VIPER. IS THIS the purest sports car engine on the planet?

[V8RX7]

I think there's been some thread drift, not helped by mods moving it to the Viper section.

You either like the car, or you don't.

I do like the theory of a simple RWD car with a big engine but the question was

"VIPER. IS THIS the purest sports car engine on the planet?"

and that is the type of question asked by a schoolboy after his first ride in a powerful car.

The answer is no.

[irocfan]

I do like the Viper - lovely looking machine. I've never driven in/one so can't comment on that particular aspect but it really is one of my dream sports cars (as opposed to sporting or GT cars)

[iacabu]

I can't comment on the engine as I've never driven one but they were always a poster car for me growing up.

A lottery win would see one in my garage

[sonicbloo]

I wanted one for 20+ years before getting my Gen 3 coupe in 2015. It's not sophisticated at all, but it's certainly fast enough compared to contemporary cars of the era, similar performance to a Gallardo for example, Not economical? I think you need to consider all running costs not just fuel consumption, although I averaged about 22MPG on our 1600 mile Euro trip this year. Cheap as chips to look after, I've done 14,000 miles so far (the car now has 26k), nothing major has gone wrong, it's still on the original clutch, servicing/repairs can be done at home, but I get mine done at a local garage after buying all the parts myself. Great cars and totally reliable in my experience, no regrets or disappointments here.

BTW £50k won't get you into a Gen 5, you will get a Gen 1, 2 or 3 for that kind of money

[mrfunex]

That’s really good economy on a cruise! I’ve managed about 20mpg once (the ultra long 6th helps!), currently averaging about 14 though. Maybe having the roof down might knock a few off.

[Dave.]

sonicbloo said:

You followed me a year or two ago for a mile or two, and I couldn't stop looking in the mirrors and giggling like a school girl.

So, yeah, thanks!

[fatboy18]

ShortBeardy said:

Why in the world given the information available on the internet, do people persist in quoting and requoting stuff that is so easily fact checked?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGDdBFbikUQ

As noted above it’s not the latest word in complexity, but regardless, as a package the Viper has proven to be a very effective track car.
It’s not massively heavy and it’s not massively big.
Gen 3 Viper 175” long, 75” wide, 3380lbs (1536Kg) 500hp.
So it’s about the same weight as the 2020 Porsche 911. It’s 3 inches shorter and 2 inches wider and has about 60bhp more. It's narrower than most supercars. Allegedly they are also quite reliable and the parts prices are not horrific.

Shall we get started on how the corvette has a transverse leaf spring and how terrible that is, or shall we just skip to the bit where someone points out it has fully independent suspension with two pairs of wishbones at each corner and the composite leaf spring is lighter than traditional coils?

Its easy why they do it, the Kids here grew up watching Top Gear and Clarkson made the comment about an old Truck Engine Ever since then, almost every other Journalist has not bothered to actually do their own factual research.

The Fact that Chrysler were working with Lamborghini (a company that Chrysler had bought) Is Lost in History.

The Viper engine was designed to be low revving and have plenty of torque.
All the ALUMINIUM Engine blocks (when the car went into full production) were cast in the UK,
The blocks were then shipped to the USA for final machining and assembly.

Should we also mention, Mclaren approached Chrysler looking at forming a deal to fit the engine in their F1 cars? Those engines went on to be fitted in the GTS-R Vipers that won a couple of races. One of them being Daytona 24hrs.......Not just winning their class,but winning outright in 2000

Truck engine my arse

[fatboy18]

Grindle said:

I was visited today by an American friend, living here, who has recently imported his pride and joy from Fort Worth, Texas, to Norfolk, UK.
Naturally aspirated? Tick. 645 bhp as stock (654 PS)? Tick. Similar weight to a BMW 320i? Tick. The most monstrous yet un-turbo-like thrust from as little as 1,500 rpm? Tick. Manual gearbox? Tick. 600 ft-lb @ 5,000 rpm? Tick. 195 mph as standard? Tick. RWD? Tick.
It won't float everyone's boat, being LHD and very wide indeed but that 2017 Viper 8.4 V10 was really something to listen to and experience with the loud pedal to the floor. It's apparently a bit too warm for the driver and passenger in summer, but presumably not such a problem here as in Texas, or Arizona where he used to live. Old-fashioned boring USA engine technology? Sure, the basic lump was designed for a freaking truck, way back. But the OHV, 2-valve per cylinder motor breathes fury and mayhem without trying. Those poor 345-section 20 inch rear tyres! Good luck!
It pulls a top gear giving 51 mph per 1,000 revs, the highest i have ever known for a petrol car. Not sure any diesels can do that tbh and they won't rev to 6,700 rpm!
Fabulous car which isn't universally liked here i have noticed. But do we have any Viper fans here? I never thought i'd entertain one but after today, well maybe i will scratch that itch next year.

Sorry, but why would anyone care if it's similar weight to a bloody BMW?

[Viper10]

I’ve got one… it’s loads of fun and I get smiles to the gallon. It might not have 4 wheel drive with traction control, but as a trade off I find it great for hooning around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXXtnDExOkE

If you need nanny driver aids, then I guess it’s not a car for you, in fact it can be pretty dangerous if you don’t drive it with the respect it deserves. If you do track days, then you’ll likely switch off all your driver aids anyway. But when you get a Viper out on track, it comes alive and is pretty unbreakable, lap after lap. I’ve had loads of fun chasing cars down, including some top Ferrari’s and Lambo’s. Truth is, it sometimes don’t matter how fast the car is, its how fast you are….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww-7da6mHXQ

Value for money…. It scores pretty high, but that’s my subjective view.
Competition… I’d say comes from the Nissan GTR, incredible track day car for similar money.

[mrfunex]

Viper10 said:

I’ve got one… it’s loads of fun and I get smiles to the gallon. It might not have 4 wheel drive with traction control, but as a trade off I find it great for hooning around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXXtnDExOkE

If you need nanny driver aids, then I guess it’s not a car for you, in fact it can be pretty dangerous if you don’t drive it with the respect it deserves. If you do track days, then you’ll likely switch off all your driver aids anyway. But when you get a Viper out on track, it comes alive and is pretty unbreakable, lap after lap. I’ve had loads of fun chasing cars down, including some top Ferrari’s and Lambo’s. Truth is, it sometimes don’t matter how fast the car is, its how fast you are….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww-7da6mHXQ

Value for money…. It scores pretty high, but that’s my subjective view.
Competition… I’d say comes from the Nissan GTR, incredible track day car for similar money.

Great post, great videos! Had no idea how bumpy Bruntingthorpe is!

[Ginja]

I think Viper10 has summed up my feelings pretty well as an owner. Don't judge what you don't know.

[sonicbloo]

Dave. said:

You followed me a year or two ago for a mile or two, and I couldn't stop looking in the mirrors and giggling like a school girl.

So, yeah, thanks!

No problem Dave, I love the reactions it gets, especially from those who know and appreciate what it is