New motor arrived today.

[outnumbered]

Should be done early next week.

[GBS]

I hope it all works out to your satisfaction.

[swexlin]

Cool, keep us posted.

[Aspirations57]

Hope the install goes without a hitch. Now you get the fun of breaking in a new engine:)

[outnumbered]

I hope it all works out to your satisfaction.

If it all does, then we at least have another dealer in the south that can be relied upon to do the work that is expected on these cars.

[viper04]

Nice, keep us posted.

[gpearl]

Good luck with all of this.

[CarolinaViper]

Should be done early next week.

Hope it get done in time for ToD, won't take you long to break it in.

[PatrickB]

A Dragon needs to be tamed, have those guys get that motor installed and get her broke in.. :D

[outnumbered]

A Dragon needs to be tamed, have those guys get that motor installed and get her broke in.. :D

Patrick,

I don't think I will have any problem making the Dragon, and I'm pretty happy about that.

[FLATOUT]

Happy to hear you are moving forward brother! Would love to see pics of the progress :)

[outnumbered]

Happy to hear you are moving forward brother! Would love to see pics of the progress :)

I may be able to get John the Viper Tech to take some. I'm leaving for TN again in the morning, so I'm hopeful the install is completed while I'm gone.

[timberwolf]

I may be able to get John the Viper Tech to take some. I'm leaving for TN again in the morning, so I'm hopeful the install is completed while I'm gone.

While the motor is new install a magetic drain plug to grab any bits that flake off during break in! Looking for one myself at 460 miles

[outnumbered]

While the motor is new install a magetic drain plug to grab any bits that flake off during break in! Looking for one myself at 460 miles

I will do that.

[Jack B]

There is a half circle magnet that goes around the oil filter. I have always used one on the viper. It is not your normal magnet, I believe it has a 100 lbs of pulling force.



I will do that.

[Viperawi]

Should be done early next week.

I just wanted to say that I admire the way you are dealing with this situation.
Surely it takes a lot of patience and emotions in this journey but you are handling it positively !

Keep it up and I Hope you will be more than satisfied.

[outnumbered]

I just wanted to say that I admire the way you are dealing with this situation.
Surely it takes a lot of patience and emotions in this journey but you are handling it positively !

Keep it up and I Hope you will be more than satisfied.

It has definitely tested me.

[GBS]

It has definitely tested me.

It's easy to tell from you posts how much you care about the car. Needing the motor replaced would have tested anyone. It's a beautiful car. Hope it's back on the road soon.

[KB Viper]

Congrats, I'm pulling for ya

[timberwolf]

There is a half circle magnet that goes around the oil filter. I have always used one on the viper. It is not your normal magnet, I believe it has a 100 lbs of pulling force.

Oh that is awesome! I'm getting one!

[timberwolf]

It would be great if you could somehow buy back your old motor, and build that one up over time!! I know they need it back, but it would be great to help assuage your heart ache...

[GBS]

There is a half circle magnet that goes around the oil filter. I have always used one on the viper. It is not your normal magnet, I believe it has a 100 lbs of pulling force.

Is this the Oil Filter Magnet you are referring to?

10544

[Special Ed]

Brake in smake in. DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT !!

[outnumbered]

My dealer is fantastic:

[ViperSmith]

Nice of them to keep you updated and be working on it right away.

[Crotalidae]

Glad to hear things are moving in the right direction!!!

[C.J]

My dealer is fantastic:

Which dealer is doing the swap?

[outnumbered]

Keffer Jeep Dodge in Charlotte

[outnumbered]

Done. Willing to bet that is a record.

[01sapphirebob]

Done. Willing to bet that is a record.

Thats awesome!!!!!

[ViperSmith]

nice!

- - - Updated - - -

I know it sucks, but 2 weeks turn around time isn't bad at all, imo.

[swexlin]

Congrats. Hope they didn't go too fast, and not careful. Fingers crossed this is good one!

[darbgnik]

Awesome news

[viper04]

Very nice, hope it all works out in the end.

