Gts project..

[BigSnake]

How many radiators leak at the joint of the plastic housing with the core? Lots! There is only one brand i recommend- Mishimoto! I run a mishimoto in my z28 (direct fit) and i have zero complains and positive feed back. when time comes, I will be calling Mishimoto with the measurements for their line of race radiators. For 480 bucks, you get a race rad from mishimoto with lifetime warranty.. cant beat that I shouldn't worry about a rad for now, previous owner replaced it in 2006.

[Camfab]

I'm sure you know this by now, but the Viper radiator does not have plastic tanks. Copper/ Brass and plenty of info. Supporting the superiority of the OEM radiator. Of course it's now discontinued...... Anyway, I like your idea of thinking out of the box with the cats. They would actually light off quicker, due to their closer proximity to the cylinder head. Many of the newer cars have a set of cats right off the manifold. With that said Youv'e got the Belanger headers so that's out the window. The high flows work great, and the heat issue is really minimized. If your worried about engine vibration due to the polyurethane, keep the stock trans mount when you do the swap. I'd recommend a fresh OEM one though. One area often overlooked by new owners is the rear axle. Two things, swap the rear axle fluid with the factory synthetic fill and the limited slip additive. DONT buy aftermarket fluids! The rear end cooks the fluid, it's a must change every 10 K. The Gen II's eat up u joints as well. My u joints were toast at 15K. You can buy the correct straps and u joints from Dana. Never re-use the straps!
One other quick tid bit, Keep an eye out for the header proximity to your blower box. If the headers aren't shielded and you melt that cheap looking plastic box, you'll be cryin'n the blues. I added heat shielding around many of the components including coolant hoses brake lines and other areas that will be cooked because the factory heat shield is missing. I believe you can modify those factory header shields and make them work with the Belangers. I have heard of the ceramic coating failing on the headers due to the shielding. I did note your headers are second hand, so I'd certainly sacrifice the header over other factory components.

[BigSnake]

Camfab, thanks on the input. I was thinking only gen1 cars had metal tanks. i guess its gen3 and up with plastic tanks? You right about the cats. that's why gen3 cars have that option. I already ordered the poly mounts. The original exhaust system has to flex piping, which avoids a lot of flex in the system. i rather change the engine mounts and prevent exhaust leaks due to no flex pipe with the headers set up. The fluid in the rear diff was replaced in 2012 or 2013 along with the tranny fluid. As piece of mind, i want to replace it again. I will check my u joints next time i get it on the hoist. My other car has same issue with the air box. I made a heat shield for the air box. For sure i'm keeping the factory heat shield on the headers. I will keep in mind your advice

[Dajerseyviper]

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[Dajerseyviper]

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