2005 viper with Paxton supercharger

[B5S4]

Hello viper board, I’ve been in the market for a viper for a while now. Predominately looking for a gen 2 GTS but decided to look to gen 3-4 as well. A 2005 convertible popped up for sale with a Paxton novi 2000 supercharger. I’m looking to get some insight on this, from what I’ve read it seems that it’s essentially a bolt on supercharger. Based on the add it doesn’t seem like there are any supporting modifications like injectors or a tune. Is there any considerations you would look at before stepping into a viper with a supercharger? My primary concerns are if it was ridden hard and put away wet, potential hidden issues could pop up like the diff or bearings. Another thought in my mind is original vs modified, do you all think a supercharger could impact long term value. I know you aren’t supposed to look at cars as investments but it’s a thought that crosses my mind when the time to switch up cars comes. Any help is appreciated!

CarGurus - 2005 Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster RWD - $62,990

White with 11,826 miles. Manual. Alloy Wheels. Leather Seats

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[efnfast]

boosted car + bare bones installation = you're going to be spending $10-15k fixing it up proper unless you intend to drive it a few times then flip it to the next guy

 

[Viper Specialty]

As pointed out above, thats a super basic install.

Personally... I would work a good deal, have it inspected, buy it, and then pull and sell the Paxton..... end result is a dirt cheap and excellent condition, very rare color combo car.

 

[DSwimmer]

Like others mentioned, if there are truly no other supporting mods… tread lightly. A tune without Motec risks bricking the factory computers. Motec has a few options from $6k-$11k (this is just to tune the car mind you), each with different features, but still pricey. Then if you’re talking fuel pump, injectors, or going further down the rabbit hole with water/methanol kits to keep temps down, it gets very pricey, very fast. If you have deep pockets, or live near a reputable Viper builder/tuner like Havik, then go for it. It’s a beautiful spec!

If you have concerns, a budget, or aren’t totally married to this color/spec, there are other Gen 3s you can find that are well sorted. They trade hands often.

It always comes down to money. If you have money, don’t let anyone talk you out of it if you are really into it. These are fun, raw, rare, attention grabbing cars. I doubt you will regret the experience you will have with it.

 

[Viper Specialty]

A tune without Motec risks bricking the factory computers.

Holy Misinformation Batman!

This is becoming an often repeated, blown out of proportion fear tactic perpetuated by people who dont have the knowledge base or skills to avoid the problem, but would LOVE to sell you a Motec that you dont really need.

Fact: The JTEC controller is the most difficult "normal" calibration you can write, and virtually no one understands them as a result.

Fact: All of these supposed problems are on HPT cars, not SCT. HPT ties your hands behind your back until you give up. SCT will let you solve the problem... after it ties you in knots figuring out how it all works for a year.

Fact: I can write you a file tomorrow if you do exactly what I tell you to do, that you can load and run indefinitely. [But everyone always calls me *after* they build the car, and then I have to tell them that I am not interested in losing money reinventing the wheel again for all the changes they made]

Fact: There has never been a bricked PCM caused by HPT or even SCT that I cannot recover.


This is a knowledge, skill, equipment, and capability problem... not a software function problem. Everyone needs to stop passing on the BS that somehow these JTEC controllers are all time-bombs waiting to go off. There are *at least* 100X more JTEC's out there running SCT or HPT than Motec's ever installed. Where are all of these problematic JTECs?

They dont exist. This is a .001% problem tied to one shop on one computer, likely with corrupted files, that happens to have a following now... yelling incredibly loud about it.

Calm down everyone, its not that big of a deal.

 

[DSwimmer]

Holy Misinformation Batman!

This is becoming an often repeated, blown out of proportion fear tactic perpetuated by people who dont have the knowledge base or skills to avoid the problem, but would LOVE to sell you a Motec that you dont really need.

Fact: The JTEC controller is the most difficult "normal" calibration you can write, and virtually no one understands them as a result.

Fact: All of these supposed problems are on HPT cars, not SCT. HPT ties your hands behind your back until you give up. SCT will let you solve the problem... after it ties you in knots figuring out how it all works for a year.

Fact: I can write you a file tomorrow if you do exactly what I tell you to do, that you can load and run indefinitely. [But everyone always calls me *after* they build the car, and then I have to tell them that I am not interested in losing money reinventing the wheel again for all the changes they made]

Fact: There has never been a bricked PCM caused by HPT or even SCT that I cannot recover.


This is a knowledge, skill, equipment, and capability problem... not a software function problem. Everyone needs to stop passing on the BS that somehow these JTEC controllers are all time-bombs waiting for go off. There are *at least* 100X more JTEC's out there running SCT or HPT than Motec's ever installed. Where are all of these problematic JTECs?

Oh, thats right... this is a .001% problem tied to one shop on one computer, likely with corrupted files, that happens to have a following now... yelling incredibly loud about it.

Calm down everyone, its not that big of a deal.

Wow! Thanks for the correction, truly. Not my intention to misinform, just sharing what I was told with equal confidence. The more you know.

Thanks again for the knowledge. I am saving this thread for future reference!

 

[Dan Cragin]

I developed that Supercharger system with Paxton on all the 1992-2006 models. When properly installed using correct
fuel on a stock engine it was quite reliable. We did sell many supporting modifications, upgrades, calibrations and such, but
the system worked well.

 

[yzf1999]

Personally I would not buy a boosted Viper if I was not specifically looking for a boosted Viper. I’d buy the cleanest closest to original Viper I could afford…that way I can turn it into my own vision.

 

[Dan Cragin]

I tend to agree. With the age of these cars the more original the better. If a modified car is done correctly and properly taken care of,
it can be a lot of fun. The downside is the costs. You can spend as much as the car is worth doing a new motor and other work once things
add up.

I recently replaced the transmission on my modified 1997 B/W GTS, upgrading to a Rockland Gear 300m unit with better ratios and such. Even
at wholesale costs, by the time it was all done right with the proper clutch and additional parts, I think I spent 10k.

The good thing is there are plenty of parts and support to modify these Vipers. I've worked closely with early McLaren's and other high end cars.
Prices for parts and labor are mind boggling. $1800 for a plug wire set on a old school Lamborghini and another $500 for the distributor cap. The parts came from
a tractor company.

 

[Badsnek]

Long and short of it. Out of the 5 Vipers I bought, my Gen 3 Paxton is my favorite one to drive. It will cost significantly more to maintain or bring up to date for that matter. But it will be exponentially more fun than a stock one ever will be.

I’m in the process of thinning my herd and I’m keeping my Gen 3 Paxton and my Gen 4 ACR. I ditched my Roe Supercharged Gen 2 GTS because my Gen 3 Paxton is more fun.

Just food for thought.

 

[Dan Cragin]

I'm around if you ever need advice on that G3 Paxton. Think we did 30 of them back in the day.

 

[B5S4]

I appreciate all the responses! Yeah after thinking for a bit I’m looking for a stock example and then if I want to mod it I’ll know everything that’s been done. Plus still looking for a driver quality Gen 2 GTS is what I’m really after so the hunt continues!

 

[Badsnek]

I appreciate all the responses! Yeah after thinking for a bit I’m looking for a stock example and then if I want to mod it I’ll know everything that’s been done. Plus still looking for a driver quality Gen 2 GTS is what I’m really after so the hunt continues!

I’m helping a buddy sell a driver 97 B&W right now