viper vs. sl65 amg.....

[ROYMAN]

Hello all,
Sorry I have not been a more active member of the community, I am taking an overload of classes this semester and working two internships for law school, so I have had no time to post. Anyhow, before I bought my mamba edition, I had a 2004 corvette that was heavily modded. Nothing like the viper though. Theres another guy at my school that I have been in a heated dual of sorts since freshman year. He has literally gone through several cars to try and find something to take me out with, but to no avail.
He finally was able to beat my vette when he bought an sl55, but shortly after I purchased the viper. Needless to say, he was not very happy. About a week ago, I saw his car parked on campus, and realized it was now an sl65! Although I have reason to believe he may have switched the badges and wheels, I am not taking any chances.
I can't seem to find any videos of a stock sl65 and a stock srt10 running against another, or any info for that matter. How close of a race will this be? What are the most effective and basic (dont say TT or Paxton) mods I can put on to have him by spring? I recently totaled my vette and I have some insurance money left over after buying a new winter car. The viper will be garaged for the winter, and I hope to start taking it apart to put on my corsa after my midterms are over. I am the only viper owner for miles where I am, and I actually see more murcielagos then I do Vipers, so I have a pretty big responsibility to hold down the reputation! Help a brother out!
-Roy

 

[motor602]

Hey Royman,

Your thread title intrigued me so I read your post. Not to sound like an ass, but it sounds like you two are locked in this cycle of one-upping each other? My .02 cents is that there is no room for ego in these cars, especially with this much power. I don't know what you guys are doing, track, street (not smart), no idea, but be careful with this thing. I know you have worked hard to get this car and I wouldn't want you to total it or anything, but at the end of the day its your life in your hands, not just a car. If its an Sl55, a 65, a murci, an enzo, who gives a sh*t, you got your viper. There is always going to be someone faster out there, somewhere. If you want to hold down the reputation, remember to respect this car, use your head and be smart about how you drive it. Nothing gives us a worse reputation than seeing "driver crashes viper after speeding at 130 mph" in the newspapers. Be happy you have it man, you are one of the lucky few in this world that gets to own, let alone drive a viper.

 

[ROYMAN]

I bought a viper for the same reason that most people probably do... because it is a very very fast car. If I wanted anything else- reliability, gas milage, comfort, luxury, etc. I would have bought something else. What I do with my car and where I do it is my own business (for all intensive purposes I keep it on the track) and I really don't think that should change anyones input or advice. I am not a fool, and I am in no danger of crashing my viper because I am a safe driver.... On that note, does anyone have any experiences comparing a stock srt10 gen 3 to an sl65 amg?

 

[motor602]

stock for stock, he's got the power on you, but has more weight. He doesn't have to be as good a driver with TC and Auto gearbox. With the right driver a Gen 3 SRT should have that car handled, albeit a damn close race. An SRT should be quicker to 60, 1/4 and top end.

 

[Warfang]

I bought a viper for the same reason that most people probably do... because it is a very very fast car. If I wanted anything else- reliability, gas milage, comfort, luxury, etc. I would have bought something else. What I do with my car and where I do it is my own business (for all intensive purposes I keep it on the track) and I really don't think that should change anyones input or advice. I am not a fool, and I am in no danger of crashing my viper because I am a safe driver.... On that note, does anyone have any experiences comparing a stock srt10 gen 3 to an sl65 amg?

On the drag strip... it'll be close. On a road course, I think you got him .

 

[plumcrazy]

in my gen2 when it was basically stock i beat a few SL65's on the street from 60 - *** mph. pretty easily too if i remember correctly. but its gonna come down to the driver most likely

 

[1BADGTS]

The entire race will depend on YOUR DRIVING ABILITY and you had better be damn good because bone stock i have seen an SL65 turn 11.77 in very hot weather at the drag strip.(If you have an unmodded Gen 3 he has the advantage on you esp if your not a great driver )

 

[1BADGTS]

Ps be SURE its a 65(could be a regular SL 500 AMG-different badges ) because they are few and far between DUE TO THE NEAR 200 GRAND STICKER .Check the wheels as their degign is indicative of the 65 only.

