Differences between 97 and 98 GTS??

[CROM]

Hey folks,

Just curious as to what the differences are between the 97 and 98 GTS? I remember reading that the 97's weren't as reliable as the 98+ cars and a few other things. Enlighten an anxious future viper owner please.

P.S. If you have a GTS for sale hit me up, refer to my below post on what I want:

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=368117&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1#Post368500

 

[Viper Specialty]

-Different Fan shrouds on 97's... should be upgraded.

-97 had exhaust manifolds, 98 recieved Tubular Headers. (I may be wrong on this one...it may have been 99 that got the new style)

-NGR was addressed in 98 (I may be wrong on this one too...may have been 99 as well. No big deal, just swap the gear lube in the trans)

 

[Ron]

'97 had cast iron exhaust manifolds, 98 stainless shorties as Daniel states

Fan shroud upgrade was 1999+. Minimal cost to update.

Early 1997's had cast wheels later 1997's had forged, all 1998's were forged. Important if you track the car.

 

[Casey]

'98 forged wheels and air bag on/of switch. Oh, and of course the best color of all--Silver was introduced!!

 

[Marv S]

the reliable issue you heard of may be due to the faulty intake manifold gaskets on the '97.

Hard to imagine any '97s are out there that haven't had the updated ones put in by now.

 

[93Cobra]

Is there a way of knowing if the intake gaskets were replaced?

 

[97fatboy]

I think you can have a Dodge dealer run the service history If it was done under the warranty, it should show you.

 

[93Cobra]

I have also herd that the dash on 98 up Vipers are different then 96 and 97??
No big deal I guess.

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

On off power switch in the 98's glove box to reset the computer.

 

[Ron]

Fred, You are referring to the alarm system reset switch which was added in 1998 as you state.

93Cobra, you are correct in that the dash went from the smooth matte finish to the shiny pebble. That change was made when he airbag cutoff switch was added as Casey mentions.

More changes than I remembered.......

 

[Marv S]

Hey Ron,
THE most important change........ the cam profile.....

More changes than I remembered.......

 

[pdmracing]

What intake gasget issue, bought my 97 new & have had 33k trouble free miles on it & i drive it like it was meant to be driven. By the way the best part about the 97.....Its blue & white!

 

[JonB]

You guys hit most of the changes!

As far as the 97 IM gasket issue: all cars before 11/18/97 needed new IMs.
You can look down at the gasket material between the IM runner tubes. If the gasket looks pinkish and stretched taught-straight, it has the new gasket.
If it is wavey-grey it is the old gasket.

Not a bog whoop...if the gasket leaked, the idle was Waaaay fast, and had to be fixed ASAP.

Nit-picks: Stripes were modified in 97; Upper door trim and door entry moulding was improved; Fan was actually 1998.9 (Sept)
Cam change was slight in 98; 96-7 the best. 97 wheels standard were cast and silver, polished cost extra; poor quality polish. Gold was an option! Stripes cost extra in 97 if not a 96 carryover car.