Transaxle Consideration ???

[STORMCAT]

I was realy surprised to see that the 3rd Gen. was not designed with a transaxel configuration. I could have been a great way to further balance out the weight distribution and increase handling capabilities. Tremec makes the transaxle used in the Vettes. As we all know the transaxle was\is used in the Porsche 928 the C-5 & C - 6 Vetts and most recently the Ford Cobra Concept. Speaking of the Ford Cobra Concept Hmmm, V 10, 605 HP, less than a $100K this could be the Vipers real performance challager in the under 100 grand super car performance arena. DC, Bring on the Viper Coupe 625 HP. ( we know it's there in the heads alone ) Carbon fiber bits as an option if it's to expensive for standard producton run and throw in the transaxle in may help keep the rear planted!!!

 

[fluffy]

The SRT is already weight biased rearward, why would we want to move even more weight back there? Better to have the mass closer to the center of gravity and the distribution closer to 50-50.

 

[STORMCAT]

The following list of cars have a higher rear weight bias and reportedly handle pretty well and don't seem to struggle for traction comming off the line or out of turns.
( Front/ Rear Weight% , Enzo 44/56 , Ford Gt 43/57 , Saleen S7 40/60, Porsche 911 40/60, Porsche GT 30/70 ) Higher rear weight can also provide less dive during high braking forces.. Was curious if it was a ever considered.

 

[viper585]

Speaking of the Ford Cobra Concept Hmmm, V 10, 605 HP, less than a $100K this could be the Vipers real performance challager in the under 100 grand super car performance arena.

That concept is at least 3 years away from production,and Ford has already backed off the v-10 and stated that IF they do the car,it will be the supercharged v8.Within 3 years,the Vipers changes will probably be mind boggling.

 

[fluffy]

The following list of cars have a higher rear weight bias and reportedly handle pretty well and don't seem to struggle for traction comming off the line or out of turns.

Most of those cars are mid engined, and they handle well in spite of their rear bias, because of the mass of the engine located near the center of gravity verses at one end or the other. The porsche, as the exception, was a terribly difficult car to drive until just recently due to its rear bias, so I doubt you want to use that for a benchmark. Overall there are two big considerations here that will make a car handle more ponderously: weight bias to either end, and vehicle mass located further from the center of gravity. A rear transaxle in the Viper would aggrivate both of those conditions.

 

[SnakeEye]

... I could have been a great way to further balance out the weight distribution and increase handling capabilities.

The weight distribution for a Viper SRT-10 is 48f/52r and it works quite well; just curious if you have driven one yet?