Nth Moto TT Viper Ride Along Review

[Malu59RT]

A Viper has always been my dream car, and after buying my first Viper in 2008, I have always wanted a ride in a TT Viper. To me, it was always something about riding in the ultimate version of what I consider the ultimate sports car. After almost 10 years, 2 Vipers, and being in a lot of fast cars as both driver and passenger, I finally got a ride in a TT Viper. And not just any TT Viper, but the "premier Holy Sh*t package" TT Viper from Nth Moto.

We had a car meet and dinner last night, and Will brought out his TT ACR, that just won the RWD shootout at the Dallas Street Car Takeover, and also went 215 mph at the Dallas 1/2 Mile last month, so I believe it's the world's fastest ACR currently. I'm sure most on here know the car, but it's an E-85 daily driven Viper with a built motor, twin turbo kit, and a H-pattern dogbox from Aaron at Nth Moto. If I had to guess, somewhere around 2000hp.

Will and I have raced each other for over 10 years now, talking about builds, and how he regretted some builds, because the entire experience just ruined a car for him. That being said, I've never seen him so excited about a car the entire time I've known him. I've heard how great the car drives, how impressive it is, but have never experienced it until tonight.

From my memory, the car is about as loud as a Gen 4 Belanger equipped Viper, without the headache inducing drone. We cruised around to find an open stretch of road, and I tried to find any hesitation in the car, a stumble at throttle tip-in, cam surge from the big cam, and there was literally nothing. The only give-away that it wasn't stock, was the dog box that makes a discernible acknowledgement that you have engaged the gear.

When we finally found an open stretch of road, he dropped a couple of gears, and without using anti-lag or brake boosting, he just hits the gas and then I hold on for dear life. Traction control comes in almost instantly as the tires haven't quite warmed up. Even a stock Viper can get crazy when it spins, but knowing you have 4 digit power at the wheels can create quite the butt puckering situation. Instead, the MoTec kept the car pointed straight until the tire had grip, and then it's off we went. Now, I don't care how fast of a car you've driven, it is always different from the passenger seat. I already had my head planted firmly against the seat, and I felt like the seat belt was tightening around my chest, like a self-retracting seat belt that makes sure you're snug. Nope, that's just the car shoving my entire body into the seat. Will grabs the next gear, and I was expecting the car to give me a chance to catch my breath, but it just continued full boil and you could feel the power just pouring in. 4th gear comes and that feeling of riding in a roller coaster develops, as your stomach starts to head north. And then mercifully, he lets off.

I don't know why, but I started laughing like an idiot and clapping my hands. Cheering him on as if we just won the damn super bowl. "THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT!!" I yell. It was the greatest d*mn show on earth, and I needed a cigarette to calm my nerves. Just like that, I finally had my first full TT Viper experience. I can't find the words to describe it to him, as I sound half-drunk trying to put cohesive sentences together. It is GLUED to the road, there is no drama, and as soon as he let off the gas, it felt like we were riding in a stock ACR with exhaust. What has the world come to, when you have something so lethal, that can drive around so docile?!?

We make another hit and this time, in 2nd gear we leave at 1400 whp with no traction control intervention to soften the blow. We dead hook and eat up pavement with a ferocity unlike anything I've ever been in. I make it a point to stare at the instrument cluster because I've never seen the speedo climb so fast in a Gen 5. I start to worry as he grabs 5th, because usually a stock Viper pushes you back in the seat less as you row through the gears, but now I'm starting to develop vertigo as he gets into the meat of 5th and I feel like the seat is going to swallow me whole, before he lets off and tells me we just hit 185 mph. You know...185 mph. Stated as nonchalantly as telling the sandwich artists at Subway that you prefer wheat bread, since you're on a diet, and the latest study shows wheat bread is much healthier than white bread.

The most amazing part of the car is that it is unremarkable compared to a stock ACR just putting around. Another friend of ours showed up in an ACR he just picked up 4 days ago and most people would be hard pressed to tell which one was the 2000 hp TT ACR. I mean, there aren't 15" slicks on the back for traction, the interior doesn't smell like un-burned gasoline, your eyes don't water from how rich the car runs. The car doesn't struggle to idle, it doesn't lurch, stumble, or stall when you try to idle out of a parking spot. It is the complete package, and its just as happy as being used for transportation to the gym or dinner, as it is b*tch slapping corvettes up and down the highway.

