Coolant Expansion Tank

[sadil]

Has anyone installed an alternative coolant expansion tank? The plastic thing just doesn't do justice to the engine bay. I was looking for a replacement. I know it's lightweight, but I hate how it looks. The plastic black intake, cheap valvetrain covers, along with the coolant bottle just ruin the engine bay for me.

[ViperGeorge]

There is a dealer on here that sells one in aluminum. Viper Specialty maybe. I ordered one but it did not fit the engine bay of a Gen 5 but would work on a Gen 4. Too tight in a Gen 5. Maybe they have one for the Gen 5 now.

[AZTVR]

Those raw aluminum tanks with the exposed tig welds look nice in a hot rod or cobra kit car; but, it isn't something that looks like it belongs in an expensive sports car. I like the traditional look of older Ferrari and Viper engine compartments. I understand what the OP is saying about the present day plastic look; but, I don't recall seeing any of the current exotics having a good appearing solution for the coolant tank that isn't plastic. His post made me search a little to see if anyone was providing something other than the welded sheet aluminum look. I only found one; from Radium Engineering, part# 20-0270-00, that matched the type that would interest me.

[Topplayer]

carbon fiber with a glass sight gauge sounds like a good solution. No heat retention, and looks cool!

[Topplayer]

When will you have them ready?

I will take two if you can keep the cost down to say, $125.00 each

Don't forget to spice in an Alum cap seat on top and if it's not too much trouble I will take male A&N fittings on all the other outlets. You can chose the fitting size.

Cash in hand.

Sounds like we both need to contact VOA member BJG32, he does alot of custom carbon work for the Gen V

[sadil]

I know pressurized Carbon tanks are available but to make one at home is a different story. I would stick with metal, easy to fabricate, cheap to replace.

[Topplayer]

just wrap out tank no?

[AZTVR]

I know pressurized Carbon tanks are available but to make one at home is a different story. I would stick with metal, easy to fabricate, cheap to replace.


just wrap out tank no?

I think that the OP is looking for something real that looks like it belongs in a high end sports car. Not a fake wrap or cheesy carbon fiber cover that you would see on a Corvette or Mustang. At least that is what I would want. I don't go for the stuff that when people ask, "Is that real?", I would have to answer, no, it is fake window dressing.

[sadil]

Yes exactly. I am not trying to cover it up with something. It’s a Viper, not a Shelby lol. Was looking for a legit replacement tank. I don’t care if it is bare metal and looks bling. I just want function but also don’t care for ugly plastic parts. Dodge really dropped the ball on everything in the engine bay. The only thing I like is my carbon x brace. GenIV intake looked better than the plastic. Red valve covers looked better from GenIV. Could have done cool plastic covers in red or anything else but the ugly plastic tray covers. Especially since the plastic valve covers were fully redesigned. Didn’t really add the artistic touch to the engine bay compared to the rest of the car.

[ViperGeorge]

I finally remembered.............. I talked to somebody about a GEN 5 Alum. Coolant tanks at JMBperformace.com

They make GEN 2 Alum. Coolant Tanks and they said they could and would but I didn't follow up.

Would an aluminum (or any metal) expansion tank conduct heat faster to the coolant? The expansion tank is close to the engine and engine heat can transfer to the coolant and coolant lines (the ones that go to the oil cooler). This is bigger issue with headers. I originally was going to go the route of a metal tank with one offered by a vendor on here because of a larger capacity, it didn't fit though.

[BJG32]

Sounds like we both need to contact VOA member BJG32, he does alot of custom carbon work for the Gen V

My ears were itching.... I'll look at it today, but yes the only thing I would do for it is a carbon cover. The tank never bothered me before.....now it probably will....lol.

[cplabaunza]

Maybe this place can make you a custom CF tank = https://www.uniquekarbon.com

[Viper Specialty]

There is a dealer on here that sells one in aluminum. Viper Specialty maybe. I ordered one but it did not fit the engine bay of a Gen 5 but would work on a Gen 4. Too tight in a Gen 5. Maybe they have one for the Gen 5 now.


I believe they are charging like $400....for something that looks like a $100 Moroso tank.

Ehhh... not us. I have no idea what you guys are talking about lol

[sadil]

Sorry for the incorrect reference! My sincerest apologies. Will remove the inaccurate comment.

[ViperGeorge]

Ehhh... not us. I have no idea what you guys are talking about lol

Dan, sorry, it was Viper Parts USA. http://www.viperpartsusa.com/catFrame.php?prodCat=6A They use to list it for a Gen 5 but it didn't fit. They have corrected it. I liked the idea because it added coolant capacity and would have been easier to insulate than the curvy plastic tank.