Why doesn't everyone have a SC I don't think it's the money?

[HARDVIPER]

Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

I figure if you can afford a Viper you can afford a Supercharger. Is it worries of breaking the motor? or warranty? or what? I would think everyone would like more HP.........?

 

[scottgf]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

I figure if you can afford a Viper you can afford a Supercharger. Is it worries of breaking the motor? or warranty? or what? I would think everyone would like more HP.........?

How many times have I read, heard, "If you can afford a Viper you can afford...(fill in the blank)...
Just because someone has a viper doesnt mean they are rich. I spent every nickel I had just to get the down payment for my (at the time) 5 year old Viper, and I financed it for 6 years!!
Maybe you are rich (good for you) but please dont assume everyone is in the same boat. ......Let them eat cake...right?
Ok, I have vented enough.. ....nothing personal.....
Regarding the SC and more HP.....I guess more HP is always a good thing, but I am pretty happy with my "stock" Gen 1...While by no means the fastest Viper ....It will beat nearly any car I come up against... Which is a good feeling.
Probably if I ever got the chance to ride in a SC car I may get the bug for more HP.
Cheers,

 

[Donzi]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

Maybe some people dont want to modify the car from stock, or maybe dont want to void their warranty.
I have the money to put one on my car, and I have all the knowledge and tools to do it myself........but I dont want to alter my car.

 

[FE 065]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

HARDVIPER, why do you have a 3.55 gear and a s/c?? Do you compete in drifting contests or what?

 

[lleone]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

Why do some of us buy GTSs and others buy RT/10s?

 

[David]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

A stock Viper is worth more -- as a percentage of the total cost. If one needs to go faster, there's the McClaren F1, Saleen S7 or even the Westfield Megabusa... There are many more Ferrari's made than Vipers -- and since the RT/10's and GTS models are no longer made I'm leaving mine stock. Some parts are getting hard to find even now. Decades down the road, some other lucky guy will get a thrill with it. They can choose to mod it -- but they probably won't.

 

[jrkermode]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

People ask me that ALL the time. I have several reasons for keeping my car stock.

#1 Brakes. My car is primarily a street car but I also enjoy the occasional track day. I had to upgrade to 14" front rotors to stop my stock motored car on the track. How would I stop the car with 100 more HP (entering corners that much faster)? EVERYONE I know with engine mods has issues stopping their car.

#2 Heat. EVERYONE I know with engine mods complains of some kind of heat related problem. Maybe its as simple as the car gets hot inside, but I also know a guy who cooks master cylinders. I don't want to deal with the unreliability of the extra heat from the extra HP.

#3 Speed. Maybe I'm a wuss, but I think the Viper is a pretty fast car. It's definitely faster than me on a road course.

#4 Money. I've had modded cars in the past and it's a monetary death spiral. Do one mod and you find yourself needing a second mod to make the first work right. Which leads to another mod, which leads to another mod... I'd rather have a second car than a Viper with $40,000 worth of mods.

#5 Insurance. I have yet to here of a policy which covers modified Vipers. My stock Viper is fully covered.

 

[SNKEBIT]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

I figure if you can afford a Viper you can afford a Supercharger. Is it worries of breaking the motor? or warranty? or what? I would think everyone would like more HP.........?

How many times have I read, heard, "If you can afford a Viper you can afford...(fill in the blank)...
Just because someone has a viper doesnt mean they are rich. I spent every nickel I had just to get the down payment for my (at the time) 5 year old Viper, and I financed it for 6 years!!
Maybe you are rich (good for you) but please dont assume everyone is in the same boat. ......Let them eat cake...right?
Ok, I have vented enough.. ....nothing personal.....
Regarding the SC and more HP.....I guess more HP is always a good thing, but I am pretty happy with my "stock" Gen 1...While by no means the fastest Viper ....It will beat nearly any car I come up against... Which is a good feeling.
Probably if I ever got the chance to ride in a SC car I may get the bug for more HP.
Cheers,

Plus the dirty look from the wifey sayin' "we can't afford that car!!!!!!"

p.s. if ya got extra money burnin' a hole in yer pocket, I'll take a gen.1 Roe s/c

 

[GraphiteGTS]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

Hard, I'll respond to your question. I don't race but I'm glad that everyone who races enjoys it. So where am I going to use all of my 450 horses? On the street?
I am quite happy with my horsepower. I can't even use what I have.
Graph

 

[BigCarrot]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

I figure if you can afford a Viper you can afford a Supercharger. Is it worries of breaking the motor? or warranty? or what? I would think everyone would like more HP.........?

