03 Convertible rebuild project

[Tim1137]

Hey guys,

I just acquired a 2003 Viper convertible that's been sitting unfinished for a few years. The car was in a front end collision 3-4 years ago and I've decided to take it in and bring it back to its original glory. The previous owner(s?) had bought some used body parts to starting putting it back together, but the project had never been finished. Now here it is, and I'll be detailing the progress of restoring the car here, as well as posting an list of parts that I'll need to purchase in case anyone has spare parts.

Here is how she sits right now:

35359


The back half of the car is fine, the front needs some attention, and then it obviously needs to be painted. It also has some sort of aftermarket exhaust which has removed the factory cats, so its super loud, and the CEL is on for catalytic converters. I believe there is something going on as well on the passenger side valvetrain, there's a louder than normal tapping sound coming from that side valve cover.

I'll post progress pics as I have them. Step 1 is to remove the front end and check out what's underneath, and make a plan of attack to fix everything.

For now, here is my "want to buy" parts list!

- Front bumper
- A/C condenser
- Hood
- Right front fender
- Panel inside the trunk that protects the battery
- Panel inside the trunk that is up against the back wall, that screws into place.
- Passenger side window regulator
- 4 center caps for OEM wheels
- Factory catalytic converters, or a whole factory exhaust system w/ cats to the end.

[Slithr]

Looks like an after market Gen IV hood, you might find a better fit sticking with OEM.

Factory exhaust had cross-over pipes, you might want to add cats and keep the cat back system. Good luck with re-build project!

[ky13]

Interesting hood! In for progress pics :)

[Whiskey]

For exhaust add headers, loose the cats but keep the x-over cat-back. Sounds perfect. Not too loud, but no drone either. Still has crackles and pops.

[Whiskey]

Also, you can repair the window regulator using the carbon/epoxy tape used to fix a shovel, it will never break again.

[Mopar'er no car]

For exhaust add headers, loose the cats but keep the x-over cat-back. Sounds perfect. Not too loud, but no drone either. Still has crackles and pops.

Keeping the crossover?

Were you just too lazy to remove it? Not sure why someone would want all that heat in the cabin that the factory crossover creates. With mine gone its a night and day difference. I can touch my side sill after a long drive. Not to mention loosing 40#s taking it off. Your car will idle smother and have a bit more throttle response.

Not trying to start shit or argue but keeping that crossover has to be the single worst piece of advise for a new gen 3 owner.

[Whiskey]

Keeping the crossover?

Were you just too lazy to remove it? Not sure why someone would want all that heat in the cabin that the factory crossover creates. With mine gone its a night and day difference. I can touch my side sill after a long drive. Not to mention loosing 40#s taking it off. Your car will idle smother and have a bit more throttle response

Not trying to start shit or argue but keeping that crossover has to be the single worst piece of advise for a new gen 3 owner.

First of all, don’t insinuate I’m lazy. You have no idea what I do or how much I work. I’d say your a fool right off the bat for saying something so stupid to someone you don’t even know. I’d gladly use you for punching bag if you want to step into that ring with me.


You are starting shit and just repeating some idiocracy someone else said from back in 2004.

1.) I live in Florida and even in the summer cabin heat is non-issue. I stay nice a cool in the car wifey doesn’t even notice “all the cabin heat”. If your HVAC system is working like it should, it’s not a problem. You can always add insulation.

2.) Most side sill heat is from the cats...duh.

Furthermore, who gives crap about “40#” when you make 850rwhp or more on a factory cat-back.


My car is a built Paxton car that does make 850rwhp+ and is driven damn near daily. The car has no issues with cabin heat, engine runs cool and yes, it gets off faster than a dress on Prom night. My car doesn’t have the UPS truck sound and it’s pretty silent at cruise, no drone at any rpm.


Am I going to notice the difference between 850rwhp or 870rwhp and 40lbs in 99% of the driving anyone here does. Nope. But you will notice how loud your UPS truck sounds every single time you drive it for as long as you drive it. Let’s not forget the smell with the factory cat/back in even without cats, it’s kept to a min. You can’t honestly say that about no cats and shorty side exhaust with the exit right below your left ear.

[Whiskey]

OP txt me your number, I’ll send you a audio clip.

[V10Sidepipes]

I’d gladly use you for punching bag if you want to step into that ring with me.

Seriously, crap like this is why I have no intention of renewing my membership. All the good threads with potential get fouled up by people who want to peek over the urinal. Does anybody care about having fun with the cars anymore, because it seems like 85% of the people on here bought their cars as some form of social viagra to brag about. This guy started a thread about actually working on his car instead of asking how much it will be worth in 20 years or if it's totaled because it got wet and it has to divulge into nonsense.

Grow the hell up people.

/rant

[plumcrazy]

First of all, don’t insinuate I’m lazy. You have no idea what I do or how much I work. I’d say your a fool right off the bat for saying something so stupid to someone you don’t even know. I’d gladly use you for punching bag if you want to step into that ring with me.


You are starting shit and just repeating some idiocracy someone else said from back in 2004.

