Just bought an outstanding 2003 Viper with 16,000 miles. Have driven it twice and find the steering a bit darty/quick and sensitive. I built my own Factory five Cobra with PS. I turned the pressure down with a Heidt's reduction valve which dropped PS from 1200 PSI to approx 750 PSI with excellent result. I feel the Viper has too much power assist and would like a stiffer more accurate steering feel. Has anyone done a PS reduction vale or something easier ? John
STEERING
- Thread starter john2456
- Start date
TowDawg
Enthusiast
I think your steering is probably fine. It takes a little while to get used to how the front tires follow every groove and imperfection in the road that you never knew were there before.
If it stills feels weird to you after getting used the car, I would have the alignment checked, as that can really make these cars feel squirrelly.
If it stills feels weird to you after getting used the car, I would have the alignment checked, as that can really make these cars feel squirrelly.
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Slithr
Enthusiast
TawDawg, You are right. It will take me a little time to get used to car as a result of very wide low profile rubber. I think alignment is very good as steers straight and tires look perfect. Sometimes adding 1-2 degrees of toe-in will decrease the darty steer feeling also. I may check front alignment and add a degree of toe in. John
wes
Viper Owner
I know the tires make a huge difference in the way it tracks. If you have the original runflats on it, it will follow ever single bump and grove you hit. PS2's or invos will change the feel.
mjorgensen Woodhouse
Enthusiast
Yes some toe in will help, but 1-2 degrees is a lot for a tire that wide. You will want to shoot for around .10 - .20 total toe in any more then that and you will ruin tires and limit the cars ability to turn in crisply. Also adding negative camber up front will greatly help with the tram lining the Viper has, you should do about 1.2 degrees negative up front and .5 - .7 neg in back with .20 total toe in in the rear. FWIW.
Bird325
Enthusiast
I took my 2001 GTS to the tech last year, just prior to my first track day. I wasn't too crazy about the steering when I took it in, but when it came out, it felt great. He removed the 'sport shims' and set up the suspension to be about halfway between street and track. Sorry, don't know what the actual measurements were, but the difference in the feel when driving was like a totally different car.
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