My Very Viper Orange Squeeze The Chronicle Continues

[wakebum2507]

I think this all could have been solved by selling me the car when I was trying to buy it from ya ����

[viperBase1]

.. but the one that sticks out to me the most are the loose fasteners holding the baffles in place inside the valve covers. If I'm not mistaken, that modification was performed by Arrow racing. Personally, a screw would be the last thing I'd want to see holding those in place...I would have preferred to see them tack welded in place, but I'm not sure how well that would actually work given that they are cast. Still...a loose fastener rattling around in there could have caused catastrophic damage, so it is good timing (and a bit of luck) that you found it. Probably a good reminder to those that have this mod to inspect them...it would be a PITA to remove the valve covers just for that, but still better than the alternative.

Really, that's an Arrow mod? I was ASSuming it was a stock feature. Hmmm.. I shoulda grabbed some pics. Damn.
N' to be clear they're Torx bolts that fasten the baffles to the valve cover. Kinda small.

.
It also looks like your exhaust tips might be a bit too far back, but as long as they aren't touching the sills, they are fine. I remember making sure the exhaust was up to full temp before centering them in the holes. Once cooled, they do sit forward in the holes, but not touching. That's just a Steve OCD thing.

Was the car hot when the picture was taken? If cool then they are way to far back. If hot then they are probably just a little too far. They should be favoring the front when cold and centered when hot. Steve is correct here, but like he says as long as they don’t touch you will be fine. I may be a little concerned that the heat would be put into the hi temp black paint on the rear most part of the sill, but then again you may be fine. I also have OCD

By the way awesome awesome posts!!!

Hey thanks guys.
The tail pipes do not touch the sills at all, hot or cold. But I agree with you now, they're sitting too far back.
I'm pretty sure I sunk 'em in the hangers as far forward as they would go, but next time I have the side-sills off I'll see what's up.
Maybe they shifted with a good heat soak.

I'm OCD too.
Most guys say they do this job in a weekend or a day n' my hats off to 'em. I really took my time.
If I ever do it again, could maybe do it in a weekend.

N' I forgot to give this job a Wrench Rating.
I give this job 7.796 Wrench's. Mostly because of all the stuff that has to be removed so you can jack up the engine.

I think this all could have been solved by selling me the car when I was trying to buy it from ya ����

Very true, very true. I was giving it serious consideration. Almost happened.


Anyway, I'd like to get back to heaping as much praise as we can on JonB Partsrack and Lou Belanger for fabricating such a perfect CAT Assembly.
It's great to know we have them in our corner when it comes to acquiring parts like these.
If you ever need a replacement CAT Assembly, definitely call JonB Partsrack.


Following up with pics of the interior bits.
Check the steering wheel cover.
Attachment 37360

passenger5small.jpg

[TrackAire]

viperbase1,

Can you clarify the cat situation you ended up with? Are you running one small single aftermarket cat or did you go back to the twin stock set up?

In my past experience, I've found that the single aftermarket cat lasted about 2500 miles before check engine lights popped on.

[viperBase1]

Are you running one small single aftermarket cat or did you go back to the twin stock set up?
In my past experience, I've found that the single aftermarket cat lasted about 2500 miles before check engine lights popped on.

Two large 3" CARB Certified Ceramic CATs - one per side.
These are likely far better at scrubbing the exhaust than the stock units.

Will have to wait and see about longevity but thanks for the heads up!

[TrackAire]

As long as the computer and 02 sensors get along with the aftermarket cat, you're cool since in California it is just a plug in test, not run on the rollers and no sniff test. No smog tech is ever going to get into the sills to have a look or you'd fail visual.

In my experience, the stock cats last much, much longer than a single aftermarket unit.

[Steve M]

Really, that's an Arrow mod? I was ASSuming it was a stock feature. Hmmm.. I shoulda grabbed some pics. Damn.
N' to be clear they're Torx bolts that fasten the baffles to the valve cover. Kinda small.

Definitely an Arrow mod...the ACR-X catch can + Arrow modded valve covers has been around since late 2010/early 2011. Here's some reading from the other site:

https://www.viperclub.org/vca/thread...ch-can.641561/

https://www.viperclub.org/vca/thread...arator.642236/

The Gen 5 Viper valve covers actually come this way from the factory, but it clearly didn't totally address the issue since they also need catch cans.

[viperBase1]

strapedIn5_small.jpg
Made a visit to A&C Performance yesterday and put her on the DynoJet.

The report says max pull was 559 WHP => ~647 HP

I'm trying to get a better looking version of the report gen'd from the DynoJet computer.

So a few ponies were lost and got sent to the glue factory.
I'm not a crazy dyno number guy and she still feels super strong with 647 HP.

I think Todd has been in the drivers seat of this Viper 3 or 4 times now.
He always comments on how smooth she runs, "like butter".

