Viper Tips

[Whopperman]

I am planning on bringing home a viper by the 6th and wanted to get some tips and advice. I haven't seen anything about high milage vipers maintenance and problems, I am assuming it is just standard oil change and maybe some other small stuff. For other things like clutch, brakes, rear, engine, and other bigger jobs is there a mile/age marker where these need to be changed?

[13COBRA]

Nothing special as far as maintenance. Just use the correct oil filter and drive it like you stole it.

[Whopperman]

Nothing special as far as maintenance. Just use the correct oil filter and drive it like you stole it.

Is there any other way :) what about for tires? I looked online for a little bit (just the big tire carrier sites) and only found 2 that carry tires for the viper being the Pirelli P Zero Corsa and the Continental Extreme Contact Sport. Where's the best place to go find tires and what are you rocking?

[13COBRA]

JonB period.

jonb@partsrack.com

Tires will be to you in <48 hours.

[Hootie]

Yup. Always JonB for tires. He will get you a better price, ship them like lightning, and he's a long time supporting vendor of the VOA. Win win win.

[Hootie]

There's also the non Corsa Pirelli P-Zeros, which get a bad rap in some circles, but I replaced my Corsas with them and an quite happy with them for street tires. Toyo R888 if you want the best gripping street tire at the expense of noise and wet weather traction.
For all vipers Gen 3-5, the window regulators suck and will break. When they do, don't buy new ones, send them out to be rebuilt with metal tubes and they'll last a lifetime. Also cheaper to rebuild than buying new. Also the window bosses have failed for lots of people. Mine didn't, but I replaced then with the DSE metal bosses when I had my window out.
Don't let the oil run low. Not every car burbs oil but a lot do. Might have to do with forged pistons? Either way just keep the oil full and no worries. A lot of people recommend thicker oil (15w-50) watch I believe Dick Winkles recommended. OEM was apparently 0w-40 to meet some emissions requirement. If you're under warranty, stick with OEM fluid. If not, if use the 15w-50. Dick did design the motor after all.

www.viperpartsrack.com for JonB
www.dougshelbyengineering.com for the window bosses
www.powerwindowrepair.com for the regulators

Good luck!

[AAA96]

Interesting. Never knew about the 15w-50 thing

[SRT_BluByU]

Follow the maintenance schedule In the owners manual

[Whopperman]

There's also the non Corsa Pirelli P-Zeros, which get a bad rap in some circles, but I replaced my Corsas with them and an quite happy with them for street tires. Toyo R888 if you want the best gripping street tire at the expense of noise and wet weather traction.
For all vipers Gen 3-5, the window regulators suck and will break. When they do, don't buy new ones, send them out to be rebuilt with metal tubes and they'll last a lifetime. Also cheaper to rebuild than buying new. Also the window bosses have failed for lots of people. Mine didn't, but I replaced then with the DSE metal bosses when I had my window out.
Don't let the oil run low. Not every car burbs oil but a lot do. Might have to do with forged pistons? Either way just keep the oil full and no worries. A lot of people recommend thicker oil (15w-50) watch I believe Dick Winkles recommended. OEM was apparently 0w-40 to meet some emissions requirement. If you're under warranty, stick with OEM fluid. If not, if use the 15w-50. Dick did design the motor after all.

www.viperpartsrack.com for JonB
www.dougshelbyengineering.com for the window bosses
www.powerwindowrepair.com for the regulators

Good luck!

I've rocked P Zero and P Zero Nero for a while and I like them, but not in love with them, definitely the limiting factor on my current car by far. Do the Sport Cup 2s and Super Trofeos (no clue how to spell it) fit?

[Whopperman]

Follow the maintenance schedule In the owners manual

Do you know how often I would have to change clutch, brakes, and car fluids (besides oil)?

[darbgnik]

I've rocked P Zero and P Zero Nero for a while and I like them, but not in love with them, definitely the limiting factor on my current car by far. Do the Sport Cup 2s and Super Trofeos (no clue how to spell it) fit?

Sport Cup 2's do fit, with 345's in the rear, which are basically same size as the Pirelli 355's. AFAIK, Super Trofeo's are not in our size.

[Whopperman]

Sport Cup 2's do fit, with 345's in the rear, which are basically same size as the Pirelli 355's. AFAIK, Super Trofeo's are not in our size.

