowns at the record time, ie was the mic shoved up the tailpipe enema style, 10 feet away, from the side, cockpit??

My system is newer style headers (1998.5+, Jethot coated, Roe Oval cats, and a deleted rear muffler), this is all going on this winter so I can hopefully put a fender or 2 on the Motormodman next year. Until he gets the Roe S/C then I is screwed!
cool.gif


Another tidbit about your year of car, try and hear your year only for exhaust comparos. Your pistons are the same as 96-99, but your cam is a murky quasicreampuff, somewhere between the "cammed" 96-98, and the post 2000+ cast bunch.

take care, this post is long, I've got issues.
 
OP
OP
M

mntngts99

Viper Owner
Joined
Dec 18, 2002
Posts
440
Reaction score
0
Location
Boise, ID, USA
Re: Newcomer.........GTS mod\'s and ????

RX VIPER

Thanks for the input. On other post I've read that the 3.54 are a short term thing if doing other mod's.I was afraid to try them because too many siad short term gain.It's good to hear form those that have.I would like to hear from any one else who has went to lower gears,pro's and con's.
 

NDW

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 11, 2002
Posts
334
Reaction score
0
Location
Mineola, TX USA
Re: Newcomer.........GTS mod\'s and ????

Welcome as a new owner, it appears you and I have the same taste in colors. I have stock headers, hi-flow cats, and corsa cat back exhaust. It is a definite improvement over the stock sound, definitely sounds like a high hp car now. The one mod that I have that I truly like is the ripper shifter. It makes the shifts easier and it seems to me quicker.

It is amazing how this drive for more hp grabs you. It is almost addictive.

Good luck, and get used to having a smile on your face for quite some time.
 
OP
OP
M

mntngts99

Viper Owner
Joined
Dec 18, 2002
Posts
440
Reaction score
0
Location
Boise, ID, USA
Re: Newcomer.........GTS mod\'s and ????

GENXGTS
NDW
Thasks for the info.AS FOR THAT SMILE does it ever go away.When i'm out I almost fill guilty,trying not to smile or look so happy driving about.It doesn't seem to matter who's next to you they all want to give it a go.Had a vett that was pretty persistent tell 3rd, when out of my rear view mirror I saw him make a hard right at the next street.As for the 2nd gear shake is that normal,or am I shiffting to soon ,not letting the rpm's get up high enough/or to high.
 

NDW

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 11, 2002
Posts
334
Reaction score
0
Location
Mineola, TX USA
Re: Newcomer.........GTS mod\'s and ????

I don't experience a 2nd gear shake, or at least my adreneline is high enough that I don't notice it.
 
Joined
Oct 2, 2000
Posts
2,381
Reaction score
0
Location
Saratoga,CA
Re: Newcomer.........GTS mod\'s and ????

Congrats and welcome to the most fanatic and fantastic group car owners in the world.

New Owner To Do List:
1. Join the VCA and order a Zaino Starter kit.
2. Take the first available 2 day Skip Barber School(25% discount to VCA members, all other SB schools are discounted 10%).
3. Take the Skip Barber Car Control Clinic.
4. Repeat 3 as needed.
5. To fulfill that need for speed do "Viper Days". It is safer to drive fast when all cars are usually going in the same direction. Disclaimer Driving Fast is dangerous any you do this activity at your own risk.
6. Autocross.
7. Take the Skip Barber 3 day racing school.
8. Do Skip Barber Track days to keep your hands, feet, *ss and brain connected.
9. Repeat 3,5,6 and 8 as needed.
10. Keep on smiling
 
Joined
Oct 2, 2000
Posts
2,381
Reaction score
0
Location
Saratoga,CA
Re: Newcomer.........GTS mod\'s and ????

Do a search for a lot more info on lower gears. I had them, 3.54's in a 97GTS. It was a great car had Edelbrock headers and Borla Cat back. On the highway at 65+, the higher RPM in 6th was annoying, as in loud.
There is very little reason to go with a lower ratio, actually only 2 one is to match a specific road course and the other is to Turn 16" drag slicks.
The stock Viper has so much torque that the stock gearing provides outstanding performance. A stock 3:54 vs 3.07 will have the same results in a drag strip. In both cases the best driver controlling wheel spin will win. And the 3.54 will have to make an extra shift to 4th before the end of the 1/4 mile.
It is nice to be at freeway speeds with the lower RPM's of a stock rear end.
 

genXgts

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 24, 2001
Posts
1,340
Reaction score
1
Location
windsor, ontario, canada
Re: Newcomer.........GTS mod\'s and ????

Good tips Fred,

In support of my stick with the 3.07 theory, although at the track all my best times have been a slam into 4th at 5500, holding out third with stock gear slowed my down MPH and time.

Another issue is fuel mileage and perhaps motor wear if you travel on long trips, although I know the fuel thing is the least of my problems.......5mpg on most tanks here, ouch.

take care,
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
153,761
Posts
1,686,071
Members
18,364
Latest member
bmillionaire
Top