Motortrend's World's Greatest Drag Race 3: VIPER places 4th

[09 Venom]

comparing a fully loaded Viper GTS to a base, stripped 911 Turbo...c'mon!!

true for the exotic makes, but the GT-R is $30k less than the equivalent Viper, and the base price of the new 991 911 turbo is $148k, right inline with the new Viper...

let's put me in the GT-R and you in the Viper and see what happens...

 

[Bobpantax]

I think that Brooks showed us at Palm Beach that the biggest issue was the first gear bog. That car had drag radials on it. It is very hard to launch the Viper. The GTR, McClaren, and the Turbo Porsche are a cake walk in comparison. Brooks, please jump in here if you disgree or wish to clarify but that is what I recall happened.

Less weight and more power doesn't necessarily always mean faster quarter mile times. The viper's biggest disadvantage in a drag race is its traction. While it would be cool to say "my car has 700hp" what's more power if you can't put it to the ground? Just a thought.

 

[ViperSmith]

comparing a fully loaded Viper GTS to a base, stripped 911 Turbo...c'mon!!

Hey now, this is a "hate on the Gen V" thread, don't bring reality in here.

 

[kratedisease]

Less weight and more power doesn't necessarily always mean faster quarter mile times. The viper's biggest disadvantage in a drag race is its traction. While it would be cool to say "my car has 700hp" what's more power if you can't put it to the ground? Just a thought.

Well then, when Hennessy or another tuner releases the 700+HP Viper with turbos or supercharger we shall see if the extra HP makes a difference in track or 1/4 mile performance. No need to debate this back and forth. Lets just wait and see when the tuner made Vipers get tested if the extra HP is just a waste because the car cannot get traction off the line. I assume if they feather the throttle off the line that they will do very well once moving.

Lets wait and see. My money says the 1/4 times will drop into the high 10's with 700+HP, which would beat the GT-R.

 

[FLL-B/W-GTS]

I watched a current Gen.5 go 11.17,with 700 Hp.in 2014 Gen.5,all the talking will stop and people will go buy them, me included .A HP.bump to 700 will allow the Gen.5 to go 10s easy as it will be pulling like crazy at the end of the quarter. I don,t believe for a second that SRT can not pull another 60 Hp out of that monster motor ..

SRT needs to make it happen to save the Viper in the long run...

 

[09 Venom]

see below....

 

[09 Venom]

Well then here is Reality Part 2. There isn't a drive in my new Gen V that I don't get stared at, gawked at, cell phone pictured at, tailed, hollered at, thumbs upped at, winked at(don't tell my wife) or asked loads of questions at. Just the other day I had a gentleman beep at a stop light , in a Ford pickup, to tell me it was the most gorgeous car he had ever seen. He then followed it with " I just drove 2 miles out of my way to tell you that"!!

Hey now, this is a "hate on the Gen V" thread, don't bring reality in here.

 

[kratedisease]

see below....

I see nothing

 

[kratedisease]

Well then here is Reality Part 2. There isn't a drive in my new Gen V that I don't get stared at, gawked at, cell phone pictured at, tailed, hollered at, thumbs upped at, winked at(don't tell my wife) or asked loads of questions at. Just the other day I had a gentleman beep at a stop light , in a Ford pickup, to tell me it was the most gorgeous car he had ever seen. He then followed it with " I just drove 2 miles out of my way to tell you that"!!

No one said it was not a hot car. It is "THE" hot car in capital letters. The gen5 is one of the best looking cars with an awesome interior.

It's just that it came in Last place in Motor Trends SUBJECTIVE evaluation of best drivers car, and many like me would have liked a more powerful 700HP engine on launch.

 

[Solid Red 98]

Well then, when Hennessy or another tuner releases the 700+HP Viper with turbos or supercharger we shall see if the extra HP makes a difference in track or 1/4 mile performance. No need to debate this back and forth. Lets just wait and see when the tuner made Vipers get tested if the extra HP is just a waste because the car cannot get traction off the line. I assume if they feather the throttle off the line that they will do very well once moving.

Lets wait and see. My money says the 1/4 times will drop into the high 10's with 700+HP, which would beat the GT-R.

I don't disagree with you. I just don't like the idea of a 700hp viper being able to just "hang" with a 540hp GT-R. Yes RWD vs AWD, but Mclarens do 10s with RWD no problem. Now, if the viper could hit 10s with its current 640hp; that would be more to brag about from an engineering standpoint IMHO.

 

[kratedisease]

I don't disagree with you. I just don't like the idea of a 700hp viper being able to just "hang" with a 540hp GT-R. Yes RWD vs AWD, but Mclarens do 10s with RWD no problem. Now, if the viper could hit 10s with its current 640hp; that would be more to brag about from an engineering standpoint IMHO.

I understand the prestige of great engineering. Yes, great engineering is the true showcase of what a company is capable of.

