Green With Envy 2009 SSG Coupe

[ky13]

Solid numbers!

[wakebum2507]

its been a little bit, and I'm finally getting around to doing the ceramic coating, since I just got the car back from having the Xpel Ultimate laid down. Everything went on smoothly, so I won't bore anyone with pictures of PPF being put on, since we've all see those videos.

The Gtechniq crystal serum light is one of the products offered by the company. Its the little brother to their accredited detailer only crystal serum ultra.
"Serum Light offers 80% of Professional Serum’s performance, but if applied incorrectly can be machine polished from your vehicle’s paintwork.

When it comes to adding gloss, resisting swirls, contaminant and dirt repellency, Gtechniq Crystal Serum and Serum Light are the pinnacle in paint protection."

following the CSL, i'll be doing two coats of ExoV4, their topper to the topper. Its probably a little much, but the two are generally done in the pair, and I had outstanding results on my Granite Crystal Metallic grand cherokee.

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The application went on just as the jeep's did: apply to a half or so of a panel, wait around 60 seconds for the product to flash, wipe with towel #1, then follow with towel #2, wiping an even larger section.

Wait a minimum of 12 hours for CSL to cure, then apply ExoV4. The gloss, clarity, and slickness of the two is outstanding. I did the same to my forgelines, for ease of cleaning from brakedust, dirt, and grime.

Here's a couple shots from the first half of the process:

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we're doing a private track day at Hallett Motorsports Park this coming sunday, so I'm also doing the trans fluid, since its pretty likely it still have OEM fluid from 2009 in it.

I'm replacing the stock stuff with Valvoline ATF +4 full synthetic to see how it feels.

[wakebum2507]

Well, spring is finally here. We're out of the 20's and 30's, and into the 50's-70's lately, so automotive enthusiasts are out and about.

No real updates on the car, just been driving it and enjoying it. I'm in the process of pricing out installs on the 3.55s for the rear end, and considering sending the TR6060 to calvo for the .80 5th gear treatment.

OKC has a Thursday Mega Meet once a month, and it was 68 and sunny yesterday, so it was just about perfect. It was a huge turnout, with a few colorful cars.

These events bring just about everything out, from low riders, to exotics, to drag cars. Jrod brought his 7 second real-street supra out (just got done winning his class at Tx2k), couple procharged 800+ whp coyotes, few vipers, generic lambos, etc.

A few modded vipers. The ACR has M&M Headers, custom side pipes featuring Borla XR1 mufflers, and sounds great.
My green car is a FBO car, so it makes a bit more power.
Josh's red SRT is likely the quickest, with american racing headers, custom side pipes with Magnaflow mufflers, UDP, air filter, HP Tune by chris delgado in houston, 18' CCW's, etc.

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Gemballa 997 turbo is one of my favorites...
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[mattssg]

killer car!!

[wakebum2507]

Well, I knew this wasn't going to be an easy one...

I waited a little while (got the car at the end of November, 2018...so not thaaat long) to decide if I wanted to do a gear set change, and go to the 3.55's everyone talks about. By now i've got all the bolt ons, so the gears are essentially the last piece of the puzzle.
I had spoken with a number of you, Alex (sneaky), Steve M, etc. I was concerned I wouldn't be able to run well at the half mile events (one in Kansas coming up) and other legal and illegal forms of fun. I was told it would be fine, and with the right tire, it would accelerate harder.
Everyone had said it could be a nightmare job. I had heard the 2008 cars were more difficult than others. Luckily my car is an 09 so I was thinking "maybe, just maybe, this will all go as planned.".

I drop the car earlier in the week, and as I suspected, a text on Thursday morning, when I was thinking i'd get to pick the car up...

"Yeah...these shafts...you were right. We can't get them out." Delightful! Nothing comes easy.

I knew the car was in good company while it sat in the shop
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The diff has moved around OKC a few times, and ended up at a dodge dealership after hours in the hands of a viper tech that apparently knew exactly what he was doing.

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Apparently, he was prepared for a task like this, and has done a few in his day.

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Picking her up tomorrow, and plan to make some 'outside meetings' at the office to get some miles on her. Temps in the 70s this week...so pretty good driving weather.
I'll provide some updates and driving impressions as this moves forward, but i'm very very excited. Looking forward to getting the break in period over, so I can do some 2nd gear hits and see what its all about. Some Mustangs around here asking if I just look at the car or if I drive it...soo...

[viperBase1]

Sweet!

Lots of diff work being done these days.
What's that metal frame apparatus all about?
Second time we've seen it this weekend.

Hey when it comes to the diff fluid change consider Redline. Best I've used so far.

Those Mustangs can't keep up.
Toy with 'em in 1st and 2nd gear n then drop the hammer in 3rd to finish em off.

[wakebum2507]

Sweet!

Lots of diff work being done these days.
What's that metal frame apparatus all about?
Second time we've seen it this weekend.

Hey when it comes to the diff fluid change consider Redline. Best I've used so far.

Those Mustangs can't keep up.
Toy with 'em in 1st and 2nd gear n then drop the hammer in 3rd to finish em off.

I think the frame is a spreader, of sorts? Not sure, def not in my computer science realm of knowledge.

