Tomball Dodge/Viper Exchange Suspension Modification for the Gen V

[FLATOUT]

Ok so after seeing Austin's photoshop of my car lowered the other day on the new wheels I decided to figure out the best way lower the car without sacrificing performance. Ride quality doesn't usually bother me as long as it performes better (I like race cars), so I was open to different options.

First thing I looked into was the Eibach lowering springs that were used on the Gen 4's (Gen 3 carry overs), as I knew they would lower the car, but I really didn't like them on my Gen 3. Car always felt unsettled to me. Spoke with a few people and with the Gen V being 200lbs lighter than the Gen 3's and 4's and the impact that carry over spring rate would have on a Gen V car I decided to pass.

So now I am looking into fully adjustable setups which are great but I really like the stock TA setup and the push button adjustment in the cabin. I drive the car a lot and enjoy being able to put it into street mode when taking a longer trip, not to mention the cost of a fully adjustable setup.

So as luck would have it the guys at Tomball/Viper Exchange had just come out with their proprietary suspension modifiers that were developed via the SRT Motorsports team engineers in congunction with Ben Keatings GT3R Team and already tested on their (Tomball Dodge/Viper Exchange) test car. Simple design that lets up keep the factory springs, and ride quality, as well as keeping the push button adjustability of the factory system.

The fronts are lowered by 14mm (.55 inches) and 11mm (.43 inches) in the rear. Car sits just right. Not too low that it looks like some lame tuner car, but not like the factory 4X4 look either. Would have liked to have pushed the car yesterday but of course I got stuck in a major downpour on the way home.

This was Tomball/Viper Exchange's quote in my wheel thread:

Tomball/ViperExchange is now offering the suspension modifications for all Gen V Vipers, we have been testing and working with Engineers during the last season to create the perfect modification, with the help of our GT3R car and the team at SRT. The mod will be available exclusively through Tomball Dodge/ViperExchange , the installs will begin this upcoming week, for more information you can reach out to Nathan Dainton at Tomball 281-351-2000.

We have had them installed a 14 TA for several weeks and they not only help the ride quality but also improve the appearance

And here are some quick pictures from yesterday:


Untitled by mrandrewwheeler, on Flickr


Untitled by mrandrewwheeler, on Flickr

FACTORY:


Untitled by mrandrewwheeler, on Flickr

TOMBALL:


Untitled by mrandrewwheeler, on Flickr


Untitled by mrandrewwheeler, on Flickr

[FLATOUT]

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic's, and no I didn't get any pictures of the car lowered yesterday due to the excessive rain. I need to get the car cleaned up for the COTA race this weekend though so I will try to at least get some more cell pic's over the weekend.

Andy

[bluesrt]

approx. how much are the lower caps, and did they remove the shock to install? did they do a alighnment after?

[FLATOUT]

approx. how much are the lower caps, and did they remove the shock to install? did they do a alighnment after?

You'll have to call Nathan Dainton at Tomball 281-351-2000. This is probably the first time I have let anyone touch or work on a Viper of mine in the last 5 years outside of a tune, so I can't give you any more info than what I already posted.

[Nine Ball]

I took some pics before the rain hit. While it isn't slammed, I like the subtle drop. Especially to level out the front grand canyon wheel gap they usually have. I will likely do the same thing. I would never want to get rid of the badass electric shocks.





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approx. how much are the lower caps, and did they remove the shock to install? did they do a alighnment after?

They will not be selling the caps separately. Only installed.

[FLATOUT]

Thanks Tony, and great seeing you there. It did settle lower on the way home.

[Nine Ball]

Sweet. How were the R888's in the rain?

[FLATOUT]

Sweet. How were the R888's in the rain?

HAHA "Exciting" . I put it in rain mode and the car was fine. I think with moderate rain they would be good, but there was some standing water that I definitely slowed way down for lol.

[VENOM V]

Looks like a nice clean easy solution. I spoke with Ben about this at Viper Homecoming. He was very vague on how they lower the car. Now that I see that it's just caps, seems like a simple solution. Why won't they sell the caps separately? It looks like any competent shop could install them. No way I would ship my car to Texas and back just for that.

[bluesrt]

ahhhh geeze...

[Brian GTS]

Very cool. IMO, this is all that was needed. On mine, the front gap is more than the rear....so glad to see the front is dropped more than the rear with these caps....even if only a little bit.

Although, I am disappointed they won't be selling these....only an installed price? Is that truly the case?

[Malu59RT]

Looks good Andy! I prefer spring caps to Eibach's, and don't want to lose the dual mode suspension also. Hope Tomball posts a little more information and maybe networks with other local dealers to sell it.

[tmcphail]

Are your R888's super noisy ? I had those on another car and they screamed due to the pattern.

