Bucket list

blemay88 · Aug 24, 2014

Hi guys,

Just checked another "to do" from the bucket list...did something I never thought I would do...bought my dream car, the famous Dodge Viper. A beautiful 1997 Red R/T with 32000 mile and looks to die for.
Will get the car this week...I'm nervous and am wondering what to expect when owning a Viper. Test drived it and everything sounded and felt good. At 100 MPH, the car was going straight has an arrow. She has a flawless paint job and only needs tires. The only things that need TLC ( so far I hope) are both door sills and weatherstripping...was thinking about buying polished stainless door sills (will they get too hot??)...also, can I use regular weatherstrip to fix the broken ones
I used this forum and site to help me take the right decision and will come back often to seek your knowledge and help with the questions that might come up.

Thank you

Ben

VIPER GTSR 91 · Aug 24, 2014

Congrats on your new Viper. Now complete that bucket list by signing up to the upcoming VOI in September. You will never experience owning a Viper as much as a VOI. Four days of getting together with many other Viper owners in an incredible atmosphere. San Antonio and COTA. It does not get any better!! Call Jon at PartsRack for oem weather stripping to do it right.

Stonep185 · Aug 24, 2014

Congrats on the new ownership! Where are you located? Get connected with other local enthusiasts.

blemay88 · Aug 24, 2014

I'm located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada...unfortunatly will only use my Viper 6 months a year.

Just did a fast search...looks like finding tires for the Viper will be difficult??

Ben

Viper98912 · Aug 24, 2014

Welcome to the ownership club! For many of us it was also our dream car

Bobpantax · Aug 24, 2014

1. You can get the weatherstripping from a number of sources. Viper Parts of America has it. https://www.viperpartsofamerica.com/index.php/categories/dodge-viper-doors-related-parts
2. Your sills will run hot after you use her potential whther you put the stainless on or not. You just have to remember that when you get out after a run.
3. For tires, I suggest that you use the Tirerack site to search for tires. There are also other discount tire sites with search mechanisms that are helpful.
4. The search tool on this site has an enormous reservoir of data about the Gen II ( I would say the largest datbase found anyhwhere) and any problem that has ever arisen of any kind has a thread here somewhere. The access to the database is well worth the price of the basic VCA membership.

Free2go · Aug 25, 2014

One of the things on my bucket list is to befriend a real midget. I think it would be excellent to have a midget friend that could watch my Viper at car shows and sit in a lawn chair and answer all the stupid questions and wipe off all the grubby finger prints. I could go home and take a nap and win trophies at the same time.

Roy · Aug 25, 2014

Free2go said:
One of the things on my bucket list is to befriend a real midget. I think it would be excellent to have a midget friend that could watch my Viper at car shows and sit in a lawn chair and answer all the stupid questions and wipe off all the grubby finger prints. I could go home and take a nap and win trophies at the same time.

this is just awesome, I'll have one too!

oh and welcome to the club, enjoy it!

fuelman · Aug 26, 2014

Great car, congrats! Welcome to the Viper Nation...

ViperRed · Aug 26, 2014

Congrats! Enjoy the car in good health

gb66gth · Aug 27, 2014

Nothing better than making your own dreams come true.

blemay88 · Aug 27, 2014

Thank you for the nice welcome
Tomorrow is the day..getting nervous...but mostly excited
Some questions...what type of gasoline should I use. I obviously know it is the high grade one but what minimum octane should I use. Up here in Canada ( Quebec) 94 octane is the maximum I can find. Will it hurt the engine?? Or it is enough octane for the Viper.
The fluids, everywhere I read about it they say to change all the oils every year ( tranny, diff, engine, brake). I do not intend to race track the car and will probably only put less than a 500 miles/summer. Can I only change engine oil every year and change diff,tranny and brake fluids every other years??? Just wondering if it is worth the time and money with so little miles.

