Let's play a game of, would you rather

[Dman]

Now I know some are going to say ACR is the answer to any question, and I get that, but .. here's my question.

Would you rather-

TA 1 or 2, head/cam/exhaust pkg, which is like the $15k plus labor, 750hp target

ACR, full exhaust/Arrow Race PCM, about 700hp target. In other words, use the $15k mod budget to pay the gap to get to the ACR.

GT with advanced aero, MCS upgrade, full exhaust, and either H/C, or Supercharger Kit, shoot for 750-850hp.

I know some of this involves how I'll use the car, which used to be easy, track focused. But I've gotten seriously into racing now and exclusively using the race car on track, so I've not taken any other car to the track at this stage in my life. But, is still do occasional hobby track days in it, maybe 1/2 mile events, and I'm doing C&C events which I used to scoff at, but are actually fun since I've found real car guys at them rather than guys discussing the 3hp increase from their drop in filter. And, my wife needs to tolerate it too for cruises.

I see this next one being a long haul viper, it may be the last one they make that I'll want, unless some miracle happens with the 'gen6'. So I want it to be more marriage than college fling. lol.

[Belobog]

I think a TA 1.0 with heads/cam package would be the most fun on the road.

[nuviper]

Hah, I did this kind of calculation before several times. Actually the price gap between the ACR extreme and a TA 2.0 is nearly as much as $30k. At least for me, I can currently only afford the TA but not the ACR extreme. :-)

[BlknBlu]

ACRE

Bruce

[Nth Moto]

I'd vote for a great deal on some of the super low mile, like new TA 1's or similar floating around and bring it up to Minnesota for some twin turbo love. You'll never look back having as much or as little power as you desire for that day, track, or event. :)

[ACRucrazy]

ACRE all the things.

[dmann]

Thats a tough one. The 2.0 has good aero but is only about 10-15K from a base ACR. In the end, I think I would go with the 2.0.

[KB Viper]

i would do the GT + H/C + tractive suspension.

i've had the stock Dual mode, MCS stage 2 and Tractive. Tractive is hands down 10x better than both.

[Augdog1964]

I had a TA 1.0, I now have an ACR-E...

I keep hearing how the TA 1.0 is "better on the road" than the ACR-E...

Now as full disclosure, my ACR-E IS a GTC w/ full GTS interior... and its every bit the on road car my TA 1.0 was. In fact its better... especially the stereo.

However where it counts, suspension etc. I enjoyed the ACR-E on the road more than the TA 1.0. Now if you are comparing an ACR-E in full track guise (ie. no GTS interior) that may be the case... but its not based on the suspension etc, just the interior appointments IMHO.

[Terminator02]

GT with mods for me. I weighed all options and kept going back to the GT. I'm not a track rat though but it has everything minus aero which can be added easily. ACR E is too advanced for me and I do more touring so I enjoy the slight extra comforts of the GT. I have a GT with the lightweight matte wheels and 18 speaker stereo. I plan to add light aero soon.

[ViperSmith]

I think you need to drive an ACR before you decide.

[The_Ruski_Driver]

I'd do ACR simply because of resale values

[ClayR]

I did ACR-E

[LABrit]

Poor man maths:

ACR-E with headers, cam, pcm, exhaust etc.

Job done.

[drewsss]

I'd do ACR simply because of resale values

Excellent point ^^^

[ViperPete]

ACR every time.

[dethred]

If you're going to keep it for the long term, get the ACR. It'll be easier to add power to the ACR than to add grip/aero to the other models.

[Arizona Vipers]

Anything but this- "Supercharger Kit, shoot for 750-850hp"
You say the car will be mainly for track. A supercharger would be the fastest way to ruining all your track days. I've yet to EVER see any car on the track with an aftermarket supercharger that had nothing but problems. And these are Vette's etc with mass produced kits. Every single reputable company that does forced induction on Gen 5's would tell you to NOT do it on a track car.

That being said, I would get cheapest base model Gen 5 you can, put TA aero on it, along the heads/cam package and you've got an incredible track weapon for $85K

[7TH_SIGN]

I'd vote for a great deal on some of the super low mile, like new TA 1's or similar floating around and bring it up to Minnesota for some twin turbo love. You'll never look back having as much or as little power as you desire for that day, track, or event. :)

I pick this!

[ACR Steve]

ACR not even a close second

[Dman]

I'm now convinced, I want to do all the options. LoL

The GT option is technically keeping my current car and sending it in for H/C, or more likely FI option.

I guess the question comes down to more of whether the TA with some savings for mods, vs the ACR and waiting til I want to spend more money on it in the future. I do think resale is a good point, I never usually care, but it's well taken. I wouldn't do an extreme, track isn't my focus any more for the viper, I have a track car for that, I'd never be able to attach the extension any way due to our roads, and for a only a few fun track days a year, I wouldn't care about it any way, the $6k saved would cover exhaust & PAM mods.

I think if I wasn't racing, which is a friggin $ eating whore of a hobby, I'd no brainer this and do the ACR, then send it in in the winter for H/C and be done. It's just a lot of car hobby to fund while maintaining a happy marriage. I've got 2 people saying they're getting their loan money to buy my car, so I need to decide pretty quick whether I am selling it, and then what I'm doing if I do. My wife says, if I'm thinking of selling it, I should sell it, she said I should get one that I'd not consider selling, then you know you're happy - she's a lot smarter than me, as can tell.

[ViperDC]

ACR, no brainer imo

[ViperJon]

Get a TA or GT and you can spend your time trying to convince yourself you made the right decision not buying the greatest Viper ever made when you had the chance...:)

[98intrigue]

Get a TA or GT and you can spend your time trying to convince yourself you made the right decision not buying the greatest Viper ever made when you had the chance...:)
Hahahaha

[Dman]

Get a TA or GT and you can spend your time trying to convince yourself you made the right decision not buying the greatest Viper ever made when you had the chance...:)

I see what you did there. Haha.

[ViperSmith]

Dave I think the ACR is the answer.

I am sort of worried I won't be able to order one if I am still dumping cash into my business lol.

[kverges]

I would personally stay stock. The vendors may chide me, but I am 100% convinced hotrodding reduces reliability and certainly reduces the number of places that can work on the car (I've hot-rodded many a car and stuff breaks every single time). In addition, should you want to sell it I also think the stock car is an easier sell. Finally, if you are not within 1 sec of the ample yardsticks of track records for the ACR-E, you ought to be spending the money on coaching, practice or other stuff to tighten the loose nut behind the wheel. My personal goal is to get to near track records at various tracks if I can and what's the accomplishment if I do it in a modified car?

My thought is the last of the 2017 ACR E or whatever the ultimate track car is the car to buy and keep.

[ACR Steve]

Viper Jon "Get a TA or GT and you can spend your time trying to convince yourself you made the right decision not buying the greatest Viper ever made when you had the chance... "

Best answer yet :)