New Owner of 2005 SRT-10: How Do I Properly Drive This Car?

[GenIIIDave]

It does still apply. The 3.55s are an extremely popular choice though for gear swaps. Lots of fun around town because you feel all that oomph right away. The differential should help you control tire spin too.

I forget how much yearly dues are. 80 bucks I think, But aside from getting the magazine which is really good, your local area president will get an email that you joined and you will then get invited along on club events. That is where ownership really gets good. Cruising with 10 or so other Vipers is a sight to see. And you will meet some great people. Here in Arizona for instance we have a very diverse group of people. All walks of life represented here so it's never dull and you will probably find the same thing in your area. We have people in our club here that range from geologists to airline pilots, but we are all brought together by the love of the Viper and cars in general. You will find that club regions try and have a good selection of events that will get you enjoying your Viper more and more. And your dues go towards making the magazine, running the website, and then it goes back to your region to help pay for local events. So you really do get something for your money. It doesnt just go to national and sit in an account. It comes back and helps you directly. That's part of what makes our club so cool and different.

Again, congratulations on your purchase and drive safely. If you have any questions just ask, you see how helpful people are around here.

Yep. I am very impressed with the number of intelligent replies to my first question on this forum. I am looking forward to learning more about my Viper.

[Leslie]

Newer, matching tires
Driver's ed/seat time
Wheel position/amount of throttle and what gear you are in, don't go crazy in 2nd gear around town until you get smoother on your transitions.
I have found heal/toe to really help with that.

[GenIIIDave]

How do I find out if there are other Viper owners in my area?

[swexlin]

How do I find out if there are other Viper owners in my area?

Plenty of us east of you. I'm here in Chester County. Pleaser register for Cool Cars for Cats and Canines in Hershey in 3 weeks, and of course, Carlisle in July. You'll meet plenty of us. I'm in West Chester.

[Vprbite]

How do I find out if there are other Viper owners in my area?

Also, go to the local region of the forums. Scroll down and you will see the regional areas.

Or, join and you will then be a member of a local club and you will get emails and be invited to your local events and such. For instance, our region has a website and we send out emails about events.

[GenIIIDave]

Plenty of us east of you. I'm here in Chester County. Pleaser register for Cool Cars for Cats and Canines in Hershey in 3 weeks, and of course, Carlisle in July. You'll meet plenty of us. I'm in West Chester.

Wow, you have a Gen V! I would love to see that. Or maybe not, as I would probably want to trade my 05 in for one.

Where in Chester County are you? I am near Harrisburg and work in Lancaster area. I will look into registering for those events. Thanks for the heads up.

[swexlin]

Wow, you have a Gen V! I would love to see that. Or maybe not, as I would probably want to trade my 05 in for one.

Where in Chester County are you? I am near Harrisburg and work in Lancaster area. I will look into registering for those events. Thanks for the heads up.

In West Chester. Also, I used to own a Gen 3, so I can tell you some of their quirks. Feel free to send me a PM. There are several of us Viper owners here, we would love to meet you

[Hotrodder00]

I'm a fan of making mistakes, but in a controlled environment and at low speeds. I had access to a giant basically flat empty parking lot type area and did a few burn-outs, took off with the wheel turned to do some fish-tailing, etc. I don't know what an hpde course is, but I have less than 2,000miles logged in my Viper driving experience total, so my next step is classes. Bondurant has one or two that I'm going to attend.

I don't know if others will agree or strictly disagree, but my car makes 704hp at the rear wheels, and a couple spins calmed my nerves in daily driving.

[GenIIIDave]

I'm a fan of making mistakes, but in a controlled environment and at low speeds. I had access to a giant basically flat empty parking lot type area and did a few burn-outs, took off with the wheel turned to do some fish-tailing, etc. I don't know what an hpde course is, but I have less than 2,000miles logged in my Viper driving experience total, so my next step is classes. Bondurant has one or two that I'm going to attend.

I don't know if others will agree or strictly disagree, but my car makes 704hp at the rear wheels, and a couple spins calmed my nerves in daily driving.

I have been thinking of doing something like that as well. Very good idea.

[GenIIIDave]

In West Chester. Also, I used to own a Gen 3, so I can tell you some of their quirks. Feel free to send me a PM. There are several of us Viper owners here, we would love to meet you

PM sent.

