Another TA Track Review

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03-28-2014
TrackratViper

Another TA Track Review

I took my new TA to Sebring last weekend and thought I would offer a few comments. I come from years of SCCA racing and more recently a modified Corvette Z06 with a 661 HP Katech engine. This is my first Viper so I hope I am not stating the obvious here.

Sebring is fast but quite bumpy. I assumed that the "race" setting on the shocks would be way too stiff. I was wrong and it seemed to be just about right.

I have an extra set of wheels with Hoosiers mounted, but I chose to leave the stock tires on to learn the car. I was pleasantly surprised with the level of grip they offered. No complaints here.

In the first two sessions of the day I left all of the nannys on. In the second one the check engine light came on and the car went into limp home mode. When I got back it the paddock I restarted the car and it seemed normal. The scanner said I had an intermittent miss in cylinder number two. For the next sessions I put it in "Sport" mode and the check engine light did not return. The car seemed fine. Anybody else have this occur? Any suggestions?

I thought the seating position was fine and have no complaints in that area. No problems at all with heel and toe downshifting.

As the two day event wore on, I gradually improved my laps times, but they are no where near what I think the car is capable of. The car is going to take a while to get used to. It seemed very stable, but is definitely more difficult to drive than the Corvette. That is not a negative comment. I just think the learning curve will be a little steeper.

The brakes were pretty good, but I am sure they could be improved with a different set of brake pads. This is not a surprise as I am sure SRT had to compromise on them for street use. I have a set of Carbotechs that I will install along with some Motul 600 brake fluid.

All in all I am happy with the car. I love the styling and aggressive look. The performance potential is certainly there and a better driver could achieve it without too much effort. I tend to be a slow learner but will get there in time.

I loved the Corvette, but after so many years with it wanted to do something different. The Viper is very different. To me that is a good thing. I am however going to have to get used to the lack of aftermarket go fast parts compared to the Corvette.
03-28-2014
BlknBlu

very good post, it is like you have owned a VIper for years. It appears in a short time you get it. May need to have the dealer check out the reason it went into limp mode. that is a protective measure to not cause any more harm to the car.

Welcome

Bruce
03-28-2014
100

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackratViper

I took my new TA to Sebring last weekend and thought I would offer a few comments. I come from years of SCCA racing and more recently a modified Corvette Z06 with a 661 HP Katech engine. This is my first Viper so I hope I am not stating the obvious here.

Sebring is fast but quite bumpy. I assumed that the "race" setting on the shocks would be way too stiff. I was wrong and it seemed to be just about right.

I have an extra set of wheels with Hoosiers mounted, but I chose to leave the stock tires on to learn the car. I was pleasantly surprised with the level of grip they offered. No complaints here.

In the first two sessions of the day I left all of the nannys on. In the second one the check engine light came on and the car went into limp home mode. When I got back it the paddock I restarted the car and it seemed normal. The scanner said I had an intermittent miss in cylinder number two. For the next sessions I put it in "Sport" mode and the check engine light did not return. The car seemed fine. Anybody else have this occur? Any suggestions?

I thought the seating position was fine and have no complaints in that area. No problems at all with heel and toe downshifting.

As the two day event wore on, I gradually improved my laps times, but they are no where near what I think the car is capable of. The car is going to take a while to get used to. It seemed very stable, but is definitely more difficult to drive than the Corvette. That is not a negative comment. I just think the learning curve will be a little steeper.

The brakes were pretty good, but I am sure they could be improved with a different set of brake pads. This is not a surprise as I am sure SRT had to compromise on them for street use. I have a set of Carbotechs that I will install along with some Motul 600 brake fluid.

All in all I am happy with the car. I love the styling and aggressive look. The performance potential is certainly there and a better driver could achieve it without too much effort. I tend to be a slow learner but will get there in time.

I loved the Corvette, but after so many years with it wanted to do something different. The Viper is very different. To me that is a good thing. I am however going to have to get used to the lack of aftermarket go fast parts compared to the Corvette.

There are OLD pilots and there are BOLD pilots. Nice review.
03-28-2014
ViperGeorge

I would ask your Viper Tech about Tooth Error Correction (TEC) calibration. I'm told that several cars have had a problem with a bad calibration. This causes the misfire detection system to misread cylinders. Had this with my 14 GTS. SRT had to walk my Viper Tech through re-calibration since the dealer computers do not support this properly for the Viper in the latest software release. The tech has to look at airflow at the same time they are on the TEC screen. New software versions don't allow this. I was getting a misfire CEL every couple of days but it now seems fixed. Dick Winkles worked with my tech to get it calibrated.
03-28-2014
ACRucrazy

Love hearing about these TA sales and reviews! This should be a clue to SRT in my opinion of what the Viper market wants.
Congrats on an awesome car and look forward to more feedback after you get more seat time!
03-28-2014
FLATOUT

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACRucrazy

Love hearing about these TA sales and reviews! This should be a clue to SRT in my opinion of what the Viper market wants.
Congrats on an awesome car and look forward to more feedback after you get more seat time!