Do the cup 2s last? My friend said his are either 20 or 25 tread and he just picked his car up with 2k miles and they were put on the car 4 years ago by the original owner

[jns681186]

I am planning on bringing home a viper by the 6th and wanted to get some tips and advice. I haven't seen anything about high milage vipers maintenance and problems, I am assuming it is just standard oil change and maybe some other small stuff. For other things like clutch, brakes, rear, engine, and other bigger jobs is there a mile/age marker where these need to be changed?

I've owned my 2015 for 6 years now, have 87K miles.
-I have never had a set a tires last longer then 20K. I am on my 5th set now.
-Still on OEM clutch
-Never had to changed brake pads
-Followed maintenance schedule by the book for all fluid changes, always have used Mopar/pennzoil fluids
-Biggest maintenance issue that has ever come up was replacing Valve Cover seals. While there is no direct schedule for them, they began leaking oil on mine around the 75K marker.

[Whopperman]

I've owned my 2015 for 6 years now, have 87K miles.
-I have never had a set a tires last longer then 20K. I am on my 5th set now.
-Still on OEM clutch
-Never had to changed brake pads
-Followed maintenance schedule by the book for all fluid changes, always have used Mopar/pennzoil fluids
-Biggest maintenance issue that has ever come up was replacing Valve Cover seals. While there is no direct schedule for them, they began leaking oil on mine around the 75K marker.

Congrats on the 87k miles, I daily a 15 (not a viper) and I don't even have 80k. What tires do you run and have you tracked it?

[darbgnik]

Do the cup 2s last? My friend said his are either 20 or 25 tread and he just picked his car up with 2k miles and they were put on the car 4 years ago by the original owner

Well I don't imagine they last as long as a street tire, but a guy in a TA in my track group gets at least 3 times the life out of a set of front Cup 2s than I do out of Corsa's, but then also says the front doesn't grip as well with them, which I guess makes sense.

I've run Corsa's for years, bought them by the pallet full when the VOA had the Pirelli deal. But I just spooned on my last set of fronts(bought a few more after the deal because I still had fresh rears), so will probably be looking to try something new. Maybe the Cup 2s? Our chip sealed highways up here make even the Corsa's impossibly noisy, so I don't think I wanna try the R888Rs.....


In contrast to others, in just 20,000 KMS which works out to 12000 miles or so, I've gone through 3 sets of rear tires, maybe a dozen sets of fronts(cant remember for sure), two sets of brake pads, as the Carbotech endurance pads I switched to don't seem to wear at all, and one set of front rotor rings(from mild heat cracks, and the resulting shudder).

But almost all my mileage is driving to the track or on it.

[jns681186]

Congrats on the 87k miles, I daily a 15 (not a viper) and I don't even have 80k. What tires do you run and have you tracked it?

When I first got the car I was dating someone who lived 4 hours from me, so almost every weekend it would get driven 4 hours each way on weekends.....literally almost every weekend. For the 1st 18 months of ownership it was my only car. Which is how I got the higher mileage. I now daily drive a 18 Subaru WRX.

I have never tracked the car.

First Set: P-Zero Corsa (factory set)
Second: P-Zero
Third: P-Zero
Fourth: P Zero Corsa
Fifth: P Zero Corsa (current)

-Jordan

[TheMadMachinist]

20,000 miles on a set of tires on a Viper is fanatic.

Pirelli's = 10,000 miles
Cup 2s = 11,000 miles
R888R's = 8,000 miles
You could add one track weekend to each of the above.
This has been my experience over the last seven or eight year with two Vipers.
Granted there is still a little life left in the front tires when I swap them out.

[SRT_BluByU]

I've found the P-Zeros and P-Zero Corsas to get about the same milage driving the same drive cycle. However, the Corsas have superior grip. I'm surprised they still make the P-Zeros when the P-Zero Corsas are so fantastic for this car in street driving conditions in my opinion.

[SRT_BluByU]

Do you know how often I would have to change clutch, brakes, and car fluids (besides oil)?

Clutch and Brakes are dependent on how you drive.. The rest is all outlined in the owners manual (or the dealer can print you out the service intervals if you dont have the manual and cant find it online - which i think you cna get from the mopar site free).

[Policy Limits]

In addition, I'd invest in a battery tender.

[Whopperman]

Well I don't imagine they last as long as a street tire, but a guy in a TA in my track group gets at least 3 times the life out of a set of front Cup 2s than I do out of Corsa's, but then also says the front doesn't grip as well with them, which I guess makes sense.