Thanks again guys, will come back tomorrow to update how my first day in a Viper went.

Ben

Roy · Aug 28, 2014

Assuming US Octane numbers are equal to those in canada, everything from 93 and up is ok. In Europe we need 98, but that's not the same octane reading.

I always swap all fluids when I don't know what has been done maintainance wise for the last years prior to purchase. But assuming you do know the mileage and driving type it has had, you can decide for yourself what to swap.

1 thing I know for sure is that swapping gear box oil, coolingwater and diff fluid every year, when not even tracking the car is nonsens 100%. Just check the ownersmanual and stick to the service intervals. Gearbox oil is normally good for the life of the car, but by heart I believe they advise to swap @ mileage 50.000 or such, so if you change this once during your complete ownership...would be more than enough.

I do tend to swap clutch and brake fluids every now and then, it's not expensive and this actually wears due to moisture and heat. Diff fluid is to be changed once in a while, but every year doesn't make any sense at all to me. Some Gen 3 owners do it every 1 or 2 years due to the weak diff and the excessive heat what goes into this diff,but I'm sure you'll be fine when you swap this once every 3-4 years.

as you stated, you are going to drive very few miles, so apart from engine oil and VIPER filter, fluids should be fine for a couple of years every time.

Check your tires, if they are still the originals, you should swap them out for some fresher onces

blemay88 · Aug 30, 2014

Got the Viper yesterday....been riding since then.
Couldn't find 94 octane so I went with 91, everything seems fine, no knocking or anything.
Now, one question, is it ok to cruise on the highway at 70 mph in 6th gear...( 1400 RPM...how low can you go, lol).
Today was a hot day (about 80) temperature gauge was moving first line before 90 (running)to last line before 120( stopped)... I'm gessing normal??
Anyway, still feel like a kid on christmas day.

Ben

P.S. Wow, Are to door sill getting hot or not

Camfab · Aug 31, 2014

So you've obviously got a Canadian car. Not sure where your gauge is actually landing on the high spectrum, but 248 F is too hot, if it's around 220 -230 F on the high end your ok. I don't understand your last comment regarding the door sills.

blemay88 · Aug 31, 2014

Well, the highest she gets is the last line before hitting max...I would say 2/3 of the gauge.
It does not stay ther long, as soon as I start moving she goes down pretty fast.
How about driving at 70 mph in sixth gear...is it o.k.???
About the door sills, I was saying that they are getting really hot after being parked for a while

Thanks

Ben

Roy · Aug 31, 2014

70 in 6th is fine, as long as it runs without hesitation you are fine, when cruising I try to keep it around 1400-2000rpm.

steve e · Aug 31, 2014

Free2go said:
One of the things on my bucket list is to befriend a real midget. I think it would be excellent to have a midget friend that could watch my Viper at car shows and sit in a lawn chair and answer all the stupid questions and wipe off all the grubby finger prints. I could go home and take a nap and win trophies at the same time.

Back in 1998 I won a midget throwing contest, we have been good friends ever since, they make great friends, do not eat much and take up very little space.

Free2go · Aug 31, 2014

steve e said:
Back in 1998 I won a midget throwing contest, we have been good friends ever since, they make great friends, do not eat much and take up very little space.

I was drinking at a pub in DC earlier this month. I was fascinated at this midget flirting with a one legged chick at the bar. I had never seen a midget up close and I didn't want them to see me staring....so I would occasionally glance out my booth window and watch the half naked hobo.

steve e · Aug 31, 2014

You win

Camfab · Sep 1, 2014

Side sills get quite hot. Many people have swapped out the factory catalytic converters for high flow cats. Basically a smaller less efficient converter which produces less heat, but allows for more pollutants out the exhaust pipe.

As far as the fluids go. I'd change everything out now, so that you have a fresh baseline. Changing all the fluids every year is not necessary if you only drive 500 miles per year. Factory fluids in the trans and differential.

