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Some of you have already seen on FB but for the rest of the class, on Saturday I picked up one of my favorite cars ever. 1999 Viper GTS ACR. I flew down to Arizona and checked it out, purchased and then began a 5-day 2200 mile road trip, arriving back in Chicago yesterday. The car has a built crate motor with headers, cam, long tubes, and exhaust and makes 650hp and 580 torque, and is setup for road racing. Penske shocks, Eibach springs, Autoform roll cage, there's a long list of mods. It's everything I've ever wanted in a car experience. It got a bit tiring for that long a drive, but I expected it. That being said, that was a once in a lifetime drive, I would not do it again lol. (The Alpina is gone btw)...
ya, it was definitely a risk. But I guess I like living dangerously, as evidence by my previous purchase.
It was single owner, guy was 71 and done with the car, I had been communicating with him daily for 2 weeks up to flying out, and found he dots all his i's and crosses all his t's. So I felt it was a good choice. And, I think the thing is setup like a tank, over-engineered for what I would be doing with it. I would take it road racing a bit but not like a season or anything.
Some of you have already seen on FB but for the rest of the class, on Saturday I picked up one of my favorite cars ever. I flew down to Arizona and checked it out, purchased and then began a 5-day 2200 mile road trip, arriving back in Chicago yesterday. The car has a built crate motor with headers, cam, long tubes, and exhaust and makes 650hp and 580 torque, and is setup for road racing. Penske shocks, Eibach springs, Autoform roll cage, there's a long list of mods. It's everything I've ever wanted in a car experience. It got a bit tiring for that long a drive, but I expected it. That being said, that was a once in a lifetime drive, I would not do it again lol. (The Alpina is gone btw)...
So without further ado, here she is:
Congrats, those Vipers are so crazy and raw that they're awesome.....Enjoy!!!!
Some of you have already seen on FB but for the rest of the class, on Saturday I picked up one of my favorite cars ever. I flew down to Arizona and checked it out, purchased and then began a 5-day 2200 mile road trip, arriving back in Chicago yesterday. The car has a built crate motor with headers, cam, long tubes, and exhaust and makes 650hp and 580 torque, and is setup for road racing. Penske shocks, Eibach springs, Autoform roll cage, there's a long list of mods. It's everything I've ever wanted in a car experience. It got a bit tiring for that long a drive, but I expected it. That being said, that was a once in a lifetime drive, I would not do it again lol. (The Alpina is gone btw)...
So without further ado, here she is:
Very cool. Best Viper ever made. Had poster and a model of this in my bedroom growing up. That drive had to be extremely fun.
1. GTSR Spec Engine Short Block (Caldwell Development part)
2. Exotic Engine Development High Flow Heads
3. Jesel 1.7 Roller rockers
4. Carillo Rods
5. JE Forged Pistons (10.15 comp ratio)
6. Larger Throttle bodies
7. Crower Cam
8. Billy Boat long tube headers
9. Accusump Oil Accumulator (protects from oil starvation on track)
10. Full Race Cryo Trans w/ lower 5th and 6th gear ratios
11. Unitrax 3:45 rear gears with 1000hp half shafts/safety loops
12. Race suspension w/ Penske shocks, Eibach springs and Chassis setup
13. Ron Davis Racing Aluminum radiator and Roe Racing front cooling duct
14. Stoptech Big Brake Kit (4 wheel)
15. Mopar high flow exhaust system
16. High Performance PCM tune including better daily drivability
17. High Flow Catalytic Converters - passed CA Smog
18. Autoform Roll Bar
19. BBS LM wheels 18x10” / 18x13”
20. Roll Bar mounted camera holder with included Valentine V1 radar detector
Very cool. Best Viper ever made. Had poster and a model of this in my bedroom growing up. That drive had to be extremely fun.
I didn't actually notice this until I checked recently - but out of all the 1/18th scale car models I've ever owned, the most I've had of the same car is 4, of the Viper. RT/10, GTS, and 2 GTSR race cars.
I don't know about that - I have the Viper and the 335......
I think you can replace the 335 with something more practical now like an SUV.
With the Viper, 335i just lost 80% of its usefulness. It is just a wannabe now.