The bar has definitely been set, I gotta figure out somehow to get one of these in the future. It just ruins everything else you could desire afterwards, but it doesn't ruin the driving experience like a DCT or sequential does. It separates the drivers from the check-writers, and embodies everything we love about the Viper. I remember a lot of criticism when he first decided to TT the car, because "you just don't TT a car meant to go to dominate on the track" and "you're ruining that ACR". How funny that the ACR is actually what makes the car so difficult to beat on the street. Aaron, hats off to you guys on developing and refining the total package, the car is incredible and has been putting in work around Dallas ever since it's been finished. Will, you are a mad man in this Viper, I freakin love how you are showing no mercy to this car! So glad to see you in a platform that does everything so well. You are wringing every last bit of performance out of it. If Nth can build a car that can stand up to your driving, Dodge can slap a 7yr/100k warranty on the build, and send anyone else down the road! Thanks for the ride of a lifetime bud!!


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And a video of how docile it is driving like a normal person on the street.

[Murpowa]

Will's ACR has set the bar, no doubt about it. Great write up

[Scott_in_fl]

Must be such an amazing ride. This is one of the most under-appreciated aspects of the Gen V -- the headroom that exists to build something that can decimate just about anything out there while maintaining a very OEM appearance with reliability and cost-effectiveness (relatively speaking, of course).

I was never a Mopar guy until after I purchased my first Gen III. But now I see the heritage of the brand in all of their Hellcat products and it truly is remarkable. I would liken it to the Kawasaki brand in motorcycles -- always known for having sick stock engines that could be built to crazy hp levels if modded.

If you watch the YouTube videos of the airstrip runs, the way that the Gen V has taken to the TT and 9L applications, and seems willing to ask for more, is astonishing.

[KB Viper]

well it looks like there's one for sale...
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=200230031

[Spec C]

well it looks like there's one for sale...
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=200230031

That car is sold already. Sold pretty quickly actually

[ayousef]

Im jealous!

[FLATOUT]

Wills ACR is bad ass for sure.

[TheStig]

Awesome write-up! I felt like I was the one going for the ride! One day I'll have one... (looks up to the sky) lol

[Junkie]

I'm so glad you finally got to ride in a TT Viper man, exciting that it was mine because I know the car is setup well and flat out works. What Aaron and his guys at Nth Moto have delivered to me is nothing short of amazing imo. To say I'm happy with this car, would be the understatement of 2018. It really makes me question whats next, whats possible, and how is this even happening. This thing drives great, makes 2000hp, H pattern, stock wheels, looks stock, isn't crazy loud, etc.... I've got some new goodies in store for it that are going to make it even nicer and faster I hope!

Thank you for the write up, you're a lot better at putting this type of thing into words. We need to do some street racing with you filming!

[Bruce H.]

Sounds wild...and wonderful! Congrats!

[SilveRT8]

Wait till you see my cousin Boris' new project....it's gonna be AWSOME !!!

[Junkie]

That was a great read.

Would I be out of line if I asked how much coin a setup like this runs.

Not looking for details just a ballpark.

I'm thinking $70,000 without the trans is this even close?

I'm sure Aaron at Nth would be happy to build you a quote.

[NT-ACR]

I'm sure Aaron at Nth would be happy to build you a quote.

So, a few questions. What is the life expectancy of the engine in its current state? What are the service intervals? What engine, transmission, and differential fluids are you running? If you are running anti-lag, what is the life expectancy of the turbochargers?

[Bruce H.]

Excellent read!

[Scott_in_fl]

That was a great read.

Would I be out of line if I asked how much coin a setup like this runs.

Not looking for details just a ballpark.

I'm thinking $70,000 without the trans is this even close?

My understanding is that you're looking at $50k-$60k. Certainly a big check to write, but you end up with a machine that basically cannot be matched by anything else. If roll racing were my thing, I'd be all over this. PDV would have loved something like this. And no need to start with an ACR, although that is super cool and must be great for handling at the higher speeds (assuming that the rear squat can be controlled).

[Junkie]

So, a few questions. What is the life expectancy of the engine in its current state? What are the service intervals? What engine, transmission, and differential fluids are you running? If you are running anti-lag, what is the life expectancy of the turbochargers?

I’m not the type that asks for a warranty on stuff like this. I do know im over 1500 miles and over 200 gallons of good fuel into it. Plus the Kroger and pump I’ve put through it.

I do an oil change every 1000-1500 miles, I’ve always done this. It’s just a good idea

It has anti lag but it spools so fast I don’t even bother with it.

[Quasar Z]

My understanding is that you're looking at $50k-$60k. Certainly a big check to write, but you end up with a machine that basically cannot be matched by anything else. If roll racing were my thing, I'd be all over this. PDV would have loved something like this. And no need to start with an ACR, although that is super cool and must be great for handling at the higher speeds (assuming that the rear squat can be controlled).