I've run Corsa's for years, bought them by the pallet full when the VOA had the Pirelli deal. But I just spooned on my last set of fronts(bought a few more after the deal because I still had fresh rears), so will probably be looking to try something new. Maybe the Cup 2s? Our chip sealed highways up here make even the Corsa's impossibly noisy, so I don't think I wanna try the R888Rs.....


In contrast to others, in just 20,000 KMS which works out to 12000 miles or so, I've gone through 3 sets of rear tires, maybe a dozen sets of fronts(cant remember for sure), two sets of brake pads, as the Carbotech endurance pads I switched to don't seem to wear at all, and one set of front rotor rings(from mild heat cracks, and the resulting shudder).

But almost all my mileage is driving to the track or on it.

That helps, I don't think I'd be tracking the car much (if at all) and if I do get serious about it, you think I should get the Cup 2's with a racing rim? I like to drive spirited, to keep it classy, and usually end up only using half of my tires (I believe it's the outside), do you think it will have less of an effect on the Corsa than it does on my nero all seasons?
For the breaks, do you get warping or over heating at all and do they stop the same as stock?

[Whopperman]

When I first got the car I was dating someone who lived 4 hours from me, so almost every weekend it would get driven 4 hours each way on weekends.....literally almost every weekend. For the 1st 18 months of ownership it was my only car. Which is how I got the higher mileage. I now daily drive a 18 Subaru WRX.

I have never tracked the car.

First Set: P-Zero Corsa (factory set)
Second: P-Zero
Third: P-Zero
Fourth: P Zero Corsa
Fifth: P Zero Corsa (current)

-Jordan

Which set did you like best and was there a big milage difference between the two sets before they fell off?

[Whopperman]

20,000 miles on a set of tires on a Viper is fanatic.

Pirelli's = 10,000 miles
Cup 2s = 11,000 miles
R888R's = 8,000 miles
You could add one track weekend to each of the above.
This has been my experience over the last seven or eight year with two Vipers.
Granted there is still a little life left in the front tires when I swap them out.

How did you like each tire? From this I would most likely go with the cheaper of the Corsa and Cup 2's, but correct me if I am wrong

[Whopperman]

Clutch and Brakes are dependent on how you drive.. The rest is all outlined in the owners manual (or the dealer can print you out the service intervals if you dont have the manual and cant find it online - which i think you cna get from the mopar site free).

I tend to use more engine breaking and lifting for turns than breaks because I am afraid of them warping and deteriorating fast, so I would like to think I am easy on them. For the clutch, I have only reved up the engine while pressing on the clutch maybe 10 times in my life to either launch or do a burnout, I am not really a fan of doing either and only have the urge once in a blue moon.

[Whopperman]

In addition, I'd invest in a battery tender.

I think I am going to get one, but I plan on driving maybe 4 days a week and in the winter, unless there is salt on the ground. Should I keep it plugged in only when I know I won't drive it for a bit or just always keep it plugged in?

[jns681186]

Which set did you like best and was there a big milage difference between the two sets before they fell off?

In almost every case I like the Corsa more. While I have never tracked it, just taking a sharp turn in the Corsa gives you so much more confidence then the regular P-Zero, I could be wrong but it feels like the side wall is much more sturdy on the front tires. The grip they have at take off is much better then regular P-Zero.

I also have to agree w/SRT_BluByu, the mileage you get is nearly identical.

When I first changed out the factory sets for the regular P-Zeros, I got them because I thought they would be more practical tires for the Viper, but I never got any extra mileage on them, at least nothing significant.

I have lived out in Seattle the past two years, and although I never intend on driving the car in the rain, there have been many times I still end up in the rain just because of how the weather is out here here. Even in the rain, the Corsa's still prevail. I wouldn't go as far as saying you can drive aggressively w/them in the rain, but you feel confident enough that you can get home safely without hydro plaining.

Only down side I have w/Corsa is when its cold. If it's below 40 degrees, you either need to keep the car at home or just be very soft on the pedal because grip is significant reduced.

[mikesax]

Like jns68 my 15 seems similar:

55K miles
5 TH set of tires(PZero and Michelin PS cup) each lasts about 12-14000 miles
Don't track it- just oil change every 2500-3000 miles
All fluids changed per manual
Original clutch and brake pads- FUNNY- thought it was just me!
Both window regulators went at 50,000 miles-within a week of each other

Gets driven 10 months of the year on average-ROTTEN Jersey roads too!
Daily for maybe 8 months a year-rain and all- she's reliable 24/7!

