Engine differences

[HKViper]

So I am currently beginning my search for a gen 2 GTS, and ideally would love to end up with a 99 GTS ACR. Now, the likely hood of that is fairly slim given their rarity, but I'm wondering a couple things.

If I choose to go outside of the 96-99 range and jump into a gts in the 2000-2002 years, how crazy and what type of work am I looking at to build the motor to the specs of the previous years or stronger? I know the major difference is that the earlier cars were all forged internals. Ultimately, once I learn to drive the beast and get used to it, I would like to do forced induction, so I am guessing a built motor is a must.

So, bottom line. Is it worth it to stick in the 96-99 years but end up with a "higher" mileage car (I tend to only see them with 20k-50k miles), or would you all buy the most cherry gen 2 GTS you can find and just build it to what you want/need? I've noticed that the prices don't vary much between a 2001 GTS with say 10k miles and a 99 with 40k miles on it.

[Greg Good]

'96-'99 had the 708 cam, slow bleed lifters, and forged pistons. I would buy the 2000-2002 then upgrade the engine.

[HKViper]

'96-'99 had the 708 cam, slow bleed lifters, and forged pistons. I would buy the 2000-2002 then upgrade the engine.

That's kind of what my thought process is at the moment, mainly because it seems there are more low mileage, cherry GTS cars out there for those years. It'll probably be a few months before i'm ready to buy, so hopefully by then I can come across a 99 acr in black....

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I'd buy one already built and save some dough, and unless you're talking some serious hp I don't believe the forged internals are necessary

Well, I guess the Noob question would be, what are the 2000-2002 motors rated for and what can the reasonably handle from a HP and TQ standpoint?

[GhostStalker27]

Well, I guess the Noob question would be, what are the 2000-2002 motors rated for and what can the reasonably handle from a HP and TQ standpoint?

97-99 ~ 950hp
creampuff ~ 750hp

give or take and assuming a proper tune, but someone else might have more insight

[James430]

97-99 ~ 950hp
creampuff ~ 750hp

give or take and assuming a proper tune, but someone else might have more insight

I think you would be safe with a 2000 to 2002. I asked the same questions before I started building my motor..... Check out my signature below 518 rwhp with motor work and see video...666 rwhp with S Charger and 5 lbs of boost.which gets you right at 775 hp to crank....Won't go any higher than that until Forged internals go in....No problems yet an I don't baby it!!

[GhostStalker27]

I'd buy one already built and save some dough, and unless you're talking some serious hp I don't believe the forged internals are necessary

[99RT10]

I believe this guy still has his 1999 ACR. Might want to send him a message and make a deal:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-Dodge-V...vip=true&rt=nc

[Don22388]

I'd go with the 96-99 unless you want a later model with the TC and ABS. You can easily find a older gts with low mileage. It was actually hard for me to find one with over 40k miles. Get what u want. Be patient and don't settle for something because youre in a hurry. You can find a cherry gts in any year and me preferably don't like to tear motors up and ruin something that is perfectly fine stock. So if u want the tougher motor, get the 96-99. They sound more badass too with the 708 cam.

[Camfab]

If you mean Traction Control by TC, that never existed in the Viper until the Gen V (2013).

[5150VPR]

Once you get to the power you will end up change coil overs and brakes so an acr in the long run might be pointless.

[Camfab]

Once you get to the power you will end up change coil overs and brakes so an acr in the long run might be pointless.

What does this mean? I've got an ACR and part of why I bought it is the fact that it came with extremely capable Koni 2812 race dampers. My car makes considerably more power than stock and the suspension has zero issues. Brakes on any Gen II blow.
Buy the ACR over the stock Gen II, it currently is a bargain for the extra money you'd have to spend just to source the parts you get. The BBS wheels alone are worth their weight in gold.

[Matt M, Pa]

Good luck on the search..although I never understood the reasoning if buying the "most cherry" car only to modify it.

For lower boost S/C applications the later engines do just fine. I guess the OP has to decide how much power they want to add. I'd suggest getting used to a lowly stock (lol) GTS...then decide how much you need.

[MalingatorGTS]

I'm all for making a car your own. That said, why buy an ACR just to mod it? I understand, it's your car and do what you want but an ACR in limited numbers in a Gen2, why spend the extra coin if you are going to change it? I found my 97 GTS HEAVILY modified and LOVE it! 99% of the car would be, oh if I was to change that, oh, it's already done! Now I have done some things to make it my own, but the BIG things are already done.

The other nice thing about buying a built car, if you do your homework and the car is well documented ( I have 4 binders which came with mine) most if not all the issues should be sorted out and you don't have to go through the "testing" phase of what works.

Remember, modified cars, in some ways are worth less then the "untouched" pure cars that are show pieces. Buy it, drive it, make it the car you want. You will NEVER get your money out of a modded car, but that's not why we do it!

[GhostStalker27]

^ take it from gator, his sounds like a viper from hell. Got it for a good price, and for a heck of a lot cheaper than if he had done those mods himself. I have an ACR, which came with aftermarket wheels and suspension, I found the original koni suspension last year and I'm working on getting the BBS wheels.. solely because it's an ACR. Why focus on getting one if you plan to mod it? the ACR part will become more irrelevant the more you mod it.

[HKViper]

Good luck on the search..although I never understood the reasoning if buying the "most cherry" car only to modify it.

For lower boost S/C applications the later engines do just fine. I guess the OP has to decide how much power they want to add. I'd suggest getting used to a lowly stock (lol) GTS...then decide how much you need.

I guess my thought in getting a super low mileage and cherry car is, I know what I'm getting. The same as a painter starting with a fresh canvas rather than one with eraser marks all over it. I definitely plan on not touching it for the first year, and who knows I may never mod it, which is why I want a cherry one. These cars terrify me from everything I've been reading.

I'm all for making a car your own. That said, why buy an ACR just to mod it? I understand, it's your car and do what you want but an ACR in limited numbers in a Gen2, why spend the extra coin if you are going to change it? I found my 97 GTS HEAVILY modified and LOVE it! 99% of the car would be, oh if I was to change that, oh, it's already done! Now I have done some things to make it my own, but the BIG things are already done.

The other nice thing about buying a built car, if you do your homework and the car is well documented ( I have 4 binders which came with mine) most if not all the issues should be sorted out and you don't have to go through the "testing" phase of what works.

Remember, modified cars, in some ways are worth less then the "untouched" pure cars that are show pieces. Buy it, drive it, make it the car you want. You will NEVER get your money out of a modded car, but that's not why we do it!

I have no concern for getting my money back or what it's worth. I want one just because I want one and would likely keep it forever. This would truly be my dream car. I also just like the idea of saying, "yep it's an ACR" don't know why, sounds dumb I know, but its just want I want.

I believe this guy still has his 1999 ACR. Might want to send him a message and make a deal:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-Dodge-V...vip=true&rt=nc

That's actually one I was looking at.

^ take it from gator, his sounds like a viper from hell. Got it for a good price, and for a heck of a lot cheaper than if he had done those mods himself. I have an ACR, which came with aftermarket wheels and suspension, I found the original koni suspension last year and I'm working on getting the BBS wheels.. solely because it's an ACR. Why focus on getting one if you plan to mod it? the ACR part will become more irrelevant the more you mod it.

As far as mods I would only do headers, exhaust, and maybe, just maybe, if the car doesn't kill me or scare the crap out of me, down the road I would supercharge it. Thats the only reason I would look for a forged motor car.

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I want to thank everyone for the replies. I joined both the major forums so far to get info, and so far, this site has proven to be far more friendly and willing to answer questions. So thank you for that!