Engine Question

[viperweb]

Why does one of the engines have 4 stripes and one have 3 stripes? I've looked at gen 1 and gen 2 engines and they all seem to have 3 stripes. I have a hunch that the 4 striped engine is a concept car but I'm not sure.

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[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I suspect there was a transition year when they overlapped. My 98 has three.

Is the top pic a 96???

 

[ViperGTS]

NOPE

Dodge gave the "rib" to GM to built the C5 vette

 

[Doug Supercharged Vipers]

Your paint scheme indicates a '96 or '97 but, the engine compartment (intake plenum and AC plenum) shows you have a pre '94. Very nice color.

'93 model year Vipers and under (some early '94s) had that style plenum. Dodge switched to the three row thereafter. It's a good plenum with a nice flow volume, but I can't recall if it was made out of magnesium or aluminum?
It's been a while so somebody can correct me on this one.

Regards,
Doug

 

[Scorch]

The switch from 4 ribs to 3 occurred in December of 1993 or January of 1994. (I own 1994 #598 made in November 1993 and it has the 4 ribs). The 4-rib version is Magnesium. The 3-rib version if Aluminum. Not 100% sure why the switch was made but Aluminum is lighter and cheaper.

 

[garolittle]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MarkusReinhardt:
NOPE

Dodge gave the "rib" to GM to built the C5 vette

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh man that was good!

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

I have a mid-late? 1994 #2485 that has the four rib.

Interesting, there is a hand-etched serial number on the back face of the passenger side plenum. It's not the VIN, but a 5-digit number (that I didn't write down.) Anybody know what this is?

 

[GTS Dean]

The answer? '92, '93 and part of '94 have the magnesium 4 rib design. They were lighter, but more expensive and prone to leaks. I think they look better than the 3-rib designs. The car in the top photo is most likely the GTS prototype, still sporting a Gen1 engine (twin throttle cables, center alternator, etc.) Notice the NACA duct partially visible on the right.

Tom, what's your MDH? (on the door near the latch) I think they started the changeover spring of '94.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Apologies to historians and engineers everywhere, for I cannot count. My '94 is VIN 102485 and has a build date 10 May 94, but has a three rib manifold. I suppose I was blinded by rib envy.

But the manifold does has a "hand" etching :

SN 2159

On the rear manifold runner, closer to the passenger side. Since it does not match the VIN, anybody know what this might mean?

 

[joe117]

My 94 has 3 ribs.