2013 Cruise control, adjustable suspension.... what else?
- Thread starter jk
- Start date
MoreBeer
Viper Owner
Seeing that steering wheel made me throw up in my mouth a little.
-mb
-mb
Mr. Gilles has stated that the next Gen and its systems are 'running around all over, unrecognizable' and 'could be in owner garages by Sept 2012.'
It would NOT surprize me if that goofy looking shock-cap 'Bilstein Button' on the SRT console is a specific engineer's idea of a joke.....
It would NOT surprize me if that goofy looking shock-cap 'Bilstein Button' on the SRT console is a specific engineer's idea of a joke.....
Whether any of these items are to occur is still conjecture, but most mules use so many different parts that are not intended to resemble the end product , they just need to function. I doubt there is any real worry about the steering wheel resembling the look in this article.
Jon had a good coment knowing the humor of some of the engineers. We may likely see a " Thrust Capaciter," knob on the next Viper mule photo.
Jon had a good coment knowing the humor of some of the engineers. We may likely see a " Thrust Capaciter," knob on the next Viper mule photo.
Adjustable shocks would be nice. As I was bouncing along the freeway this morning I realized that's the only thing keeping the Viper from being a daily driver. Cruise control is also a nice feature to help you keep your driver's license.
I don't think the new Viper will disappoint anyone.
~Jay
I don't think the new Viper will disappoint anyone.
~Jay
boy wonder
Enthusiast
The button could be like the FX3 Bilstein's the ZR-1 had. It changed the ride from regular to firm to sport?.
Robin
Robin
Team SRT have a ZR-1 as a benchmark test car, and they RENTED a small fleet of supercars as well:
Mercedes SLR
Ferrari 430
Gallardo Spyder
Ferrari 599
Bently Continental
Jag XKR
Renting is cheaper than buying.....
So we know they have set the bar HIGH....
Mercedes SLR
Ferrari 430
Gallardo Spyder
Ferrari 599
Bently Continental
Jag XKR
Renting is cheaper than buying.....
So we know they have set the bar HIGH....
georgethedog
Enthusiast
Now that is a nice set of cars--are they renting those from your collection Jon??? Actually, with the good deals you give us you probably can only afford an old K-Car.
Anyway, I just hope that one day the new Gen Viper will be affordable for us mid-range price guys. Wonder how many years of depreciation before they will reach the mid-40's...
Actually, with the good deals you give us you probably can only afford an old K-Car.Anyway, I just hope that one day the new Gen Viper will be affordable for us mid-range price guys. Wonder how many years of depreciation before they will reach the mid-40's...
ROCKET62
Has Left the Room!
Seeing as it's about a thousand degrees here in the midwest, I got to thinking about one of the other spied test mules ..... Ahhhhhhh .... feel cooler already!
Kevan
Enthusiast
None of the stuff in the pics bothers me in the least.
Let's not forget that some Vipers in the past did come with cruise control. I know this because I own one.
Who cares if it's on there or not? As someone who enjoys long trips, I say it's a good thing. And with it being part of the new computer system, we're not talking about a huge amount of added weight (like the old vacuum-run systems).
Pfft...if you don't like it, don't turn it on.
The adjustable shocks would be cool. That will probably mean a price bump, but I think we're all expecting that.
How about the owners (like me) that drive it on the street *AND* take it to the track whenever possible?
Again- if you don't like it, don't hit the button.
The only sad part in the picture is the damn RBQ radio.
Let's not forget that some Vipers in the past did come with cruise control. I know this because I own one.
Who cares if it's on there or not? As someone who enjoys long trips, I say it's a good thing. And with it being part of the new computer system, we're not talking about a huge amount of added weight (like the old vacuum-run systems).
Pfft...if you don't like it, don't turn it on.
The adjustable shocks would be cool. That will probably mean a price bump, but I think we're all expecting that.
How about the owners (like me) that drive it on the street *AND* take it to the track whenever possible?
Again- if you don't like it, don't hit the button.
The only sad part in the picture is the damn RBQ radio.
None of the stuff in the pics bothers me in the least.
The only sad part in the picture is the damn RBQ radio.
I spent some money and just had a double DIN navigation unit installed, along with a complete audio system. I couldn't believe how much more that makes me enjoy the car. I think I drove 400 miles in one week. Now the car is in the shop again to have the interior upgraded. I'm really looking forward to comfortable seats!
I know some Viper purists hate this sort of stuff, but in my opinion, things like that don't make it any less a Viper, they just make it a Viper you'll want to drive more frequently. And the mandated traction control will prevent a lot of accidents!
~Jay
Mopar Steve
Enthusiast
Let's not forget that some Vipers in the past did come with cruise control. I know this because I own one.
I'm not sure that is correct. The cruise you have might have been added. I never saw a listing for that as an option.
DaDood
Enthusiast
Am I the only one who thinks the cruise control is nice? I like having it on long drives. Plus, when I have the cruise control set, I normally drive closer to the speed limit too, thus reducing tickets!
01sapphirebob
Enthusiast
Kevan is the proud owner of a Ram SRT-10 as well which comes with cruise control.
georgethedog
Enthusiast
Jay, what are you having done to the seats to make them more comfortable? I had a couple minor things done (more bottom cushion and more lumbar cushion) but after about an hour it still hurts my back. Please let me know if you get a chance.
I have the aftermarket cruise and love it on the highway.
I have the aftermarket cruise and love it on the highway.
MoPar Steve is correct. There has never been a factory cruise unit, but there was a unit quite a few Dealers/ Tuners, etc. installed. The best unit came out of Snake Oyl Products and we installed quite a few back in the day.
