Torque on the 2008 and Intake Manifold

[vincy]

OK Guys, don't beat up on me, but I think the 2008 could use more torque at low RPM. I have had a couple 383 ci stroker Vets and never downshifted them and used 6th gear a lot and 5th for passing. With the 08 Viper I spend more time in 4th and 5th. The engine has less low speed torque than I expected.

In some ways it behaves like a turbocharged car. The power really comes on strong at the revs increase. So once the wheels spin they keep spinning.

Does anyone else feel this way about the low rpm torque?

Looking at the intake manifold I wonder why there are not runners for each cylinder like they have on the Vets. It seems this would increase torque. Has anyone tried making such an intake manifold for the Viper? Are there are long runners for each cylinder inside or on the bottom?

This is my first Viper. Don't flame me. I'm just giving my impressions and ansking questions. I would like to increase the low rpm torque. Since the car will be at road tracks I don't want to go the super/turbo charger route.

Thanks to all.

[Nader]

While I do know that the 08 has a bit less torque in the low end due to the variable cam design compared with the 8.3 liter, it is not significant. Considering you are running the largest CI prodction engine on the street there should be tons of torque. The torque in my 2004 still impresses me to this day. Where do you feel the torque is low?

Originally Posted by vincy

OK Guys, don't beat up on me, but I think the 2008 could use more torque at low RPM. I have had a couple 383 ci stroker Vets and never downshifted them and used 6th gear a lot and 5th for passing. With the 08 Viper I spend more time in 4th and 5th. The engine has less low speed torque than I expected.

In some ways it behaves like a turbocharged car. The power really comes on strong at the revs increase. So once the wheels spin they keep spinning.

Does anyone else feel this way about the low rpm torque?

Looking at the intake manifold I wonder why there are not runners for each cylinder like they have on the Vets. It seems this would increase torque. Has anyone tried making such an intake manifold for the Viper? Are there are long runners for each cylinder inside or on the bottom?

This is my first Viper. Don't flame me. I'm just giving my impressions and ansking questions. I would like to increase the low rpm torque. Since the car will be at road tracks I don't want to go the super/turbo charger route.

Thanks to all.

[FE 065]

What axle ratio was in your 383 Vettes? Vipers run a 3.07.

[wallbanger]

people don't use 6th gear much especially tracking.... i use 6th when i'm >85mph cruising but having lived in maryland there are a lot more cops there than where i live now

probably need to look into gears or
Switch to 3.55 gears

belanger headers ,cats,exhaust have been adding torque across the whole power band i believe..
Comparison of Dyno Runs for 2008 Viper with and without Belanger Exhaust Kit . . .

here is a quote from woodhouse on the system
it will really wake her up! you will see an immediate 55-60hp with more to come after a couple hundred more miles.

...rcl4668 just added his set and he tracks his car maybe he could chime in with his impressions.. mine are going on next week

otherwise there is a TT 08 1000hp on ebay

[RayC]

Originally Posted by vincy

Are there are long runners for each cylinder inside or on the bottom?

.

yes runners are much longer than they appear. I don't have a picture but they are quite a work of art when you see them internally. I believe this is part of the reason for two piece design. Sounds like you are used to more gear.

[wallbanger]

Also vincy your feeling about the torque is a little strange ... this was your first post on initial impressions of the car and i quote

"Holy S*%^, the thing is a monster. It was delivered at night but we took it out for a spin. Leaving our street I turned onto the connecting street and the rear end kicked out, almost hit by the oncoming car. That would have been a record for us, dented in 30 seconds. I didn’t try to kick out the rear, I guess I didn’t know the torque and have gotten used to traction control. We continued and had no traction, every time I touched the gas the wheels spun and got a little sideways. Now I know you have to be on a straight path when you spin the wheels, again something I forgot after getting used to traction control. We should have realized it was 30 deg where the PS2s turn into stone, but we forgot"

[vincy]

Originally Posted by wallbanger

Also vincy your feeling about the torque is a little strange ... this was your first post on initial impressions of the car and i quote

"Holy S*%^, the thing is a monster. It was delivered at night but we took it out for a spin. Leaving our street I turned onto the connecting street and the rear end kicked out, almost hit by the oncoming car. That would have been a record for us, dented in 30 seconds. I didn’t try to kick out the rear, I guess I didn’t know the torque and have gotten used to traction control. We continued and had no traction, every time I touched the gas the wheels spun and got a little sideways. Now I know you have to be on a straight path when you spin the wheels, again something I forgot after getting used to traction control. We should have realized it was 30 deg where the PS2s turn into stone, but we forgot"

I think we had cold tire syndrom that night and ran it at high rpm. We didn't do any continuous speed cruising, so it was all low speed then step on it type testing. Its the torque at highway cruise that I now think feels low. The engine comes on like crazy when the rpms get higher.

[adamlotus]

get the belanger exhaust system and go from there

[CitySnake]

Originally Posted by vincy

Its the torque at highway cruise that I now think feels low.

Seems a bit odd. The only answer is the rear end ratio compared to whatever cars you are comparing it to. There's no other (production) car on the road with as much torque below the curve as your Viper. Are you looking to pass, or lay rubber at 70MPH in 6th gear? Even in 5th gear on the hiway, turning 1,500 RPM, you can pretty much pass anything on the road with half throttle.

[Kai SRT10]

As other posters have written, it's a gear issue. 6th gear is not useful for anything except for increasing gas mileage on the highway. From a performance standpoint, the Viper as it comes from the factory really has a 5 speed transmission. 6th gear is just too high. Almost no amount of torque would make it useful.

I have a race transmission with closer ratio 5th and 6th gears. It makes a big difference when accelerating hard in the upper gears.

[Nader]

That explains it. 6th is so low that it is nearly impossible to use at normal freeway speed especially if you have to manuever around someone. I use 5th 90% of the time and only 6th when over 70 with clear sailing.

Originally Posted by vincy

I think we had cold tire syndrom that night and ran it at high rpm. We didn't do any continuous speed cruising, so it was all low speed then step on it type testing. Its the torque at highway cruise that I now think feels low. The engine comes on like crazy when the rpms get higher.

[fixumm]

yap...6th gear over 75 mph and for mpg only

[vincy]

Originally Posted by FE 065

What axle ratio was in your 383 Vettes? Vipers run a 3.07.

I think the Vets are 3.42, that is probably the reason.

[vincy]

Originally Posted by Kai SRT10

As other posters have written, it's a gear issue. 6th gear is not useful for anything except for increasing gas mileage on the highway. From a performance standpoint, the Viper as it comes from the factory really has a 5 speed transmission. 6th gear is just too high. Almost no amount of torque would make it useful.

I have a race transmission with closer ratio 5th and 6th gears. It makes a big difference when accelerating hard in the upper gears.

Is 6th gear 1 to 1? Or an overdrive?
Is 5th gear 1 to 1? Thanks

[Nader]

4th is 1 to 1. 5th and 6th ar both overdrive gears.

Originally Posted by vincy

Is 6th gear 1 to 1? Or an overdrive?
Is 5th gear 1 to 1? Thanks