Viper Funeral

PURE XTC · Mar 15, 2005

Vehicle: 2000 Dodge Viper GTS
Time of death: March 12, 5:35pm

I was traveling down the on ramp to merge into traffic on I-77 and when I went to shift from 3rd into 4th, it went into 2nd. The rear tires locked up and the nightmare started. It fish-tailed hard and went across 2 lanes into the guard rail in the median. After the airbags went off I couldn't see anything. The car looks like it flipped but I don't remember flipping. It is totalled. Everything is cracked or broke. I am sick. I have been having shifting problems where it doesn't go into gear very smooth but I have never had it go into the wrong gear. I was going about 69mph when I shifted. I am trying make sense of this but can't. And yes I am whining! Has this happened to anyone else? Did I miss shift or is something else wrong?

Janni · Mar 15, 2005

So sorry to hear about your loss - glad you are OK, though.

The 3-4 should be relatively easy as the natural position of the shifter is between 3-4 centered in the pattern. I do know that when driving aggressively and shifting quickly, it's easier to grab second since you are automatically predisposed to pulling the shift level back TOWARD you, and can grab second. The whole key is fast and smooth and leave yourself enough time to put the clutch back in as soon as you feel the wrong gear and save it. Not easy - but can be done.

Some have upgraded the shifter springs for a more deliberate return to center causing more resitance to grab 2nd. I think this is a worthwhile mod.

Let us know if we can do anything to help you.

Andy 98 RT/10 · Mar 15, 2005

It's happened to me, getting 2nd instead of fourth. Yeah, it can be scary. I'm glad you're okay. I hope you can get a good sum of money for an insurance settlement.

Chuck 98 RT/10 · Mar 15, 2005

When going from 3rd to 4th tilt your knuckles inward (driver's side) and your palm towards the passenger's side. They teach you that in Viper Days.

FlyBryViper · Mar 15, 2005

Chuck is right, they do teach us that. I also found that if I keep my left elbow up just a little, it shifts much easier and goes straight into the 4th gear gate, if you will. This also works great on the street!!
Sorry to hear about your loss. Your Viper is replaceable, you are not, glad you are O.K.

Dave T (BADVENM) · Mar 15, 2005

i was informed about the 3-4 shift from the guys at the topeka v10 nationals, specifically the driver for Macedo Motorsports. I turned my nuckles in toward me when shifting and it worked well when i did several 1/4 mile passes. I now have the woodhouse modified shifter and have not tried it or checked the "natural" 3-4 shift but will find out in june at the regional get together.

I'm glad your alive to tell us your story, it may help and/or prevent someone from doing the same thing!!

Snake Bitten · Mar 15, 2005

Lesson learned...Now you know better...It's best to just get back on the horse...So hurry up and buy another, if anyone will insure you.

Peter-RedGTS'98 · Mar 15, 2005

Happed to me twice when I did not pay attention, but at much lower speed. I thought about a mod, and the spring idea mentioned in a post above makes sense.

94RT10Ohio · Mar 15, 2005

Wow, glad I took a look in here, only had mine out twice. Knuckes pointing towards me, got it!

PDCjonny · Mar 15, 2005

I always try to tell myself to get my elbow away from my side on that shift, to offset the tendency to pull the shifter somewhat towards you and possibly into 2nd. I have shifted from 2nd to 1st once when trying to get third at a relatively low speed. That will get your attention too.
Sorry to hear about the car, glad you are ok tho.

EA6BPilot · Mar 15, 2005

Happened to me at the dragstrip the first time I ever went. My tires started to lock and the engine revved up to redline, but I was fast enough to push the clutch in. My heart skipped a beat, but otherwise I was lucky. I put in an MGW shifter and fixed the problem (that and I figured out the technique Chuck describes). Sorry to hear about your car, but you are alive and able to buy another one. A local doctor here totaled his car doing something similar. He was also fortunate to walk away from the crash.

Newport Viper · Mar 15, 2005

Sorry to hear that.

Yea it's happened to me....

Just pushed in the clutch and went on my way.

Dv8tor · Mar 15, 2005

Sorry to hear about your car. Glad you're ok though. I've had my car a week and I did do the 3rd to 2nd shift 3 times in an hour the first day I had the car. All at low rpm's, so it wasn't a big deal.

Do you think you'll replace it with another Viper?

94RT10Ohio · Mar 15, 2005

Is this a typical issue with only stock shifters? More of a GEN I or II issue? I put a B&M in my GEN I, does it help?

