Gen 5 Viper blows motor and catches fire at track

[Trainerdave]

This was posted today on YouTube , anyone here knows what happened? This is aweful but I’m glad the driver walked out of it.
https://youtu.be/mpZsZimnwtg

[SilverACR]

That sucks bad and uploaded by high tech corvette...

[stradman]

Nth moto twin turbo by the looks of it.

[Nth Moto]

That was one of our customers cars that was still running, and obviously pushing, the limits of the factory longblock.

The power numbers are a bit off in the video as it never made more or ran at more than 1300 or so WHP but nevertheless it's an absolutely fantastic video by IMV Films telling the story of the car and the process of what it took to get there and where that path ultimately led to for the customer. We're all very thankful that he wasn't hurt and that this happened at a dragstrip where the car was contained as needed, although nobody wanted it to happen this way of course.

All that said, there are several other stock motor cars that have ran/been running at this power level (with the customers awareness of the risk) without issue. That doesn't mean it's recommended either, though. When dealing with factory supplied components you don't have any control, which is why we typically suggest people stop at 1200WHP.

Be sure to check out IMV Films other videos and site as they are true Motorsports enthusiasts that put a ton of time and effort into showcasing some awesome Viper footage!

[ViperDC]

Nth moto twin turbo by the looks of it.

hope they dont destroy the ACR

[Nth Moto]

hope they dont destroy the ACR

No one wants to intentionally experience failures or damage. There's no possible way anyone can predict when or at what level a component such as an OEM connecting rod will break, and unfortunately there are risks involved when pushing factory (as well as aftermarket) parts. It's awesome these guys took so much time to create a video with such transparency, so everyone can see some of the risks involved with builds running at these levels.

[Jack B]

Arron

Unless you know more this seems more like something cut the fuel line, wouldn't that be more probable in the bell housing area or tunnel.

[SilverACR]

Arron

Unless you know more this seems more like something cut the fuel line, wouldn't that be more probable in the bell housing area or tunnel.

I have witnessed quite a few oil fires from rods escaping the block in off road racing. This looks like the oil got slung on the hot exhaust and ignited, at least to me. I also watched a friend split a small block ford on the drag strip with all the fire, but was lucky enough not to hit the wall. I’m guessing a car making multiple pulls is more susceptible, but it all comes down to the fire triangle. Fuel (oil), oxygen, and an ignition source (hot exhaust).

[ViperDC]

No one wants to intentionally experience failures or damage. There's no possible way anyone can predict when or at what level a component such as an OEM connecting rod will break

you dont have to be nostradamus to see pushing 1300hp through a stock motor isnt the smartest thing ever

looks like the ACR is built to handle more power thrown at it though so that’s good. Is that a similar build to the Junkie’s car?

[ViperGeorge]

I blew the Paxton supercharged engine in my Gen 3 at Pocono several years ago. I was right in front of Ralph Gilles at the time. The engine threw two rods through the block and dumped oil everywhere. Fortunately it didn't catch fire as I was doing around 150 at the time. Luckily as soon as I felt it going I put the clutch in and headed to the infield. The track workers thanked me for getting off the track so quickly. I believe my failure was a result of the Gen 3 non-swinging oil pickup. In any case I was lucky that it didn't catch fire or spin me into the wall at 150.

[Vegaskid]

Another link from Youtube talks about the failure of the #9 rod.

https://youtu.be/_67YZLZv7Zw?t=987

Really glad nobody was hurt...