SRT Engineer Chat HERE on January 16th!

[Bobpantax]

"Mopar is working on a kit to allow 03-06 owners to use the 2008 diffential, clutch and transmission. Stay tuned for availability"

If the kit is installed with the '08 diif, clutch, and tranny, will it be warranted?

[SRT Engineers]

j-rho: I'd like to know the front and rear spring rate differences between the 2003-2006 cars and the 2008. If the 2008 rates are appreciably higher, would also like to know if these parts could be made to supercede the old in the factory parts books. Such that if my stock coilovers "disappeared" I could get the new parts as legitimate stock replacements at the dealer.

2003-2006 SRT-10:
Front: 200 lb/in
Rear: 500 lb/in
Front Anti-roll Bar: 27mm Hollow
Rear Anti-roll Bar: 27mm Hollow
Michelin PS1 Tires

2008 SRT-10:
Front: 210 lb/in
Rear: 525 lb/in
Front Anti-roll Bar: 27mm Hollow
Front Anti-roll Bar: 27mm Solid
Michelin PS2 Tires

2008 ACR:
Front: 514 lb/in
Rear: 1085 lb/in
Front Anti-roll Bar: 27mm Solid
Rear Anti-roll Bar: 27mm Solid
Michelin PSC Tires

Each of the Viper models are tuned specifically for:
Tires
Aerodynamics
Weights
Horsepower
Wheel Alignment
Differential Operation
Etc.

So to summarize, we would not recommend simply substituting 2008 coilovers on a 2006 model. In this specific case we would recommend at least the change of tires and rear anti-roll bar.

[SRT Engineers]

Bobpantax
The ZR1 has a rear shock that allows the car to squat on launch without abrupt rebound. This appears to have been done to facilitate traction in quarter mile and shorter races/sprints. Any chance that this type of shock could be offered as an option on the Viper or does it also require some nannytech to im plement it properly?

The package is more than shocks as you assumed. The viper does not have the ancillary electronics to properly implement a "nanny-tech" launch control system. The ZR1 shocks are controlled by running electrical current through a "rheo-magnetic" fluid.

[SRT Engineers]

I know that I am going to get flack for this one. How about an optional power adjustible driver's seat for us grey beards? Bending forward or reaching down to the side to adjust the seat manually has its pains.

The Grail Keeper's seat isn't even cold yet and you are asking for a Power seat??? A reply from the master would be "You want a power seat go by a Vette!!"

[SRT Engineers]

Another reply for SnakeEye on transmission shift throw reduction:

The shift throws in the '08 Viper transmission are reduced by about 20% compared to the '06 transmission. This amounts to a 0.75 inch shorter shift throw from 1st to 2nd on the '08 measured at the shift knob compared to the '06.

[SRT Engineers]

Q: Kai SRT10: Why is there no roll bar in the 2008 convertible?

A: There has never been a "roll bar" fitted to a Viper convertible.

[SRT Engineers]

Viper X:
Another question on the ACR. It is likely that those of us that buy this car will run 18's all around due to a better "sticky" tire selection. What will we have to do to adjust the aero features, i.e. wing and splitter, to accomodate shorter 18" rear tires?

It would be impossible for us to recommend setup changes unless we specifically tested and tuned the tire combination you are thinking of. We have run the following R6 DOT Radial Road Racing Hoosier tires on the ACR:

Front: P295/30ZR18
Rear: P345/30ZR19

These tires will fit well on the ACR standard sidewinder wheels. The ACR performed well on these tires, however, the soft sidewalls of a Hoosier tire results in more vehicle roll angle and the suspension settings and alignment could probably be optimized to fit these tires better.

We would recommend that any tire substitutions attempt to maintain a diameter very close to the original equipment. Tire diameters have a large effect on braking operation in the Viper as well as some suspension geometry relationships and it is best not to deviate a large amount from that supplied by Dodge.

The great part about the ACR, however, will be your ability to tune the car if you decide you want to change an area like the tires. Here are some tuning tools to consider if you decide to take this path:

Compression and Rebound Damping
Ride height and Rake Angle
Corner Weights (wedge)
Wheel Alignment (Camber, Caster, Toe, Bump Steer)
Wing Angle
Splitter Cable Pre-load
Spring Rates (ACR is equipped with standard 60mm ID race springs)
Tire Pressure

Remember there are warranty implications with any changes you make as well as track use of the ACR. We simply cannot cover this area and still offer the ACR at the bargain price that it is selling at. I’m sure everyone understands this and recognizes the aftermarket costs of the content included in the ACR package compared to the factory pricing.

[SRT Engineers]

Originally Posted by Bobpantax

"Mopar is working on a kit to allow 03-06 owners to use the 2008 diffential, clutch and transmission. Stay tuned for availability"

If the kit is installed with the '08 diif, clutch, and tranny, will it be warranted?

Sorry, we don't have an answer for that yet. Stay tuned. Details will be available when the parts are released.

