Repairing a Gen5 ACR Rocker and Installing Hi flow Cats

[ACR-ISH]

Hey fellow Viper buddies! Several of you follow me on Instagram so some of this may be duplicated information, but for many of you, it's simply a new resource and hopefully a cool write up. I always have something in the garage or at the shop, but more and more it's been another Viper lately. Which is fine... I cannot stop falling in love with these cars! So here goes:

I bumped into Todd a while back and we pretty much instantly bonded over track talk. He's always been quick to help out and even made me a great deal on the shoes my girl is currently flaunting, which I couldn't be happier with. So a few months ago we were talking about some damage to his passenger rocker which occurred during a quick run off at T-Hill coming out of turn 9, which happens often because of the kink right after the top of the hill. Anyway, it was JUST enough to absolutely banana peel the front edge of his rocker. I took a peek and I was honest as I could be. Despite it being a small damage area, it was TOAST. Aluminum hates be bent and even more so it typically cracks after being wadded up, see the pic:

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Additionally, the rocker was molly-whopped in the middle toward the rear as well. Even being a $5700 factory part, fixing this rocker just didn't seem like it was in the cards. So we went on the hunt for a rocker. That's when the journey began!

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So Todd and I touched bases on and off for a few months and it seemed like a used rocker was always just a step or two ahead, and usually ended up being a non ACR model, which doesn't seem far off, but without having one to see, we weren't certain that was a dark alley we wanted to be caught in without the right data or information. SOOOOO... I finally found one. BUT, it was a certain un-named dealer who's owner was keeping it for himself, for his own Viper. And no, it's not currently damaged.

As the months went by and it was becoming clear we simply were not going to secure this rocker without a legal fight, lol, I decided to lean on a friend of mine and see what he thought. I was FLOORED when he said: "It probably wont be cheap, but I think I can fix it and have it look decent."

So we brought the Viper for him to look it and confirm it was doable. "Decent." I don't think decent accurately describes how well it turned out.

It should be duly noted an ACR and a non-ACR are both racked for a reason involving a certain rear diffuser. Just leaving that one alone for a minute, but updates will follow in a new thread. Hitting post, and replying so I can keep adding pics.

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[ACR-ISH]

So after getting the rockers and (and some other unrelated parts to begin development), it was a waiting game to see how well it was going to turn out, if it was even repairable. I got some pics along the way, but in true Garrett form, he was not excited nor defeated, he just carries on and updates factually. The process looked like this over the course of about 7 days (obviously not with touch time each day).

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I saw these pictures and I thought to myself: At least I told Todd: "It wont be PERFECT, but he says he can fix it." Todd didn't seem phased... but nothing could prepare me for what was to come. Just as I thought we were making decent progress...

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And then some more progress...

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To be honest... I was shocked. I really was. It was really coming together!

[ACR-ISH]

One last pic to show you the finish:

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I was pretty floored. I couldn't believe it... except I could because Garrett is THAT good with metal, and specifically aluminum. He really is talented. He must have bugged or text me 50 times after I picked it up with "If I need to adjust or improve anything let me know" "just wanna make sure you're happy with it". I think we would have been happy with it 90% that good.

Even better, he was able to contain the repair far enough away from the rocker edges that we didn't need to put any color at the top of the rocker. AND, I didnt even have to metal glaze these, that's how precisely he metal finished these. A simple high build primer and an overnight dry after infra-reds and it was time to paint this bad boy. Some of you may know this color and let me tell you, Stryker Orange can have as many as 14 candy coats, but we are able to closely replicate the depth and candy in a more simple tri-stage with our Axalta paint system. My painter is equally impressive. It really, really came out superb. Time to install some hi flows, through the rockers on, Xpel them again, and ship it back to Todd for a March track day where he will NOT abuse his newly repaired rocker but will love the shit out of it.

Hi flow cats pick to come, and a thread on the diffuser project is cooking as we speak, just wanting to get a bit further before we begin posting. Stay tuned!

The pic you really wanted anyway:

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NEXT CHAPTER: HI FLOWS from JonB (again, but not for my car)

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[Ronin47]

Thats awesome. Didnt think that panel can be saved.

[BLUVENM]

Aluminum is typically a throw away if you damage it in the nature that you did. This dude is a magician!!! Awesome work!!!

[Arizona Vipers]

Wow nice work!!!

[ViperGeorge]

Very nice work. You mention that the sill will be xpelled. The clear bra that I have seen on sills typically wrinkles from exhaust heat. Even with high flow cats. Are you worried about this?

[ACR-ISH]

Very nice work. You mention that the sill will be xpelled. The clear bra that I have seen on sills typically wrinkles from exhaust heat. Even with high flow cats. Are you worried about this?

They've wrinkled twice on his ACR. This time I ordered through Xpel and they CONFIRMED they will warranty if it has ANY issue. I specifically ordered their laser cut to preserve the warranty. Also... the new hi flows REALLY lower temps. So it's kind of an extra step, but should remedy the issue.

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Wow nice work!!!

Thanks!

[Bryan Savage]

That's amazing work!!

[Scott_in_fl]

Nice job!

While installing the hi-flow cats, you might consider doing what I did to further reduce the amount of heat against the sill.20200112_090000.jpg20200112_090018.jpg

[ACRSNK]

That really is incredible

[stradman]

If you're willing to forgo the cats , no wrinkling of the Xpel!. Great job BTW!

[ACR-ISH]

If you're willing to forgo the cats , no wrinkling of the Xpel!. Great job BTW!

Thanks!

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That really is incredible

Right?

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Nice job!

While installing the hi-flow cats, you might consider doing what I did to further reduce the amount of heat against the sill.20200112_090000.jpg20200112_090018.jpg

Customer doesn't wanna use more heat insulation. I tried. worried about other issues it may cause. I always suggest, never push.

[Crotalidae]

Very nice work indeed!!!

[Whiskey]

Impressive work! Wow it's rare to find someone who does such a quality repair on ANYTHING!