Viper Engine Techs

[SansRuLes]

I need some opinions. My 2003 everyday driver with 58K has suffered a blow. I only drive 7 miles a day, no racing or jack rabbiting. Regular fluids checked and changed with a local Viper mechanic. Car started driving like a lawnmower. Computer showed a misfire in #8. Compression fine in #8. All plugs and wires were changed and it started to run even worse at the mechanic's shop. He took the heads off and the pictures show the rest. The theory is the car overheated. There is a loose valve seat and supposed scoring on some of the other cylinders from causes unknown. The whole thing blows my mind. My question, is from what you can see from the photos, what can done to save this engine short of a major overhaul (is that even needed) or dropping in a different motor. Tell me what you see.

Thanks so much Viper Techs!

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[pokeyl]

I would put a new set of head on it. Drive on, marks on cylinders are down far enough to not leak compression. Polish out the mark in the top of the piston, if not cracked.

[99RT10]

Agreed, if it isn't cracked, get the heads reworked or buy a set of ported/polished heads. and make more power

[Steve M]

Might want to consider a catch can while you're at it.

[viperBase1]

I would put a new set of head on it. Drive on, marks on cylinders are down far enough to not leak compression. Polish out the mark in the top of the piston, if not cracked.

Hey just out of curiosity, pretend the cylinders were scored further/bad enough..

Can they be re-sleeved?
Bored out and re-finished?
Buy a new block?

What would you do?

[ViperSRT]

I do not agree with the comment that the scored cylinders are low enough to not cause an issue. They may be low enough to not show up during a compression check but I suspect they will lead to high blowby and oil consumption and maybe more. Check the depth and see if they can be bored/honed out and oversized pistons used.

[SansRuLes]

This is the type of discussion that I need. People looking at the same picture see different things. Mind you, the repair options for what you see are very different. From something as simple as new heads to a bore out and new pistons to a whole new engine. The mechanic that has it is advocating a whole new engine. That in my mind is the nuclear option. Is this needed? Are there other options? Better yet, who in Florida can give me a second opinion?

I do not agree with the comment that the scored cylinders are low enough to not cause an issue. They may be low enough to not show up during a compression check but I suspect they will lead to high blowby and oil consumption and maybe more. Check the depth and see if they can be bored/honed out and oversized pistons used.

- - - Updated - - -

Exactly!

And who in South Florida can look at this and give me a second opinion?

Hey just out of curiosity, pretend the cylinders were scored further/bad enough..

Can they be re-sleeved?
Bored out and re-finished?
Buy a new block?

What would you do?

[Soiledmist]

I just sent you a PM about mechanic options. The one that you have has not steered me wrong in the past, but there are two others in the area.

[daveg]

Depends on how much you want to get into it. If you just want a driver and prolong the rebuild, leave it. You can sink some money into good heads and then go short block when your ready / ever want to.

[LATAMUD]

You're in Doug Levin territory.

[Rickb9875]

Soiledmist, Any chance you can share info on a good Viper mechanic in Broward County? I have a 92 and it had done really well until last year. Arrigo Dodge did some work on it, but I would like another option for someone who is really knowledgeable about Vipers.

Thanks, Rickb9875

[Dan Cragin]

I put ATF in the cylinders and see how much drains down overnight. Any significant scoring can cause oil consumption. Those heads should be gone through with new seats. Very common problem.

Exotic engine in Reno is who I've used for 15 years. They can ship you a container. Fair prices.

[SansRuLes]

You can reach out to Mark Leslie, a seasoned Viper tech formerly with University Dodge. His number is 954-608-0275.

Soiledmist, Any chance you can share info on a good Viper mechanic in Broward County? I have a 92 and it had done really well until last year. Arrigo Dodge did some work on it, but I would like another option for someone who is really knowledgeable about Vipers.

Thanks, Rickb9875