Viper RT/10 Daily Driving Tips?

viper_roman · Jun 28, 2007

I recently purchased a 1994 RT/10 with 30K miles. This car will be my daily driver so I have a couple of questions. First, when driving in the rain at speed the car has a couple of small leaks over the windshield. The car came with the hardtop but I do not like the looks of it on the car so I do not plan on using it. Is there anything that can be put in to help prevent this? Second, above 4,000rpm I am getting spark-knock. Since nothing higher than 91 octane is available in Kansas City I assume using an octane boost would benefit. Questions - Do I have to use a bottle at every fill-up? What kind is best recommended? Any other information about using a Gen 1 as a daily driver would be appreciated. And yes, I am aware of how much power it has.

plumcrazy · Jun 28, 2007

change ALL fluids, wire, plugs and replace the tires unless the tires were recently replaced.

DodgeViper01 · Jun 28, 2007

In the earlier cars, the hardtop was better to keep out the leaks vs the soft top. If you are going to use the soft top, I think there is really no way to prevent the leaks.

ViperJames · Jun 28, 2007

A few things..

1. 91 Octane is fine in your car, its not the octane, like Plum said, plugs wires, fluids, etc.
2. TomHayden on this forum has a GEN1 as a daily driver with the stock soft top and windows and has successfully gotten it to be 100% leak proof...it can be done.

3. GOOD LUCK! and Welcome!

Chuck 98 RT/10 · Jun 28, 2007

When parking it is wider than you think, longer than you think and lower than you think.

99 R/T 10 · Jun 28, 2007

Chuck 98 RT/10 said:
When parking it is wider than you think, longer than you think and lower than you think.

Parking?! What do you know about parking? With you it's more like a controled crash

JUCD VPR · Jun 28, 2007

Jeff Lemke makes a 3-peice AND a 1 piece hard top thats looks WAY better then factory. I have his 3 piece top on my RT/10 and I LOVE it! The old stock hardtop is big and bulky looking in my opinion.

TheMeat · Jun 28, 2007

When I first bought my car, I also experienced knock at mid-high RPM's. I did the usual stuff as previously mentioned replacing the wires(I bought AB's wires) and new plugs, filters,etc. I even tried octane booster with the 91 octane gas here in Arizona. Still had knock.
Then I bought a VEC1 and it eliminated the knock. This was the best mod that I have installed on the car. the improvement it has made in the overall driveabillity and performance with the headers is great.
As far as the leaking goes, mine leaked in the same spots as you described. I bought an Autoform hardtop and dont worry about it now. I also dont daily drive the Viper either. Sounds like others have been successful in getting the soft top leak proof though. Hopefully they will chime in with some tips for you.

IEATVETS · Jun 28, 2007

99 R/T 10 said:
Parking?! What do you know about parking? With you it's more like a controled crash

Now that is comedy!

Newport Viper · Jun 28, 2007

Leaks above windshield. Go to Home Depot. 3/4 inch wide black foam weather strip. Peel and stick. Stick it on the black factory foam molding on the top along the whole edge. It will take a little muscle to lach it the first time. It will last a year. CAREFULLY peel off, when time to change it out. I used it on the doors and everywhere to keep the water out!

Best $2 u will spend.

I used my 95 for 61,000 daily driven miles.

PM me with any questions.

got one · Jun 29, 2007

Newport Viper said:
Leaks above windshield. Go to Home Depot. 3/4 inch wide black foam weather strip. Peel and stick. Stick it on the black factory foam molding on the top along the whole edge. It will take a little muscle to lach it the first time. It will last a year. CAREFULLY peel off, when time to change it out. I used it on the doors and everywhere to keep the water out!

Best $2 u will spend.

I used my 95 for 61,000 daily driven miles.

PM me with any questions.

IN addition to this, understand that each Viper is hand made and your windows will fit differnetly from car to car to car, so the top sometimes is not the problem, but yet a combination of the top and windows. In my case, it is my windows that are a problem, not the top (thanks to Phil).

PS78 · Jun 29, 2007

99 R/T 10 said:
Parking?! What do you know about parking? With you it's more like a controled crash

.....

......

SEASNAKE · Jun 30, 2007

I've been daily driving RTs (9+years) for a long time (GEN1 and GEN2). I don't think you can ever reach 100% weatherproofing. On my GEN1 with the hardtop, Vmania windows & new weatherstripping I came pretty close. In driving rain, there are several places to look at: Where the windows meet the top & the windshield, the door weatherstripping from the window to the straight down turn, & the door weatherstripping above the side sills. You already found where the top meets the windshield. Try to park in the best direction for storms (get used to watching radar). If you keep your top off and only use it when needed, the weatherstripping will seal better (its less compressed). If the tops been on for a week, then leaks are much more likely. I try to use my cockpit cover instead of the top when rain chances are slight. Remember it only takes about 5 minutes to get the seats out of your GEN1. This makes it much easier to dry!

Prepare to get wet and don't let it bother you when it happens.

Early93Viper · Jun 30, 2007

Don't forget to join the KC VCA. PM me for more info!

Chuck 98 RT/10 · Jun 30, 2007

99 R/T 10 said:
Parking?! What do you know about parking? With you it's more like a controled crash

Hey I'm the driver in that Audi commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6u5dmYXLxU

It only took 53 takes and 159 cars but eventually I nailed it.

Roadkill · Jun 30, 2007

I get 80+ inches of rain a year where i live and I've given up on making my car 100% leakproof. As far as the pinging goes, that would be a bigger concern. I have never had pinging and all they sell in my parts is 91 octane fuel.

Viper RT/10 Daily Driving Tips?

viper_roman

Viper Owner

plumcrazy

Enthusiast

DodgeViper01

Enthusiast

ViperJames

Enthusiast

Chuck 98 RT/10

Enthusiast

99 R/T 10

Enthusiast

JUCD VPR

Enthusiast

TheMeat

Viper Owner

IEATVETS

Enthusiast

Newport Viper

Enthusiast

got one

Enthusiast

PS78

Enthusiast

SEASNAKE

Enthusiast

Early93Viper

Enthusiast

Chuck 98 RT/10

Enthusiast

Roadkill

Viper Owner

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