[viperdriver5150]

Should be done early next week.

CONGRATULATIONS!! Could not be happier for you.

[G37Sam]

Fckin sweet!!! Congrats man!

[outnumbered]

Everything is done; no leaks, no codes. Car will be driven tomorrow to go through its learn cycle. I will then pick up the car Saturday morning. Hopefully this chapter is closed.

[KB Viper]

Everything is done; no leaks, no codes. Car will be driven tomorrow to go through its learn cycle. I will then pick up the car Saturday morning. Hopefully this chapter is closed.

That's awesome! Do you know if your new motor has the new style throttle bodies and the 5hp bump?

[outnumbered]

That's awesome! Do you know if your new motor has the new style throttle bodies and the 5hp bump?

The new motor did not come with the TB's, so we reused mine

[outnumbered]

If anyone in the southeast is looking for a competent, experienced and trustworthy dealer, let me know and I will put you in direct contact with the service director (not a service adviser). For those of you that have followed my story, you know that this dealer was new for me, and that I have nothing to gain from promoting their business. With all of the dealer "horror" stories that I have read, I want to help owners turn to one that will respect your car, and provide you with the best service possible.

[swexlin]

It's nice to hear POSITIVE comments. You have kept your cool through this whole process. Let us know how the shakedown drives go.

[Jack B]

The pcm MAF parameters were linked to the plastic tb's. The pcm probably would set a code with the metal tb's.

The 5hp was not a physical change, it was a paper change.



That's awesome! Do you know if your new motor has the new style throttle bodies and the 5hp bump?

[C.J]

Glad she's back together, and really happy to hear you found a competent dealer that treated you right. :)

[outnumbered]

Final Thoughts

I picked the car up yesterday afternoon. Here are the facts:

* The car was spotless. They had allowed me to come in an clean the car prior to the motor coming out, but the car did get dusty while sitting in the shop. Per my request, they sprayed the car off with a pressure washer (I instructed them to refrain from using any chemicals) and thoroughly dried it down; including door jams, trunk lid and under the hood. There were no water spots period. This may seem trivial, but it is a testament for how well the car was cared for. Knowing that the car was fixed and that it was clean, made for a much more enjoyable ride home.

* The new motor did not come with my VIN # stamped on the block. It has what appears to be a generic number, without the last several digits included. Most of you know this was a concern for me, however most felt like this would not be an issue. At the end of the day, here is where I stand. Would I have liked to have had the same number? Yes. Am I going to lose sleep over it? No. Historically, if you look at when matching numbers were important (60's, 70's, etc.) I think it was more because someone could take a 350 out of one car and make it fit in another (e.g. a 350 out of a Buick and make it fit in a Vette). Everything would bolt up, but the compression, bore, or whatever was not the same. With the Viper, the motor is undeniable. It is unique to the car, and someone doesn't have to worry about whether a replacement motor actually is /was designated for a Viper. I don't know if that logic is flawed, or if I feel that way to help make my situation better, but it is where I am at on the topic. I have all of the documentation from Dodge on the replacement; which will go in my book of other events, such as oils changes, service work, and any other sticker or bit of information I have on the car. More than anything, I have piece of mind, in the sense that my new motor is not included with any run of bad motors that Dodge may have had. Let's fast forward 10 years and say I decide to sell the car, and a potential buyer is comparing my car with another Limited Edition that has, say 4000 miles on the original motor. Knowing what we all know, are you going to be more comfortable buying mine, knowing that the motor has already been replaced, or are you going to choose the other with a suspect motor, which now is out of warranty? I'm not looking to create a debate, because at this point, resale value or anything else would be speculative. I'm fine with what I have.

* You cannot tell that the car just went through a motor replacement. Not only is it clean, but there are no visible signs that anything has been done; there are no rattles or noises as a result of the replacement, and there are absolutely no driving issues associated with the replacement. The car still feels new--as it should.

