Gts project..

[BigSnake]

Hey guys! I've been around the viper scene for a while, but only now got the time to introduce myself. Everything started back in 2009 when i was in high school and doing co-op at a shop. One of the costumers decided to bring his 96 viper gts for emissions. I stood there watching the car rolling on the dyno, and me drooling like a bastard! On that year i finished my 88 Iroc-z and which i ended up loosing it 3 years after. Bought a 92 z28 25th anniversary in blue(which i still have). That same year i was already eyeing GTS's but nothing that i liked. In early 2014 i went to check a red GTS, but yet another viper with no history from previous owners with no maintenance records and some "unproven" engine mods, wrong tires and muffler delete. The next month i saw another red 98 GTS on for sale. Took my time to go check the car and couldn't be happier. A two owner vehicle where the last owner took care of the car since 2001. All records of parts, work by the dealer and maintenance was kept!

Here is the car for the first time i saw it:
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and then home..
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Before i bringing the car out for the season, i decided to fix some cosmetics and small problems which these cars encounter over their age..

-replaced plastic fasteners that were lose in front of the rad
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-replaced weather stripping on drivers door
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-replaced the trim around the inside door handle(both doors)
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[BigSnake]

-replace spark plug wire loom(the small clips on the valve covers) with wire looms from Billetspecialties
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note: these looms are black anodized aluminum which don't get brittle over time due to heat

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After all the work, it was all about checking/testing the car.. aka enjoyment

[BigSnake]

Last day of joy in 2014

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Overall, it has been an amazing car on cruises and trips i have done all over Ontario. Plan for next year is to attend some viper meetings and get to know the crowd..


the car is somehow "stockish"; Only mods done to the car is smooth tubes on the intake and a Mopar performance cat back. There is an improvement i want to acomplish: lower the temperature on the side sills. My first option is to install high flow catalytic converters. From what i am familiar, they are 2 cats on each side 2.5 inches inside diameter with create high temps and restriction on the exhaust flow. i was thinking keeping the stock exhaust manifold and make my own catalytic converter assembly on 3" ID. Keep in mind i weld with mig I'm open to ideas regarding brands of cats, where to position them and material core of the cat (most likely i will use metal core).

From my research in aftermarket availability, i don't want to have the cats inside the sills, but right after the flex joint which connects to the exhaust manifold. I noticed this option available to the Gen3 vipers from ROE. here is a picture how it looks like:
hf_cats.jpg

Anyone ever done a cat assembly using this design for a Gen2? Any possibilities of any engine lights coming on from having the cats too close to the manifolds? Any Input will be very welcome

[10PISTNZ]

Are you from the Vaughan area?
I think I may have seen your car at Sevenview this Summer. Went to see if it was for sale. I was told it was there for a safety. Later I may have seen you on Hwy 7 near Martin Grove.
We have a great VOA Region. Look forward to meeting you.

[C.J]

-replace spark plug wire loom(the small clips on the valve covers) with wire looms from Billetspecialties
IMG_0788.jpg
note: these looms are black anodized aluminum which don't get brittle over time due to heat

Interesting pieces...hadn't seen them before and will check them out. Congrats on getting a '98 GTS!

[BigSnake]

Hey 10PISTNZ! I live in tdot. I got the safety done at my friends shop in concord. Probably u seen my car around Maple?? i go there very often. Looking forward to meet u

[BigSnake]

Interesting pieces...hadn't seen them before and will check them out. Congrats on getting a '98 GTS!

Thanks! Love the car! those pieces come in a blister package by the pair.

Here are the part numbers:
69782
69783
69784
69682

[Dajerseyviper]

Thanks! Love the car! those pieces come in a blister package by the pair.

Here are the part numbers:
69782
69783
69784
69682

Just dont tell anyone you are using them on a Viper or the price doubles... LOL

[BigSnake]

Just dont tell anyone you are using them on a Viper or the price doubles... LOL

LOL good point! they are not cheap to start with..

[BlknBlu]

Welcome and congrats on the Red Beast

Bruce

[BigSnake]

Thanks Bruce. So guys, any ideas on the cats location?

[C.J]

Thanks Bruce. So guys, any ideas on the cats location?

Cats are behind the side sills...but not sure that's your question?

[LifeIsGood]

This is the OE exhaust that came off my 2001, minus the rear muffler that I replaced with straight pipes...



You want to move the cats from A to B. I've never seen or heard of anyone doing that, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try it. Good luck.

[00VPRGTS]

With RT high flows in the stock locations with stock insulation, I can drive my car hard get out and put my hand on the side sills.

[Dajerseyviper]

This is the OE exhaust that came off my 2001, minus the rear muffler that I replaced with straight pipes...



You want to move the cats from A to B. I've never seen or heard of anyone doing that, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try it. Good luck.

He would need a much smaller cat, and he would loose the flex pipe then move the cat closer to the manifold which may effect the rear O2's..I would leave them in the stock location..

[GuitarSteve2112]

Sweet....another Viper in Toronto!