 

[Bobpantax]

Hello all,
Sorry I have not been a more active member of the community, I am taking an overload of classes this semester and working two internships for law school, so I have had no time to post. Anyhow, before I bought my mamba edition, I had a 2004 corvette that was heavily modded. Nothing like the viper though. Theres another guy at my school that I have been in a heated dual of sorts since freshman year. He has literally gone through several cars to try and find something to take me out with, but to no avail.
He finally was able to beat my vette when he bought an sl55, but shortly after I purchased the viper. Needless to say, he was not very happy. About a week ago, I saw his car parked on campus, and realized it was now an sl65! Although I have reason to believe he may have switched the badges and wheels, I am not taking any chances.
I can't seem to find any videos of a stock sl65 and a stock srt10 running against another, or any info for that matter. How close of a race will this be? What are the most effective and basic (dont say TT or Paxton) mods I can put on to have him by spring? I recently totaled my vette and I have some insurance money left over after buying a new winter car. The viper will be garaged for the winter, and I hope to start taking it apart to put on my corsa after my midterms are over. I am the only viper owner for miles where I am, and I actually see more murcielagos then I do Vipers, so I have a pretty big responsibility to hold down the reputation! Help a brother out!
-Roy

Hi. I note that you are a law student. I assume that you are writing about racing at a lawful drag strip - correct? Otherwise, if you are caught drag racing on the street, you will end up having to explain what occurred and why to the Bar during your Bar admission process. That could be a somewhat unpleasant experienece since Bar Examiners tend to have unkind thoughts toward law students who break the law while in law school.

 

[CitySnake]

What I do with my car and where I do it is my own business (for all intensive purposes I keep it on the track) and I really don't think that should change anyones input or advice.

I am not a fool

Hard to find comfort with both those statements in the same post. Hopefully your driving skills far exceed your ability to handle constructive and concerned advice (thanks to motor602). No flame intended. Just suggesting you take a second look at how prone you are to heat. We've all seen exactly what that PRECISE attitude brings...and it's seldom pretty.

With regard to your question, there's not too much you can do without reaching pretty far down into your pocket. Intake and exhaust (depending on how much you want to spend) will help with slight HP and weight reduction. For under 1G, you should do filter and HF cats. Should get you 20-30 HP and shed 30+ lbs.

 

[ViperGeorge]

ROYMAN, As stated it will come down to your driving ability but I would say on a road course you'd have him no question. That car is too heavy, you'd out break him and your weight advantage would show up in the twisties. I suspect he'd cook his breaks faster as well.

On a drag strip, could be close. It would depend on your ability to launch the car. Vipers can be tough to launch without putting the rears up in smoke. Practice, Practice, Practice (and then go practice some more).

In terms of cheap mods, I would consider a K&N air filter, small dollars but provides better air flow. Headers and a less restrictive exhaust would also help. I would go with high flow cats like Random Tech and maybe a Corsa exhaust. Louder but still tolerable.

One last thing I see you are in Concord MA but your status shows as Viper Owner not VCA Member. Consider joining the club, it is a small investment and well worth it. Use some of that insurance money for the dues. The New England club is active and we have our annual holiday party coming up on the 5th of December, it should be a blast.

 

[SquadX]

I would say head and cam but don't think it's worth the cost as srt heads flow pretty good but if u wanted to drop 5k then get them potted by Greg good and one of his cams and u should be at 600rwhp which can't take down the sl65 and look stock when u pop the hood.
Or a tune/sct flash, filter and smooth tubes as stated above should add another 30 or so hp to what u have now. All for around 700 and u can do it yourself in 30 mins.

 

[CitySnake]

Or a tune/sct flash

Forgot about that. Best suggestion for under 1G.

 

[Austin]

I am not a fool, and I am in no danger of crashing my viper because I am a safe driver....

Wow. Is that ever an arrogant comment if I've read one. Sometimes it doesnt matter how "safe" of a driver you are. Sh*t happens. And the little deal you have going on with this guy of "I must out-do him" is pretty childish. Good luck with that "Im not a fool and a safe driver" stuff.

 

[Russ M]

*** is wrong with some of you, this isnt the fu**ing safety first website if you want to give out details on how to be a safe driver go buy a prius and knock your selves out.

