And here are the questions asked thus far, consolidated here for your viewing pleasure:
JonB - PartsRack asked: "Recent customers with the Gen 4 08-09 MoPar ECU are "delighted" with their results, especially on 08. Early customers of that PCM were 'satisfied' with the results, but the recent feedback is HOT! Is the Gen 4 PCM in a state of 'continuous improvement' kind of like a work-in-progress?"
Art 138 asked: 1) "I recently had Belangers installed on my 09 ACR....the starter sits about an inch from one of the header pipes.....how vulnerable are the internals (of the starter) to the intense heat created by header pipe?"
2) "The hood intake on my 09 has a rain/water deflector (black plastic piece on inside); it would appear to restrict considerable air flowing into the air box...is there any power gained by removing this plastic piece?"
Martin asked: 1) "can the firmware in the PCM be updated as improvements are made? If so, can it just be shipped to an authorized 'flash' center?"
2) "I'm curious if there are any 50-state smog legal headers for '08+ cars that SRT is aware of - or envisioned."
3) "I read in the 2010 Chrysler Information pack that the new Vipers have a different 5th gear ratio. In the info pack, they indicated 2009 Vipers have a 0.80:1 fifth ratio as opposed to the previous 0.74:1 ratio. Is that correct and does it only affect the 2009 cars - or all Gen IV cars?"
4) "On the note of drive-by-wire, why was the decision made to go that route? I could see the logic on a car heavily laden with other electronic systems (cruise control and stability control, for example) but for a car like the Viper, it would seem like a good old fashioned cable between the gas pedal and the throttle bodies would have been easier to implement."
Sweet Ride asked: 1) "Are there any plans to offer more aftermarket parts (crate engines, computers, heads, etc.)for Gen I/II through the MOPAR parts catalog? It would be nice to have some factory backed performance parts available to the Viper community much like they do for the Street Rodders, Drag Racers, and Car Show guys through the catalog.
2) In addition, what are the HP limitations with the factory Gen II DIS modules? Is there a point where they cannot keep the spark going strong at high HP and/or RPM?
Thanks for any help and answers and thanks for supporting the best car on the planet!"
Chelseasnake asked: 1) "hi guys, keep up the good work my question is what is the break down of cars that came to canada for 08 @09 so far? i know of 08 production # in total, but not of us in canada.i know of 4 coupes for sure,2 08 and 2 09 as they are in my garage. thanks CANADA EH"
2) "Hi Guys What About The Problem With Some 09 Cars. Seems To Be A Noise From The Power Steering Pump When You Go Around Right Hand Corners Hard?"
viperbilliam asked: "How different is the exhaust system from Gen III to Gen IV? They appear to be very similar. The only difference I know of is the air gap header. Mufflers, cats, and diameter sizes the same? If so, how do you keep the resonance down without the crossovers?"
FastZilla asked: "What are the differences between the "specially developed" "SRT" oil filter and the high quality after market offerings of Mobile 1, K&N, etc.
I have read posts that mention:
- filter housing thickness
- stronger bypass springs
- neoprene anti-back flow valve
- 3 ounces heavier than previous Mopar filter
- coarser filter media vs super-fine K&N (and the like)
There are tons of us here that really want and need to know the secret behind the "SRT" filter. I literally am losing sleep over it - I can't accept the SRT filter's superiority on a leap of faith.
We all want the very best for our Vipers - please help us understand the SRT filter.
Thanks in advance!"
Nader asked: 1) "I have just started doing some research on reaching 580 to 600 rwhp in my 04 Mamba. I want to stay naturally aspirated so I know high flow heads and custom cam with a small bump in compression should get me there. Do you have any recommedations on cam size or compression? Also any thing i should look for and stay away from?
2) My other concern is tuning the car. I have the new sct tuner and hardware so I figure I can get it tuned and run a few different tunes depending on the temp or weather. My question is what are the boundaries of the computer in my 04? She someone be able to tune the car safely and still maintain drivability?
I know these questions should also be asked to the tuners out there but I wanted to see what your opinions are first."
ViperTony asked: "Recently the original water pump failed on my 2001 RT/10 with 16K miles. Thanks to Chuck Tator, I replaced it with an OEM. Was there an issue with water pumps on Vipers whereby the impeller stopped spinning at high RPMs and eventually stopped spinning altogether? If there was an issue, was it related only to 2001 Vipers? Thanks."
Newport Viper asked (on behalf of a friend): 1) "Will someone please ask how to fix the passenger side window glass from hitting the roof when you close the passenger door? Lots of cars, invcluding mine, seem to have this problem. Dealer cant seem to fix. (What a surprise). This car is an 08-09 GenIV Coupe to clarify.
2) I got a chance to drive the Nurburgring recently. I am amazed at the track!! Elevation changes, 70+ turns, dips, off camber turns.... truly an amazing road to drive!
Nothing comes close.
Let's say given another week of 2-4 hour a day testing, how much more could the SRT team have beaten the 7:22.1 by?
It's OK for SRT to speculate..... You are among friends.
"
ACRsnake asked: "1) Can the Mopar ECU be self installed ? Can i buy a tool to install it on my 09 ACR ?
2) What are the recommended settings for the shocks for an ACR that is street driven , in an area with bad/bumpy streets?
3) What recommended Air pressure for Sport pilot cups on the street ?
4) Is there a way to change the air filter to a better flowing unit (Mopar ??)?
5) How much is the ring lap time for the SRT Gen VI coupes (non ACR)?
