mnc2886
Enthusiast
Hi all,
I've been lurking here for about 2 months or so. I want to preface this conversation that a Viper has been a dream car of mine since I was only 10 years old. Things are moving in the proper direction for my family and I which means there will be room for a Viper. I have used the search button quite frequently as I can tell is the most important part about this board. I wanted to use this thread as a recap of what I have learned are the most important aspects of Viper ownership.
1. Safety - I've learned that you need to respect what is under your right foot and more so than other cars. I have owned a cammed ls1 and have lost control of that before. I have to say that was a huge wake up call and I'm glad it has happened before I owned a Viper.
2. Join the VCA. The Viper owner who is more informed not only spends less money, but also seems happier. Knowledge can add horsepower too.
3. I have to quote someone named Plum on this...."Buy a viper with your head, not your heart." Easier said than done, but my patience on getting this car will pay off.
4. Driving lessons will be of upmost importance as far as modifications.
5. The age of the tire can completely negate how much tread is left.
Now, here is where I am stuck on Vipers. I have a very strong mechanical understanding of engine performance. I work as a sales engineer in natural gas compression, so I understand complicated mapping of an EMS. What I have not been too successful in finding is a good explanation why cam swaps have not been done yet, or if they will be able to be done at some point on the Gen IV Vipers. So basically, for those who seem to be experts, do you forsee cam swaps at some point on the Gen IV Viper?
Secondly, I am looking at purchasing an '08 at some point next year hopefully, but what I am afaid of is what happened to Corvette owners in the past, at least from my point of view. There was a point where I almost bought a 2002 Z06, but didn't because of the 06. It just made the previous generation look so undesirable to me. In my opinion, I don't see this with Vipers so far due to the fact that every time I've seen one, it gives me a special feeling that no other car has, no matter what year model. Getting to my point, I'm afraid that when the Gen V comes out, I wont like a Gen IV as much anymore. The Gen V has been described as a mix of the old and new with more refinements. Quite frankly, the refinements part doesn't mean much to me, but the mix of old and new styling does, because I have wavered back and forth between a GTS and the SRT-10 coupe. What are your opinions on this?
Sorry for the long post, especially for the first one, but I figured I get out what has been building up for a while. Thanks.
I've been lurking here for about 2 months or so. I want to preface this conversation that a Viper has been a dream car of mine since I was only 10 years old. Things are moving in the proper direction for my family and I which means there will be room for a Viper. I have used the search button quite frequently as I can tell is the most important part about this board. I wanted to use this thread as a recap of what I have learned are the most important aspects of Viper ownership.
1. Safety - I've learned that you need to respect what is under your right foot and more so than other cars. I have owned a cammed ls1 and have lost control of that before. I have to say that was a huge wake up call and I'm glad it has happened before I owned a Viper.
2. Join the VCA. The Viper owner who is more informed not only spends less money, but also seems happier. Knowledge can add horsepower too.
3. I have to quote someone named Plum on this...."Buy a viper with your head, not your heart." Easier said than done, but my patience on getting this car will pay off.
4. Driving lessons will be of upmost importance as far as modifications.
5. The age of the tire can completely negate how much tread is left.
Now, here is where I am stuck on Vipers. I have a very strong mechanical understanding of engine performance. I work as a sales engineer in natural gas compression, so I understand complicated mapping of an EMS. What I have not been too successful in finding is a good explanation why cam swaps have not been done yet, or if they will be able to be done at some point on the Gen IV Vipers. So basically, for those who seem to be experts, do you forsee cam swaps at some point on the Gen IV Viper?
Secondly, I am looking at purchasing an '08 at some point next year hopefully, but what I am afaid of is what happened to Corvette owners in the past, at least from my point of view. There was a point where I almost bought a 2002 Z06, but didn't because of the 06. It just made the previous generation look so undesirable to me. In my opinion, I don't see this with Vipers so far due to the fact that every time I've seen one, it gives me a special feeling that no other car has, no matter what year model. Getting to my point, I'm afraid that when the Gen V comes out, I wont like a Gen IV as much anymore. The Gen V has been described as a mix of the old and new with more refinements. Quite frankly, the refinements part doesn't mean much to me, but the mix of old and new styling does, because I have wavered back and forth between a GTS and the SRT-10 coupe. What are your opinions on this?
Sorry for the long post, especially for the first one, but I figured I get out what has been building up for a while. Thanks.
, from a 6 yr member who's never owned a Viper.