The guy flat out told you he does NOT want to hear your advice on how he should live his life. If he wants to race his friend in his back yard its NONE of your business.

Why don't you go hassle the drinkers in your lives, they cause hell of a lot more fatal accidents each year than street racing has caused since cars were created.

Back on track...

Royman,

Those cars are very heavy, but have the electronic nanny driving devices that allow them to be much faster than they should be. If you know(I mean really know) how to drive then you have nothing to worry about. Otherwise you will have a hard time especially from a dig.

 

[V10 ICBM]

Buy some good rubber - go to strip and use them up, do it again until you know from doing it. What do they say, it takes 10,000 practices to become very good at anything.

 

[V10 ICBM]

Ohh...and don't total the Viper like the corvette

 

[Austin]

I recently totaled my vette

I am not a fool, and I am in no danger of crashing my viper because I am a safe driver....

Just thought I'd quote the ignorance.

 

[01GTS]

Not in danger of crashing a viper but recently totaled his vette? I don't get it.

 

[10 BANGER]

 

[V10 ICBM]

Here's some times to beat:




. 1/4 Mile
ET 1/4 Mile
MPH 1/8 Mile
ET 1/8 Mile
MPH 0-60 Foot
ET Car Year Driver 1) 10.853*+^ 124.929 6.973 103.605 1.583 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG RENNtech 2005 Lou Fishgold 2) 11.124*+^ 125.837 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG RENN tech 2009 ALI .M.S 3) 11.267* 123.729 7.273 1.675 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG RennTech 2005 Lou Fishgold 4) 11.270# 123.500 1.700 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2006 Jeff Keisner 5) 11.324* 123.418 7.326 1.713 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG RennTech 2005 Joe Curry 6) 11.380 127.200 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Benjamin Treynor 7) 11.389 127.200 1.660 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Benjamin Treynor 8) 11.395*+^ 127.190 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG RENNtech 2005 treynor 9) 11.420* 124.600 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 [email protected] 10) 11.587*^ 120.790 7.533 96.090 1.850 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Marcus Frost 11) 11.664* 124.530 7.680 96.310 1.950 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG KLEEMAN 2005 Joe Cermin 12) 11.694 117.830 7.588 1.790 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Schiznick 13) 11.710*# 126.020 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series 2009 NA 14) 11.710* 125.600 1.880 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Benjamin Treynor 15) 11.810*# 121.620 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2009 NA 16) 11.910# 123.520 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 NA 17) 11.960*# 118.010 7.777 92.700 1.897 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2006 Robert 18) 12.000# 122.800 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 NA 19) 12.030 116.000 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 James Jarnagin 20) 12.090# 120.090 8.000 94.430 2.155 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2006 NSM

 

[ROYMAN]

I was hit by a drunk driver coming home from the beach. I have no speeding tickets, car crashes or anything on my record except for a failure to use a turn signal which I appealed and won and some parking tickets.

I am a law student, and I know what is safe for me to write on a forum, and what is safe to do. When I say I am a safe driver, I mean that I never ever drive my car in a way that would put myself or those around me in jeopardy, unless it is in a controlled environment designed to minimize risk (aka course, track, or a private course owned by my family member). In all honesty I have years of racing experience, but I still am not comfortable with the viper as it as a dangerous car that I am not yet near 100% familiar with... I drive the car very, very, very mildly with the constant understanding that something unexpected could happen at any minute and the viper will not be as forgiving as most other cars.

I am a car enthusiast, and I love everything about my vehicles and others vehicles... I don't want to get into why I am in a competition with this other person... It is a long story and it is something that you would need to experience to understand... but I am doing it for the greater good of the car community in my area, and trying to prove a point. This does not mean we drive recklessly or race each other on the street, I am not a ricer. I am upholding a reputation for vipers, american cars, and non-ricer safe street driving. I hope that most of you agree with my thoughts.