Bird325 · Sep 1, 2014

Blemay88, Your sills WILL get hot ... hot enough to leave a mark. High Flow cats will help keep it within reason, but they will still hurt like hell if you hit them with a leg in shorts. Best off to learn to give them a wide berth and not hit them with your legs getting out. Search for threads on this forum about temp readings regarding where it got up to. Mine has been running hot this summer too, so I spent a lot of time reading about it before I decided that these monsters run HOT unless you are cruising at relatively low RPMs. It's normal, but don't let it get all the way over to the last mark!

blemay88 · Sep 2, 2014

Well, that is what I did. Read and I think she runs in the "normal" temp range.
About the door sills, well now people are advised and are impressed with how hot they get.

Running 91 octane is fine yet but I found somewhere with 94, so next time 94 will be used.
So far, I just love evrything about my Viper. A smoother ride than I was expecting, 13 MPG also better than expected.
What I mean is that a Viper is not the beast some people are saying it is. If you respect the power, it is a really nice car to enjoy.
Now I only need to get use to be looked at...impressive how many people are staring at the car.

Ben

3whitevipers · Sep 2, 2014

blemay88
You are so right that the Viper can be driven "sanely" and still have a lot of fun. It's a great car, very comfortable and reliable. I too respect the car as I realize that I do not have the ability to run the car at it's max. I guess some others should have done that also based on the Viper wrecks that occasionally get mentioned on this site. Have fun and please join the VCA!!--Dave

Fangs10 · Sep 2, 2014

Take the sills off get those repainted. Remove the stock CAT and get the hi-flow ones to get rid of some of the heat. Then drive it. Please don't let it sit for 5 years any only put 400 miles on it.

blemay88 · Sep 2, 2014

Not to worry about leaving the Viper sitting in the garage...since I got the car last Friday, I've put on about 450 miles...all those miles with a smile on my face.

blemay88 · Sep 9, 2014

Hi again guys,

I was exploring my Viper and came across something.
What is the use of the knob under the steering???
Don't wnna touch it without knowing what it is for.
Also, my horn and backup lights are not working...read on the forum, probably the switch for the backup lights but will need to investigate for the horn??
Also, mags were a little bend, well, roads in Quebec are very rough, need to have them balanced....to fit my new Michelin PS 2 tires
My question, are any of these problems regular problems found on Viper or just bad luck?

Thanks again

Ben

2001-V10 Power Nut · Sep 9, 2014

Congrats, welcome to Viper ownership & the best car club in the world. Check with your local VCA in Canada about joining

blemay88 · Sep 14, 2014

Hi guys,
Me again,I'm really enjoying my seat time in my Viper...incredible car, just can't believe how much attention you get while going by and how confortable the car is.
Some questions I have.
The screw knob under the steering wheel, what is it for?
As anyone ever installed a dead pedal in a Gen 2??
My light under the mirror does not work, any idea why??

Thanks

Ben

vancouver-gts · Sep 14, 2014

The knob under the steering column is the pedal adjuster. Put your foot on the brake pedal while turning it, you'll feel if it's extending towards you or retracting.
I have the same issue with the backup lights, checked the switch on the tranny,it's good but still no liight. It could be wiring issue or bad contact in the bulb's sockets. You'd have to remove the bulbs, using a multi meter to check if there's power while the tranny is shifted into reverse. Cobgrats on the car and enjoy.
Be careful with the brakes, don't trust it too much with the factory setup. Most of us upgraded it with either Tom's big brake kit or like myself, I replaced all four 14" rotors/calipers from a 2003 srT, bought from X2builders, using a kit from JonB at partsrack.
The two lights under the mirror is housed in a plastic holder that you have to push your thumb while turning it 90 degrees to remove. The bulb inside is available anywhere including at Canadian Tire. There isn't much room for a real dead pedal in the Gen2
because the pedal assembly is offset to the left too far as you probably noticed already.

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