Wanna talk Gen 5 Vipers? SRT Chat HERE on April 24th>>>>>>>

[TrackAire]

Any plans for an active rear differential?

New car looks fantastic!

Cheers,
George

 

[SRT Engineers]

You had the interior selections at the show (thanks for that), but we didn't have samples of the color selections. The zip drive has a list of the colors, but no samples. When can we get an idea (swatches) of the colors for the cars? Are there going to be any special "intro" colors (e.g. first 300, for your most loyal owners who have many vipers ).

Also, it was discussed that we have a hood selection on the GTS, are there pros and cons of which hood one should get?

Thanks for the time, making an awesome car, and a great experience at the NY show.

SRT hood has more bezels for better cooling, the GTS will cool fine , either way style your choice.

 

[SRT Engineers]

First off, thanks for taking the time to sit and answer all of our questions!

My question is what was changed engine wise to gain the 40 extra HP? Tuning? Head work? Intake? Exhaust? Just cubes?

Thanks,

Robert,

First of all for those of you wondering why not more horsepower – in the timeframe we had there just was not that kind power left untapped in the Gen IV engine! With the emissions and OBD requirements, it’s not as simple for us manufacturers as it is for aftermarket tuners. Things like taking catalysts off and putting headers on are simply not options for us! Increasing displacement was also not possible in this timeframe and environment.

That being said, we knew the intake manifold could be improved and the weight could be reduced if we went with a composite part rather than the traditional aluminum part. The surface finish of the injection molded plastic intake is much smoother than a metal casting and the heat transfer to the incoming charge is much lower. We lengthened the runners and improved the shape. All told, the new intake is worth about 20 lb-ft and 10 hp compared to the Gen IV manifold.

The intake cam profile was redesigned and more duration was added, again adding about 10 hp at the top end with a slight sacrifice in the low end. The pushrods were also stiffened to improve valve motion adding about 2 hp.

The catalyst washcoat process was changed to reduce the thickness of the coating. This increased the open surface area within the substrate thereby reducing the backpressure while improving the efficiency of the catalyst. We also changed the resonator to improve sound quality and also reduce backpressure. These changes netted about 8 hp and improved torque throughout the speed range.

There was significant potential for power with a more aggressive calibration – leaner fuel and added spark. In order to do this the engine would need to be able to handle higher combustion and exhaust gas temperatures without mechanical failure and without increased knock sensitivity. The cooling system was changed to improve water flow and temperature distribution in the engine. CFD was used to model these changes and optimize a redesign of the head gaskets and the block water jackets. The exhaust valve material was changed to improve its durability at higher temperature. The valves are now sodium filled for much better heat transfer. Forged pistons replace the castings and are much tougher at higher temperatures. The rings were updated with a lower tension lower friction design. We also moved the top ring down 3mm to increase the strength of the piston top. All of these changes allowed us to be much more aggressive with the calibration and improved performance by about 10 hp and 15 lb-ft.

Structural changes were also made to the head to improve the casting and reduce scrap. A new block, oil pan, front cover, valve cover and exhaust manifold supplier also had to be identified and sourced since the engine went out of production and many of the “old” suppliers went out of business or simply walked away from the business. This alone was a huge job!

All told, these changes add up to about 40 lb-ft and 40 hp which surprised even us that we could do that well with an already very well developed engine! Now, if we painted the covers yellow…

 

[SRT Engineers]

Thank you for letting us pick your brains at the Gen V intro in New York. It was nice to meet you guys in person. My question is:

With all the Federally mandated controls now integrated into the Gen V Viper. What data will be recorded in the air bag deployment "Black Box". Also, what tools would be needed to download any such data.

Corporate legal requirements forbid us from answering this sorry.

 

[BlknBlu]

The first 100 cars are going to all be built the same for dealers. Can you tell us the color, Rims and either GTS or SRT's

Bruce

 

[johniew398]

That's my only question.

Will there be an ACR. I already have the money saved; but, holding out for the ACR version.

 

[SRT Engineers]

SRT staff great job on the new Viper it met or exceeded what I was hoping for, I have just a question and suggestion.

1. Why 18s on the front 19s all around would be better?

2. Plastic engine covers... a little cheap ... let’s see some nice valve covers like the previous gens.

PS The new GTS interior looks awesome.