But no one complains that the Mustang is 640HP or that the Bugatti is over 1000HP.

I am only talking sales and curbside appeal. more HP is better. Even the luxury brands know that. look at how the luxury brands now all have over 300HP.

 

[FikseGTS]

indeed, the gearing, or lack of torque down low to pull through the long first gear is really holding the car back for 1/4 mile performance...

I think that Brooks showed us at Palm Beach that the biggest issue was the first gear bog. That car had drag radials on it. It is very hard to launch the Viper. The GTR, McClaren, and the Turbo Porsche are a cake walk in comparison. Brooks, please jump in here if you disgree or wish to clarify but that is what I recall happened.

 

[FikseGTS]

my point is the pricing for the cars overlap, so they can legitimately be compared.....

comparing a fully loaded Viper GTS to a base, stripped 911 Turbo...c'mon!!

 

[FikseGTS]

Someone will get into the 10's in the Gen V Viper with some good driving, weather and track prep, no question about it, it's just not easy and won't happen often...

I don't disagree with you. I just don't like the idea of a 700hp viper being able to just "hang" with a 540hp GT-R. Yes RWD vs AWD, but Mclarens do 10s with RWD no problem. Now, if the viper could hit 10s with its current 640hp; that would be more to brag about from an engineering standpoint IMHO.

 

[pumpgas]

Face it, Ralph F'd us plain and simple. The car now has traction control and launch control and it still can't hang. I mean ***. The car should have came with a minimum of 700hp, a tunable ECM and an "adjustable traction control" like Racelogic or something similar. The extra 60 hp and a better traction management system would have the car running in the 10's all day long at 132+ (even with rear wheel drive and a 6 speed).

They should have also left some room on the table for exhaust and intake mods so the car could be tuned and bring an easy 725 hp. Then they could ask $140K for the car all day long and actually have it be a decent deal for the performance you get.

 

[Bobpantax]

Wow! You are attributing incredible power to Ralph. When the car was designed, SRT was not even a brand. The Viper was part of Dodge. Product approval was, and is, way above Ralph's pay grade. He can pitch it but the business case for the car has to fit in with Chrysler's overall business plan and it has to meet all applicable Federal ande State environmental and safety regulations. The budget that they had to develop the Gen V was razor thin because Chrysler went through a bankruptcy - remember? There was no money to develop a completely new engine. The production of the Gen V was a small miracle that almost did not occur.

Face it, Ralph F'd us plain and simple. The car now has traction control and launch control and it still can't hang. I mean ***. The car should have came with a minimum of 700hp, a tunable ECM and an "adjustable traction control" like Racelogic or something similar. The extra 60 hp and a better traction management system would have the car running in the 10's all day long at 132+ (even with rear wheel drive and a 6 speed).

They should have also left some room on the table for exhaust and intake mods so the car could be tuned and bring an easy 725 hp. Then they could ask $140K for the car all day long and actually have it be a decent deal for the performance you get.

 

[ViperSmith]

Face it, Ralph F'd us plain and simple. The car now has traction control and launch control and it still can't hang. I mean ***. The car should have came with a minimum of 700hp, a tunable ECM and an "adjustable traction control" like Racelogic or something similar. The extra 60 hp and a better traction management system would have the car running in the 10's all day long at 132+ (even with rear wheel drive and a 6 speed).

They should have also left some room on the table for exhaust and intake mods so the car could be tuned and bring an easy 725 hp. Then they could ask $140K for the car all day long and actually have it be a decent deal for the performance you get.

Complaining about the power output of the Gen IV would be just as useful.

 

[Stealth]

Based on the results of the test, I for one am watching my mirrors for those AMG station wagons! Had the wagon passed the Gen II (I mean Gen V--very confusing) we would never have heard the end of it! Hope AMG does not produce a Mini Van!

Come on Dodge-I mean SRT--give us a 700hp+ $110k fully-optioned Gen V with Volado bodywork. You can give the 2013 Gen V purchasers full credit on trade in.

 

[FLL-B/W-GTS]

Benz is coming out with a new AMG AWD E Class (4 Door Family Car) that will do 10s next year....

 

[kratedisease]

Face it, Ralph F'd us plain and simple. The car now has traction control and launch control and it still can't hang. I mean ***. The car should have came with a minimum of 700hp, a tunable ECM and an "adjustable traction control" like Racelogic or something similar. The extra 60 hp and a better traction management system would have the car running in the 10's all day long at 132+ (even with rear wheel drive and a 6 speed).

They should have also left some room on the table for exhaust and intake mods so the car could be tuned and bring an easy 725 hp. Then they could ask $140K for the car all day long and actually have it be a decent deal for the performance you get.

Thank you !! You said it the best !!

 

[Solid Red 98]

Someone will get into the 10's in the Gen V Viper with some good driving, weather and track prep, no question about it, it's just not easy and won't happen often...

