Does a blown Viper really go against it's heritage?

[Coloviper]

All the talk about Hellcat (which is all positive for the Challenger and Dodge in general) got me remembering that even the inspirational, spiritual predecessor of the Viper, the mighty Shelby Cobra had an ultimate Cobra, the 1966 Super Snake which was........twin Supercharged with Paxton Blowers.

Yes the 289 Cobras were actually the best around the track, even more so than the mighty 427 side oilers, the 427 Cobras still garnered the lions share of all the attention and value. It is more than track times and racing when looking at value all these years later.

Despite what many feel here, FI is a natural progression of the car and fits with it's idol the 60s Cobra, which it was created in it's image but unique.

1966 Shelby Cobra Super Snake can be found at Paxton here:

http://www.paxtonauto.com/article.php?id=6

Oh yah, the HP level seems about right for the Viper these days, but kick it up an extra 50 HP for good measure.

[Policy Limits]

Times have changed. Aventadors sold out with a premium the cost of a new Gen v; 100k juice and it sold...out! No one wants to push in a clutch pedal and almost everything is boosted. Seems like people want comfortable cars with paddle shifters. The raw low volume production with V10 define the snake. I would mind if the same size motor was boosted. And I would even mind a DCT so long as a stick is still an option like in the Z06. The supercharged hellcat is really going to be something. But the flagship model needs to remain, well, the Brand's flagship.

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*wouldnt mind.

[FLATOUT]

No it doesn't, not being on top goes against its Heritage . As long as it has a V10 I'm good,

[mnc2886]

Switch back to the 8.0L so it can be stronger, rev a bit higher, switch to a dry sump so the engine can be lowered and then throw a blower on it. I don't think anyone ever chastised a Gen II owner for installing a Roe kit. Problem is there is no way to afford it for R&D. Unless they can magically find a way to share some parts with the Challenger and Charger, they'd never be able to keep costs down.

[ViperSmith]

With how the EPA is, the V10 is on its last legs, blower or not. Dodge isn't going to invest in revamping a new big displacement V10, nor will they be able to keep the V10 on the road with the EPA breathing down its neck.

The days of the V10 are limited.

It is amusing that the Viper has never had a blower, but "die hards" say it is ok. Yet, if you talk about DCT or another configuration, it is sacrilege.

[TooBlue]

[QUOTE=mnc2886;65159]Switch back to the 8.0L so it can be stronger, rev a bit higher, switch to a dry sump so the engine can be lowered and then throw a blower on it. I don't think anyone ever chastised a Gen II owner for installing a Roe kit. Problem is there is no way to afford it for R&D. Unless they can magically find a way to share some parts with the Challenger and Charger, they'd never be able to keep costs down.[/QUOTE]

I agree .!!!

It could be an option...? The blower could be installed at a factory recognized installer like Prefix

[ACRucrazy]

With how the EPA is, the V10 is on its last legs, blower or not. Dodge isn't going to invest in revamping a new big displacement V10, nor will they be able to keep the V10 on the road with the EPA breathing down its neck.

The days of the V10 are limited.

It is amusing that the Viper has never had a blower, but "die hards" say it is ok. Yet, if you talk about DCT or another configuration, it is sacrilege.

How does Lamborghini and Audi do it?

The "problem" for the Viper is it IS a V10. The V10 made the Viper what it is. You take that away, you take away its soul.

[ViperSmith]

How does Lamborghini and Audi do it?

The "problem" for the Viper is it IS a V10. The V10 made the Viper what it is. You take that away, you take away its soul.

Because Lambo and Audi invest in it. (Which, oddly there are more Vipers sold than R8s)

To me at least, the engine is a part of the equation. The V10 didn't define it necessarily, 20 years ago that was the way to crank out that kind of power.

I'll say it again, a high reving V10+KERS would be just stupidly awesome. Could even park in those special spots up front of parking lots

[Anonymous]

Let's say the Hellcat goes for 70k,they are going to sell a bunch of them just for having the braging rites,that's also a large part that sold Vipers, the problems is the Viper has to many great other cars to share a very small market,and it doesnt have those braging numbers,that being said I think it's not going to be around after2016,sad!

[Viktimize]

How does Lamborghini and Audi do it?

The "problem" for the Viper is it IS a V10. The V10 made the Viper what it is. You take that away, you take away its soul.

Meh, at the end of the day I'm buying the Viper for it's exotic/outrageous looks, and it's rawness in the way it drives. I couldn't care less if it has a V10 or a blown V8, 700hp out of either would be a big seller. And to be honest, the Dodge V8 exhaust note sounds like sex, I'd prefer that to my current diesel sounding exhaust note. (Flame suit on)

[RT SERPENT]

If the V10 goes…. I think it should be the end of the Viper.
Then introduce a whole new halo car with a boosted V8 ….. or the ME412

[Nine Ball]

Back when 400hp was considered amazing, the ol' Viper V10 could easily make more than enough NA. Even 600hp is somewhat simple for a huge engine. But, now that cars are seeing 700+, it just makes sense to go to forced induction. I'd be fine with a smaller V10 with a blower or turbos. I wouldn't want to ever see a V8 under the hood. Can we at least get a V9? LOL

[IndyRon]

The hood is long enough and there is plenty of space in front of that crossmember to move things around. You guys are thinking about this all wrong. Just add 2 more cylinders. ~8.4L V12 with a little less stroke and 1k more rpm.....finally fix this cars exhaust note and that would be capable of 800hp if warranted all without a blower and associated hardware. For those that would rather the viper die than have a V8, would you feel the same way about a V12...I don't!

Oh yeah, change the front end to look like this. No more retro. We can all dream, right?

[Black Adder]

Yes

[ACRucrazy]

For those that would rather the viper die than have a V8, would you feel the same way about a V12...

Yes.

[Troublemaker]

The hood is long enough and there is plenty of space in front of that crossmember to move things around. You guys are thinking about this all wrong. Just add 2 more cylinders. ~8.4L V12 with a little less stroke and 1k more rpm.....finally fix this cars exhaust note and that would be capable of 800hp if warranted all without a blower and associated hardware. For those that would rather the viper die than have a V8, would you feel the same way about a V12...I don't!


Oh yeah, change the front end to look like this. No more retro. We can all dream, right?

That concept was amazing, it's a shame it was never more than a picture.

[Bugman Jeff]

Forced induction doesn't go against the car's "heritage" any more than the Gen III/IV hood that opens the wrong way, or the real actual roll up windows in the Gen II+ cars. The rear exit Gen II exhaust could be said to go against the car's heritage too if you want to be picky. It's all in how define what heritage means. IMO, the only Viper heritage that really matters is being top dog at a semi-affordable price, and the Viper lost that the moment the supercharged ZR1 debuted.

[No hemi]

V10 and Twin turbo, on a " smaller" 8.0 L engine, EPA will be happy , and we'll be happy too...