love my viper but

[FIVESTAR]

So I bought one of my dream cars finally... 2004 SRT10. Ofcourse I’m new on here, but you’ll be seeing more of me soon- as I purchased my car not only to enjoy driving, but to step up to a better platform to build and market high quality parts for... and that’s exactly what I’ll be doing. So stay tuned! Since I’m new to the car, I actually have a couple questions... the car is very low, and very darty. It looks to have stock struts up front. How can I distinguish if the car has aftermarket springs, or what else could be responsible to lower these to this point? Thanks in advance 38566

[AbsolutHank]

Pull a wheel and take a picture of the shock and post here

[FIVESTAR]

I’m not at the car today, but I will tomorrow

[SlateEd]

Lowering springs / caps without doing an alignment after seems likely, but a picture with the wheel off later will help everyone chime in.
While you are there check the date code on the tires (all 4)... older tires contribute to the darty feeling too and create other handling headaches / safety concerns.

[FIVESTAR]

Thanks guys, I will put up a pic as soon as absolutely possible. The person that owned this car before was some clueless bastard that literally knew nothing. Let’s just say the moron took the car to Maaco for a paint issue. Yep, I’ve got plenty of stuff to sort. My buddy is the best mechanic I know and I have more faith in his ruling than I would taking it to anyone that confesses to be a specialist. From a quick visual, everything is tight, it does need one front and one rear swaybar link, as they are not in the best of shape. The car does have Gen5 OEM wheels on it, and brand new tires. The rears are ok (Nitto 345’s), the fronts are some cheap ass garbage (Nankang, which I’m fairly certain are the stock size a 2004 Viper called for) BUT the front tires are stretched on the wheels a little bit like the import guys do- perhaps Gen5’s call for larger front tires... I will put up pics at some point soon. Given how little this guy knew, I wouldn’t doubt it had a garbage alignment as well. The wheel is straight, but if you turn the wheel to the left the slightest, and you let off, the car will keep trailing to the left... same if you were to turn the wheel to the right, it trails to the right.

[SlateEd]

Thanks guys, I will put up a pic as soon as absolutely possible. The person that owned this car before was some clueless bastard that literally knew nothing. Let’s just say the moron took the car to Maaco for a paint issue. Yep, I’ve got plenty of stuff to sort. My buddy is the best mechanic I know and I have more faith in his ruling than I would taking it to anyone that confesses to be a specialist. From a quick visual, everything is tight, it does need one front and one rear swaybar link, as they are not in the best of shape. The car does have Gen5 OEM wheels on it, and brand new tires. The rears are ok (Nitto 345’s), the fronts are some cheap ass garbage (Nankang, which I’m fairly certain are the stock size a 2004 Viper called for) BUT the front tires are stretched on the wheels a little bit like the import guys do- perhaps Gen5’s call for larger front tires... I will put up pics at some point soon. Given how little this guy knew, I wouldn’t doubt it had a garbage alignment as well. The wheel is straight, but if you turn the wheel to the left the slightest, and you let off, the car will keep trailing to the left... same if you were to turn the wheel to the right, it trails to the right.

oh interesting... do yourself a huge favor and match up all 4 tires before you put any real power down or try anything at higher speed / WOT. I'm sure you know that in general, but Vipers especially have lots of grip until all-of-a-sudden they have none. Mismatched tires make that even more unpredictable.