Questions from a newbie ...

[Oli]

Dear viper-owners,
hello viper-enthusiasts,

I'm from stuttgart, germany (where the porsches are from .
I intend to buy a viper (used one) this or next year, in order to get a _real_ sports car. I'd ask you to help me with some newbie questions. If there are any FAQs which will help, please tell me the link(s).

I read the great book "Dodge Viper" from Daniel F. Carney,
which told me many interesting things about the early days of the viper and some (but not enough) things about technical specifications and changes within production.

So I still have some questions to make the right decision about
what viper (rt/10, gts) and which date of manufacturing will fit best to my expectations. Hope some of you could help me a bit.

1) early (till '96) rt/10 seem to have no "real" side windows. correct?
2) the rt/10 had 400hp, the gts has 450hp from beginning, the rt/10 has the same engine since '96. correct?
3) the sidepipes seem to be very nice, and have been placed at the back in '96. the gts has never been produced with sidepipes. correct? So what's your opinion concerning acoustic? (sidepipes / back-exhaust), are sidepipes a "must have"?
4) there was a bigger "enginge change" in '96. Is it very important to get a viper after this change, or are the early ones as healthy?
5) Daniel F. Carney tells in his book, that the gts is an 98% redesigned car (compared to the rt/10). Any thoughts about that? Were the major changes also done to the rt/10 with the start od production of the gts?
6) is there real roadster/convertable feeling in the rt/10?
7) Could you recommend good literature, which perhaps tells more about technical details (changes in production, e.g. abs since 2001, etc.)

Thanks to all of you who take the time to answer one or more questions. All your answers will be very helpful for me!

Best regards
and greetings to the USA!

Oliver
stuttgart
-germany-

PS: Sorry for the partial bad english - that's what we learn at school

 

[BigCarrot]

There is a FAQ section that will tell you a lot. Just go to the home page-how to-FAQ. To answer some of your questions in my opinion-
1. Correct
2. Correct
3. not a must have, I prefer the rear exit, but you can convert
4. same size, more power. Must have in my opinion
5. same car exactly, just different body and styling
6. yes, there is a roadster feeling. I prefer the GTS look, but I love taking the top off.
7. The FAQ should cover that
Hope this helps! You'll love the car!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I second everything the Carrot says. Although I think the RT/10 is every bit the looker the GTS is.

7. Do a search on this site and you'll find everything you need. You're always welcome to ask questions.

Now, let's see some pics of those hot German frauliens.

 

[Vic]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Oli:


I read the great book "Dodge Viper" from Daniel F. Carney,
which told me many interesting things about the early days of the viper and some (but not enough) things about technical specifications and changes within production.

<FONT size="1">I agree. I would like to know more about the engineering, CAD frame design, block casting and machining, cams, etc. The book seemed to talk more about shallower issues. Oh well, my Dad always said technical stuff doesn't sell well. </FONT s>

1) early (till '96) rt/10 seem to have no "real" side windows. correct?

Yep.

2) the rt/10 had 400hp, the gts has 450hp from beginning, the rt/10 has the same engine since '96. correct?

I think somewhere along the way, the RT got 415 HP. Maybe when the side pipes were deleted?

3) the sidepipes seem to be very nice, and have been placed at the back in '96. the gts has never been produced with sidepipes. correct?

Yes, no production GTS's with side pipes. Maybe JonB will chime in on this, if I am wrong.

So what's your opinion concerning acoustic? (sidepipes / back-exhaust), are sidepipes a "must have"?

I have never driven in an RT, so I wouldn't know.

4) there was a bigger "enginge change" in '96.

That is when the "Gen2" engine was put in GTS's, and was put in RTs in '97.

Is it very important to get a viper after this change, or are the early ones as healthy?

The "Gen1" engine had a wet sleeve, which seals around the base, in the block. This seal often leaks, resulting in coolant leaking into the oil pan, or is it oil into the coolant, I don't remember. But I would steer clear of a Gen1. Sorry early owners, no flames intended.

5) Daniel F. Carney tells in his book, that the gts is an 98% redesigned car (compared to the rt/10). Any thoughts about that?Were the major changes also done to the rt/10 with the start od production of the gts?

I don't really know what is different. I do remember a black RT, that had upper and lower front suspension control arms that were made with steel pipe, fish mouthed and welded together. It was the crudest looking control arms I have ever seen on any car, ever. These eventually went away, and somewhere along the line, they were changed to forged aluminum. It may have been changed with the GTS, and carried over to the RT.

6) is there real roadster/convertable feeling in the rt/10?

I wouldn't know.

7) Could you recommend good literature, which perhaps tells more about technical details (changes in production, e.g. abs since 2001, etc.)

No answer here, maybe you could do a search.

Oliver
stuttgart
-germany-

PS: Sorry for the partial bad english - that's what we learn at school

Your English is more than adequate, Oliver. Good job. If I could speak any second language as well as you speak English, I would probably think I was really cool.

Porsches are cool, too. Before I bought my GTS, I went to a Porsche dealer, to investigate the car, for possible purchase. I found out that I don't really fit in ANY Porsche, so I gave up on them. Even with my short hair, my head was in constant contact with the roof! But they are definitely cool.

Sorry about your World Cup luck. Your team lost a few pivotal players to injuries, earlier in the World Cup competition. If not for that, your team probably would have won.

You probably know that Soccer, or football, is not a sport that typifies the USA. But I bet we surprised a few people, making it to the Round of 8, eh?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Vic Rough:

You probably know that Soccer, or football, is not a sport that typifies the USA. But I bet we surprised a few people, making it to the Round of 8, eh?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


We have a soccer team?


Sorry Vic. Just havin' some fun with ya.

 

[Vic]

HA-ha! Don't worry, Chuck, your facetious sense of humor is not lost on me! I've seen your tongue-in-cheek posts all over the board, and I understand your style.

Any luck getting the Tampax sponsorship?

 

[ViperGTS]

Oli: In case you need more information, see my profile and send me a message. Markus

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Vic Rough:

Any luck getting the Tampax sponsorship?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not yet. But if I get a call from them I'm gonna find out if they're the ones you wear, or insert before I accept.

 

[Vic]

 

[Bonkers]

Passerby: Chuck how did you get that Tampax Sponsership?

Chuck: Well you know me, I just had to pull a few strings here and there.....

 

[Oli]

THANKS GUYS!

@BigCarrot, Chuck 98 RT/10: Thank you very much!

@MarkusReinhardt: Danke, werde dich kontaktieren!
(e: thank you, will contact you)

@Vic Rough: Thanks a lot for your comprehensive answer.
Concerning soccer: Definitively your team suprised the whole world in making it to the round of 8. I think, we had much luck in the game against the usa - your team was the better one.
The same for us in the final game against brasil for us - we played better soccer, and they've won. Won't complain - they deserved the title of world champion 2002!

I'm also pretty sure that this will be "my" board for all viper concerns. Tried another one, wasn't nearly that nice.

Best regards
Oli
stuttgart
germany

 

[OTinchon]

Hi Oli,
I just send you a German E-mail, cause my English is as yours.
Just look on the German VCA site or send me a private mail!!!
Olli