Can You Spot the Buzzkill in the SRT Viper GTS-R's Engine Bay?

[100]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/auto-blog/can-you-spot-the-heartbreak-in-this-srt-viper-race-car-photo


http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/UV/SRT-1.jpg

Seen here are the mechanical innards of the SRT Viper GTS-R that campaigned at last weekend's Sports Car Showcase in Long Beach, California, as part of the IMSA Tudor SportsCar Championship.

Any proper gearhead can appreciate the high-end hardware on display in this million dollar plus race machine: the outrageously sophisticated inerter suspension components, which run around $12,000 per corner (also found on Formula 1 cars), the massive carbon fiber intake runners which feed the hulking V10, and the wiring and electrical systems which link up the car's bespoke electronics systems (which comprise approximately $250,000 worth of the vehicle's total value).

So, what's not to like with this otherwise compelling assemblage of motor pr0n?

Take a closer look up front, just aft of the bumper:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/zG/SRT-2.jpg

These two trumpet-like bolt-ons are sonic restrictors (aka, restrictor plates), which are designed to take the engine's awe-inspiring potential (in the case of the stock Viper, 650 horsepower's worth) and cut it down to race regulations (in this case, a relatively measly 500 horsepower) by depriving the engine of valuable intake air. As a result, the angry Viper's engine output becomes on par with class competitors like the BMW Z4 GTE, Chevy Corvette C7.R, and Porsche 911 RSR.

Is it sad to neuter such a fire-spitting machine into a shadow of its former self, on the racetrack (of all places)? Ask any red-blooded speed fanatic, and they'll respond with a resounding, "Hell yes." But this time, the answer is actually a weird, ironic inversion of the typically technology embracing, go-fast phrase: "Because race car."

[Allan]

I think it sucks that they have to restrict the car's power to the level of the other cars.

Why should the Viper have to suffer a power penalty just because the other cars are so lame?

[Fatboy 18]

Could not agree more, I know the car would get disqualified but wouldn't it be fun to start a race with them on then into the race remove them and show them what the car can really do :D

It would be worth it just to see the looks on the other teams faces :D And take the Chequered Flag ;)

[Nine Ball]

Agreed. Factory racing should allow each car to run the same horsepower as their factory street cars. Viper always gets saddled with weight and restrictors vs the weak-sauce competition.

[BlknBlu]

also a smaller siplacement in the race car. 8.0 liter i beleive.

Bruce

[Coloviper]

Can't believe there is not a 100% stock vehicle race series? I think that would sell cars and be real cool to watch. As cool as the actual race cars are as well as their untapped potential, limiting to 8.0L and 500 hp is a joke these days. When family station wagons have more power on the street, well think about that.

Sounds like a revolution is needed. Sorry but restrictor plates and displacement limitations are NOT the American way. Who are the people that approve and write the rules for this?

[ACRucrazy]

Sounds like a revolution is needed. Sorry but restrictor plates and displacement limitations are NOT the American way. Who are the people that approve and write the rules for this?

Sure it is.

http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/9272851-large.jpg

[Bill Pemberton]

After watching the race at Laguna Seca yesterday , hopefully those in charge will see there is something wrong when the V10 can not keep up with even a Privateer Porsche running on Falken tires. The restriction of the Viper has gone on since day one, while rules for the Vette and Porsche have always been super lenient. About time to give it enough air to breathe and not strangle it out of competition!!

[FLATOUT]

After watching the race at Laguna Seca yesterday , hopefully those in charge will see there is something wrong when the V10 can not keep up with even a Privateer Porsche running on Falken tires. The restriction of the Viper has gone on since day one, while rules for the Vette and Porsche have always been super lenient. About time to give it enough air to breathe and not strangle it out of competition!!


Yeah when you have a team that is conistantly finishing mid pack with excessive restrictions, why not relax the restrictions. I don't get it, which is why I just can't dive head first into this type of racing.

[RTTTTed]

The Viper started racing Lemans and Grand Prix without restrictors or the extra required 500#. Those limits were added to the OLD Vipers to keep them from winning every race - as they usually did back in the late 90s.

Watching the World Challenge Sportscar race at MMP (Utah) during VOI 11 it was great to see Kumo blow away the competition with the Competition coupe. The Volvos that were 2nd place cars were turbocharged and race only engines running as much as 30psi boost. (Allowed to run custom built racing engines to be competitive.

The world runs on MONEY. There isn't enough Viper fans to creat the required billions of dollars to make it attractive to run F1 organizations so the rules are made to (unfairly) allow cars that LOOK like street cars to race in the big leagues with the Supercars like corvette, Viper, Porshe and Ferraris. What's surprizing is that people actually think that the winning car is faster than a STOCK Viper. This is how falacies such as Hondas being able to beat Vipers were invented. Promoted by the big organizatiions to make money.

The ACRX is the car built showing the true potential of a stock Viper that is only modified for SAFETY. Without the "Junk" money there wouldn't even be a Grand Prix or Lemans. Chrysler does sponsor NARRA and we are happy about that - are we not?