Anti lock brakes and handling on the Gen 2 or do I buy a Gen 3?

[Tim]

I have just sold my 94 RT10 and now I’m looking to upgrade into a Gen 2. As anti lock brakes are a must that will leave me looking at a 2001 or 2002 RT10. Unfortunately to upgrade a pre 2001 to anti locks is cost prohibitive @ over $9500.00 US I don’t have a lot of options.

My question is it possible to upgrade the Gen 2 to handle as well or at least nearly as well as the Gen 3? If so is this also going to be another cost prohibitive deal where I start throwing good money after bad?

In all honesty I know that I should break down and buy the Gen 3 but I still can’t bring myself to totally accept the change in the body style. I have to agree that once you’re in the car you forget all about that as the visibility over the fenders, handling, brakes etc out weigh the corvette look. At least until you’re parked beside a Gen 2 and everyone walks by your new car to look at the used car beside you.

So, can a Gen 2 be upgraded to handle at least nearly as well as the Gen 3?

Thanks

Tim

 

[01sapphireGTS]

I'm no handling/track expert, but my racing buddies tell me that the Gen III is definately a better handling platform than a stock Gen II (stock vs stock). They also tell me that with my mods, my car will out handle a stock Gen III. ( $4-6K )

The Gen III has better fender visibility etc as you stated, so I guess it just comes down to what you "want". After seeing Gary Javo's SRT, I feel like donating my car to charity and walking away from it...

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Gen 1 & 2 pre-ABS brakes can be improved with rear brake calipers re-sized to ~20% larger. No, it's not ABS, but at least those lumps out back participate in the braking event. Swapping in 40mm rear calipers needs no cutting off locating arms, use same rotors/pads/hoses, keep the parking brake, looks OEM (for better or worse) and is a simple afternoon job anyone can do.

Like Todd... well, unlike Todd because I'm a cheapskate, I modified the OEM shocks to accept other springs on my '94 and have done well. At the VCA Rendezvous autocross two years ago, I was 3+ sec quicker in my lowered and stiffened, 40mm rear caliper, 404 hp Gen 1 than I was in the yellow painted 2003 "Fast & Furious" SRTs they gave us to try.

 

[BigCarrot]

You won't regret buying an SRT. I've grown to really love the styling, and it's just a better car. I had two Gen II's before this one. I had my ACR for several months after I bought the SRT, and it never left the driveway.

 

[Tim]

I'm no handling/track expert, but my racing buddies tell me that the Gen III is definately a better handling platform than a stock Gen II (stock vs stock). They also tell me that with my mods, my car will out handle a stock Gen III. ( $4-6K )

The Gen III has better fender visibility etc as you stated, so I guess it just comes down to what you "want". After seeing Gary Javo's SRT, I feel like donating my car to charity and walking away from it...

 

[ViperRay]

IMO you can upgrade the Gen II to Gen III performance standards, but it's not cheap as you need to make some suspension, brake and power mods to do this (although ABS is a good start).

Will it be a street car or some/mostly track?

You might be able to find an already modded Gen II for less than doing the upgrades yourself.

Keep in mind that the Gen III's also need some modding if you're going to drive it hard... diff, oiling and others.

My modded GTS can outhandle my stock SRT but I probably have equal money in them.

It may come down to what stirs your soul.