[Vprbite]

[QUOTE=GenIIIDave;125349]I have been thinking of doing something like that as well. Very good idea.[/

if nothing else, learn some good respect for how easily it can happen. It doesn't take much throttle to get that rear end out if your tires are turned or going around a curve. I mean, it happens easily enough with the tires straight but have those tires turned and boy oh boy they go up like nothin.

[SlateEd]

I have been thinking of doing something like that as well. Very good idea.

if nothing else, learn some good respect for how easily it can happen. It doesn't take much throttle to get that rear end out if your tires are turned or going around a curve. I mean, it happens easily enough with the tires straight but have those tires turned and boy oh boy they go up like nothin.

agreed - you'll also gain some respect for how difficult it is to "catch" - in other words, it's not a mustang or 350Z that you can fishtail around and drive with the throttle like RWD in the snow. The rear end doesn't gracefully slide (in almost all cases) it snaps. Don't try to get a feel for that unless you have plenty of room around you. (as I found out the hard way with my first Silver GenIII)

and in the Northeast - don't underestimate the difference cold pavement and cold tires can make.. limits are much lower, car behavior is much twitchier, don't even think about full throttle until things are warmed up a little (as I found out the hard way with my first Silver GenIII)

and you said you have some AutoX experience; get back into that... great for control (we have one coming this summer at Lime Rock, July 11 #shamelessplug)

otherwise, as others have said, fresh tires, seat time, smooth throttle, and it won't try to kill you if you don't try to show off like an idiot (as I found out... oh you get the idea)


Congrats on the car, and welcome to the madness!!

[GenIIIDave]

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[viperboon]

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what is all that white stuff on the ground?it looks like fire retardant foam? was there a fire near by?

[Vombomb]

Needs more R888's

[GenIIIDave]

what is all that white stuff on the ground?it looks like fire retardant foam? was there a fire near by?

Yeah, no doubt. I have only driven it like 3 times since January due to cold, snow, salt and stones on the road. Warm sunny days are hopefully coming soon for us in cold Pa.

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Needs more R888's

I looked up those R888s. It showed them as track type tires. Are they made in a version for street driving?

[Vombomb]

They're street legal, but yes they are an R compound tire, so they wear like a track tire. But I've driven in a freakin monsoon with them, and they handle sooooo nice you wouldn't believe they're a "track" tire. And to just to give you an idea of their dry traction ability: I have 520rwhp with 530rwtq with 3.73 gears, so probably 550rwhp with stock gears, and doing a 3k launch she barely gets loose, and with a hard shift into 2nd full throttle there's only a slight wiggle, and from there to 140mph it's like she's glued to the road. And cornering, well, I've been around corners so fast my neck started hurting...

[GenIIIDave]

They're street legal, but yes they are an R compound tire, so they wear like a track tire. But I've driven in a freakin monsoon with them, and they handle sooooo nice you wouldn't believe they're a "track" tire. And to just to give you an idea of their dry traction ability: I have 520rwhp with 530rwtq with 3.73 gears, so probably 550rwhp with stock gears, and doing a 3k launch she barely gets loose, and with a hard shift into 2nd full throttle there's only a slight wiggle, and from there to 140mph it's like she's glued to the road. And cornering, well, I've been around corners so fast my neck started hurting...

Well its not like this car is an everyday driver, so they should be worth me taking a look at them.

[Vombomb]

Trust me, you'll send me a gift basket of hardcore porn after you try those babies on... why did it get awkward in here...

[GenIIIDave]

Trust me, you'll send me a gift basket of hardcore porn after you try those babies on... why did it get awkward in here...

Well, cant help you with that, but I do have another question: How many miles do you expect to get out of your R888s? How many should I expect to get out of Pilot SuperSports?

[Vombomb]

10-20k depending on how you drive. Mine have about 10k on them, and easily have another 10k in them. HOWEVER if you go to the track you're going to DRASTICALLY cut that time down. Realistically plan on 15k. for 1800 for a full set, it's really not bad, considering how sticky the tires are. Someone else will have to weigh in on the PSS's I've no experience with them, I'm too busy jock riding Toyo

[GenIIIDave]

Actually that is pretty impressive. They will probably be my next set of tires. Do you know anyone else on the forums that has experience with them? Need anotber opinion as you may secretly be a Toyo tire salesman. ;-)

[Vombomb]

Just type R888 in the search, or browse the track section, a lot of guys run them.