RT10Paul · Mar 15, 2005

Makes no sense to me. I've hit 2nd instead of 4th by accident on the race track twice and I just got right back on the clutch. The car hardly even flinched. And it sent you into a spin at 69 mph? Something doesn't add up.

Hisserman · Mar 15, 2005

There are a number of Vipers that have bit the dust because of this shift! One of the most memorable ones was the video at the drag strip that was on this site last year. It's a good reminder to all of us to pay attention when things are moving -- sometimes it is too easy to get distracted when all that adrenalin is pumping.

Socrates · Mar 15, 2005

Makes no sense to me. I've hit 2nd instead of 4th by accident on the race track twice and I just got right back on the clutch. The car hardly even flinched. And it sent you into a spin at 69 mph? Something doesn't add up.

I concur -- I've done the same thing on several occasions, but I've had no problem recovering quickly. I guess it is possible with a very, very quick gear change, but...

Steve 00RT/10 · Mar 15, 2005

Sorry about your car!

Knuckles in/palm out/elbow out. It's all good. I missed this shift at 5500 RPM the first year I had the car..before I knew the right way to do it. As Janni kind of stated above...if you are 'one with your machine' you can get the clutch in before bad stuff happens. I got the clutch in immediately. I could feel something wrong in the pedal as soon as I started to let it out. It did spin up, but never had a chance to lock the rear end up.

Steve

smfettig · Mar 15, 2005

Happened to me too when I first got my car, but was able to catch it in time. Glad your ok.

FE 065 · Mar 15, 2005

Glad you're okay! Odd, I had more shifting problems with my 2002 than my 1994 Viper..

Vic · Mar 15, 2005

Glad you didn't make the obituary column. Everything else pales in comparison, cars are replaceable.

I did it at Willow Springs Raceway, coming over turn 6, went to shift to 4th, caught 2nd, but I don't commit fully until I'm sure I'm in. Hmmm, sounds like a date?

There was a video of a guy with his new RT on track for the first time, and it looks like he caught the wrong gear, the rear fishtailed and he kissed the wall. Common newbie mistake.

1MEANSNAKE · Mar 16, 2005

Glad to hear your okay, maybe if you claim a deer came out in front of you and you had to hit the brakes and lost control may be of some help with your insurance company?

98MODMTR · Mar 16, 2005

When going from 3rd to 4th tilt your knuckles inward (driver's side) and your palm towards the passenger's side. They teach you that in Viper Days.

I have actually watched you do this while on the track and the "closed circuit road". No wonder I am a natural behind the wheel!

RX VIPER · Mar 16, 2005

After my 1st GTS was totaled, I was leery of getting another, but you've just gotta do it. Glad your ok and no one else was hurt either.

Chuck 98 RT/10 · Mar 16, 2005

Makes no sense to me. I've hit 2nd instead of 4th by accident on the race track twice and I just got right back on the clutch. The car hardly even flinched. And it sent you into a spin at 69 mph? Something doesn't add up.

You're answer lies within. E-x-p-e-r-i-e-n-c-e

acrdakota · Mar 16, 2005

I'm kinda curious here. You went from 3-2 at 69mph on accident. Why didn't you just put your foot to the floor and drive out of it. The car will easily break 70 in 2nd and its much easier to drive through rear wheel spin than lockup.

Ya know what they say about hindsight.

Dv8tor · Mar 16, 2005

You went from 3-2 at 69mph on accident. Why didn't you just put your foot to the floor and drive out of it. The car will easily break 70 in 2nd and its much easier to drive through rear wheel spin than lockup.

Oh yeah, that's what you should do when your car rearend locks up at 69 mph on the highway. Floor it! LOL. And if that doesn't work, hit the 200 shot NOS button!

tommygun · Mar 16, 2005

Glad to hear you are alright, sorry the car is totalled, but remember you are not!

Sorry to be a jag, but ***, I know it was a panic situation, but why not apply the clutch and reshift. I know I have hit 2nd by mistake, but it is quite obvious and a quick clutch apply has always done the trick.

If interested I have a nice Silver Mambo #144 for sale here at the dealership when you get the money from insurance.

SteveMat · Mar 16, 2005

Where on 77 where you? North of Charlotte. Was it a grey Viper?

S-JC · Mar 16, 2005

It seems to me that 4th gear is farther to the right on Vipers than it is on other cars. Maybe it's just the positioning of the driver relative to the shifter. I always have to tell myself to push right when going into 4th.

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