Seeking help from all Gen2 Hennessey experts

[GTS_venom]

Hi all,
As some of you know I am really interested in purchasing a 1997 Venom 650R. I have been blown away by the great support from the viper community which I am very thankful! I have learned the bad reputation HMS has especially with his early work yet I still like the car if it is the real deal that is . With that said the one I have set my eyes on is the #17 and I need your help to weigh in on few red flags I have learned about and if this is an indication that it is a fake Hennessey or is it one of Johns Frankenstein one.

1. The valve cover has venom 600 engraved yet the Hennessey plaque inside says 650R. Is this normal?
2. The coils are black and I learned that on Hennessey builds they suppose to be red. Does anybody know if some had black wires?

Thanks again!

[TheMadMachinist]

I'm no Hennessey expert but the car is 22 years old so the wires at least mite have been changed due to age.

[Fatboy 18]

Strip the whole engine down and go through it, Don't trust anyone or what anyone says. Then get it dynoed for true figures.

[dave6666]

I'm no Hennessey expert but the car is 22 years old so the wires at least mite have been changed due to age.

He said coils not wires.

[dave6666]

Strip the whole engine down and go through it, Don't trust anyone or what anyone says. Then get it dynoed for true figures.

Dynoing is a great idea but I'd reverse the suggested order of events to dyno first, then tear it down depending on the dyno results.

[TheMadMachinist]

Dave6666 ........Read the last line of his post.

[dave6666]

Dave6666 ........Read the last line of his post.

Yes. In order of written and reusing some of the verbiage.

1) tear the engine apart

2) then get it dyno'd

So yes..............I can read. And as he wrote it you would tear the engine down first then put it back together and dyno. Which seems like an odd order of events.

[71firebird400]

Yes. In order of written and reusing some of the verbiage.

1) tear the engine apart

2) then get it dyno'd

So yes..............I can read. And as he wrote it you would tear the engine down first then put it back together and dyno. Which seems like an odd order of events.

Read, yes. Comprehend, no. TheMadMachinist is referring to his post, not Fatboy's.

[GTS Dean]

2. The coils are black and I learned that on Hennessey builds they suppose to be red. Does anybody know if some had black wires?

Are you referring to both wires and coil packs?

I recall most of his builds back then were supplied with RED Magnecor plug wires. If the wires are numbered, dated and say VIPER on them, they are stock wires. The GTS-R _racecars_ ran OEM plug wires on them, so they're not bad - but do tend to require more frequent replacement.

[TheMadMachinist]

Thanks 71firebird400 .

You know what they say........... You can lead them to water but you can't make them drink.

[FrankBarba]

Call the guy you mentioned who built your car..I'm sure he has some great insite..
Might even ask if he can do some work on her...A little massaging.

[TOMBOTT2014]

I'm late to this thread but after reading about nightmares with Hennessey back in the mid to early 2000's I wouldn't touch a car he did with a 10 foot pole