Looks of the stock Viper engine

[rcdice]

With all that's been said on this board lately regarding the beauty of the Gen I & II Vipers, prices firming (rising?) and this or that 06 model xxxx will be faster, there is one aspect of our cars that doesn't get enough praise. The beauty of the stock engine. IMHO, the red block with coiled snakes intake is a thing of automotive art. Add some red or chrome smooth tubes and it's even more stunning.

The SRT-10/new coupe may be faster out of the box, but pop the hood and the show award goes to the earlier cars. I can't think of ANY modern production car (under $200k) that comes out of the gate with an engine that even holds a candle to the I & II Vipers's, looks wise.

To me, the Viper engine, so clean you could eat off it, is absolutely stunning and will prove to be timeless.

 

[PDCjonny]

To me, the Viper engine, so clean you could eat off it, is absolutely stunning and will prove to be timeless.

I don't know about eating off it, but you sure as [******] can cook off of it. It's gets hotter than a BBQ

 

[01sapphireGTS]

Funny how everyone has different likes and dislikes. I hate the look of my engine. First off it's RED (which is stupid) black and aluminum would have looked much better. Second of all, what's up with that intake ? The Gen III is much better looking.

But third and most importantly is why is our engine not a HEMI ? Out of principle the engine could have been the same as it's current configuration, but with a Hemi head, even if it didn't make 1 more BHP it would have looked awsome.

I almost never raise the hood (or bonnet as the Euros say) of my car because I hate the engine and I don't want anyone else to see the red nightmare. I mean it would be like my car having red seats or a red center console. FAR OUT OF PLACE and since I'm rambling that "flat, bright red" is an ugly red anyway. OK I'm done...

 

[PhoenixGTS]

I hate the look of my engine. First off it's RED (which is stupid) black and aluminum would have looked much better. I almost never raise the hood (or bonnet as the Euros say) of my car because I hate the engine and I don't want anyone else to see the red nightmare. I mean it would be like my car having red seats or a red center console. FAR OUT OF PLACE and since I'm rambling that "flat, bright red" is an ugly red anyway. OK I'm done...

Paint the intake and valve covers. It is an easy do-it-yourself project since in the MOPAR fashion, no coolant goes through the intake.

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[Tom F&L GoR]

It would be great to find a hemi V-10, but the engine bay would have to be wider. The outboard rocker arm, shaft, spring, adds to the width of the head.

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At 70bhp/L, that would produce a ~550hp 8L V-10. Pretty cool.

 

[joe117]

Some guys seem to be eaten up with this "hemi" thing.

The hemi chamber in itself doesn't really get you much. In fact, I'm not sure at all that it isn't old technology that has been passed by.

Ever see a car with a row of carbs on top? Lots of guys think that's cool.
Would you want that over EFI? I don't think so.

I don't believe the present "hemi" V8 that DC sells, is getting anything out of being a hemi.

I'm not any more impressed by a hemi head than I am by two, four barrel carbs.

There were a number of crappy engines with hemi heads.

 

[01sapphireGTS]

Both points presented above are well taken ! (If the car were any wider it would take up the ENTIRE lane...)

& "At 70bhp/L, that would produce a ~550hp 8L V-10" is SUPER COOL ! !

Phoenix, again great looking engine !

 

[01sapphireGTS]

Joe: I totally agree that the performance of a modern Hemi head may not really stand on it's own, but the "LOOK" of the hemi valve cover in our car would be killer. Spark plug wires entering the center of the valve cover ( 5 per side ! )

I would prefer it even it made a little LESS BHP.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

I agree 100% with rcdise.
I think the stock Gen I & II engines look great. I'm very careful when I make any up grades to the engine comportment, to keep it looking how I think DC would have done it. When I changed to the chrome smooth tubes I swapped the chrome for aluminum because there was no chrome already existing in the engine compartment. And I polished that lower aluminum brace. I wash the engine every time I wash the car. I’m a big SRT/10 fan but for 1992 technology, these engines still look great to me.

