Alignment Adjustments-Newbie Question

[Flash1034]

I am new to Viperdom. The car (06 Viper Coupe) seems a little squirrely on high speed straights. I prefer a little more stable ride. Is it possible to easily add a little caster to the car? Would that help the wandering feeling my steering has without affecting the cornering ability too much?

Thanks for the newbie question answer.

Flash

 

[Mike Dolan]

I think the issue is the tires. My car had the same issue when new, it wanted to follow the lines in the road, and would seem to even sense a shadow on the road. Once I got some miles on the tires, particularly track time that took off a bit of the sharp edge on the shoulders, the problem dissapeared.

Hope this works for you too.

Regards,
Mike Dolan

 

[Flash1034]

Thats good to know. I dont like the way the car darts into road contours.

Flash

 

[Flash1034]

Just for my info, Is there a caster adjustment on this car?

Flash

 

[Racer Robbie]

Flash, I was having the same darting problem with the run flats so I changed from the Run Flats to Copperhead wheels with Michelin Non run flats and it is night and day. They are lighter and softer riding than the run flats and they are availble in stock OEM sizes. They out handle the run flats and are great in rain. This past weekend I got caught in a monsoon of a rain storm and I could not believe how good they were. The Michelin NON Run Flats are a good tire if you want to stay with your OEM size wheels and OEM Tire size.

You might try running these pressures in the run flats.

PSI = STREET TRACK
ZP = 30 PSI 32 PSI
ZP = 30 PSI 32 PSI


Robbie

 

[Racer Robbie]

here is the link for an earlier post. I would use Chuck Tators specs if the year and models are the same. You might want to give Chuck a call.


http://www4.forum.viperclub.org/showflat...an1su7hejmrj7c1

 

[GTS Dean]

Front and rear suspensions are fully adjustable for Caster, Camber and Toe, plus bump steer.

 

[Viper X]

Flash,

Both my Vipers were a bit "squirely" when new. The SRT had run flats, the GTS non-run flats. A bad alignment is much more likely the culprit than a tire issue.

Some of these cars come with a "toe out" issue, others with a "caster" problem. My SRT had a nasty bump steer problem when new. All four tires are adjustable for camber, caster and toe.

Unfortunately, the dealer tried and failed to straighten out these issues in my case.

Give A & C performance a call. They're in Temecula and do a real nice job with Viper alignments, track or street. Todd / Mike, 951-696-0500.

Tell them Dan sent you.

 

[Flash1034]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'll get my alignment checked first and go from there. Just for my info, when my runflats wear out can I put the non-runflat Pilots on my 06 Launch Edition Coupe Wheels?

Flash

 

[Racer Robbie]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'll get my alignment checked first and go from there. Just for my info, when my runflats wear out can I put the non-runflat Pilots on my 06 Launch Edition Coupe Wheels?

Flash

Flash, and everyone else, when you do an alignment on a viper it needs to be done with weight in the seats as if people are sitting in the car. Some people use sandbags or have 2 people sit in the car during the alignment. I do not remember the weight spec but if you need it I can look it up when I go into the shop later today.

Robbie

 

[GTS Dean]

I do not agree about ballasting for an alignment. If you've had the upper wishbones or shocks loose, then yes, I agree. You have to preload the pivots before torquing to spec.

 

[Racer Robbie]

I do not agree about ballasting for an alignment. If you've had the upper wishbones or shocks loose, then yes, I agree. You have to preload the pivots before torquing to spec.

I beluieve you will find that to do the job properlly you need to add ballest. Skip White also agrees with me on this. When I did my alignment I ttok a brand new viper and put it on the alignment rack and printed out the numbers without ballast and then set my viper to those specs. It has been perfect ever since.

Robbie