Because they are saving for twin turbos! Why did the chicken cross the road?

 

[HARDVIPER]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

HARDVIPER, why do you have a 3.55 gear and a s/c?? Do you compete in drifting contests or what?

I put the 3.55 in before I decided to get the SC,Although Drifting does sound fun! Seriously though I will probably have to change back to the stock gears. West Coast Viper is putting in the SC now I haven't even driven it yet!@#$%^&*()

PS Didn't meen to Dawg anyone who didn't pay cash.

 

[MaxedGTS]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

i can't tell you but there missing out

 

[Hot Rod]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

I'm quite happy with a "bone stock" 450 HP Viper. That's not to say I wouldn't eventually add a SC. But, for now, I'm quite happy to spend the money saved on mods on other forms of "stress relief". Just bought a 2005 Softail Deuce - let the mods (exhaust, chrome, etc.) begin!

 

[LIVIPER]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

#5 Insurance. I have yet to here of a policy which covers modified Vipers. My stock Viper is fully covered.

Don't get me wrong, against my own advice I will be getting a s/c and probably voiding present coverage. However, although we talk everything to death here, I have brought this up in several posts but nobody seems bothered by this major concern.

 

[Bobpantax]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

While supercharger kits and installations have definitely improved, none of them are as reliable as factory coordinated and installed equipment covered by the warranty. I believe that a car is a complex, integrated system. Modifying one part and/or system,if done properly, requires the modification of other parts and/or sytems to maintain equivalent peak performance. Think of it in terms of what if your legs were capable of running 25 miles per hour but your lungs did not have the vital capacity to allow the speed. Also,the installation of a supercharger voids the warranty as to engine components and drive train components if the horsepower increase exceeds factory tolerances for the drive train. So,for those who wish to risk buying an engine, transmission,and/or other drive train parts that fail after the vehicle has been supercharged and/or turbocharged,good luck. It could also be argued by a competent tort lawyer that increasing horsepower without increasing braking capacity, etc. is negligent in the event of an accident involving a partially modified viper. Just my two cents.

 

[rcdice]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

Interesting topic. Ever notice how many new production cars are starting to approach Viper type numbers in regards to HP? The vast majority have to use a SC or TT just to approach what the Viper does naturally aspirated. Put a SC on the Viper and the game is over.

Personally, I want to keep my car stock, except for a few mods. In a year or two I may seriously consider buying a second one to mod. Or, perhaps I'll buy one that has already been moded and only driven to church on Sundays. I want to keep my first one mostly pure. The second one will be a radically blown beast.

 

[1BADSNK]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

I don't have one because I took mine of due to Heat Soak. It felt good the first couple of times I punched it during each drive but then it would slow down alot. Then add the Florida heat.

I put heads/cam/rockers and produced more power and it's consistent too.

 

[GraphiteGTS]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

Bob/Miami - You made one heck of a good point, IMHO.

 

[Vic]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

Me and my wife evaluate expenditures together. Getting the Viper was easier to justify, than making an already fast car go faster. The s/c just seemed superfluous to her. Plus, after my getting a Viper, it was her turn to "mod" the house! Waiting for the "pendulum" to swing back my way!

However, I have her convinced now that it would be a good idea to let me put a Paxton on it, what with all the 500HP cars out now, "I just HAVE to stay ahead, you know, honey?"

Lets see, @$20 a week allowance, mmmmm, should have enough by 2045!

 

[hemibeep]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

Starting from the inside of the motor. Heads are weak in stock form. Nothing to get the ball rolling with stage 2/3 port work. Exhaust. etc. If that doesn't get it done...then time for a stroker motor. This really is just a small block with 2 extra cylinders. Poke/stroke and let her eat!
P.S. it's not the money, I just want it to look stock! It seems that a stock appearing motor will generate more surprises. How would you feel about a really stock appearing motor-- dead even with a S/C car-- at the big end of the track? ? ?
Also, no matter what any of us do, there is ALWAYS someone that is faster....