 

[Camfab]

I have to agree with Sapphire GTS, the entire engine compartment, although awesome in scale is very crude and old school Lambo looking. The GenIII compartment is very nicely engineered, and the motor with it's low wide manifold/throttle body design is just artwork. The airbox is also beautiful. Phoenix very nice, I like your total anti-bling approach.

 

[Mr Hemi Head]

Some guys seem to be eaten up with this "hemi" thing.

The hemi chamber in itself doesn't really get you much. In fact, I'm not sure at all that it isn't old technology that has been passed by.

Ever see a car with a row of carbs on top? Lots of guys think that's cool.
Would you want that over EFI? I don't think so.

I don't believe the present "hemi" V8 that DC sells, is getting anything out of being a hemi.

I'm not any more impressed by a hemi head than I am by two, four barrel carbs.

There were a number of crappy engines with hemi heads.

Hey watch what you say about the HEMI. LOL

I have to agree
The new HEMI combustion chamber is NOT the same as the original.
The dual plugs are needed to reduce emissions.

AND it's made in Mexico!
Its marketing hype when a dragster is used in Dodge TV commercials, most of those engines were made by Keith Black.

 

[Cal Cobra]

I too like the Gen1/2 engines, I think the design of the V10 is very classy looking (reminds me of some of the Ferrari engines).

It was interesting, we recently had a car show at my work. There were maybe 50 cars, everything from a 1955 Chevy, to a new Ferrari. I was getting quite a bit of lookers at my car, but when I opened the hood, all of a sudden I had flocks of people, the cameras came out, and people were asking tons of questions. It was amazing

Cal

 

[VIPR GTS]

SapphireGTS, I have the same car as you but the motor is all done in Sapphire and it looks fantastic when you open the hood, give it some thought.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

The Gen 2 engine rules! I like the way the Pelnum looks thus is the reason why I went with a Paxton Super Charger.

 

[hemibeep]

Stock motor looks good IMO.
Chrysler would not have dreamed of a Hemi back in 91' when all of the engineering development was going on.
To me, the whole idea for the viper was a low tech,big power, in your face car that would help turn the tables for the flailing ma Mopar.

As far as the Hemi itself goes, the head design is for efficient flow of air. this design is still used in all of the top forms of drag racing motorsports. Simple, it is old tech that WORKS. The new motors are not the same as the old, and to me seems more like a marketing tool that WORKS.
The original hemi (426) just loves more fuel and more rpm and really comes on strong up top. Yes, I am a big Hemi fan, but also know they have their shortcomings (emissions), but it sure is fun shifting a big block at 7000 that feels like it is just getting started.

 

[Cal Cobra]

Thanks for the report hemibeep, you look like you definitely know hemi's. I wondered if the new engines weren't more hype, then performance, although they don't look bad.

Would your Roadrunner give the Viper a run for it's money?

Cal

 

[hemibeep]

Cal,

the roadrunner has two problems.
1. 4100 pounds
2. BFG DR don't hook up 4100 lbs.
To be honest my best 1/8 time was 8.0 with zero traction in 1st gear(2.1 60'). Short shifted to 2nd and ran the 8.0.

With the older motor/technology there is a lot of tuning needed as expected. I only made 2 passes until a valve cover leaked on header and made track nervous with smoke.

I will get the car back to the track, with 9" slicks and work with tuning.

Haven't had the viper to the track, so don't know for comparison.

Talk about different driving style. The roadrunner shifter is like working out on a bowflex.

I love both cars for a different reason and they both draw a bit of attention.

 

[Viperviking]

Can only speak with a European viewpont on this issue, but I have had a few Ferrari and Porsche owners just drule over the beauty and bold look of the Gen II motor, and have traded cars with a few of them for a testdrive, and most of them are just stunned of the torque this motor puts out. Not the same fast snapping RPM's that European spotscars have to offer, but just the "brute raw" power and look that this beast offer from bottom to top end of the speedo just amazes this guys, and a couple of them have already converted, and are now proudly driving down the road with a big great "grin" on their faces in an American snake.

 

[Cal Cobra]

Viking, that's an impressive list of cars. Any chance that 67 Mustang FB GT has a big block 390 GT engine, or is it a 289?

Cal

 

[JUCD VPR]

IMO add a ROE SC and then it looks AWESOME!