What will be new on 2005 Viper SRT-10?

[INSOMNIAC]

I'm a newbie here. I have a modified N/A 03 Z06 with 460 RWHP. No flames. Both Vipers and Z06's are cars. I am thinking of selling the Z06 and waiting couple months to get a 2005 Viper SRT-10 or wait a little longer and get the C6 Z06 which is rumored to have a 427 CID 7.0L LS7 putting out 500 HP.

Do you guys have any information regarding the 2005 Viper SRT-10? Are they going to change anything? Maybe bump up the HP? How reliable are the Viper SRT-10's with all those factory recalls and engine issues? I have to modify what I drive. How do the supercharged or turbocharged Viper SRT-10's perform? Any issues with drive line, belt slippage on supercharger applications or problems putting the power down without going to slicks? Are they going to bump up the GEN III Viper's HP on the next model years to come? Will power convertible top be offered? What are first couple things you would change on a stock Viper SRT-10?

Wow, that's lots of questions. Any info and input would help.

Thanks

 

[WickedV]

Will power convertible top be offered?

Asking for something like that could get you killed around here.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

Let's see if I can take a few stabs at this:

Changes for 2005? None that I am aware of other than price. Expect a couple different colors later in the year, with the current silver, red, & black already in the plant shipping room. Price is now $85,295.

No horsepower changes and don't expect any for a while. Generally the company and plant has to certify new engine builds, as well as submit data to the EPA, etc. A lot of work for a limited production car.

Power convertible top? Unlikely but not out of the question - just not in 2005. The (gasp) C6 did it with only 17 additional pounds. Mind you, the top on the SRT is pathetically simple to use and light years ahead of previous Viper tops. Bottom line: Very unlikely.

The SRT and Vipers in general are VERY reliable. Sure, there are a few duds in every year (and they post when they find them), but the Viper is a very dependable car. Interesting that you should point out the number of recalls and Technical Service Bulletins. Surprisingly, the Viper has VERY few - we just talk about them more. According to the Feds (NHTSA):

2004 Chevrolet Corvette Number of Service Bulletins: 38
2004 Dodge Viper Number of Service Bulletins: 1
2004 Chevrolet Corvette Number of Recalls: 2
2004 Dodge Viper Number of Recalls: 0

Bottom line, the 2004 Corvette has 40 documented problems vs. only 1 for the 2004 Viper (cam bolt, of course).

First mods?

1. K&N Filters & intake (+/- $300)
2. Rear cat delete (it has four) with high flow muffler (+/- $300, $700 with high-flow cats).
3. 3.55 gears (+/- $900 w/install)

Can't comment on the supercharger/turbo results, other than that there are many out there for the Gen II that have performed flawlessly for years. The SRT is now getting more action on these and I expect similar results: High horsepower, good dependibility, and decent traction for around $8000 at entry level and $25K for intercooled installed system.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Chris

 

[SnakeBitten]

Wow 40-1....Even when you factor in the overwhelming numbers of Vettes produced in 04 vs the number of Vipers thats still a telling number....1 is, um 1.....

 

[INSOMNIAC]

Y2K3SRT
Thanks for the reply
That's the kind of information I am looking for.

How much does it take (take a wild guess) to take a Viper SRT-10 to hit 700+ RWHP range? I would assume it would be cheaper to go the supercharger route. Is there a intercooled supercharger system offered for Viper SRT-10's? If you were to heavily modify s SRT-10 what would break or would have to be changed first? For example, a supercharged or turbocharged Z06 putting down around 700 RWHP would need heavy duty rear differential with bullet proof output shafts, differential strut, transmission beef up, Twin disk clutch, sticky tires, etc.

Is there anybody out there that has changed from a Z06 to SRT-10 that could give me feedback about what to expect and if it is worth the extra $$$.

Thanks.

 

[SnakeEye]

Is there anybody out there that has changed from a Z06 to SRT-10 that could give me feedback about what to expect and if it is worth the extra $$$. Thanks.
INSOMNIAC

I had two Z06's and replaced one with a 2004 SRT-10 and haven't looked back. The SRT-10 is a great ride and will most likely exceed your expectations too. The car offers overall great performance with its 500 horses and torque curve as big as Texas. The Viper does get a good amount of attention if you're into that as well. Go figure, only 1600 or so Vipers are produced a year compared with 30,000+ Corvettes--that is a good thing. So, is the Viper worth the extra dollars? In a word, yes. Pick one up soon and get in on the action.

Good luck.

 

[Snakester]

As mentioned there aren't big changes coming to the Viper for 2005 except for the new metallic orange color offered.

It's only rumors, but there is a good chance that D/C will raise the bar to keep the Viper ahead of the Ford GT, and the upcoming C6 Z06 within the next year or two.

D/C is silent about future changes, but I'm suspecting that there will be a formal announcement at least of the coupe version of the SRT-10 Viper with at least 550HP, which should come out some time before the new Z06 is shown (Jan '05).

The SRT-10 Viper is still relatively new, so there are only pricey supercharger/turbo packages available currently, but there should be a couple sub-$8K supercharger DIY packages out within the next 6 months (650-700HP crank?).

It already takes some skill to put down all the current power of the Viper with stock tires, and there are not any aftermarket sticky tires (read drag radials or R-compound tires) yet in the Viper's 19" rear tire size, but the C6 Z06 will have that same problem, especially with it's newly added power too.

I prefer open cars, so the Z06 would not really be an option that I'd choose. And the Viper has a real big difference, being seen by many as an exotic car.
Which you wouldn't know about unless you drove one around for a while and saw how people react to the car.

The C6 Z06 Corvette will no doubt be a good deal cheaper to buy, and more practical if you plan on having the car as a daily driver, with all of the amenities (GPS, heated seats, power top), but it depends on what you want most in your performance cars.

 

[VIPER D]

Y2K3SRT
Thanks for the reply
That's the kind of information I am looking for.

How much does it take (take a wild guess) to take a Viper SRT-10 to hit 700+ RWHP range? I would assume it would be cheaper to go the supercharger route. Is there a intercooled supercharger system offered for Viper SRT-10's? If you were to heavily modify s SRT-10 what would break or would have to be changed first? For example, a supercharged or turbocharged Z06 putting down around 700 RWHP would need heavy duty rear differential with bullet proof output shafts, differential strut, transmission beef up, Twin disk clutch, sticky tires, etc.

Is there anybody out there that has changed from a Z06 to SRT-10 that could give me feedback about what to expect and if it is worth the extra $$$.

Thanks.

I have a btr nos/propane kit on my srt, I made 675 rwhp and 900+ rw ft lbs or torque. Not to bad for a $2300 mod.

vd..