This thread is a week past dead.. but...
I'll give my input, because I am one of the few that ACTUALLY had that EXACT combo.
I wont say how I got it done, but took me knowing someone who had some great connections. My motor got rebuilt under warranty, and we asked if they didnt mind putting 96 parts in, instead of my 2002.
When the motor came back, it had the 96-99 forged pistons, the 96-97 708 cam (aka lumpy cam) and was balanced. My car stock made 410hp and 450tq. Then with no mods other then the rebuild (meaning all else being stock, no exhuast nothing), I got 430hp and 478tq. Then I put a set of T&Ds on it and a header + cat back exhaust system and I made 488hp and 525 tq. I was running 11.50's all day long at the track.. many many many time slips showing it, on stock oem pilots.
Point is, it works. But mine was done for free, so I accepted the 96/97 parts, but if I was paying, I DEFINITLY would put a set of JE pistons in it or SRP. Even Arrow will tell you that there are better pistons they can put in your motor IF its not warranty work.
Next, ABS.. Rogue, we're cool, but your dead wrong on this. I have road raced my Viper at least 6 full weekends at VIR and Mid Ohio and many auto-crosses. ABS works and is SOLID on these cars. I would take a ABS car ANY day of the week over a Forged Motor car. When I would take non-abs 99 ACR guys out in my car (02 ACR) the would be in AWE of the ABS, as I was able to nail the brakes after going in a lot deeper then they could, and my times showed the advantage.
Sorry, I know you own a ABS car, but I have owned one too, and I put 60,000 miles on mine, and I drove it on the race track many times, and obviously on the street tons. We disagree.
Add to that, that my new 06 coupe blows the gen 2 ABS away, and I'd say no F'ing way would I ever want a non ABS Viper.
Jon