Okay, If You Could Choose One Mod.....

[Vipuronr]

Ah, my saga (and questions) continue!

So, here are three "mods" I am considering as my next (based on last thread):

- Rear spoiler, factory style (for looks only)
- Hi Flow cats - already have muffler delete (for performance & sound)
- Factory hard top - car originally from Florida, makes it look nicer with top and makes it a better all year round car.

Which one would you choose, or maybe rank the three.

Yes, I can make a decision, but I do like to hear from other Viper owners...I respect their opinion and it does help.

Thanks.

Peter

 

[plumcrazy]

no doubt, the HF cats.
then spoiler
then the useless hardtop. i say useless cause you have a vert, the top should never be on it

there, i have spoken !

 

[Dom426h]

1. headers and a 3" system
2. hartop so you can leave it on in the colder months and drive more
3. If you dont need cats for emissions then leave em off. if its to loud for you then just replace the straightpipes with straight thru resonator/mufflers.

on the spoiler i dont think is necessary. i was following behind an rt10 today and was reminded of just how **** they are on the road. Its gotta be the lowest profile car from the back.

 

[Vipuronr]

Thanks guys, well, the top (foldup ugly softtop) is off for the summer. But as the weather changes, and I need a top, I think I would prefer the hardtop on. The hi-flow cats was the next think I was going to change, but then not sure which was more important. I know that the addition of HF cats reduces the heat from the sills, which is a plus. The spoiler is one of those things I go back and forth on (other thread).

On the hi-flow cats, already have the Fitzgerald Performance muffler delete pipe with the small flow through resonators just before the chrome tips.

Anyway, on the hardtop, where do people put the thing when not on the car? Assume it would be covered with something to protect it (especially with kids).

Thanks!

 

[v10enomous]

Here's a recent thread on the RT hardtops... There are others...

http://forums.viperclub.org/rt-10-gts-discussions/636982-autoform-hardtop.html

I like three 3piece trunk stow with the Oreca scoop.

Spoiler takes away IMO.

 

[SSSSE YA]

Hi Flow cats

 

[Vipuronr]

I'm now leaning towards either the top or the HF cats. Just came across a beautiful '02 yellow RT for sale that had the factory top and I thought it actually looked quite nice. While I do like the Autoform top, I have a tendency to want factory pieces and, personally, I like the factory top.

Anyway, thanks....here is the pic of the '02:

You must be registered for see images attach

It IS a factory top, isn't it?

And, by the way, it is a really nice yellow RT, whoever owns it!

Thanks.

Peter

 

[ViperTony]

Do the HF cats.

 

[plumcrazy]

my rule for spending money on the car is....when im done spending money on parts to go faster or make power...then i will spend money on making it look better.

thats why im ready for a new fascia or repainting

 

[Red Snake]

I'd do all three, starting with the rear spoiler. The RT/10 needs it badly IMO.

Then I'd do the cats and lastly the hard top.

 

[Vipuronr]

Again, for my purposes, trying to make the car faster is not a primary goal. For how I use the car, occasional pleasure drives and no tracking of any kind, it is more about what improves the car for me.

So, with two young kids and home improvements coming up soon, the fight for "extra" dollars is not easy. Doing all three mods at the same time is out of the question. So, right now, I need to pick the one thing that would improve the car for me the most.

I understand the positives of the HF cats, so that will get done (if not now) eventually. Still mixed on the spoiler, but am leaning toward the top. New is out of the question, so looking at used in red, without having to do any paint work - hopefully.

Thanks.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

1. High flows
2. Factory hard top. Really doesn't look as bad as people say.
3. Spoiler - NEVER. Save that money for tires.

 

[Vipuronr]

Okay, so here is where I'm coming out:

If I can come up with the extra money, I'll pick up at factory hardtop...if not, its HF cats as the next mod!

Thanks all, appreciate everybody's opinion.