Just change the oil every 3K miles-follow the manual-and ENJOY!

[TheMadMachinist]

A couple more Viper tips if they haven't been mentioned. Flush/Change your brake fluid to a brand with a higher boiling point.
Pickup a tire plug kit to keep in the car and check your can of tire sealant that comes with the air pump.
Pickup and front tow hook or a strap you can thread into the front of the car. These cars are next to imposable to get on tilt bed truck without messing something up without one.

[Whopperman]

In almost every case I like the Corsa more. While I have never tracked it, just taking a sharp turn in the Corsa gives you so much more confidence then the regular P-Zero, I could be wrong but it feels like the side wall is much more sturdy on the front tires. The grip they have at take off is much better then regular P-Zero.

I also have to agree w/SRT_BluByu, the mileage you get is nearly identical.

When I first changed out the factory sets for the regular P-Zeros, I got them because I thought they would be more practical tires for the Viper, but I never got any extra mileage on them, at least nothing significant.

I have lived out in Seattle the past two years, and although I never intend on driving the car in the rain, there have been many times I still end up in the rain just because of how the weather is out here here. Even in the rain, the Corsa's still prevail. I wouldn't go as far as saying you can drive aggressively w/them in the rain, but you feel confident enough that you can get home safely without hydro plaining.

Only down side I have w/Corsa is when its cold. If it's below 40 degrees, you either need to keep the car at home or just be very soft on the pedal because grip is significant reduced.

If I am not mistaken, they are stiffer which in addition to the softer compound helps it handle better. Is that like outside 40 degrees or 40 degrees ground temperature, I plan on driving around in the winter, barring salt and snow.

[Whopperman]

Like jns68 my 15 seems similar:

55K miles
5 TH set of tires(PZero and Michelin PS cup) each lasts about 12-14000 miles
Don't track it- just oil change every 2500-3000 miles
All fluids changed per manual
Original clutch and brake pads- FUNNY- thought it was just me!
Both window regulators went at 50,000 miles-within a week of each other

Gets driven 10 months of the year on average-ROTTEN Jersey roads too!
Daily for maybe 8 months a year-rain and all- she's reliable 24/7!

Just change the oil every 3K miles-follow the manual-and ENJOY!

I'm in New York and work in Jersey, these roads are terrible, I plan on driving it about the same amount of time as well. Notice any performance and comfort difference between the two? Also, I work in Noorth Jersey, what part are you in?

[Whopperman]

A couple more Viper tips if they haven't been mentioned. Flush/Change your brake fluid to a brand with a higher boiling point.
Pickup a tire plug kit to keep in the car and check your can of tire sealant that comes with the air pump.
Pickup and front tow hook or a strap you can thread into the front of the car. These cars are next to imposable to get on tilt bed truck without messing something up without one.

They have not, what brand do you use, and is there a storage compartment for it (aside from the middle box/net) or do you just use a bag?

[usmcfieldmp]

I think I am going to get one, but I plan on driving maybe 4 days a week and in the winter, unless there is salt on the ground. Should I keep it plugged in only when I know I won't drive it for a bit or just always keep it plugged in?

If you drive the car regularly, you don't need a battery tender. But if you own multiple cars, then owning a battery tender is a good thing. I hesitantly bought mine 7 or 8 years ago and am now very glad that I did.

[Whopperman]

If you drive the car regularly, you don't need a battery tender. But if you own multiple cars, then owning a battery tender is a good thing. I hesitantly bought mine 7 or 8 years ago and am now very glad that I did.

What about tire cushions?

[darbgnik]

I live in the great white north, so mine gets parked for 6 months plus a year. During those 6 months a year mine sits on a battery tender. Even though it's rarely driven even in summer, it doesn't get plugged in then, and does fine. My factory battery keeled over dead at around 4 years old, not bad.... I also have never used cushions etc on the tires for that period, and noticed no ill effects.

I only have a lot personal experience with the Corsa's so I can't recommend one tire over the other.

[Whopperman]

I live in the great white north, so mine gets parked for 6 months plus a year. During those 6 months a year mine sits on a battery tender. Even though it's rarely driven even in summer, it doesn't get plugged in then, and does fine. My factory battery keeled over dead at around 4 years old, not bad.... I also have never used cushions etc on the tires for that period, and noticed no ill effects.

I only have a lot personal experience with the Corsa's so I can't recommend one tire over the other.