[FLATOUT]

I am going to talk to Ben about it this weekend, as it's not a perfect solution for the community or Tomball (I don't think they realize how much potential business there is in the parts sale). I understand the concept of keeping it exclusive to their dealership network but it's just not something you are going to ship a car down for. My hope is if they won't sell the parts directly maybe we can work something out with sending your coilovers in for a quick install and turnaround. That being said these guys have a bunch of money tied up in R&D for aftermarket parts for the Gen V so I cerntainly understand their position as well.

Looks like a nice clean easy solution. I spoke with Ben about this at Viper Homecoming. He was very vague on how they lower the car. Now that I see that it's just caps, seems like a simple solution. Why won't they sell the caps separately? It looks like any competent shop could install them. No way I would ship my car to Texas and back just for that.

ahhhh geeze...

Very cool. IMO, this is all that was needed. On mine, the front gap is more than the rear....so glad to see the front is dropped more than the rear with these caps....even if only a little bit.

Although, I am disappointed they won't be selling these....only an installed price? Is that truly the case?

Looks good Andy! I prefer spring caps to Eibach's, and don't want to lose the dual mode suspension also. Hope Tomball posts a little more information and maybe networks with other local dealers to sell it.

[FLATOUT]

Are your R888's super noisy ? I had those on another car and they screamed due to the pattern.

Louder than the Corsa's yes but not crazy noisy like the old Yoko A032R's were.

BRO! You get a TA? Oh Damn!

[Brian GTS]

I am going to talk to Ben about it this weekend, as it's not a perfect solution for the community or Tomball (I don't think they realize how much potential business there is in the parts sale). I understand the concept of keeping it exclusive to their dealership network but it's just not something you are going to ship a car down for. My hope is if they won't sell the parts directly maybe we can work something out with sending your coilovers in for a quick install and turnaround. That being said these guys have a bunch of money tied up in R&D for aftermarket parts for the Gen V so I cerntainly understand their position as well.

Yes, definitely talk to them about it. I've installed caps on my Gen II's and III....easy task. Personally, I would not be interested in shipping my car or suspension parts to TX for installation. Just price them accordingly for R&D. Agreed there would undoubtedly be much more volume sales if they sold the parts.

[FLATOUT]

Yes, definitely talk to them about it. I've installed caps on my Gen II's and III....easy task. Personally, I would not be interested in shipping my car or suspension parts to TX for installation. Just price them accordingly for R&D. Agreed there would undoubtedly be much more volume sales if they sold the parts.

Will do.

[VENOM V]

Thanks Andy. Small sales like this can lead to bigger sales in the future. A bunch of us will be using our $15K vouchers down the road. Building relationships with potential customers would benefit Viper Exchange more than the additional profit they will make on labor installing these caps.

[FLATOUT]

Thanks Andy. Small sales like this can lead to bigger sales in the future. A bunch of us will be using our $15K vouchers down the road. Building relationships with potential customers would benefit Viper Exchange more than the additional profit they will make on labor installing these caps.

I agree, and I just want them to be available to everyone (thinking about people out of state), even if they need to price them slightly higher to recoupe R&D costs. Do you potentially sell 20-30 sets + install and labor, or 200-300 sets at a good margin that people all over the country can snatch up.

Regardless they aren't the regular old caps, and I can tell Ben takes great pride in the development and testing that went into them. Suspension Modification or Modifiers is what they call them and they are coated for corrosion resistance and completely resemble a factory part.

[Cdubb]

Are your R888's super noisy ? I had those on another car and they screamed due to the pattern.

I'm with you, way too noisy!

[Austin]

Andy, the car looks great! Loving these two shots. Any chance you could upload the larger versions to your Flickr? Please.

I took some pics before the rain hit. While it isn't slammed, I like the subtle drop. Especially to level out the front grand canyon wheel gap they usually have. I will likely do the same thing. I would never want to get rid of the badass electric shocks.





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They will not be selling the caps separately. Only installed.

[FLATOUT]

Hey Austin, Tony took those with his cell phone. I'll get some shots with it cleaned up now that the suspension has fully settled.

Andy, the car looks great! Loving these two shots. Any chance you could upload the larger versions to your Flickr? Please.

[Simms]

Thanks for posting Andy!

I was ready to call them right now until I read they had to be installed at Tomball (I'm in Pittsburgh). As others have said, I hope something else can be worked out. Just too far and costly to ship for caps.

[FLATOUT]

Noted, I'll see what he says this weekend.

Thanks for posting Andy!

I was ready to call them right now until I read they had to be installed at Tomball (I'm in Pittsburgh). As others have said, I hope something else can be worked out. Just too far and costly to ship for caps.

[Tiago]

looks like they could easily make bigger drop options?