Anyhow, thank you for the advice. The car will be put away on november first, and I will begin work on it over my winter break. I will try to get some pics up and document what I do. I will also get the VCA membership with the hopes that the 'how to' section will help me do some work that I otherwise would not attempt. If anyone in the MA area would like to come help during winter, beer and pizza is on me, and you can come check out my dad's car collection.
still a proud viper owner,
Roy

 

[ROYMAN]

Here's some times to beat:




. 1/4 Mile
ET 1/4 Mile
MPH 1/8 Mile
ET 1/8 Mile
MPH 0-60 Foot
ET Car Year Driver 1) 10.853*+^ 124.929 6.973 103.605 1.583 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG RENNtech 2005 Lou Fishgold 2) 11.124*+^ 125.837 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG RENN tech 2009 ALI .M.S 3) 11.267* 123.729 7.273 1.675 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG RennTech 2005 Lou Fishgold 4) 11.270# 123.500 1.700 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2006 Jeff Keisner 5) 11.324* 123.418 7.326 1.713 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG RennTech 2005 Joe Curry 6) 11.380 127.200 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Benjamin Treynor 7) 11.389 127.200 1.660 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Benjamin Treynor 8) 11.395*+^ 127.190 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG RENNtech 2005 treynor 9) 11.420* 124.600 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 [email protected] 10) 11.587*^ 120.790 7.533 96.090 1.850 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Marcus Frost 11) 11.664* 124.530 7.680 96.310 1.950 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG KLEEMAN 2005 Joe Cermin 12) 11.694 117.830 7.588 1.790 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Schiznick 13) 11.710*# 126.020 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series 2009 NA 14) 11.710* 125.600 1.880 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Benjamin Treynor 15) 11.810*# 121.620 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2009 NA 16) 11.910# 123.520 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 NA 17) 11.960*# 118.010 7.777 92.700 1.897 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2006 Robert 18) 12.000# 122.800 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 NA 19) 12.030 116.000 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 James Jarnagin 20) 12.090# 120.090 8.000 94.430 2.155 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2006 NSM

thanks for the stock times! everything I could find was a stock srt10 running against a renntech, which is pretty discouraging. this is a big help!

 

[1BADGTS]

Remember if your a beginning level drag racer (when i say beginning level NEVER been on a true drag strip before )it is extremely doubtful that you will break into the 11s in a GEN 3 esp with the run flats.

 

[motor602]

looking at those stock 65 AMG times you probably won't have to do much, but definitely the biggest and smartest improvement you could make is to ditch the runflats and get some PS2's or Kumho's. good luck over the winter.

 

[RTTTTed]

Wow, not one person answered with the OBVIOUS cheap KILL.

Tires are necessary and PS2 are excellent tires and provably worth a half second over those runcraps your car came with. PartsRack.com - Home can help you with those.

... and cheaper than that (and dangerous) would be to spend $1,000 and instal a Nitrous wet system. 150rwhp should be all that you can handle. If you think that you might need more and want to risk busting stuff, get a kit that can use 300hp jets and add a fuel system later (before going with 300hp jets).

One of the HUGE advantages of Nitrous is that when you push that button/pedal you get the whole 100hp and that is not related to rpm. Push the button and enjoy the power! Be careful as Nitrous can cause the best driver to crash. Like a Twin Screw supercharger the power is explosive and needs respect.

With a small Nitrous kit you can beat Gen4 Viper as well.

Ted

 

[adamlotus]

stock gen 3 vs sl 65 no match sl65 will take the viper

 

[SoCal Rebell]

11.380 127.200 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Benjamin Treynor 7) 11.389 127.200 1.660 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Benjamin Treynor 8) 11.395*+^ 127.190 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG RENNtech 2005 treynor 14) 11.710* 125.600 1.880 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2005 Benjamin Treynor

Freakin' Ben Treynor, I haven't heard from him in 8 years


.

 

[1BADGTS]

stock gen 3 vs sl 65 no match sl65 will take the viper

Adam let me tell you those cars make some kind of power .To weight over 4000lbs and run the numbers they do =they must.

 

[09 Venom]

Royman, I've been to many AMG track events with my E63 and have seen 65's (S,CL,SL) run. They have alot of power but their weight and gearing is a handicap. BUT...they are very predictable and consistant being an automatic tranny. IF he is stock, he can break into the 11's especially on a cool day. But then again so can a GenIII if you have lots of practice launching the car . And there in lies your handicap. If you take him to dragstrip and you are not seasoned, he will probably get the better of you. I am assuming both are stock now.