 

[Shelby3]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

While supercharger kits and installations have definitely improved, none of them are as reliable as factory coordinated and installed equipment covered by the warranty. I believe that a car is a complex, integrated system. Modifying one part and/or system,if done properly, requires the modification of other parts and/or sytems to maintain equivalent peak performance. Think of it in terms of what if your legs were capable of running 25 miles per hour but your lungs did not have the vital capacity to allow the speed. Also,the installation of a supercharger voids the warranty as to engine components and drive train components if the horsepower increase exceeds factory tolerances for the drive train. So,for those who wish to risk buying an engine, transmission,and/or other drive train parts that fail after the vehicle has been supercharged and/or turbocharged,good luck. It could also be argued by a competent tort lawyer that increasing horsepower without increasing braking capacity, etc. is negligent in the event of an accident involving a partially modified viper. Just my two cents.

That was more like a buck two fiddy.

 

[HARDVIPER]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

Quote:
#5 Insurance. I have yet to here of a policy which covers modified Vipers. My stock Viper is fully covered.

So why can't I delete the SC if the warranty problem is more costly?

 

[unreelviper]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

IMHO....I feel that each person has a personal reason for supercharging/ not supercharging their viper. Every viper owner is different. To me, it's just an individual personal preference for each owner......One things for sure, "We have one of the fastest naturally aspirated cars on earth!" "DAMN", we are a lucky bunch of car enthusiast!!!

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

I would rather have my current setup power-wise, lots of gear, and the ability to spin the engine to 7,000 rpm for more flexibility. I have come off of eight years of turbocharged engines so I love the big torque rush of boost, but given the Viper engine is so big and the lower end is decent even at low revs as a result, the 50 more horsepower I might get from a 7k redline sounds way more fun than boost. I have taller rear tires so I bet a 7k redline and 4:10 gears would be incredible.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

I will have to echo the very first reply from Scott, and not one that everybody wants to admit: Money. Sure, there are guys out there who paid cash for a brand new Viper and who have $7K (minimum for a supercharger) laying around for mods at any given time. But I would say that as a percentage of Viper owners they are in a VERY small minority. Most Viper owners, especially those that bought new, are carrying a loan of some sort on their car. Hard to finance a supercharger. Most Viper owners bought their cars used to save money over new (and save a LOT of money). Not too many used supercharger systems out there either.

The bottom line is that most Viper owners are not wealthy entrepreneurs, but working stiffs with a budget. May be white collar workers, may be blue. May have a big budget (superchargers) or may have a small budget (saving up to buy K&N's). More than a few blew the budget on the car itself and can only dream of a supercharger. Count me as one of them!

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

I will have to echo the very first reply from Scott, and not one that everybody wants to admit: Money.

Heck I even own a Viper because it is a "cheap" car. This is blasphemy on this forum, but what I really want is a 996TT with the X50 package. Well guess what, they cost three times what my Viper did (I'm not going to say they are three times the car). So yeah, money is a huge issue (but I would still like a 7k redline on the Viper).

 

[Craig 201 MPH]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

because some people want stock unbastardized cars that aren't all beat to hell. Helps preserve value. Car is still fun as hell to drive in stock form. Mod a vette they're a dime a dozen.

 

[onerareviper]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

Quote:
#5 Insurance. I have yet to here of a policy which covers modified Vipers. My stock Viper is fully covered.

Some insurance companies offer policies which cover (exotic/classic/antique/hotrods/customs) on an 'appraised' value. Your rates/deductable are usually based off this estimate. State Farm is one that comes to mind.

 

[doctorbob]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

I agree with everybody on this one. To each his own. I did the "mod thing" with my '97 GTS. As the proverb says...once you get started there is no end to "mods". I seriously thought about getting a ACR and S/Cing it but (and no flame intended...I still like GTSs), I have become spoiled by my SRT(with the 24,000 miles on it) and I would have a tough time going back to generation two technology and handling. Also to be frank, if Dodge comes out with a SRT street coupe, I have concerns that supercharger is in it's future (once it gets into my hands!)

 

[VENM8R]

Re: Why doesn\'t everyone have a SC I don\'t think it\'s the money?

It's not the money. It's the loooow octane fuel sold where I live. Supreme gasoline is a measly 90 octane @ $2.26 a gal. This too low for the proper operation of the current superchargers being sold for the viper.