Raced a 97 Ferrari 355 Spyder with my 96 Viper GTS

Vanquish

Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 19, 2002
Posts
96
Reaction score
0
Location
Freeport, Long Island, NY
Hello,

Wanted to share a story with you guys.
My Cousin who is a doctor here in long Island N.Y. just purchases a 97 Yellow Ferrari 355 Spyder. We were planning to go out and celebrate his purchase and show off the Cars at the local car spots. He wanted to know what I could do against his new purchase, decided to head down to Jones Beach on a long straight away and go for it. We started at a rolling start at 30. I punched it and left it in 4 gear, I left him like he was going backwards. I looked at the odometer I was at 130. We came in on traffic weaved in and out around 4 cars and I slowed down to my realization, the breaks on the Viper are less than desirable. The agility on the Ferrari was unbelivable as he came by and passed me in traffic. I quickly caught him and passed him when traffic cleared and I was free to accelerate at will, but he was dominating in traffic.

The first thing I am doing is getting the Brembos package front and rear.
Is it me or are the brakes the achillies heal of the viper?

At the end he praised the 96 Viper and was very very surprised on how quickly I pulled away and my distance grew. But asked what happened to me in traffic. which I could not reply.
 

Viperfreak2

Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 14, 2002
Posts
2,548
Reaction score
0
Location
Duncan, SC USA
Brakes? on a Viper? What stinkin brakes....the real answer? The ABS is a must, or get a brake proportioning valve and adjust the bias until you can't lock the fronts. It is (was) the achilles heel
 

onerareviper

Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 18, 2001
Posts
2,457
Reaction score
0
Location
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
When I first bought my 1998 GTS, I also thought the brakes had much to be desired. Then I did a full brake job (front/rear) with Brakeman 3's, resurfaced the rotors to perfection, and bled all 4 corners. WOW!!! What a difference!!! Stops from any speed in a hurry. Easier to modulate the brakes, and much improved pedal feel. Feels better balanced (Front/rear) as well. Being my primary use for this car is the street, I am very happy with this setup. Before I made these changes, I was positive I would need to upgrade to Stoptech, etc... too be happy. Not anymore.

Warning: For those who are afraid of brake dust and squeeling at light brake pressure, don't bother with the Brakeman 3's. Also, the Brakeman 3's work well at low temps., but get even better after a few stops to heat them up a bit.
 

Moundir

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 3, 2002
Posts
1,816
Reaction score
0
Location
Ny
nice and easy kill, should not really play in traffic as you are putting others at risk. I'm a street racing ******, but never in traffic.
 

CitySnake

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 18, 2001
Posts
7,115
Reaction score
0
Location
Manhattan, USA
Jones Beach...hmmmmmmm Was that Ocean Parkway by the water? Great "track" but 130mph in Nassau County and I think they can dismember your first born! :D
 

onerareviper

Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 18, 2001
Posts
2,457
Reaction score
0
Location
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Yeah!! 1'st gear at 30 MPH is perfect for a Viper with OEM 3.07 gears. Right at peak torque!!! I imagine you pulled on him real hard, when you first slammed the gas....

I pulled next to a 355 on the road once, but he didn't want to play. No traffic, on highway, at night - perfect opportunity. Man, I was disappointed.
 
Top