Looking for original Blue Gen2 GTS

[Steve-Indy]

pullin-Gs, I applaud your eye and wish you luck in your search.

Realistically, I doubt you will find an un-restored 96/97 in the state you are seeking...regardless of price. I have seen and examined two Vipers in this age range (one in a museum) with less than 10 miles each...both of which would fail your stated requirements. Vipers "are what they are". I have seen these cars coming off of Reliable Carrier trucks with some of these cosmetic situations already in progress. By the way, I have been under scores of Vipers...and, we have a couple of our own.

I would suggest that you look for a straight Viper, preferably one owner with low mileage. Then, as you get to know that car in your own garage and have taken care ALL of the mechanical issues, fix it up/refurbish anything/everything that you like. Best of luck in your hunt.

[soundkillr]

What you're describing sounds like what I found a few years ago. Extremely hard to find, and getting very expensive but they are out there....

[soundkillr]

A few more...

[daveg]

May be heading up to the brewery today for some Pale Ales. Took the Viper out the other day and the billet PS pulley is still on!!!

Already have to make a trip? Someone gave me a couple goodies that I am sure you will be happy with. May make a trip to the Cape on Thursday night but most likely will come back on Saturday AM.. replacing every brake component on the 69 Vette. About halfway done. Probably finish it next weekend..
Glad the Pump Pulley and bracket got a clean bill of health..
Talk soon.

[pullin-gs]

That is a very nice find indeed.
There are two GTSs on autotrader.com which are minty. But color is wrong for me though. :-(
I found a B/W minty one on west coast, but has mods.....not interested in it.
There is another B/W one on the west coast which meets my needs....has good tires also. Over my budget though (not by much)....will see if owner willing to deal.:-)

[daveg]

That is a very nice find indeed.
There are two GTSs on autotrader.com which are minty. But color is wrong for me though. :-(
I found a B/W minty one on west coast, but has mods.....not interested in it.
There is another B/W one on the west coast which meets my needs....has good tires also. Over my budget though (not by much)....will see if owner willing to deal.:-)

What are the Mods on the one you are not interested in (did it have the original cast rims)? Can it be reverted?
Not sure if I saw in this thread, what is the max you want to spend?
I agree, when I purchased my 96, it had to be stock! Only mod is a Borla 3" cat back. Everything including the Cat is original. Easily reversible. Still have the Original wires on my car (and have a NOS 96 set when the time comes)..
Good luck with your quest.. be patient.

[Jeremyb]

Ran across this while browsing.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/c...531998138.html

[JimJoeBob]

Ran across this while browsing.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/c...531998138.html

Interesting. All the problems laid out plainly for you.

[daveg]

Be careful.. May not be the oil pan, could be rear main. Problem areas on the 96's are Pan (porous and / or gasket), Rear Main and Timing cover.
That's quite a scar on the seat bolster as well..

[JimJoeBob]

Be careful.. May not be the oil pan, could be rear main. Problem areas on the 96's are Pan (porous and / or gasket), Rear Main and Timing cover.
That's quite a scar on the seat bolster as well..

What's the seriousness of a potential rear main leak?

[Steve-Indy]

What's the seriousness of a potential rear main leak?

Not sure what you are asking. It is fixable, though you will find that the seal needs to be fitted using a later Gen part in the OEM carrier. Gasket still available. I would use new straps and bolts on drive shaft universal.

Keep in mind that a few rear mains have been blamed for other leaks...such a cam plug.

[JimJoeBob]

Not sure what you are asking. It is fixable, though you will find that the seal needs to be fitted using a later Gen part in the OEM carrier. Gasket still available. I would use new straps and bolts on drive shaft universal.

Keep in mind that a few rear mains have been blamed for other leaks...such a cam plug.

Darn. I'm kinda interested in that car. I've been looking for awhile and I like how his has all the issues laid out. But the sound of it being something major is kinda unsettling.

[Steve-Indy]

It is quite fixable by a good tech...and, certainly not a deal breaker by ant means. The 96 GTS leaked oil a variety of ways...most of which have been fixed.

That said, THE DEAL BREAKER to a collector would be encountering one of the "few" 1996 GTS's with a porous BLOCK. The fix was a new block as the engine went to Arrow to be rebuilt. If caught in the first few years, they got s forged piston. Later, some got the later cast piston Gen II engine. Both are great motors...but, goodbye matching VIN.

I doubt a casual observer could tell that from a Carfax..and, yes, I have checked on a couple.

[JimJoeBob]

I'm not a collector by any means. Just want a car to enjoy and drive. I'd hate a porous block however.

[daveg]

Hey Steve, Porous block is new to me on a 96... Guess you learn something everyday.
You can also tell an early 96 GTS from a later VIN one by where the oil fill is. My car is a very very early VIN and the oil fill is on the drivers side valve cover. Most every fill I have seen on a 96 GTS is on the passengers side valve cover.
First thing I look at when I see a picture of a 96 GTS is the oil fill placement. This tells me if its an early car or not.

[Steve-Indy]

Agree, I literally learn something new everyday from our fellow owners and enthusiasts. As I understand it, the porous blocks may have been in a relatively narrow range of VIN's...but that's all I know. My local fellow member/friend went through many, many "fixes" before the block problem was found. By then, he was past the forged motor era, as the only replacement was the cast piston version. It was a strong motor, but he soon dumped it over the VIN issue. Sad, because it was a great driver in overall excellent shape.

[daveg]

Steve, have you read Chris Greens document solely dedicated to the 96? A must read for anyone looking for one..
Tons of information and facts about the 96.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-EE...dnM/edit?pli=1

[Steve-Indy]

Yes I have...he was kind enough to share it with me a few years ago. It represents a huge amount of work on him part !!!

[daveg]

I Edited my post and put the URL there for others..

[FrankBarba]

18K milage 96 for 56K...I remember just October 2017 when those were screaming at me telling me that my 96 with 8K on the ticker, 1 owner all documented was out of line at 58+K.

[harley56]

18K milage 96 for 56K...I remember just October 2017 when those were screaming at me telling me that my 96 with 8K on the ticker, 1 owner all documented was out of line at 58+K.

Yours may not have been out of line, but this one with 18K miles for $56K is.

[1BADV10]

18,000 miles on a 96.....that's almost 900 miles per year...that car is shot, wore out junk, lol. Low mileage cars are great if they are fairly new but Keep in mind that there is a such thing as too low of miles when cars get 20+ years old. If you don't drive them you get seal problems, brake problems, electronic corrosion problems ect....I bet a 96 with 800 miles will give you more headaches than one with 18,000 on the clock.

[ViperJon]

I bet a 96 with 800 miles will give you more headaches than one with 18,000 on the clock.

Maybe.....but it will have a LOT less nicks, chips and wear on it as well.

[Bill Pemberton]

800 or 18,000 , the big issue is just age --things do deteriorate over close to 22 years. We did see some porous oil pans but I can not remember ever seeing a porous block on a 96.

[Steve-Indy]

For those who are truly interested, search the VCA forums using "porous block"....and READ all of each thread.