First Viper H town

[Vegaskid]

So I finally got my 2016 ACR last week and figured I’d do a quick introduction since I’ll sure I’ll be spending some time on these boards.
After looking around for months for a new car to replace my Hondararri (07 Minivan), I saw the ACR and fell in love with car. The fact it was so unique compared to everything else on the road coupled with the aggressive aero made it perfect for me.

I looked online for a while and found a used car with engine modifications. I toiled with the idea of buying new vs used due to the many concerns with engine reliability and warranty issues. Ultimately I decided that the money I saved would be set aside for an engine rebuild in the event of mechanical issues. I also considered how others have been given the run around by FCA even if the warranty claim is valid. For me, it’s not worth arguing with FCA and having my car potentially in the shop for weeks, only to possibly have another shoddy engine sent to me. Figured I just rebuild with Arrow and be good to go.

Car was delivered to Viper Exchange which happens to be 15 min from the casa. Being a used car, I talked to Andy and asked him to look over the car, remove some aero, change oil / rear diff fluids and make sure she was good to go. We got it up on the lift and about 3 minutes into the inspection they found a crack in the front rim. Oh snap! That’s not good. Fortunately for me, Andy had a set of wheels that just came available the week before so I bought 2 new fronts and had them replaced. Guess I’ll make a stool or something out of the broken one and clean up the other for a spare. Kudos to the original owner who did right and reimbursed me for the cracked wheel. Big props to Andy / Morgan who took the time to answer all my questions and got me on my way.

As for the Car:
2016 ACR, Stage II H&C with Arrow PCM, Belanger Exhaust, Shelby Catch Can, Shelby Airbox Heat Shield, SS brake lines, Under drive pulley, Carbon X brace, carbon Aero Kit, and Teamtech harness.

First impressions: When comparing it to my 15’Z06, the car is an absolute beast. I was looking for a car with a “race” feel and the ACR achieves that to a T. The suspension is stiff, handling is crisp, and not being supercharged you can feel the engine through the steering wheel. Add in the cam and the car reminds me of my old 67’ Lemans. The clutch was a bit of a challenge at first; not sure if it’s the cam package but I quickly realized that you need to give it a bit more gas and trying to go slow and steady is not really an option. Tech is more intuitive than my stupid Q7; speakers are garbage, seats aren’t too bad but need some lumbar support, visibility is fine, shifters is solid; overall good stuff.

I love this car…plain and simple…can’t really say it any other way.

I’m hoping to meet some folks here in the Houston area and will hopefully see you guys on the track.

Excuse the crappy pics. I haven’t had a chance to get the wife to snap some quality stuff yet.

[1of1TA1.0]

Where are you in H-Town, you say 15 mins from VE, I'm 10 mins, let's get that thing out to the track. I will be going next weekend if the weather holds.

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And GREAT LOOKING ACR!

[dethred]

Thanks for posting. Jealous! And we need more stories and thoughts like this.

[Vegaskid]

Where are you in H-Town, you say 15 mins from VE, I'm 10 mins, let's get that thing out to the track. I will be going next weekend if the weather holds.

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And GREAT LOOKING ACR!

I'm in Cypress. Plan on making it out to COTA with my neighbor who's an instructor, but it won't be till next year. This year is booked solid and I'm tied up till end of February with other stuff...busy life with 5 kids..lol..

[Apxnv]

You sure found a great one!!

[C5Longhorn]

congrats, I'm in Cypress and may see you around in my Gen 2.

Rick

[1of1TA1.0]

I'll be at VE tomorrow AM, have an appt to get the alignment redone. Hope you show up while I'm there. I get the too busy thing and sure we will make it to an event together at some point.

[Magzx12r]

Welcome to the Viper Club. I commented on your post on the MH forum. I traded in a GTR for my Viper and haven't looked back since.

[swexlin]

Nice car and welcome. I like your thinking about setting the money aside - good choice, for buying a modded car. Good luck with it!

[Vegaskid]

We'll have to get together for sure

[Purple Haze]

Great car sounds like you'll enjoy it!

[Vegaskid]

I'll be at VE tomorrow AM, have an appt to get the alignment redone. Hope you show up while I'm there. I get the too busy thing and sure we will make it to an event together at some point.

Pesky work.. Might swing by at lunch..

[FLATOUT]

Great meeting and really enjoyed your excitement. Always fun watching people take delivery of these cars.

See you this afternoon.

Also my favorite part the other day was watching all of your kids sign the Gen V hood in my office.

Untitled by Andrew Wheeler, on Flickr

[ViperDC]

trying to loaf around a parking lot or go slow has been an issue in all the vipers ive owned. they always want to start lurching. only car ive ever owned that does this. i just got used to it

badass car! enjoy it

[mnc2886]

Awesome buy!! That color combo looks sinister. Hope to see you around. You are in good hands with Andy, BTW.

[Jdmuscle]

Welcome.. I'm in Cypress as well.. great looking car and lots of good luck with it.

[Terminator02]

beautiful ACRE; does look especially great in that color combo. It's amazing that stage II ACR-E are hitting the market so soon. That's an awesome purchase. I have the Stage II package and the extra gas you are giving it is definitely from the cam. I had the same impression when I first got my HC car. Common and completely normal. If you have any problems stalling, I have heard that there is a flash update that can be done that does address some of the low end surging. Ralph Gilles noticed the difference and liked the update. I was going to do the update myself but ended up getting very used to the extra RPMs that need to be applied and decided I didn't need it. I did have some stalling issues initially so it was something I looked into. Enjoy that beast in health!

[BDZ1984]

Beautiful car! I actually have driven your car.... Loved the H&C set up!

[Vegaskid]

Beautiful car! I actually have driven your car.... Loved the H&C set up!

Tested and approved!

[Herrsss]

Welcome to H-town!! Our region is VERY active with lots of different events going on. I strongly recommend joining the VOA so you can get our emails and be in the know and able to join us! Richard and I are track rats and hope to see you out next year! We will be at TWS next weekend if you want to come by for a visit.

[esm_viper]

Can you give me more info on what's going on at TWS? I'll be in Houston next weekend, taking good the car to VE.

Vegaskid, very nice looking car! I really like those GTS stripes on the silver ACR!

[Dman]

Glad you got her. I came sooooo close to buying that car, just last minute I opted for the ACR extreme model, and then immediately changed my mind again, haha, now still not sure of base or extreme.

I love the color combo of yours, glad the wheel worked out ok, did Andy check the alignment and ancillary things up front, with a cracked wheel, I'd wonder how that happened and make sure everything connected to it is solid before you go blasting around anywhere. Nice the seller was a stand up guy about it.

You can never post enough pics/vids, love to hear more about your feeling about the H/C pkg as you get more wheel time. Congrats again, just a beautiful car. You make me regret hesitating, dang it.

[1of1TA1.0]

TWS event will be a Performance Driving School conducted by the track itself. Just go to their site for sign up. I'm hoping the weather is clear or at least a good chance to be.

[FLATOUT]

TWS event will be a Performance Driving School conducted by the track itself. Just go to their site for sign up. I'm hoping the weather is clear or at least a good chance to be.

Tim what time are you guys getting started, I might try and come by this weekend?

Andy

[Herrsss]

Tim what time are you guys getting started, I might try and come by this weekend?

Andy

Andy

Track goes hot at 8 a.m. and cold at 5 p.m. both days so come on by! We'll be up there Friday at 6 when the gates open so we can park the black behemoth!