I'm sure that car is also a unicorn up there, I currently don't have a garage at my house so it's nice to know I can get a car port or something to put down without having to run an extension cord laying on the ground, or focusing on rushing to rent a garage with an outlet.

[usmcfieldmp]

A lot of people recommend thicker oil (15w-50) watch I believe Dick Winkles recommended. OEM was apparently 0w-40 to meet some emissions requirement. If you're under warranty, stick with OEM fluid. If not, if use the 15w-50. Dick did design the motor after all.

Interesting. Is this Gen V specific or does it apply to all Gens? Not a lot of 15W50 options out there.

[13COBRA]

Interesting. Is this Gen V specific or does it apply to all Gens? Not a lot of 15W50 options out there.

I always ran 15W-50 Mobile One in my Gen IV.

[TheMadMachinist]

They have not, what brand do you use, and is there a storage compartment for it (aside from the middle box/net) or do you just use a bag?
Harbor fright for the plug kit and I just found the biggest can of fix a flat. We have huge tires.
I just store it on the passenger side in the back stuffed in the corner with a couple micro fiber towels.

If you go on a long drive. I have heard it's good idea to bring along your own bottle of glass cleaner and some paper towels. Those squeegees at gas stations can be tough on windshields.

[darbgnik]

I always ran 15W-50 Mobile One in my Gen IV.

I've run 15W-50 even back to my old Gen 3(a quart or more extra in a Gen 3 to prevent oil starvation), but that's with the track in mind. Honestly though, my Viper will probably never be started up in temperatures that make 15W-50 too thick anyway....

[ViperNC]

Prefix actually recommends 15W50 for the 9.0 L setup and Scott stated with the better internals it likes the thicker oil. As for tires, I couldn't wait to get rid of the Corsas. The car tended to skip around in hard braking zones with those on, but once I switched to the Sport Cup 2's that problem went away quickly. The original owner only put 1900 miles on my car and the Corsa's looked brand new. 6000 miles later they were corded and dead. Sport Cups now have two track days on them and are wearing evenly with no drop off in performance.

[usmcfieldmp]

I picked up 3 gallons of Redline 15W50 at Summit yesterday. Looking forward to seeing how the car likes it. I don't know what the previous owner had put in the car, but my understand was that he just went to a quick lube sort of place, so I imagine it's the factory recommended weight.

[VENOM-TA]

There's also the non Corsa Pirelli P-Zeros, which get a bad rap in some circles, but I replaced my Corsas with them and an quite happy with them for street tires. Toyo R888 if you want the best gripping street tire at the expense of noise and wet weather traction.
For all vipers Gen 3-5, the window regulators suck and will break. When they do, don't buy new ones, send them out to be rebuilt with metal tubes and they'll last a lifetime. Also cheaper to rebuild than buying new. Also the window bosses have failed for lots of people. Mine didn't, but I replaced then with the DSE metal bosses when I had my window out.
Don't let the oil run low. Not every car burbs oil but a lot do. Might have to do with forged pistons? Either way just keep the oil full and no worries. A lot of people recommend thicker oil (15w-50) watch I believe Dick Winkles recommended. OEM was apparently 0w-40 to meet some emissions requirement. If you're under warranty, stick with OEM fluid. If not, if use the 15w-50. Dick did design the motor after all.

www.viperpartsrack.com for JonB
www.dougshelbyengineering.com for the window bosses
www.powerwindowrepair.com for the regulators

Good luck!
Mobil 1 10W-40 high mileage is what he recommends the most for street duty, 15W-50 is ok, but he prefers the other.. I had a FB messenger convo with him about it..48807

[13COBRA]

Oil weight will depend more on temperature than it will for street/track duty.

[VENOM-TA]

Oil weight will depend more on temperature than it will for street/track duty.

Right.. this is what he recommended, he designed the engine so I’ll take his advice..

[13COBRA]

Right.. this is what he recommended, he designed the engine so I’ll take his advice..

I'm not saying not to follow his advice. You can do whatever you please.

If you live in Texas, I'd be running 15-50, if you live in Minnesota, I'd run 10-40.

[VENOM-TA]

I'm not saying not to follow his advice. You can do whatever you please.

If you live in Texas, I'd be running 15-50, if you live in Minnesota, I'd run 10-40.
I’m in Texas, car had 15W-50 in it when I bought it, reached out to him for advice before I changed it and that’s what he said.. I’m not telling anyone what to run but just chiming in with my experience/recommendation…
He didn’t down play 15W-50 as he said it’s ok, but for my application he recommended 10W-40..