Rich

1) We kept 18" wheels at the front to minimize rotating, unsprung mass

2) The large, plastic coil covers on the Gen V are actually lighter than the smaller, aluminum coil covers on the Gen IV. In addition, they isolate undesirable noises from the engine such as injector tick. Our goal was to eliminate the bad noises and keep the good noises!

 

[SRT Engineers]

The exhaust on the GTS sounds different than the 2010. More "bite". What changed and what were the goals regarding the sound?

We are still finalizing the exhaust tuning on the Gen V. It will change from Gen 4 in a good way, which is a challenge considering pass-by noise requirements!

 

[SRT Engineers]

What drove the useless near 6th gear in the Gen 4 and what has changed to eliminate it in the Gen 5?

I assumed is was to achieve a maximum MPG and avoid the gas guzzler tax, is the Gen 5 going to exceed the 22.5 MPG required to avoid the tax?

The previous, as you put it, "useless" 6th gear was for fuel economy. We increased the axle ratio and adjusted the trans ratios with tighter spacing. This put top speed in top gear, where God intended it!

 

[Dale.Volz]

This is a SRT, not a Viper question. I thought SRT Challengers were supposed to be competing in the Grand Am Continental Tire series this year. Any plans & development underway to put Challengers on the track?

 

[SRT Engineers]

What is the reason for no Fog lights, And will they be installed at a later date or Model.

styling and aero function determined wake modifiers best. Mopar working on options.

 

[SRT Engineers]

1. I note that you added a "battery run down protection and vehicle storage mode". Congrats on that. Where is the battery located? Same place as Gen III/IV or different?
2. What spark plugs are being used? Useful life?
3. What is the procedure to remove and reinstall the cross brace shown above the engine for better engine access?

1. The battery is located in the trunk compartment beneath a panel. Similar location to the Gen3/Gen4 but the battery is not exposed through the rear fascia opening anymore. BTW - it's 5 pounds lighter!
2. Single platinum tip plugs, should be good for 100k miles
3. Man, you guys have some good questions! We are still developing the service procedures for the vehicle. It is a bolt on component.

 

[SRT Engineers]

Is there a timeline for a convertable or ACR that you can tell us about? I know the policy about future product so no is an acceptable answer but a guy has to plan ahead when we are talking about a $100k car. Please tell me what you can.

Sorry, but we can't talk to that one. Not this year.

 

[SRT Engineers]

Marv--
I'd like to know if the Gen 5 still has the same window regulator mechanism that the Gen 3 and Gen 4 has. I've asked the Grail Keeper also if he knows from some of his buddies. I'm asking, not to be a party downer, but to kind of make a point with SRT that they really need to step up to the plate and fix this obvious flaw. There has been so many failures that if the window was safety related there would have been a recall forced by the Feds. I'm still hoping that SRT will step up with a fix and do the right thing.---Dave

The Gen V window regulator has been updated with improvements to the cable, cable run, and slides. In addition, we have designed the door to make it easier to install at the plant, reducing the possibility of damage during installation. Also, we added flexibility in adjustment.

 

[BlknBlu]

Besides the NYC Auto Show and Barrett Jackson. Where can we expect to see the car reveiled to keep the spark alive till 4th qtr?

Bruce

 

[GTS Bruce]

I'm going to order one just like the show car model but with the track pack and glossy black wheels. My wife wants to know if you will be offering a get out of jail and or speeding ticket insurance plan as an option. GTS Bruce

 

[bushido]

Hi will we see the GTSR's at ALMS Laguna Seca May11th?

 

[SRT Engineers]

Will painting be done in-house? If so what is the process?

Are the wheels powder coated with clear or painted?

The car still has a high coefficient of drag 0.365? Done on purpose for down force? EPA estimates?

Tires filled with nitrogen or air?

Side exhaust decibels?

0-60?

100-0?

Standing mile est?

0-100-0?

1/4 mile est time and mph?

Top speed? (est of course )

We have a new supplier for the paint. All the panels still come into the plant pre-painted.
There are multiple wheels with multiple finishes. Depending on what you get, it can be powdered or liquid paint. Everything is cleared.
We have very specific aero targets for handling performance. As well as track cooling requirements. You get a bunch of lift with those low drag numbers.
All tires are filled with air. All development is done with air in the tires.
Too soon to publish performance numbers.