Peter

 

[ViperTony]

Okay, so here is where I'm coming out:

If I can come up with the extra money, I'll pick up at factory hardtop...if not, its HF cats as the next mod!

Thanks all, appreciate everybody's opinion.

Peter

You know Peter...if the reason you're getting a hard top is because you don't want to scorch your head on thos hot, sunny drives....a cheaper alternative than a hard top may be Rogaine. But seriously, whatever makes YOU happy, do it.

 

[agentf1]

HF Cats and Corsa's are 2 must have mods IMHO.

 

[Vipuronr]

Scorching my head, nahhh, I have lots of hair...was just a comfort issue. Besides, I happen to like the car with the hardtop on, where I find the softtop kind of clunky looking. The top is off for the summer, so its okay for now.

I am talking to a couple of members about the tops they have for sale. Am really looking for a top in red, that is nice enough not to repaint...would like to avoid painting and have original factory finish. So far, both need painting.

Will ask Jon from Parts Rack if he has any used gen II tops in red.

As for exhaust, it is a definite change, but just need to decide if its before or after the top.

As I mentioned above, priorities priorities, with the kids and changes we are making to the house, have to choose carefully what I do to the Viper. My wife is cool, but I think there is a line that I "shouldn't" cross when it comes to it.

Maybe Jon will answer me on here, otherwise, I can call him.

Thanks

 

[Ricketts]

1st. HF cats
2nd. Hardtop, like mentioned above I'd never use it though.
Never. Spoiler never, don't care for it on the RT/10's myself.

 

[ViperGeorge]

Many groups will allow you to track the car with the hardtop but not with the soft top that's why I would go with the hardtop first. I used it quite a bit in bad weather on my 98.

 

[Vipuronr]

Decided on the top, for all the reasons stated above! Plus, the a/c in my car is quite cold - thanks, of course to Chuck - and is nice on a hot day. I also like the look of the car with the top.

Next will be the HF cats, maybe in the winter. Then who knows.

Another mod, only considering, is to add white stripes. Not sold on stripes on an RT, but have seen some very nice ones...but only when the top is on.

Thanks!

Peter

 

[eucharistos]

i like the look of the factory hard top too,

if you are waiting on the hiflows, might as well wait until next spring / summer as the heat from the stock cats is not as big a deal in the fall & winter

 

[Vipuronr]

Per your comments in an older thread, I did end up changing to a Fitzgerald Perf muffler delete...has small flow-through resonators...but heat is still there. HF cats will be a nice addition.

The hardtop gives me (some) of the feeling of being in a GTS, with all the benefits of having an RT!

Thanks.

 

[eucharistos]

....

Anyway, on the hardtop, where do people put the thing when not on the car? Assume it would be covered with something to protect it (especially with kids).

i used these (on sale now btw):
Set of 2 L-Shape Hang-Alls

You must be registered for see images attach

covered them with closed cell home a/c pipe insulation (the thick stuff) .... looks like this, though not specifically this stuff:

You must be registered for see images

and attached them to the garage wall studs.


i also put a small piece of carpet above them where the top touched the wall (looks kinda tacky but it works for now). once the top is on there, there is room for the rear window btw the wall and the top.

i am about to hang 2 more for the soft top so i can leave it assembled (in the summer months, the soft top is so much easier to put on and take off)

Per your comments in an older thread, I did end up changing to a Fitzgerald Perf muffler delete...has small flow-through resonators...but heat is still there. HF cats will be a nice addition.

are you pleased with the sound? hiflows will definitely add more sound (in a good way) and cool the sills, but they still get hot. i'll be adding vents soon.

 

[01_VENM]

Yeah I would definitely do the Hi-Flow first. Cabin will be much cooler and you will be more comfortable driving it. I would also do hard top. I do think hard top looks very good on an RT/10. I also agreed on the no rear wing for the RT.

 

[Vipuronr]

Happy to see there is agreement....maybe not in the same order, but hardtop and HF cats next two things. Top more of a priority for me at this point.

Thanks.