[Bobpantax]

"The package is more than shocks as you assumed. The viper does not have the ancillary electronics to properly implement a "nanny-tech" launch control system. The ZR1 shocks are controlled by running electrical current through a "rheo-magnetic" fluid."

So, that being true, what is your recommended Viper launch strategy to counter the vette sci fi unit?

[black08]

Originally Posted by SRT Engineers

black08: If it falls within their province, I was wondering if the SRT engineers can give us any definitive information on the alleged 75 horsepower Mopar package for the '08 as shown at the 2007 NAIAS?

Black08
The MOPAR package for the 2007 NAIAS consisted of: Special lower intake, Headers with 3" exhaust, Stiffer pushrods, Ti Conn rods, Forged pistons, and special engine control module (ECM). Further refinement indicates not all of these additions are necessary to make the extra 75 hp but add enough safety factor to make a robust package.

Will MOPAR offer a similar upgrade package any time soon for the 2008 Viper?

[SRT Engineers]

Schulmann:

• Question on 2006 Coupe regarding heat inside the cockpit:

The heat inside my 2006 Coupe is like the heat in Death Valley. I have already removed cats and crossover pipe but nothing has changed. The AC runs fantastically, it is very effective. However sometimes I would like to drive with the windows down and the AC turned off (Especially on tracks).

After analyzing the situation as a passenger, while my wife was driving, I have discovered that heat is sucked into the cockpit from the engine ventings through the windows. The heat flow is very noticeable between the window and the side mirror. I presume that heat is also sucked through the a/c venting below the windshield.

What would the best way to cut this air flow from the engine into the cockpit (Without retro fitting the 2008 hood)?

Is there a trick to install some air deflectors ?

How effective would be to retrofit a 2008 hood ?


The louvers on the 08 hood were instrumental in reducing cabin heat. The further away they are from the window the better your heat situation will be.

That could be your best next step - sounds like you did all the right exhaust mods.

Wouldn't mess with any air deflectors.....

[SRT Engineers]

"Les Quam asks: My question is of the utmost importance (LOL) since it is a hotly disputed issue on the forums for quite some time.(at least a few months) Perhaps the engineers at Dodge can put this issue to rest once and for all.

Is the Viper V-10 motor considered a "big block"???

The term was coined in the 60s when Chevy needed to use it for parts interchangeability. The Chevy blocks are externally different as are the Mopar LA family (318-360) and B/RB(383/400-413/426/440 raised block) so Mopar also has historically built both small and big blocks...... However Pontiac does not the 326-455 are essentially the same externally as are Oldsmobile blocks 350 being the same as 455.

So is the Viper V-10 a small block?? Not if externally different blocks are the critieria? However in a world with 500 cubic inch small block Chevy's a dispute among the Viper faithful has arisen.

I say the Viper is the only production big block performance car built since the late 60s early 70s? And the only big block sports car built since the 1974 454 Vettes and the second hand built big block sports car ever built since the Shelby 3000 series Cobra.What sayeth you??????????"


The term big block first appeared when Chevrolet came out with their second generation V-8 in the late 50's. Since then, other manufacturers have used the same methodology - If they had a "first generation" V-8 engine and they came out with a new engine with a larger (either displacement or physical size) engine it was called their "big block". This happened with Chevy, Chrysler, Ford, Olds and Buick. With the Viper, the V-10 was originally based off the small block "A" engine but it was certainly lager in displacement and physical size than the "big block" "B" engine. I would have to say that we do not consider the V-10 either a small or big block, but rather a generation of its own. Until the time (if ever) we make a larger engine dimensionally, the terms small block or big block do not apply.

[Viper Specialty]

Couple questions that are somewhat technical, hopefully you guys can answer them. They are regarding the PCM programming in the SRT-10's. I understand if you cannot answer some/all of them.

All questions are based on 2006: 05030302AC

1. Can you break down what these binary controls do?

Knock Sensor Config Binary: 11000000

2. Is Adaptive Learning always disabled above 3584 RPM, or does it require both 3584 RPM AND being outside of the 98.85-787.76 TORR range?

3. Does the Viper PCM utilize a PrimeShot during Key-On, or is prime fuel only sprayed during cranking?

The inner workings of the JTEC Control System are proprietary... and we cannot give calibration guidance.

There is a key-on prime shot though...

[SRT Engineers]

Reply for Paul Hawker on the '08 transmission:

The '08 TR6060 transmission is 'beefier' due to bigger gears, shafts, and bearings... more case structure... 6 lbs heavier and 10mm longer compared to the T56. It shifts better due to reduced friction linear shift rail bearings, all new synchronizers, and a redesigned internal shift linkage with reduced free-play. The TR6060 also uses ATF+4 lubricant instead of the T56 75W-85 for reduced parasitic losses.

[SRT Engineers]

Early93Viper: Without violating any company policies, can you comment on how committed Chrysler's new owners are to the Viper? We are seeing some very scary rumors right now. Also are the new owners committed to producing and making available parts for the GEN I and GEN II vipers?

We can not comment on future product.