$50-60k wouldn't touch Junkie's setup. The starting price through Calvo for their twin turbo kit is $60k and that is with a stock engine. Heads and cam setups are around $15k without building the bottom end, so figure at least $20-25k for a fully built motor. Add in things like the bigger fuel system, high-end clutch, etc., and I would be surprised if you could build an 1,800-2,000 horsepower Viper for less than $100k. I would love to do this but do not have the financial means to make it happen unfortunately.

[Scott_in_fl]

Valid point that there is likely much more going on with Junkie's build than what I inquired about back in 2015 when I was told those numbers. In fact, I believe the quote came from Calvo.

As a point of reference, Huracan TT builds start at $40k for most of the well known shops (stock internals) and are at 900-1000 whp.

[Nth Moto]

Jason,

Thank you so much for putting that into such great words. The experience is really difficult to comprehend and I think you did a fabulous job illustrating it as best possible. In reality, it truly is a "you've gotta' experience it yourself" type thing as I'm thinking you now are very aware of!

It's almost more awe inspiring how docile the lower power level cars are especially when wrapped in the silky envelope of a high option GTS or something of the like. There really isn't much that the car's can't do at that point.

That was a great read.

Would I be out of line if I asked how much coin a setup like this runs.

Not looking for details just a ballpark.

I'm thinking $70,000 without the trans is this even close?

$70K-$85K would get you a stock engine build with the driveline upgrades that would allow you to enjoy the upper power levels that the stock engine is capable of (upgraded transmission, differential, etc). If you wanted to stay at around 1000 WHP you can do it for around $65K.

So, a few questions. What is the life expectancy of the engine in its current state? What are the service intervals? What engine, transmission, and differential fluids are you running? If you are running anti-lag, what is the life expectancy of the turbochargers?

The fluids used are different for each build based on what driveline components are utilized as well as climate, driving style, etc.

The truth of the matter is 1000 miles of use by Will (Junkie) is fairly equivalent to something like 4-5 times that by a "normal" driver. The guy literally doesn't know how to make it more than 10 minutes of driving without a 150+ mph blast it seems, ha! Service on something this powerful and used this hard will be more often than other customers but that's something he is accepting of. Even with that, we don't anticipate needing any internal hard parts changing for 1-2 years/season worth of use. For those unfamiliar with this power level and abuse, that's a really long time.

Turbocharger technology has come a long ways in even the last three years. We use the best bearing designs available and are extremely critical on oil and coolant flow through the cartridges to deliver OEM like longevity.

My understanding is that you're looking at $50k-$60k. Certainly a big check to write, but you end up with a machine that basically cannot be matched by anything else. If roll racing were my thing, I'd be all over this. PDV would have loved something like this. And no need to start with an ACR, although that is super cool and must be great for handling at the higher speeds (assuming that the rear squat can be controlled).

See above for some really general pricing information.

$50-60k wouldn't touch Junkie's setup. The starting price through Calvo for their twin turbo kit is $60k and that is with a stock engine. Heads and cam setups are around $15k without building the bottom end, so figure at least $20-25k for a fully built motor. Add in things like the bigger fuel system, high-end clutch, etc., and I would be surprised if you could build an 1,800-2,000 horsepower Viper for less than $100k. I would love to do this but do not have the financial means to make it happen unfortunately.

You are correct, it would be in the $150K+ range for it to make this power, and live on this power.

Valid point that there is likely much more going on with Junkie's build than what I inquired about back in 2015 when I was told those numbers. In fact, I believe the quote came from Calvo.

As a point of reference, Huracan TT builds start at $40k for most of the well known shops (stock internals) and are at 900-1000 whp.

For what it's worth, I would happily put any of our customer's stock engine TT Gen V's up against any other stock longblock cars out there regardless of platform. We've been over 161 mph in the 1/4 mile and now at 202.98 mph in the 1/2 mile with stock longblock Gen V's. The Hurucan's and R8's are neat cars, but they can't touch these things from a dollar per smile aspect in my mind. Of course that's a to each their own thing, too.

I'm sure he would but at this moment I wouldn't want to waste his time.

As I'm still using up my extended warranty and saving up my lunch money.

Sounds great, and we'd be happy to help you whenever your warranty is up and you're looking to make your Viper your very own personal adrenaline producer!!

[Malu59RT]

We need to do some street racing with you filming!

Don't gotta ask me twice!