* I didn't walk into the dealership at the time of the problem demanding some type of restitution. At the end of the day it was a disappointment and an inconvenience. Ironically, I have never purchased a $100k car, and I have never had this type of problem before with a vehicle purchase. So as luck would have it, the first time I spend the money, I have an issue. Nonetheless, I just wanted the car repaired. I think any consideration on what Dodge does "above and beyond" comes down to your specific situation and the Dealership. My dealership was overly sympathetic with my situation, and therefore was extremely diligent and persistent in trying to get answers and quick action. Dodge ultimately made my monthly payment, which is over $1500. I don't know if my dealer "drove" this, or if Dodge took it upon themselves to do this, but they didn't have to, and did. I don't know that I could ask or expect anything more. I'm a reasonable guy, and if I look at it from the standpoint that I didn't have the car, but yet didn't have to pay for the car, I haven't lost anything. Dodge if you are reading this, I think you made a very respectable decision.

* Again, I have to thank AJ--the Service Director at Keffer Jeep Dodge in Charlotte NC. He dealt with my frustration, and demanded resolution from Dodge. I was required to do nothing. He kept me in the loop, but out of the turmoil that may have existed behind the scene. I could not have asked for a better experience, considering my situation. It's nice to know that based on the experience of some on this site, that I have world class Viper service right in my back yard.

[ViperJon]

I wouldn't give a moments thought about not having matching numbers.
These cars will never be valuable collectors cars.

Do you have a fresh new three year warranty on the motor and five on the drive train?

[outnumbered]

I wouldn't give a moments thought about not having matching numbers.
These cars will never be valuable collectors cars.

Do you have a fresh new three year warranty on the motor and five on the drive train?

I do.

[outnumbered]

One last thing.....Did I mention I will be driving the car all day today???:car-smiley-003:

[Canadian venom]

Kudos for Dodge and good for you. Now go out there and:drive:

[viper04]

Good to hear! I think in the end if you are happy that's what matters. I also had a replacement motor on my 04 when I had it. In the end it is always the way you are treated overall that matter Dealer/Service ect.

[Crotalidae]

Great to hear you have had a positive timely outcome!!!

[Aspirations57]

I think you, your dealer ,and Dodge all handeled the matter professionally. Good to hear your enjoying your Viper again and lets hope for a long time.

[ViperSmith]

I wouldn't give a moments thought about not having matching numbers.
These cars will never be valuable collectors cars.

Do you have a fresh new three year warranty on the motor and five on the drive train?

If anything, there maybe more assurance that you have a "safe" car if the engine has been replaced knowing what we know now that there is this defect out there.

[ViperJon]

If anything, there maybe more assurance that you have a "safe" car if the engine has been replaced knowing what we know now that there is this defect out there.

That's a good point. Hopefully someday we will find out the extents of the "defects" and the cause.
Maybe the replaced ones will be the ones you want in a used Gen V when shopping......not funny....:o
Meanwhile, whereas I used to check my oil every few hundred miles I check it every single time I come back home.
Every. Time.

[darbgnik]

Maybe the replaced ones will be the ones you want in a used Gen V when shopping.

That may be true. In the Hummer community, the turbo diesel blocks from 1996 thru 2000 were all susceptible to cracking. So anyone in the know, whose looking for those years, looks for, and hopes it has a replacement upgraded block. It increases value.

On the flip side, a lot of guys in that community actually use theirs as intended, and will pay for reliability over factory original........

[outnumbered]

That may be true. In the Hummer community, the turbo diesel blocks from 1996 thru 2000 were all susceptible to cracking. So anyone in the know, whose looking for those years, looks for, and hopes it has a replacement upgraded block. It increases value.

On the flip side, a lot of guys in that community actually use theirs as intended, and will pay for reliability over factory original........

+1 for reliability

[outnumbered]

It was brought to my attention by a wise soul that I had failed to mention the name of the Viper Tech that worked on my car. His name is John Erickson, and without him, and the knowledge that he possesses, my repair would not have gone as smoothly as it did.

