Viper weight, gaining and losing

[ViperBite]

1996 RT weight listed at 3445 lbs
1998 RT weight listed at 3319 lbs. no change through 2002

What changed to lose 126 lbs?

1996 GTS weight listed at 3375 lbs.
1999 GTS weight listed at 3460 lbs. no change through 2002

What changed to gain 85lbs?

 

[AviP]

18" wheels on the 99(?) GTS and above. Comparing apples to apples, bigger wheels usually mean more weight. My 97 rear rim weighs ~ 26 lbs on bathroom scales(accuracy?). What's the weight on a 99 rear rim?

 

[Cal Cobra]

On the full Gen2 RT/10 you loose 80lbs w/the Gen2 engine, and I think another 30lbs or so cause the wheels changed from cast to forged aluminum....not sure about the other ~ 16lbs.... I would tend to think the 98 would be heavier due to the additional glass.

Cal

 

[Viper Specialty]

RT mainly lost weight after 1996 due to the change to the Gen-2 engine, and the wheel style change as well.

The GTS gained weight from 1996 to 1999 due to the 18" wheel change, among other things, such as the addition of a 10 Qt oil pan Vs. 8 Qt, some added metal trim, trunk release, etc. Funny how they neglect to mention the additional weight incurred from the ABS system in the 2001+ Viper as well.

 

[rcdice]

How many lbs does ABS add? Are the above numbers with the car full of fluids or dry?

I took my sun visors off and have no front plate. That has to be saving me a good 8-10 ounces. At least!

 

[Casey]

I lost weight when I switched to ACR BBS wheels, but then I recovered that weight when I added TWO TURBOS!!

 

[CitySnake]

Cruising before breakfast, I always notice the extra HP.

 

[ViperBite]

According to the data, the weight gain was in 99 for the GTS so the ABS did not add it. Even if the 18" wheels increased weight for the GTS you still had a decrease of the RT.

OH, the data is from the book Viper Buyers Guide.

One should be interested in the RT since it is lighter than the GTS in terms of pure performance. 141 lbs could make a slight difference, unless you eat at Dennys for breakfast!