I'm absolutely loving how she's running and sounding right now.

[Steve M]

Meh...if you didn't do a before pull on that same dyno, it doesn't mean much. I didn't see anything going in the tail pipe, so I'm assuming no AFR data was taken?

As long as you are happy with the performance, that's what matters.

[viperBase1]

Meh...if you didn't do a before pull on that same dyno, it doesn't mean much. I didn't see anything going in the tail pipe, so I'm assuming no AFR data was taken?

As long as you are happy with the performance, that's what matters.

But it was the same brand - DynoJet - that slowhatch used when she pulled the 605 WHP! hehehe...

Yeah no AFR on these pulls.
Agreed, meh...

Sure was fun hangin' out at A&C Performance though. I always learn tons of stuff every time I go there.
What were the chances of having another orange beast on the rack next to us.
2Oranges_small.jpg
That's a freaking PLYMOUTH RoadRunner!! AWESOME!!

Side shots.
roadRunSide7_small.jpg

Just plain bitchin.
roadRunSide5_small.jpg

[Austin]

I liked everything until you did the goofy steering wheel mod. Other than that, all looks good.

[Steve M]

But it was the same brand - JetDyno - that slowhatch used when she pulled the 605 WHP! hehehe...

You'd think that a DynoJet was a DynoJet, but there are still some that read higher than others.

That said, your numbers are probably about right...if I had to guess, my car with almost identical mods would probably put down about the same numbers.

[viperBase1]

I liked everything until you did the goofy steering wheel mod. Other than that, all looks good.

Yeah it's a fine line between cool and goofy. But thanks!

That steering wheel cover actually feels really good. It added a lot of thickness to the wheel.

You'd think that a DynoJet was a DynoJet, but there are still some that read higher than others.

That said, your numbers are probably about right...if I had to guess, my car with almost identical mods would probably put down about the same numbers.

Yea I'm gonna consider it the new measured baseline. Good to have.. Of course when people ask, I'm gonna round it up to 650!

[viperBase1]

VVO is damn hard color to capture accurately.. I need to go to photography school.

Finally got my new camera!

R. e. a. l. l. y. long story short, ended up with a Nikon D5600.
Its an entry level DSLR, like the Canon T7i, which was also given serious consideration.

Right out of the box, set it to (A)utomatic exposure & focus and took these shots on a hazy San Diego Saturday morning.

The orange is pretty damn close but I'm sure I can do better.
hood_passRear1.jpg
hood_drRear1.jpg

Back at the beach. Some sunshine really woulda helped make things pop, still the color ain't too bad.
Also had so many people stopping to check her out and mess up the shot, had to wrap it up and move on.
beach_drFront1.jpg
beach_drRear1.jpg

Many more to follow.

[commandomatt]

Nice shots. Orange is hard to beat.

As far as lighting, I personally prefer overcast, early morning or late in the day. Mid day with full sun kills the shots. Late afternoon, even worse. Blows everything out and you don’t get the definition
There are a few Viper colors that do look better in the sun like the Stryker ones. I have a Toxic Orange and that car is really hard to get the right lighting on.

[viperBase1]

Viper got a new pit mate to keep her company.
Oh my what a perfect pair!!!

2015 Porsche Cayman 981 (Base Model w/PDK, Sport button, CPO Warranty and lots-O-features!!).
thePit_small.jpg

I applied everything I learned from researching the Viper to this purchase, and made a major score.

Both cars weight about the same at ~3000 lbs. The Viper is maybe 200lbs more.
So far IMHO the handling is very similar. The Viper wins on overall GRIP, but the Cayman is sitting on Pirelli PZero-Grip tires.
Otherwise the Cayman is a completely different car.

Welcome to the Snake Pit!

[viperBase1]

Really nothing new to report about The Orange Lure except that I was feeling a little guilty about not giving her any attention (lately).
I haven't driven her (AT ALL) since I got the Porsche more than six weeks ago.

The new girlfriend (Porsche Cayman) needs a bit of sorting and in that process she's kinda stolen my heart.

So this morning decided I better take the old girlfriend out for a drive and get reacquainted.
At first, it was a little tough reviewing the start up process and remembering all the little quirks about the car (this picky-ooney thing and that picky-ooney thang).
Compared to the new girlfriend, she's just older.. I mean all jokes aside, she literally goes to eleven now (11 years old!).

So as I'm driving her out of the neighborhood on the warm up loop, I pass a few neighbors walking their dogs.
They make a point of waving and giving us the thumbs up.
That doesn't happen with the new girlfriend.

Then we get out on the boulevard and I find my self back in charge (and in complete control) of all the shifting.
Pushing the gas pedal a little bit generates an immediate and significant response.
That doesn't really happen with the new girlfriend. She needs a little more foreplay (revs!) before getting frisky.