I actually already have some redline in my garage waiting to go in, along with the friction modifier, as soon as the break in miles are done.

Some of these mustangs should give me a run for my money. I'm down on HP compared to them, but they're heavier. We shall see!

[Steve M]

What's that metal frame apparatus all about?

It's a case spreader...the diff is shimmed so that the carrier bearings have preload, which means it ends up being a snug fit where you have to tap the assembly into the housing with a mallet when it goes together. In order to get it out, you need to be able to either pry it out, or use a case spreader to relieve the preload so you can pull it out by hand.

[viperBase1]

I actually already have some redline in my garage waiting to go in, along with the friction modifier, as soon as the break in miles are done.

Good deal. After seeing the recent flurry of posts about Diffs, went for a cruise Sunday morning just to check for Diff noise.
Nuthin'.. So smooth n' quite. Better than ever. Really glad for this alternative. Options are a good thing for our Vipers.

Some of these mustangs should give me a run for my money. I'm down on HP compared to them, but they're heavier. We shall see!

From my experience, the Mustangs can't put all that power down.
There seems to be something fundamentally flawed about the way they drive and handle.

It's a case spreader...the diff is shimmed so that the carrier bearings have preload, which means it ends up being a snug fit where you have to tap the assembly into the housing with a mallet when it goes together. In order to get it out, you need to be able to either pry it out, or use a case spreader to relieve the preload so you can pull it out by hand.

So the case doesn't actually come apart/split open and this step has nothing to do with removing the shafts. Right?
I just need to get this stuff sorted in my brain.

[Steve M]

From my experience, the Mustangs can't put all that power down.
There seems to be something fundamentally flawed about the way they drive and handle.

After having one nearly take me out at the drag strip last year, I think you might be on to something here.

So the case doesn't actually come apart/split open and this step has nothing to do with removing the shafts. Right?
I just need to get this stuff sorted in my brain.

Correct - the differential case is a solid casting with a single access point (the rear cover). The case spreader has nothing to do with removing the stub axles...that can be done with the unit fully assembled. The case spreader is intended to ease the disassembly process when changing the ring and pinion gears, and that's about it. If you end up splitting the case, you've spread it too far

This post on the other site was a fantastic write-up detailing a DIY ring and pinion swap...the pics have since stopped working, which is a real shame given the quality of the information: https://www.viperclub.org/vca/thread.../#post-3129296

[wakebum2507]

Update: these cars should have come like this from the factory.

That is all!

[S281e]

What about doing 3.73s?

[wakebum2507]

What about doing 3.73s?

I personally feel like that would be too steep of a gear. The 3.55's are aggressive as it is, so its already struggling for traction in 1st and 2nd, and the 3.73's would only make that worse.

[v10viperbox]

What about doing 3.73s?

I have 3.55's with ~750hp its almost unlivable on street tires.

The 3.73 would be nuts. I actually tell people building turbo cars to go the other way and find a set of 3.09's.

[wakebum2507]

Just got to make a few licks on the new rubber. WOW. What a difference. Car is rollin now.
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[viperBase1]

Nice!

I see the 275 for the fronts, are the rears 345's?
Did you notice any increase in road/tire noise?

Pretty sure I'm gonna go back to Toyos for the next tire change.

Congrats man, those bad boys hook it up!

[wakebum2507]

Nice!

I see the 275 for the fronts, are the rears 345's?
Did you notice any increase in road/tire noise?

Pretty sure I'm gonna go back to Toyos for the next tire change.

Congrats man, those bad boys hook it up!

I did go 275/35/18 front to get a little more sidewall, with a cushier ride. Stuck with the 345/30/19 out back, since that is as wide as Toyo makes them.
Made a couple licks yesterday and it finally hooks from 60, so that's a goooood feeling.

Honestly didn't notice any increase in road noise over the corsas, but those weren't quiet tires either. Keep in mind, my car has headers, HFC's, and 3" side pipes. So, all I really hear is exhaust, for the most part. Lol.

[wakebum2507]

Local photographer wanted to shoot the car, so here are a couple teasers. Love thing thing!
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[wakebum2507]

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[99RT10]

Very awesome!

[wakebum2507]

The belanger resonators are coming out, in favor of a Borla XR1. I'm hoping this doesn't change the tone too much, just eliminates the little bit of drone.

This is a true 3" straight through, so it'll still breathe just fine.

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[Steve M]

Nice...definitely curious to know what you think of the difference.

[wakebum2507]

Nice...definitely curious to know what you think of the difference.

I definitely will. A buddy here in OKC did a custom setup of M&M headers, 3" j pipes, to these mufflers, with no cats, and says he has no drone issues. Hoping mine with the high flow cats is the same.

[Stealth78]

Car is looking awesome brother! Sorry if I missed it, have you done 3:55's yet? I had similarly built my SSG, crazy how much those mods wake it up!

[wakebum2507]

Car is looking awesome brother! Sorry if I missed it, have you done 3:55's yet? I had similarly built my SSG, crazy how much those mods wake it up!

Sure did. Scroll up about 20 posts. I think its been the biggest bang for buck mod so far. Certainly feels like the car has closer to 700whp with the 3.55's.