Oh I have no doubt at all that someone will. But as you stated, it won't be a consistent thing like some of the other competitors. Now a rolling start on the other hand......

 

[kratedisease]

Face it, Ralph F'd us plain and simple. The car now has traction control and launch control and it still can't hang. I mean ***. The car should have came with a minimum of 700hp, a tunable ECM and an "adjustable traction control" like Racelogic or something similar. The extra 60 hp and a better traction management system would have the car running in the 10's all day long at 132+ (even with rear wheel drive and a 6 speed).

They should have also left some room on the table for exhaust and intake mods so the car could be tuned and bring an easy 725 hp. Then they could ask $140K for the car all day long and actually have it be a decent deal for the performance you get.

Man, you are so right...Ralph really F'd us, and he really gave it to me... my butt still hurts and I am still walking funny..

..... because the Sabelt seats are so thin and hard.....

 

[ACRucrazy]

Krated, you need to quit trying so hard.

 

[kratedisease]

Krated, you need to quit trying so hard.

Is that a compliment or an insult... I cannot tell.... hard to tell the tone of conversation when ONLY typing......

 

[chorps]

Is that a compliment or an insult... I cannot tell.... hard to tell the tone of conversation when ONLY typing......

Maybe it is just a recommendation.

 

[kratedisease]

Krated, you need to quit trying so hard.

You guys are like the Only Friends I have ever had !! Thanks to all of you who care so dearly and always mention me ( eye tearing)

Posting here give true meaning to my life. i feel that i have connected with so many people here....

Since all of you have been so nice, I promise to keep trying even harder !!

I love you degenerates !!! XOXOXO .... especially you Mr. daytonprowler.... hugs and kisses....

 

[ACRBruce]

Benz is coming out with a new AMG AWD E Class (4 Door Family Car) that will do 10s next year....

So another family car that will beat the Gen V in the 1/4???? Not sure it will do 10's stock though. With a tune, maybe...

 

[kratedisease]

So another family car that will beat the Gen V in the 1/4???? Not sure it will do 10's stock though. With a tune, maybe...

My 1978 Ford Pinto can beat it, even with a trunk full of Groceries and a big 100 lb carton of frozen Bison meat !!

 

[V10lover]

indeed, the gearing, or lack of torque down low to pull through the long first gear is really holding the car back for 1/4 mile performance...

It is not only that. it is a combination of things that will make the car lose to a more efficient smaller motor sports car. A 6000-6400 rpm power band is unnatural and unacceptable for today in my opinion unless SRT don't plan on being up top with the big dogs. That is the reason that I keep on saying/asking for over two years on this VCA that a whole new engine should be in this car designed from the ground up with smaller cubic inch, more compression and with DOHC for spinning/power potential (where the engine is at the most when we are racing). Pushrods are not gonna cut it anymore even for the corvette (they had to boost the ZR1) and when you have a massive cylinder head with 4 valves per cylinder and 4 cams is just an extraordinary advantage over a cam in block engine with those two little valves and that little silly combustion chamber and 1 cam haha...

The biggest problem to me is the engine/trans combo chosen for this new car. Not having the option for a 6-8 automatic DCT nowdays is putting this viper behind big time. Every time the viper driver has to press on that clutch trying to show that he can shift fast, the guy beside on the GTR, lambo, Ferrari or even a 28k dollar moded automatic mustang GT(like mine) is going to pull ahead and gain momentum over the standard tranny and end up winning the race. it is that simple!
On top of that you can't rev. the big v10 too high because is a huge/heavy engine and was not design for that because of the engine stroke. For the ones that believe you can rev the big V10 over 6500 rpm and be safe just buy a broom in advance because you will be sweeping millions of little pieces of off the road and that was your engine's rotating assembly one day. So the new viper revs low for todays standards and has a 3:55 rear gear and a manual tranny which means you will have to shift all the time and thus losing momentum and losing races like i said before.

This car is being held back not only on the quarter mile but also on top end and doesn't matter it will do 190 or whatever it does.. it is HOW LONG it takes you to get there, that is what it counts the most.

Tires and traction is an easy problem to solve as there are drag radials available in 345/30-19 and other racing tires to add traction but all the above will require a major engine transmission upgrade from SRT and while that is not done I am keeping my 2010 ACR.

 

[V10lover]

I understand the prestige of great engineering. Yes, great engineering is the true showcase of what a company is capable of.

But no one complains that the Mustang is 640HP or that the Bugatti is over 1000HP.

I am only talking sales and curbside appeal. more HP is better. Even the luxury brands know that. look at how the luxury brands now all have over 300HP.

You are right, Horsepower will sell cars, just look at the 662 hp Shelby.
If the new viper had 700 HP would be easy to digest, even though is not a 7.5-8.0L V10 DOHC engine like I have been dreaming for this car over the past years...
One day they will wake up and I just hope is not too late...