Re: \'03 engine question? Where did they get it?
"A Brief History of the Viper Motor"
(apologies to Stephen J Hawking)
Chapter One: Chrysler Gearhead execs like V-10 truck motor. Think "that would make one whupass sportscar motor."
Chapter Two: Chrysler execs think: Gee, that Maserati TC Lebaron was way cool. Now we own stock in Lamborgini, Let's Lambo-ize the truck motor.
Chapter Three: While the motor is away, the chassis-boys play, spiritually led by Carroll Shelby
Chapter Four: Motor comes back in a 747 freighter at ~600 Lbs. F-1 type wet-sleeve cooling. Shelby Quits.
Chapter Five: Motor debuts at '91 Indy - 500 Shelby Drives.
Chapter Six: Lambo-izied V-10 gets put in Viper, 1992-1996.4
Chapter Seven: Team Viper de-Lambo-fies the motor, which goes on a diet, loses 50 lbs, and picks up 50 HP. (Millions Cheer.)
Later, adds lighter, F-1 / CART style Hyper-Eutechtic pistons. And tries Powdered Metal technology liners. (Many Boo.)
Chapter Eight: VOI 4,5 conducts official surveys of Owner "wish lists" in writing, and at Tech Sessions. Hundreds of owners wax poetic. Dodge takes notes, and goes to work.
Chapter Nine: Dodge listens. Keeps 'character' of car intact. Improves motor again, to 505/500/500 (+ 500 watt Stereo !) Still pushrod.....Better oiling system. NO: turbos, DOHCs, 40 - 50 valves, or Superchargers, no cruise control, cupholders or power seats. Debuts showcar at DTT with a Gen-II motor in it! [Assuming interchangeability, PartsRack takes first order for Gen-III Crate Motor. Starts waiting list, which now exceeds 7.]
Chapter Ten: Feeding Frenzy begins on VCA site. PartsRack develops 1st Smoothe Tubes for Gen-III.
Chapter Eleven: Someone changes name to Chapter Three. No one notices.
JonB~~~~~~~~~~:<~