6) 0W-40 oil is not available here , can i use 5W-40 instead?"
Bobpantax asked: "1. Hi. It's great to see that Fiat appreciates the value and importance of the SRT team.
2. I know that you cannot write about future product but can you comment on whether the Ferrari drivetrain engineers and the SRT equivalent are allowed to talk to each other? Is Mr. Winkles occasionally eating some pasta these days?
3. Did you notice that Underground Racing has successfully TT'd a Gen IV with the VVT and Venom programming intact? Yes. They used a Motec controller also but quite an accomplishment - yes? With all of the supercharged Vipers running around with the stock Paxton system with a few program tweaks from D.C. Performance - some of them for well over 20,000 miles of trouble free, relaible driving, has any more thought been given to using a supercharger on the Viper or at least offering it as a factory option?
4. Why don't you offer the ACR brakes as an option on the non ACR car?
5. You have a regular Viper and the ACR road course Viper. Why don't you have a drag strip version of the Viper? It seems like you could make the necessary changes - ability to sit and squat, diff strength, rear end ratio, half shaft tolerance, tranny linkage and a somewhat different tune without too much effort.
6. It's a bit off topic but how much tolerance is there in the Jeep SRT 8 stock tranny? Will it take another 100HP without a problem or is it too fragile for same?"
VIPER GTSR 91 asked: 1) "Since Dodge dealers service dept. no longer sells Mobil 1 0w40 as your manual suggest or any other Mobil syn. viscosity for that matter, what alternative fill by dealers is just as good? On a recent visit to my dealer they tried to sell me Quacker 5w30 syn. but I had them go get Mobil 1 0w40 at a local parts store. Your fill caps say Mobil 1 and its the factory fill. Are you having another brand cap made up? Thanks.
2) You claim a lot of testing was done with the factory paper air filter vs. after market ones with no gains, but a recent thread from an ACR 09 owner says he got a 4-5 HP gain alone on a dyno with the K&N filter compared to the oem paper unit. K&N now makes a specific filter for the 08 and 09 Viper (not the old Mazda unit) Your thoughts?"
#10 OF 50 asked: 1) "Any way to make more head room in the SRT-C? I need more than 2" to be able to wear a helmet! I would buy a new car, if it could be modified so I fit. What are your recommendations??
Thanks for your great work!
2) Can you make some comments on SRT as a business? Is "SRT", with its multiple products, making enough money to stay in business and design future products?
Is there a "business case" for SRT to continue? Does SRT have any brand recognition?
(and I'm not suggesting SRT take off the Viper name like the MX-5 ditched the "Miata")
I'm just trying to look at things a little differently, from yet another perspective.
We all appreciate the things you do- and the products you design for us!
Thanks!
Please pass the Pizza!
"
09 Venom asked: "1. Have this same problem on an '09 coupe (noise from the power steering pump when you go around right hand corners hard). ONLY right hand turns. Any thoughts? solutions?
2. Will there be further updates to the electronic throttle body delay? I know it is improved over the '08 but there still seems to be room for further improvement."
TrackAire asked: "Thanks for taking the time to visit with us. Glad to see the SRT side of the company is still going strong.
Please explain in technical terms why the GEN IV's have such terrible throttle response. Is it emissions related, to save the drivetrain, limit wheelspin down low, etc?? This has been my biggest dissapointment with my car. My Powerstroke diesel has snappier throttle response from idle than my Viper does.
Besides the Mopar computer upgrade (which I understand helps a little), is there anything else in the works to make this better? If Dodge can't do the upgrade due to emissions, can they make the codes or computer mods available to the aftermarket?
Lastly, please confirm the latest and greatest SRT oil filter part number for the Gen IV motors....there seems to be a lot of confusion on this. My owners manual says one part number and aftermarket suppliers of SRT filters list another.
Thanks in advance for your input."
CCBrian asked: "I have an 08 ACR that my wife and I open track. The car does suffer from brake fade on a road course after 10 minutes or so. We have upgraded fluid to Motul 600 and went to Mintex pads in front for track days. We even have bled the ABS system out with a DRB- one of the few things a DRB can do on a Gen 4. This helped but we still are gettng some fade. We have a Comp Coupe that I race so we are very familiar with the car and braking system. The cooling ducts to the front brakes seem small-any way to increase airflow to the brakes-say a set-up like our Comp Coupe has? A few others who are fast drivers have had the same experience. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!"
OppositeLock asked: "I own a stock, street driven '09 roadster with 1k miles and have several questions:
(1) The passenger window seems to be out of sequence with its drop from the weather stripping when the door is opened and the top is up causing the window to end up outside of the weather stripping everytime the door is closed again. Is there a simple fix (i.e. disconnect battery) or something I can reset/tackle myself with my starscan? Unfortunately my dealer is a minimum of 3 hours away to inspect and/or repair and I am concerned of permanent damage to the top and/or window mechanism.
(2) I have noticed deterioration (cracking) on my upper radiator hose at the bend next to the power steering reservoir. There have been several threads indicating that the upper radiator hose can collapse under high load and RPMs. Have you seen this problem during engine development? Any suggestions?
(3) For a moment ignoring emissions regulations, where is the biggest compromise in the Gen IV engine (intake, exhaust, materials or tuning) and would that be your first item to change/modify for additional HP and TQ in an off road only environment?
(4) Which parameters does the Gen IV engine's ECU retain when it is disconected (i.e. fuel trims, etc)? And for how long?
Thank you in advance for your help and best wishes for continued success!"