The car is in the shop now. I have decided to do a whole leather interior, kind of like what Venzano does. The only reason I didn't use Venzano is because the main reason for redoing the interior is to make the seats better formy back. The upholstery guy is going to shape the foam based on what I told him, then before he makes the leather I will drive the car for as long as I need to see what adjustments need to be made to the foam. Once I'm happy he can then cut and install the leather.
What I think is bad about the seats for my 5'7" 150 pound body is that the seat bottom has a low spot in the middle. That makes my butt slip forward and causes me to slouch in the seat. Secondly the front of the seat bottom is slightly too long for my legs. I'm having him shorten it which will encourage me to sit up straighter in the seat. Thirdly, the seat back is curved like the letter C, and therefore there is no lumbar support. The seat back should be more of an S shape, or at least convex to support your lower back.
On other cars you can adjust the angle of the seat bottom. That combined with angle of recline will allow gravity to force good posture. Since the Viper doesn't have that basic adjustment, I'll try to have that angle created using foam.
Now this will really irritate some people here, but I'm also going to have a seat ventilator installed, if it's possible, to keep the boys cool and dry on hot days.
I absolutely love driving the Viper. After these mods, I'll almost never want to drive the Lexus.
~Jay
What is your experience with the quality and safety of those kits?
thanks,
~Jay
steve911
Enthusiast
I have had on in my'04 for the past 5 years. No issues at all. Works great. Mine is from Snake-Oyl.
Kevan
Enthusiast
I'm with ya, Jay.
I'm not into cutting up the dash, so....I roll the RBQ for now (with Garmin 3790 for nav).
It's sort of a moot point though: I couldn't find a system that does what the RB1 does plus Bluetooth without adding 20 lbs. to the car and lightening my wallet by about $3K.
And NONE of the systems worked with the OEM steering wheels controls (in the truck).
I kind of miss those in the car......
Gotcha!
And technically it wasn't an option; ALL the SRT-10 trucks came with cruise control.
georgethedog
Enthusiast
You have the exact same issues with the seat I had and still do to a point. I did a cheap fix ($100 per seat) and had a guy add foam on the bottom so there wasn't a hole and foam in the lumbar so there was some support. I wish I was in So Cal so I could take it to your place because it still starts to bother me after about an hour drive. If you can, take some before/after pictures of the foam before the new leather covers it. I may be able to have someone here do something similar. I will send you a PM.
Fixed it for you. There is only one supercar listed there, the SLR. No need to be overzealous.
A lot of this BS is NOT necessary to comply with federal regulations. These are garbage creature comforts employed in an attempt to steal market share from "competitors". I for one liked the Viper in a class of it's own. Why buy a watered down Viper when you can go out and buy a pedigreed exotic. If that's who it wants to compete with then I'd rather own the competition. I am sure these moves will satisfy the bean counters but I predict a dodge corvette. They should have just discontinued it.
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
So would a mandated 100 hp limit, but it wouldn't be much fun would it? And neither is traction control.
Well you're just a ray of sunshine aren't you...
Kevan
Enthusiast
Cruise control is not watering down anything. It's almost zero weight, and adds a little value (and long trip driveability) to the vehicle.
Don't like it? Don't turn it on.
Really hate it? Have a tuner delete its parameters from the PCM.
And if your loathing runs that deep, you should look into a Comp. Coupe or ACR-X.
Viper has a L-O-N-G way to sink before it reaches Corvette level.
Every member of this forum that's spoken with Ralph in the last 2 years has uttered, "OFF MEANS OFF!!!".
It's the mantra about traction control that Mr. Gilles has had drilled into his head by the owners/drivers of Dodge's halo vehicle.
As an owner, driver, AND racer himself, Ralph understands why we all say that. He's been listening.
Let's do worst case scenarios:
- Ralph gets it where "OFF MEANS OFF" and there's a separate key to turn TC off, and you have to be parked, and facing West, during a full moon....but the lawyers step in and say that it has to have an "Emergency" setting, where if the car senses an emergency while the TC is off it turns on momentarily and 'saves' us all.
We'll find out where the lawyers offices are and do donuts in their parking lot until there's no rubber left.
Actually, what will really happen is that some smart cookie will come out with a mod/chip/program that will REALLY turn it off......and make a mint off of us.
Either way, we can get rid of TC whenever we want to.
Don't like it? Don't turn it on.
Really hate it? Have a tuner delete its parameters from the PCM.
And if your loathing runs that deep, you should look into a Comp. Coupe or ACR-X.
Viper has a L-O-N-G way to sink before it reaches Corvette level.
Every member of this forum that's spoken with Ralph in the last 2 years has uttered, "OFF MEANS OFF!!!".
It's the mantra about traction control that Mr. Gilles has had drilled into his head by the owners/drivers of Dodge's halo vehicle.
As an owner, driver, AND racer himself, Ralph understands why we all say that. He's been listening.
Let's do worst case scenarios:
- Ralph gets it where "OFF MEANS OFF" and there's a separate key to turn TC off, and you have to be parked, and facing West, during a full moon....but the lawyers step in and say that it has to have an "Emergency" setting, where if the car senses an emergency while the TC is off it turns on momentarily and 'saves' us all.
We'll find out where the lawyers offices are and do donuts in their parking lot until there's no rubber left.
Actually, what will really happen is that some smart cookie will come out with a mod/chip/program that will REALLY turn it off......and make a mint off of us.
Either way, we can get rid of TC whenever we want to.
Slamming into a telephone pole, curb, fire hydrant or pedestrian unexpectedly isn't What most people consider to be fun.
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
Because of course, that's what happens to everybody who drives a car without TC. And it stands to follow that "off" shouldn't really mean "off" in your pro-TC world. Enjoy, you'll be getting your wish soon enough Herr Commandant.
