My new Roe SC Install

[KenH]

Here are a few pics of my new Roe SC install. It's setup with a 6.5lb pulley and water/methanol injection on my stock cast pistons.

I don't have final dyno numbers yet as I have been fighting some gremlins in the car since the install apparently related to my finicky '01 PCM, so I am currently just going for poser points. I figured the yellow paint was going to be good for a few extra HP.

A change to the older style PCM seems to have fixed the main issues I was having according to my road testing today (thanks Sean for getting it sent out for Saturday delivery), so hopefully I can get it back on the dyno and tuned in this week.

 

[unreelviper]

KenH, that car is beautiful!! You are going to love this supercharger...Good Luck and let us see some dyno numbers!

 

[carl B]

You will never look Man

Carl

 

[SRTRICKY]

Looks good

 

[Schulmann]

Don't forget to install a catch cat ...
What type of trouble have you got with your PCM ?

 

[weed43]

Ken, I to will have the same set up as you have, with the exact same modes as you have, To be installed next week, How much difference can you feel in the performance of the car. Also did you have the PCM shipped over night,and is that the reason they were not able to tune the car because of a check engine light.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Can't wait to see some numbers Ken!! Looks beautiful! I second the comment on the catch can! I just installed one from Jason Heffner while I was at the dyno on Sat. I was waiting to see the setup...and I was pleassed with it.

Here it is mounted:

And here it where it connects (instead of the tube going to the airbox:

(Not bad llittle pictures for a crappy Treo650!!

 

[KenH]

Regarding the PCM,

I was getting erratic operation even without a check engine light. The car would run good for a short time and then it would develop a major stumble or miss at around 3500-4000 RPMs. We were also seeing misc misfire codes being set on the scanner.

The stock program from Sean (96-02-Viper-SC-L53-9D-Rev5-S106-WM-in) would hardly run in the car, so the local dyno shop dialed in all kinds of changes to add back in timing retard and other changes trying to get it to run right. They improved things but could not get it running completely right and it was down on power from where it should have been from all the changes being made to try to resolve the stumbling issue. Also changes to the programming didn't always have the expected affect which really made it frustrating.

I got the install package from the installer and the troubleshooting sheet step #29 from Sean says "I have a 2000 or newer Viper and it breaks up at full throttle when hot or sets miss fire codes - Change PCM to alternate one" seemed to hit the nail on the head. I talked to Sean and he mentioned that up to 70% of the newer vipers do have PCM related issues. The fix is to replace the PCM with what Roe sells as their Performance PCM for about $450. Sure seems to have fixed the problem in my case. The car seems to pull pretty hard now and will run on Seans program pretty well now with no changes whereas it would barely run at all before. I hope to see something in the 575-600 range when I get it back on the dyno. I think anyone with a 2000-2002 Viper should consider swapping out the PCM as part of the install as I think it is likely to give a more robust install.

Regarding the catch can, I have a ZAF unit that I have not got around to installing as I never figured out a way to mount it that I liked. SC Vipermad, I like where you have yours installed, easy to drain. I might give that a shot. Looks like a Moroso unit? Anyone running to a catch can with the breather blocked off and than back to the intake to maintain the emissions setup?

 

[vviperr]

Sean did my SC too and other numerous mods. car turned out amazingly. I live only 6 miles from his shop but try and stay away now as he has too much of my $$$$$ and my wife said it was either her or Sean.

 

[Got Venom]

Ken,

I have the same catch can unit as Vipermad, except after running it for a month I got tired of the baked oil smell that seems to come out of the filter and circulate under the hood finding its way into the airbox etc, and then smelling it in the cockpit, especially if you have the roof on and windows up. So Ted at Valaya Racing 408-448-8811 , changed the top filter breather to a solid cap that then vents to the left side of the airbox. This allows the engine to breath the fumes, and not the oil. The oil drains back into the valve cover or block. I'm not sure where it goes back in, but I know I don't have to drain it, plus now my car does not have any smells coming into the cockpit. Call Ted or Sean. They both know how to do this, and can probably help you out. Also, Ted installed my catch can on the big silver cross member, right in front of the dip stick. It looks good there, and allows for good drainage back into the motor. I looked for pics, but can not find the ones I know I took. Sorry

 

[Schulmann]

KenH, I had these troubles with my PCM too ...

