Mamba

[Viper vince]

My buddy is looking at a 2004 Mamba with 3800 miles on it for $52,900 is that a good deal? In 2004 how much was the mamba package when the car was new? Does it help the resale value and if so by how much?

[Steve-Indy]

As I recall, the Mamba package was about a $2500.00 option.

[Viper vince]

Thank you

[SEASnake]

Mamba Edition only helps resale for someone that has to have a Mamba. That price is unfortunately (for current owners - not buyers) very high, even with the low miles. Gen III's took a big hit when the Gen IV's were being sold for thousands under invoice during the restructuring, and it is unlikely that Gen III pricing will come back up any time soon.

[Mr White]

I'd expect to pay from 40-45k depending on the condition

[Steve-Indy]

Keep in mind that the 2004 Vipers were assembled using a smaller, lower torque crank damper bolt...some short term consequences of which included crank damage, and some blown engines. This situation was corrected in 2005.

See ALL the records on these models..including Chrysler's. Also, have an experienced Viper Tech check this car thoroughly BEFORE purchase agreement is completed.

While any Viper can have its crank damper bolt loosen over time, one could randomly check low mileage 2004's and frequently find said bolt finger-loose.

There is a fix...but the question remains...was damage done?

[Mr White]

Keep in mind that the 2004 Vipers were assembled using a smaller, lower torque crank damper bolt...some short term consequences of which included crank damage, and some blown engines. This situation was corrected in 2005.

You have any details on this, is there a fix for it, or is it just a matter of cranking it down again?

[Steve-Indy]

1992-2003 and 2005-2010 crank damper (harmonic balancer) bolt: part number 6036207AA size 0.75 inches (diameter) x16 x2.250 inches (long)...Bolt head size 1 1/4 inch...factory torque recommendation 250 lb-ft. I call this the "BIG bolt".

2004 crank damper (harmonic balancer) bolt: part number 6506340AA size M14 mm (diameter) x1.5 x102.0 mm (long) ...Bolt head size 13/16 inch... factory torque recommendation 130 lb-ft. I call this the "small bolt".

If the 2004 bolt is found to be loose BUT the damper, pulley, and crank nose are all OK, one can clean bolt, apply Loctite, and torque to 160 lb-ft.
In general, same procedures apply to fix a loose 1 1/4 inch hex head bolt...EXCEPT that the torque setting should be 250 (some go to 300) lb-ft.

Unless one is a mechanic (technician) who is well familiar with these beasts, I personally recommend that one asks a Viper Tech to do this job. My own worry with these cars is possible undiagnosed damage when the "fix" is done by rookies.

Chuck Tator can also tell you about a few damaged crank-nose Vipers that he has repaired without replacing said crankshaft.

ANOTHER DISCLAIMER...years ago, as this issue was just starting to surface, it was reported in the VCA Forums that some 2005 Vipers MAY have the "small bolt"...BUT, I have not seen one as yet. Be SURE that YOU KNOW just which bolt YOUR Viper has before picking a torque setting. A mistake here can be costly !!

[SEASnake]

You have any details on this, is there a fix for it, or is it just a matter of cranking it down again?

It was a recall item. Make sure the recall was done and done correctly as per Steve-Indy's additional info. 3800 miles in 10 years might suggest that this may have been ignored as well as most all other maintenance. Be certain to have it checked out by a competent/knowledgeable mechanic - not all "Viper Tech's" are created equal...

[Steve-Indy]

SEASnake has made a very important point...there were TWO different "bolt" issues. The Recall pertained to the loose cam bolts on some 2004 Vipers. The crankshaft damper bolt was installed on all 2004 Vipers.

Thanks, SEASnake !!

UPDATE: Here is a link the info on the Cam Sprocket Recall:

http://www.viperclub.org/howto/servi...f/RC_D1904.pdf

I would guess that MOST of these were fix a long time ago.

So, in my opinion, the more worrisome entity at this point is the crankshaft damper bolt issue.

[Viper vince]

Thanks guys for the info!

[ACRucrazy]

My buddy is looking at a 2004 Mamba with 3800 miles on it for $52,900 is that a good deal? In 2004 how much was the mamba package when the car was new? Does it help the resale value and if so by how much?

That's pretty low mileage. I can put that many miles on in 1 year. I dunno if 53k is a "good deal", maybe a fair starting price. MSRP was 87k. As mentioned it was a $2500 package which there were 200 made.

If I were a buyer I'd try to get it for something that starts with a 4, if I were a seller I would try and get something that starts with a 5 IMO it's in the ballpark.

[Steve-Indy]

Viper vince, I would not let any of the above comments stop your friend from considering a 2004 Viper. We have several folks in our Region who have 2004's any they are great cars.

Just be sure that he does his homework on the front end !!

[J TNT]

Had mine since almost new , no issues . I do periodically check the crank bolt torque , but to date it hasn't moved. Fwiw.

[Viper vince]

Thank you guys for all of the info I will pass it along to him.

[Viper Specialty]

Just my opinion, but do not worry too much about the Cam Bolt or Crank Damper bolt issues. They are only a problem IF they were not torqued correctly, and most 2004's were not affected. Also, there are of course many 2004 cars that have had engine performance work, and this would not apply to any properly built vehicles as a result, regardless of how they were built at the factory.

Basically, if the car was going to have an issue, it would have failed years ago. Otherwise, its either not affected originally, has already been repaired, or has been replaced with something that is not affected during the course of a build.