[slitherv10]

Hey 10PISTNZ! I live in tdot. I got the safety done at my friends shop in concord. Probably u seen my car around Maple?? i go there very often. Looking forward to meet u

Sevenview is in Concord so he may have seen the same car. I remember that car at Bolton Chevy dealer and they shipped it to Sevenview. I believe the guy wanted or did traded in at the Bolton dealer.

[Dajerseyviper]

Might I recommend replacing the motor mounts and pulling the radiator and re-coring it or flushing it, if you are doing the coolant. Also dont forget to pull the block plugs and drain the coolant from the block, you'll need a 10mm square drive.

Teh amount of crap you will find between the radiator and condenser is amazing and if you see white calcium deposits down the side of your radiator, you most likely have a clogged radiator. You could pay around $400 for a re-core with a 3 row core, or $850 for an aftermarket aluminium.

Also recommend a 180* thermostat.

[BigSnake]

Hey guys.. Back from a busy weekend!

You want to move the cats from A to B. I've never seen or heard of anyone doing that, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try it. Good luck.

yes LifeIsGood, you got the concept. Anyone never done it because the upgrade is headers which takes away the spot of the flex pipes.

He would need a much smaller cat, and he would loose the flex pipe then move the cat closer to the manifold which may effect the rear O2's..I would leave them in the stock location..

Thanks for mentioning the O2 sensors. I looked at the Vibrant 7830 which will do the job without complains. It only measures 7.5" Overall Length. I could use a smaller flex pipe in length like the Gen3s.. Regarding the O2 sensors, i know these cars had issues with the sensors when some brands were developing headers for them..

With RT high flows in the stock locations with stock insulation, I can drive my car hard get out and put my hand on the side sills.

It came to my mind if my insulation has seen better days or if my cats are on the way to scrap. Do you run headers on your car? If i keep the high flow cats in the stock location, might as well get some decent headers

Sweet....another Viper in Toronto!

Glad to see some people from the area

Sevenview is in Concord so he may have seen the same car. I remember that car at Bolton Chevy dealer and they shipped it to Sevenview. I believe the guy wanted or did traded in at the Bolton dealer.

I bought the car of a private person.

Might I recommend replacing the motor mounts and pulling the radiator and re-coring it or flushing it, if you are doing the coolant. Also dont forget to pull the block plugs and drain the coolant from the block, you'll need a 10mm square drive.

Teh amount of crap you will find between the radiator and condenser is amazing and if you see white calcium deposits down the side of your radiator, you most likely have a clogged radiator. You could pay around $400 for a re-core with a 3 row core, or $850 for an aftermarket aluminium.

Also recommend a 180* thermostat.

Thanks for the advice! I don't feel the car needing engine mounts but i will look at them the day i install the cats. I plan on going with aluminium rad in couple of years and the 180 thermostat is on the list. I found lots of crap between the rad and the condenser when i pulled the bumper off. i was able to pull the crap from the bottom and i used compressed air to remove the rest.

[Dajerseyviper]

If you get wheel hop, it will need mounts.

[BigSnake]

I couldn't resiste and decided to buy Belanger headers with the ceramic cats due to having heat shields built in It's a rule that before installing headers, check the engine mounts.. If i need a new set, i am debating between polybushings, DEA or OEM mounts. I have the polybushings mounts as my priority, but concerned about vibrations.. I have my z28 with energy mounts on a heavy cam'ed motor; i really don't want another shaking car.

If you get wheel hop, it will need mounts.

Dajerseyviper, Any vibrations noticeable after your poly mounts instalation? i promissed my girl this car wasn't going to sound as "falling apart"

[Dajerseyviper]

I couldn't resiste and decided to buy Belanger headers with the ceramic cats due to having heat shields built in It's a rule that before installing headers, check the engine mounts.. If i need a new set, i am debating between polybushings, DEA or OEM mounts. I have the polybushings mounts as my priority, but concerned about vibrations.. I have my z28 with energy mounts on a heavy cam'ed motor; i really don't want another shaking car.



Dajerseyviper, Any vibrations noticeable after your poly mounts instalation? i promissed my girl this car wasn't going to sound as "falling apart"

A little more vibration that stock but not bad for me, but then again my last car had a motor plate... :-)

[BigSnake]

A little more vibration that stock but not bad for me, but then again my last car had a motor plate... :-)

i will give them a try.. not like they will break the bank i will try these engine mounts before i install the headers.. well, they arrived

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[C.J]

... I plan on going with aluminium rad in couple of years and the 180 thermostat is on the list...

You might want to rethink that. From what I've read the OEM radiator is a very good unit and the aluminum aftermarket radiators tend to have leaks. Research this when you have time before you lay out some cash for an aluminum radiator.

[Dajerseyviper]

You might want to rethink that. From what I've read the OEM radiator is a very good unit and the aluminum aftermarket radiators tend to have leaks. Research this when you have time before you lay out some cash for an aluminum radiator.

I agree..I did a re-core of my OEM radiator at a local radiator shop. I went from a 2 row to a 3 row core and it cost me about $480. Looks and works great.