How about some Pirelli tire questions? We have the Pirelli guy with us!

 

[SRT Engineers]

Is the intake manifold on the GEN V ('13 SRT Viper) able to be swapped over to a GEN IV ('08-'10 Dodge Viper)? Also, if this could be done is there any benefit in ding so?

Bob,

The Gen V intake will physically fit however the new Gen V cylinder heads have an additional machining operation for captured torque limiters that are needed to ensure the composite isn’t cracked or broken during installation. These limiters could be removed and the intake could be bolted on with on with care. A better approach would be to machine the heads to accept the torque limiters.

The Gen V intake would offer a significant improvement on a Gen IV engine (again, about +20 lb-ft and +10 hp). This is a good candidate for a Mopar package that would include torque limiters modified for the Gen IV head, stay tuned!

 

[Bobpantax]

These were posted on the first page but for ease of access, here they are again:

1. What is the difference in cooling efficiency between the GTS and SRT Viper hoods?

2. Does the difference in the hoods affect top speed or the time within which top speed can be reached?

3. What is the difference in settings between the track setting on the GTS suspension and the setting on the SRT suspension? In other words, will a GTS with a track pack with the suspension set for the track, even though it is 74 pounds heavier, beat an SRT with a track pack on a road course?

4. Did you consider the use of a front fascia camera as an option? The rear facing camera is nice but of limited utility.

5. Is the launch control adjustable or is it a fixed setting?

6. What half shafts were used? Will they tolerate 1000 HP?​

 

[SRT Engineers]

How much cooler will the interior be? Since the new Viper still employs side exhaust will the sills still get as hot as the previous generation?

Great Job on the new car! It looks great in person!

The interior is the height of coolness!

 

[BlknBlu]

Will the same Pirelli tire be offered for all sizes of all GEN Vipers?

Bruce

 

[SRT Engineers]

Any plans for an active rear differential?

New car looks fantastic!

Cheers,
George

George,

We've been very happy with the Visco-Lok introduced in the Gen IV. It hooks up when it needs to and gives good bite on corner exit. Best of all... It will never set a check engine light. We have done development with active diffs in the past and our Grand Cherokee uses one with great success, so never say never.

 

[SRT Engineers]

1. I note that you added a "battery run down protection and vehicle storage mode". Congrats on that. Where is the battery located? Same place as Gen III/IV or different?
2. What spark plugs are being used? Useful life?
3. What is the procedure to remove and reinstall the cross brace shown above the engine for better engine access?

1. The battery is packaged in same same location but in the truck pan below a false floor.
2. The same plug are used as in gen 4 a re10 pmc5 champion plug which may last up to 100k miles.

 

[SRT Engineers]

Will Gen 5 buyers have the option of a color match front grill?

not currently in the plan.

 

[SRT Engineers]

How about a certificate to buy a gen 5 for all the loyal vca members and current Viper owners.

The certificate program was a really big problem for us in the past and is part of the reason why a lot of dealers decided to get out of the Viper business. What we are looking at doing is having VCA members put their up-to-date VCA number in their order, then we will move you to the front of the build list.

 

[daytonprowler]

Should owners with Gen 1-4 Vipers be switching from Mobil1 to the new Pennzoil that the Gen 5 is using?

 

[SRT Engineers]

I'm going to order one just like the show car model but with the track pack and glossy black wheels. My wife wants to know if you will be offering a get out of jail and or speeding ticket insurance plan as an option. GTS Bruce

Absolutely! And at million dollars is a bargin.

 

[SRT Engineers]

Baiting here:

Will the computer codes to unlock (for tuning purposes) the engine management system be released? Or will the only option for power adders come from SRT?

F8L,

We should never say never, but we have discussed this possibility and for now, this is not something we are planning. The VENOM controller does not use the same software or architecture as the rest of the company so it would be a significant project for now. We are however talking more seriously with Mopar to try and offer more options which would include a controller. Stay tuned…

 

[GTS Bruce]

Just how sticky will the track tire be VS say pilot sport cups?