jrkermode
Enthusiast
EXECMALIBU's recent tirade got me to thinking what I would do to make a Super Viper. Not a Gen IV Viper, but a Super version of the SRT 10.
The current Viper has 2 demons which need to be exorcised in order to achieve Super status; heat, weight.
Heat, because, we already cook everything, making it really difficult to manage more power (think 100,000 mile emission and warranty certification).
Weight, because a faster, 3400 lb Super Viper won't have enough brakes/brake cooling. Sure you could upgrade the wheels/tires/brakes. But, how would you make ball joints live? How would you cool the brakes without significant changes to the basic body and its airflow? How would you accomodate a larger wheel/tire assembly within the existing car? Save the monster wheel/tire/brake package for the Gen IV car (coupe?).
I propose:
Heat #1 - A large vent in the center of the hood like they use on the GTS-R. This would expel a great deal of air and heat from under the hood, improving aerodynamics and reducing underhood temperatures.
Heat #2 - Mount diff and tranny coolers "in" the diffuser. Basically mount an upside down hood scope on the diffuser surface, one each "tunnel", and route the air past the coolers. Exit the air just above the diffuser, in the rear. Scraping air off the surface of the diffuser like this could actually improve the diffuser performance.
Weight #1 - Carbon Fiber Hood. I realize this isn't a great weight savings, but the location of the weight, high, increases the benefit. Since we're filling the thing with louvers anyway, might as well make it from the good stuff.
Weight #2 - Smaller motor (keep reading). Here again is an opportunity to relocate a heavy item. I propose swapping the existing V10 for a streetable version of the Ilmor Mercedes F1 motor. I doubt the shorty, single ring pistons would survive 100,000 mile emissions certification, so there would likely be a small reduction in displacement when streetable rods and pistons were installed. Assume 3.25 liters. The rod and piston change will cost some reving ability, as will swapping out the unobtanium valves for plain old, solid titanium. Still should be good for 10,000 to 12,000 RPM and 450 HP. Lowering the RPM could also allow a switch back to regular springs for the valves. Keep the motor dry sump and it should be tiny enough to nestle well within the tranny tunnel, conveniently leaving room under the hood for the dry sump tank. So, with a minimal loss in output, we could shave about 200 lbs off the car and centralize what weight remains. All good things.
Power #1 - The lighter car is going to have a harder time hooking up, even though we could soften the springs. But, a Super Viper HAS to have more. I propose a twin turbo set-up. The vent enhancements should provide enough cooling to deal with another 100 HP steady state, higher in bursts. The engine computer could decide when more boost/heat is allowable, again keeping the thing warranty and emissions friendly. Oh, and that new vent on the hood, seems like a nice place for an air-to-air intercooler. Figure total power would now be close to 600 HP all the time with 800 HP available with good gas and cool temps. Unfortunately, this upgrade will eat in to our overall weight savings, perhaps bringing us back even.
Aero #1 - Front diffusers, again like on the GTS-R. Sure ground effect is pretty useless on the street, but its neat and its essentially a free performance inprovement. Of course this will require some additional venting of the hood, just above the wheel wells.
Cost for all his nonsense? Who knows what the engineering would cost. Last year's F1 motors (11 months out of date for F1) run about $50,000. Take away the really fancy stuff, and then include all the turbo stuff, and you're probably back at the same place. Throw in an additional $15k for the hood and diffuser/cooler changes and you're within pennies of a Ford GT(40).
Worth it? What do you think?
The current Viper has 2 demons which need to be exorcised in order to achieve Super status; heat, weight.
Heat, because, we already cook everything, making it really difficult to manage more power (think 100,000 mile emission and warranty certification).
Weight, because a faster, 3400 lb Super Viper won't have enough brakes/brake cooling. Sure you could upgrade the wheels/tires/brakes. But, how would you make ball joints live? How would you cool the brakes without significant changes to the basic body and its airflow? How would you accomodate a larger wheel/tire assembly within the existing car? Save the monster wheel/tire/brake package for the Gen IV car (coupe?).
I propose:
Heat #1 - A large vent in the center of the hood like they use on the GTS-R. This would expel a great deal of air and heat from under the hood, improving aerodynamics and reducing underhood temperatures.
Heat #2 - Mount diff and tranny coolers "in" the diffuser. Basically mount an upside down hood scope on the diffuser surface, one each "tunnel", and route the air past the coolers. Exit the air just above the diffuser, in the rear. Scraping air off the surface of the diffuser like this could actually improve the diffuser performance.
Weight #1 - Carbon Fiber Hood. I realize this isn't a great weight savings, but the location of the weight, high, increases the benefit. Since we're filling the thing with louvers anyway, might as well make it from the good stuff.
Weight #2 - Smaller motor (keep reading). Here again is an opportunity to relocate a heavy item. I propose swapping the existing V10 for a streetable version of the Ilmor Mercedes F1 motor. I doubt the shorty, single ring pistons would survive 100,000 mile emissions certification, so there would likely be a small reduction in displacement when streetable rods and pistons were installed. Assume 3.25 liters. The rod and piston change will cost some reving ability, as will swapping out the unobtanium valves for plain old, solid titanium. Still should be good for 10,000 to 12,000 RPM and 450 HP. Lowering the RPM could also allow a switch back to regular springs for the valves. Keep the motor dry sump and it should be tiny enough to nestle well within the tranny tunnel, conveniently leaving room under the hood for the dry sump tank. So, with a minimal loss in output, we could shave about 200 lbs off the car and centralize what weight remains. All good things.
Power #1 - The lighter car is going to have a harder time hooking up, even though we could soften the springs. But, a Super Viper HAS to have more. I propose a twin turbo set-up. The vent enhancements should provide enough cooling to deal with another 100 HP steady state, higher in bursts. The engine computer could decide when more boost/heat is allowable, again keeping the thing warranty and emissions friendly. Oh, and that new vent on the hood, seems like a nice place for an air-to-air intercooler. Figure total power would now be close to 600 HP all the time with 800 HP available with good gas and cool temps. Unfortunately, this upgrade will eat in to our overall weight savings, perhaps bringing us back even.
Aero #1 - Front diffusers, again like on the GTS-R. Sure ground effect is pretty useless on the street, but its neat and its essentially a free performance inprovement. Of course this will require some additional venting of the hood, just above the wheel wells.
Cost for all his nonsense? Who knows what the engineering would cost. Last year's F1 motors (11 months out of date for F1) run about $50,000. Take away the really fancy stuff, and then include all the turbo stuff, and you're probably back at the same place. Throw in an additional $15k for the hood and diffuser/cooler changes and you're within pennies of a Ford GT(40).
Worth it? What do you think?