1.) I live in Florida and even in the summer cabin heat is non-issue. I stay nice a cool in the car wifey doesn’t even notice “all the cabin heat”. If your HVAC system is working like it should, it’s not a problem. You can always add insulation.

2.) Most side sill heat is from the cats...duh.

Furthermore, who gives crap about “40#” when you make 850rwhp or more on a factory cat-back.


My car is a built Paxton car that does make 850rwhp+ and is driven damn near daily. The car has no issues with cabin heat, engine runs cool and yes, it gets off faster than a dress on Prom night. My car doesn’t have the UPS truck sound and it’s pretty silent at cruise, no drone at any rpm.


Am I going to notice the difference between 850rwhp or 870rwhp and 40lbs in 99% of the driving anyone here does. Nope. But you will notice how loud your UPS truck sounds every single time you drive it for as long as you drive it. Let’s not forget the smell with the factory cat/back in even without cats, it’s kept to a min. You can’t honestly say that about no cats and shorty side exhaust with the exit right below your left ear.



relax francis....

[Tim1137]

So I finally got some time to pull apart the front of the car. Here is how it looks!

35602


I found a couple issues that need fixing, and I'll post an updated "need list" below.

The biggest issue I've found is it looks like the passenger side of the front seems to be higher by about a half inch. I'm still familiarizing myself with how this car is built, but I think the issue may be the large plastic "inner fender". Basically whatever the fender bolts down onto is sitting higher up on one side, and its creating a gap when the hood is closed. if I can solve that issue, the rest of the problems will be a cake walk!


***Updated "Want to Buy" list of parts***

- OEM Front bumper
- A/C condenser
- Driver side A/C line
- OEM Hood
- Right front fender
- Panel inside the trunk that protects the battery
- Panel inside the trunk that is up against the back wall, that screws into place.
- 4 center caps for OEM wheels
- OEM catalytic converters, or a whole factory exhaust system w/ cats to the end.
- Left and right brackets/frontmost fender liners where the headlights screw into

[99RT10]

I have 4 center caps, also a Magnaflow catback which will flow and sound better than the stock setup. For the rest of the stuff, contact Ryan at 800-338-4002

[Zubik]

I have headers and stock cats. '04 car w/32k miles.

[SatinBlueG3]

The inner fender supports bolt to the frame. I would measure from the bottom of the frame to the same floor location, on each side and see what you get. If they are off, you have a bent frame. The inner fender supports are bolted and seam sealed to the frame. That glue is like concrete if that stuff is broken you have a slightly larger project on your hand. It can be done though. I am going through it right now.

[ky13]

Stained concrete looks amazing! Did you do it or get it done professionally?

[Viperholic]

Very cool! Good of you to bring her back to glory. Any thoughts about color you’ll paint her yet? I’ve seen some pictures of Gen 3’s in bright orange (like a gen 5 TA) and they look awesome.

Might as well do something wicked with the paint if you have to paint it anyway!

[Mopar'er no car]

First of all, don’t insinuate I’m lazy. You have no idea what I do or how much I work. I’d say your a fool right off the bat for saying something so stupid to someone you don’t even know. I’d gladly use you for punching bag if you want to step into that ring with me.


You are starting shit and just repeating some idiocracy someone else said from back in 2004.

1.) I live in Florida and even in the summer cabin heat is non-issue. I stay nice a cool in the car wifey doesn’t even notice “all the cabin heat”. If your HVAC system is working like it should, it’s not a problem. You can always add insulation.

2.) Most side sill heat is from the cats...duh.

Furthermore, who gives crap about “40#” when you make 850rwhp or more on a factory cat-back.


My car is a built Paxton car that does make 850rwhp+ and is driven damn near daily. The car has no issues with cabin heat, engine runs cool and yes, it gets off faster than a dress on Prom night. My car doesn’t have the UPS truck sound and it’s pretty silent at cruise, no drone at any rpm.


Am I going to notice the difference between 850rwhp or 870rwhp and 40lbs in 99% of the driving anyone here does. Nope. But you will notice how loud your UPS truck sounds every single time you drive it for as long as you drive it. Let’s not forget the smell with the factory cat/back in even without cats, it’s kept to a min. You can’t honestly say that about no cats and shorty side exhaust with the exit right below your left ear.

You seem really, really butt hurt.

You needed 4 paragraphs to justify your lazyness? Or you cant do it yourself and you're mad at ME? Obviously ive struck a nerve. You have to be the only guy that actually likes the crossover. Giving advise to keep it has to be the single worst piece of advise you could give a new owner. You seemed determined to justify why its still on there, i tried to pick out a good reason but yer drivel was overwhelming.


You're a funny little man. You've had too much to drink. Or you just like to threaten strangers on the WWW? No sence in threatening me, next time yer in Ohio hit me up. Id be glad to slap you silly, before i buy ya a steak.

The factory change from the goofy crossover into single side exit was a big mistake going into gen IV, crazy they kept it for gen V also. SAID NO ONE.

I do have 1 question lil buddy. To clarify, every Viper with the crossover removed sounds like a UPS box truck?