As we get on the expressway heading for the beach, some dork in a Camry SE thought to throw down a challenge.
Smoked his ass in second gear in .5 seconds.
That doesn't happen with the new girlfriend. (a) don't really seem to get noticed (b) nobody tries to race us

At the gas station got approached by a couple of folks admiring the car and they asked to take pictures.
That hasn't happened with the new girlfriend (yet). Just had one guy walk by and say "sweet ride man!", but that's all.. n' we've stopped for gas plenty of times.

On the drive back home got in a few 2-3 / 3-4 shifts at 5-6K RPM. Had me going "damn girl, that's what I'm talking about!!"
That doesn't happen with the new girlfriend. Well kinda.. but different.

By the time we pulled into the driveway, the old girlfriend and I were back!
It was very clear she knows exactly how to touch me in places the new girlfriend just can't go.

So she got a bath!
suds_small.jpg

She still got it goin' on!
shine2_small.jpg

She's special.. AND.. she's a bonafied freakin' race car.

The new girlfriend..
fPass1.jpg
She's real cute and sexy in her own ways. Also plenty fun and ain't afraid to get frisky.

Guess which one I'll be driving on the 4th of the July.

[viperBase1]

This morning while out on a spirited run, finally hit 30K miles on the Odo!
Had to pull over and grab a phone pic.

30Ksmall.jpg


She's still got it goin' on! Still dominating the streets wherever / whenever.

tightFlab_wLic.jpg

She still makes me hold the steering wheel tighter than <insert favorite *tighter than* joke here>.

The TKO Motorsports ThrottleMax continues to amaze me. Makes for a very smooth and exhilarating drive.

Getting ready for the CA smog test early this cycle. Might take that long to get the O2 sensors to go to a ready state.
Gonna be calling JonB for those right angle spacer doodads. Fingers crossed they help do the trick.
But darn, gonna have to drive her some more.

I'm a lucky man.

[slowhatch]

Literally warms my heart to come in here and see this car still running like a swiss clock and being enjoyed and pampered.

[viperBase1]

After seeing the pics of that undercarriage of the $75K BAT '08 Viper (coated in pink stuff) ..was curious to take a fresh look at the state of things under my Viper.
Is also time to change some fluids.

So off to Gearheads Garage we go!

Up on the rack baby doll is looking fine.
rack2.jpg

Favorite angle shot.
rack1.jpg

Whenever I work on my Viper, I make a point not to rush things and take my time ..make no sudden moves and CLEAN as I go.
I spend a significant amount of time just cleaning.

Pic of the Rear Tow Hook and control arm.
bellyPan2.jpg

IMO everything is looking real good under the car.

Regardless, she's going up on jack stands in the garage soon for even more TLC.
Then I think it'll be off to A&C Performance for a new OEM clutch ..no doubt its just about time for a new one.

[viperBase1]

Not sure if I'm embarrassed about this or not.

Last Saturday, did a 1 year oil change ..FROM the MolyGen 5W40 TO Mobile1 0W40 ..after only 263 miles (prepping for smog test).

Attachment 48315
1yearOilChange.PNG

[viperBase1]

Well it was a long hard slog...

But with the help of some of The Masters of the Viper Universe we were finally able to Pass the Californa Smog Test .AND. Inspection.
So a huge thanks to Scot Rickord and Dick Winkles at Prefix, Dan Cragin at SPT and Steve M..

emissReadyComplete4.jpg



After all the changes we've been through, I still marvel at the robustness of this amazing car.
She fires up every time and goes and Goes and GOES.

Next stop, SPT and Dan Cragin for a new clutch! Which I'm pretty sure is close to the end of its current life.

Happy 4th everybody!
tightFlab_wLic.jpg

[Steve M]

Congrats on passing inspection! It's been quite a journey, but you persevered in the end.

Dan Cragin will have no problem getting you heading in the right direction on a clutch. You already know my recommendation...Dan was great to work with. He can also get you set up with a remote bleeder for the clutch hydraulics...you are already going to be in there, so now is the time to do it if you are so inclined.

If you feel like turning the wrenches yourself on the clutch, I can walk you through that one too. As cars go, the Viper is a breeze to work on...at least when it comes to a clutch swap.

[viperBase1]

She passed again for 2023!
emissReadyComplete4.jpg

tysonSt_0_small.png



I AM A CALIFORNIA VIPER TECH.

[viperBase1]

Hey also blacked out the Viper emblem on the rear bumper. It was a weird washed out orange'ish color that was hard to see and read.

"NO! Its not a Corvette.
Its a VIPER".
Viper_pd3.png

[awhit17]

Did you have to do anything special outside of putting the nicer cats on the car and completing a few drive cycles to get the car to pass emissions?