[swexlin]

Great to hear about the good ones. So how did your day driving go? I did about 100 miles today myself - even in some...the "r"-word.....rain! It didn't melt. It did however, get kind of filthy! Well, it'll clean up!

[outnumbered]

Put about 300 miles on her today. I actually think this motor runs smoother. Getting anxious to go full throttle.

[swexlin]

Put about 300 miles on her today. I actually think this motor runs smoother. Getting anxious to go full throttle.
Excellent. 300 miles is a good day. I never want to get out of the car when I get home. As much as I liked my 03, even when I did 100 miles of turnpike driving to Carlisle, I was ready for a break. This car feels limited only by my aging bladder, LOL!

[outnumbered]

I have put 500 miles on the new motor, so I took it in to the dealership yesterday to get the oil changed. Everything looks good. There are absolutely no quirks, leaks or other issues....nothing. When I told this to my Viper Tech (John), he looked at me with a smirk and said "Ron I didn't expect any". You have to love confidence.

So, after the oil change, I told John I was going to "drop the hammer" (actually going to practice Nine Ball's shifting technique's). The car is strong; definitely stronger than the previous motor. Although I will never be able to confirm this, I would estimate 20 hp. It run's smoother, and the rpm's do climb noticeably faster.

I am definitely going to move forward with headers, but I have to admit, I am a little hesitant on a tune at this point; given my experience. I can only imagine the warranty issues I would have had if a tune had been installed. I will probably wait another 5000 miles, and rethink it.

[ViperJon]

That great news. Was it ever determined precisely what caused the first motors destruction?

[outnumbered]

No, but I am fairly certain it was blockage somewhere. I am going to see if my service director can get any new details after they do their evaluation, but I am not holding my breath. I have also requested to get the original block back. I have to assume it is worth more to me than them. That is not likely to happen, but I thought I would try.

[Viperawi]

Good to hear! I think in the end if you are happy that's what matters. I also had a replacement motor on my 04 when I had it. In the end it is always the way you are treated overall that matter Dealer/Service ect.

I totally agree on this. And on top of it, I believe the way the customer react to something like this is always a key factor to lead to this result ! in which (Outnumbered) nailed it. Keeping positive and patient is not easy.

Great news and wish you all the best with the new motor.

[gpearl]

I have put 500 miles on the new motor, so I took it in to the dealership yesterday to get the oil changed. Everything looks good. There are absolutely no quirks, leaks or other issues....nothing. When I told this to my Viper Tech (John), he looked at me with a smirk and said "Ron I didn't expect any". You have to love confidence.

So, after the oil change, I told John I was going to "drop the hammer" (actually going to practice Nine Ball's shifting technique's). The car is strong; definitely stronger than the previous motor. Although I will never be able to confirm this, I would estimate 20 hp. It run's smoother, and the rpm's do climb noticeably faster.

I am definitely going to move forward with headers, but I have to admit, I am a little hesitant on a tune at this point; given my experience. I can only imagine the warranty issues I would have had if a tune had been installed. I will probably wait another 5000 miles, and rethink it.

Glad it's all worked out. You deserve it.

[KB Viper]

I have put 500 miles on the new motor, so I took it in to the dealership yesterday to get the oil changed. Everything looks good. There are absolutely no quirks, leaks or other issues....nothing. When I told this to my Viper Tech (John), he looked at me with a smirk and said "Ron I didn't expect any". You have to love confidence.

So, after the oil change, I told John I was going to "drop the hammer" (actually going to practice Nine Ball's shifting technique's). The car is strong; definitely stronger than the previous motor. Although I will never be able to confirm this, I would estimate 20 hp. It run's smoother, and the rpm's do climb noticeably faster.

I am definitely going to move forward with headers, but I have to admit, I am a little hesitant on a tune at this point; given my experience. I can only imagine the warranty issues I would have had if a tune had been installed. I will probably wait another 5000 miles, and rethink it.

Awesome news, you should confident in the having the dealer install the arrow PCM. The will drive amazing and with headers give you and exhaust note that will intoxicate you. You will shift less and drive more, it's absolutely amazing.