 

[Got Venom]

Ken,

I forgot to mention that my Roe S/C setup was not running up to par, until I went to VOI-8, and handed Sean Roe my keys, and went to dinner at Billy-Bob's, and Sean and Dave went to work on my car and solved all of my problems while I was at dinner. They swapped out my 2001 PCM for a new factory 1996 PCM. It did the trick. The car runs great. I wish we could have Sean and Dave at our disposal on a regular basis, to fine tune things as we upgrade. Maybe they can go on a road trip with a cool Van that has all kinds of equipment in it, and tour the country while stopping to do a check up on all of our cars as they go around the country. ;-) It sure beats sending the car to Florida from California

 

[SUN RA KAT]

Beautiful installation!

Thanks for the pics - I'm now going to have to have my intake tubes and valve covers and back of supercharger box painted Viper Race Yellow, too.

I still run the stock 2002 PCM and have had no problems until the latest firmware update for the VEC2. Sometimes I have high idle hang up, but it's rare and intermittent.

 

[KenH]

Well, our informal poll going on here seems to indicate that 3 out of 4 (75%) of the creampuffs need to change out their PCM for a non-creampuff version when getting SC'd which matches what Sean told me. I actually saw this problem when I installed the VEC2 before I even had the SC installed. As soon as I tried to mess around much with timing, etc. the car would start to misbehave especially when it was running warm. I didn't take the time to completely track it down back then, but I am sure it is the same issue. ViperKen, you still running the '00 PCM?

Definitely something to watch out for Weed53. If it was me, I'd just swap the PCM as part of the install so that it wasn't a variable. Regarding the performance gain, basically the car will light up the tires anywhere in 1st as well as in 2nd if I am in the power band. Pulls hard all the way up to red line. Still need to put it back on the dyno and do the final tuning. I do still have a bit of a stutter at light throttle as I go through the 3500-4000 RPM range. Fortunately that hardly ever happens

Kenny, I was worried that there might be such a thing as 'too much yellow', but it came out looking pretty good I think. I have been assured that the factory Race Yellow paint (vs powder coat) will hold up in this application as long as you don't clear coat over it, but time will tell.

Got Venom, I am really interested in how your catch can is setup. Venting the fumes back to the intake and the oil back into the engine seems like the ultimate way to setup a catch can as long as I don't have to drill into the oil pan or something. Any chance of taking a pic of your setup or a better description?

--- Ken

 

[plumcrazy]

powdercoat it instead of paint. why settle for inferior if ya dont need to. powdercoating will last 1500 times longer im told.

 

[Got Venom]

Ken,

I will see if I have pic tomorrow at work. I will e-mail it to you, or post it. But if you want the correct description, please call Ted May at Valaya Racing at 1-408-448-8811. They are not open on Mondays, so call Tuesday. I never smell any oil, and my oil level never changes. I love it....

 

[pedro]

Im installing my roe supercharger this weekend any tips will be great?

 

[Simms]

Im installing my roe supercharger this weekend any tips will be great?

Find yourself a right angle air drill with a swivel to pin your crank. Its really tight down there.

Ken, awesome looking setup!

 

[pedro]

Thanks how did you remove the lower crank bolt?air gun

 

[Simms]

Thanks how did you remove the lower crank bolt?air gun

You mean the big 1 1/4" (I think) bolt?

With a GIANT breaker bar. I had a friend sit in the car with his foot on the brake, e-brake on, and car in gear while I broke it loose. My bolt was REALLY tight! Almost broke some blood vessels in my noodle from straining so hard.

 

[HotRodHarry]

Nice job man...that supercharger looks like the same design I put on my Mom's 2003 Cobra Mustang from Kennebell. Very efficient blower....nitrous helps too

Enjoy that beast!!!

My Mom's Kennebell 2003 Cobra Mustang Vert...

 

[pedro]

Yes, I used a air gun and it came right out.Thanks

 

[weed43]

Ken, Thanks for your input on the older PCM, I call ROE yesterday and ordered it, I don't want to take the chance and half to return to dyno again and again to get the car tuned.