Bingo.
03-28-2014
V10LEE

I track my Vipers,and also track a 2010 Z06. What suspension do you have on your Z?
Congrats on the new car too..
03-29-2014
VENOM V

I had some sort of engine misfire warning pop up during a track event, but it has not returned. It did not go into limp mode, so maybe it was a different warning. I went to the dealer, they checked out everything, all systems were fine. They cleared the code, problem has not resurfaced and I've put another two hard track days on it and 2,000 miles since the warning.
03-29-2014
TrackratViper

Quote:

Originally Posted by V10LEE

I track my Vipers,and also track a 2010 Z06. What suspension do you have on your Z?
Congrats on the new car too..

The Z06 has Pfadt coilovers, swaybars and polyurthane bushings. I have Stoptech Calipers and rotors with Hawk DTC70 pads.

I really the look of your ACR.
03-29-2014
gutterworks129

I like the review. I thought it came with track compound pads and heavy-duty rotors?
03-30-2014
Capt Van

Hey Track Rat, I was at CAAP when your snake was being built. Here is a couple pictures of # 1 and 2 on the line.

:t15197:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psefd94a7b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps2c7b4d9c.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps2916b8bd.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psb720fb24.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps04c2b3a6.jpg
03-30-2014
TrackratViper

Thanks for the awesome photos Capt Van. There are no Viper dealers in the Florida panhandle. Can you recommend any in South or Central FL for services issues? Thx
03-31-2014
Capt Van

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackratViper

Thanks for the awesome photos Capt Van. There are no Viper dealers in the Florida panhandle. Can you recommend any in South or Central FL for services issues? Thx

You're welcome. I think the pictures of the x brace may actually be your car.

I live in SW Florida and don't know where I would get serious service. I know there is a dealer in the Orlando area but I don't know anything about it. There is a dealer in the Miami area that the South Florida guys like, try contacting some of them.

Next time you are headed down in the Ft Myers area drop me a note, there is a great place for lunch right off 75 at exit 161 Muscle Car City, cool place.

Are you anywhere close to Destin? We get up there every year.
03-31-2014
TrackratViper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Van

You're welcome. I think the pictures of the x brace may actually be your car.

I live in SW Florida and don't know where I would get serious service. I know there is a dealer in the Orlando area but I don't know anything about it. There is a dealer in the Miami area that the South Florida guys like, try contacting some of them.

Next time you are headed down in the Ft Myers area drop me a note, there is a great place for lunch right off 75 at exit 161 Muscle Car City, cool place.

Are you anywhere close to Destin? We get up there every year.

I live in Destin. Let me know when you are headed this way sometime. We have some great seafood places here.
03-31-2014
Capt Van

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackratViper

We have some great seafood places here.

Boy, do I know it! There is a sushi bar on the main drag close to Bass Pro that is outstanding.

We used to stay at the state park across from wally world in our tour bus, but I sold it last year so might look for a place to rent up your way for a month or so. Any suggestion on who to contact?
Thanks
Van
03-31-2014
TrackratViper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Van

Boy, do I know it! There is a sushi bar on the main drag close to Bass Pro that is outstanding.

We used to stay at the state park across from wally world in our tour bus, but I sold it last year so might look for a place to rent up your way for a month or so. Any suggestion on who to contact?
Thanks
Van

Van;
I used "Vacation Rentals by Owner" and their website (VBRO.com) on one occasion and had a good experience. It bypasses the rental agencies and might save you a little money. As far as rental agencies go, Resort Quest is the big dog. I have not used them, but they seem to be busy. If these don't work for you I know a fellow who has a rental house in Destiny East. Let me know and I can check on its availability. Its not on the beach, but it is not far away.

Royce
04-06-2014
Bruce H.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrackratViper

In the first two sessions of the day I left all of the nannys on. In the second one the check engine light came on and the car went into limp home mode. When I got back it the paddock I restarted the car and it seemed normal. The scanner said I had an intermittent miss in cylinder number two. For the next sessions I put it in "Sport" mode and the check engine light did not return. The car seemed fine. Anybody else have this occur? Any suggestions?

The brakes were pretty good, but I am sure they could be improved with a different set of brake pads. This is not a surprise as I am sure SRT had to compromise on them for street use. I have a set of Carbotechs that I will install along with some Motul 600 brake fluid.

Congrats on your TA, and thanks for posting your review. Please follow-up with info about codes, track pads and tires, etc. There are a number of other new owners that will be tracking theirs soon and we're eager to hear from trail blazers like you and VENOM V. Thanks again, and looking forward to following your posts.

Bruce