[Tim1137]

The inner fender supports bolt to the frame. I would measure from the bottom of the frame to the same floor location, on each side and see what you get. If they are off, you have a bent frame. The inner fender supports are bolted and seam sealed to the frame. That glue is like concrete if that stuff is broken you have a slightly larger project on your hand. It can be done though. I am going through it right now.

Thanks for the info, I think that might be where my issue is. The passenger side inner fender is definitely broken away from the frame, and there is a gap where it would have met the glue. How hard is it to completely remove that inner fender, remove the glue and then reinstall it?


Thanks for the kind words on the floor, it is an epoxy floor done by a company called Boston Garage.


Those who've offered parts I'll shoot you guys PM's.

[SatinBlueG3]

There are only 3 points where the inner fender support mounts flush to the frame and that's where it bolts to the frame. The other areas have a gap between itself and the frame, where the panel bond is used. Best thing to do is remove the front bumper, hood, fenders and see whats broken or bent. You will need a heat gun to remove the old panel bond. Once it heats up good you can pop it off with a putty knife. Good luck

[Fatman2006]

I’d gladly use you for punching bag if you want to step into that ring with me.

I thought this was awesome. It amazes me the guys that will talk shit on here but would never have the balls to do it in real life. If you wouldn't say it while I'm standing in front of you, don't say it on here. Whiskey is right, you shouldn't insult someone just because you're sitting behind a keyboard, especially if you don't know that person. Also, Whiskey provided justification for suggesting to keep the crossover, "Sounds perfect. Not too loud, but no drone either. Still has crackles and pops." Nothing in there about cutting corners, saving time, or being lazy.


So I finally got some time to pull apart the front of the car. Here is how it looks!

35602

***Updated "Want to Buy" list of parts***

- OEM Hood


If that hood has no damage I'll trade you my stock Gen 3 hood for that hood.

[FIREBOAT]

The crossover pipes were put on Vipers from the factory because they add horsepower. Just Google crossover pipes. I think most of the heat comes from the catalytic converters and not the crossover pipes.

[Mamba003]

I have an oem gen3 hood in black. Was off my 04. In good condition but need some love since it’s been outside. A decent scratch but of you plan on painting it should be fine. Free if you can come get it.

[Fatman2006]

I have an oem gen3 hood in black. Was off my 04. In good condition but need some love since it’s been outside. A decent scratch but of you plan on painting it should be fine. Free if you can come get it.

This is one of those guys that needs to be used as a punching bag, not for running his mouth but for being a POS.

[06SRTCoupe]

Whiskey, pay no attention to Mopar'er No Car. He is a troll on here and will insult people if he isn't educated on a certain subject. So, as you can imagine, he does it a lot. He acts like a little kid, treat him as such. I already put him in his place before and he cried and cried about it. Now I, and many others, just ignore him.

Tim1137,

I have a full factory exhaust off of my 06 coupe (same exhaust for all Gen 3 cars). I will let it go cheap if you want it. Let me know! Keep us updated on this project. It will be interesting to see its progress!

[Mopar'er no car]

Whiskey, pay no attention to Mopar'er No Car. He is a troll on here and will insult people if he isn't educated on a certain subject. So, as you can imagine, he does it a lot. He acts like a little kid, treat him as such. I already put him in his place before and he cried and cried about it. Now I, and many others, just ignore him.

Tim1137,

I have a full factory exhaust off of my 06 coupe (same exhaust for all Gen 3 cars). I will let it go cheap if you want it. Let me know! Keep us updated on this project. It will be interesting to see its progress!
Be a man. You sound like an upset preteen with that first paragraph.
Funny you are the first to point this out, id think if i were a problem that an admin would have said something??
Im a troll because i think its silly to suggest to a new owner to keep the crossover on? Im glad you put me in my place, except im not really sure when or how that happened. What has you so butthurt? I seriously dont even remember. But.... Thanks for the attack!!

Edit: Is this because i lold when you asked for gen 4 center caps? It really was just a joke. Im also guilty of some insults but only after someone else has. All of what i though was in good fun. I forget about others feelings, can you ever forgive me? All you need is a hug, i give good hugs ask around..

[Mopar'er no car]

The crossover pipes were put on Vipers from the factory because they add horsepower. Just Google crossover pipes. I think most of the heat comes from the catalytic converters and not the crossover pipes.
The crossover was installed do to side db sound levels at the time. They were ditched for genIV.
Once the car heat soaks, you will notice a large amount of heat behind the seat as well as from the footwell and side sill area. I removed the stock muffler and put a pipe in its place. This got rid of some of the sidesill heat but that crossover starts to cook yer back. After that i removed the crossover and put tips on the pipes that are in place of my mufflers. After a 3 hr drive i can rest my hand on the side sill. This is with factory cats and catalyst resonators(some call 2nd set of cats). The main thing i noticed is i cant drive with the windows down when its cold out because i no longer have seat warmers AKA the crossover pipe. I was doing this as i wasnt really sure what id be happy with. If a little wrenching can save me a few bucks im game. Im still not sure if i will be keeping it this way. Believe it or not its not that bad without mufflers. I didnt think id like it. .

Im thinking my cats are much cooler due to the removal of most of the systems back pressure. With a muffler back on i suspect they would run much hotter.