I think you can replace the 335 with something more practical now like an SUV.
With the Viper, 335i just lost 80% of its usefulness. It is just a wannabe now.
You're absolutely right, I was thinking of replacing it with a SUV. I was thinking a Jeep Wrangler or something but my friends say that is too unreliable.
It was funny, after driving the Viper for over 33 hours over the past week, I tried driving the 335 last night and could barely drive it. I couldn't hear the engine, the controls and shifter felt so soft and detached, it was so weird.
Whatever it's gonna be, I think most certainly it will be auto.
From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
Originally Posted by srika
I like how the car looks pretty stock from the outside
how's it sound???
I love Vipers, have since I was a kid. My dads best friend was the Executive Producer on that old Viper TV show, and I remember getting a ride when I was 11.....still will never forget that. I was dead set on buying one about 3 years ago, ultimately as mentioned not being able to get the kids in killed it for me. Will own one, one day.
Have to figure it out.... had a X3 for a while, it was OK I think I need a bit more exciting.
looking at lifted Jeeps...
Originally Posted by nist7
Dang an iconic sports car and highly modded! I assume there were lot of sore back spots/legs after that epic road trip?!
Yeah if i were to get a super visceral sports car, my daily would be super plush...Lexus LS
Oh it was probably much worse than I will admit, I had the worst back ache I've ever had, starting towards the tail end of the trip and then lasting for a few days after. Only yesterday did that clear up. And then I also had left leg issues from the clutch and getting in/out over the trip, that appears to have cleared with rest as well. I slept for around 14 hours last night lol. Feel VERY rested today and finally feel recovered.
Good idea on a super plush daily, kind of makes me wanna scrap the Jeep idea....
Originally Posted by projektvertx
WOW!!!! Awesome purchase!! So when am I seeing you at a cars and coffee in Chicago?
Thanks bud - well the SCS events are over for the year, but there are a few more to close out the year. I will be at Rise & Drive on Oct 7th 9AM, and that's about it. There are some FuelFed events as well but one is Ferrari and the other is vintage cars. There are also random meets here and there but let's face it the nice weather is ending for the year.
Originally Posted by knight rider
When you don't have to rev the engine to hear how good the exhaust note is: Racecar.
Congrats on a sick ride!
Thanks, yeah I love that idle, it's one of the things that really drew me to this car. Also, I have a friend who had a blue GTS done similarly mod-wise and I shot photos of it a few years ago, and when I was riding with him I remember telling myself that one day, I would have one of these. It's a bit surreal and weird to think it's happened. Also, I'm actually not CRAZY about the WOT note and sound. I feel like it's a bit too loud. I might quiet it down a bit or at least ponder doing a mild/wild switch somehow. The way it is right now, there are times and places where I won't get on it because it's just so loud. I need to get you some outside car acceleration videos.
Have to figure it out.... had a X3 for a while, it was OK I think I need a bit more exciting.
looking at lifted Jeeps...
Oh it was probably much worse than I will admit, I had the worst back ache I've ever had, starting towards the tail end of the trip and then lasting for a few days after. Only yesterday did that clear up. And then I also had left leg issues from the clutch and getting in/out over the trip, that appears to have cleared with rest as well. I slept for around 14 hours last night lol. Feel VERY rested today and finally feel recovered.
Good idea on a super plush daily, kind of makes me wanna scrap the Jeep idea....
Thanks bud - well the SCS events are over for the year, but there are a few more to close out the year. I will be at Rise & Drive on Oct 7th 9AM, and that's about it. There are some FuelFed events as well but one is Ferrari and the other is vintage cars. There are also random meets here and there but let's face it the nice weather is ending for the year.
Thanks, yeah I love that idle, it's one of the things that really drew me to this car. Also, I have a friend who had a blue GTS done similarly mod-wise and I shot photos of it a few years ago, and when I was riding with him I remember telling myself that one day, I would have one of these. It's a bit surreal and weird to think it's happened. Also, I'm actually not CRAZY about the WOT note and sound. I feel like it's a bit too loud. I might quiet it down a bit or at least ponder doing a mild/wild switch somehow. The way it is right now, there are times and places where I won't get on it because it's just so loud. I need to get you some outside car acceleration videos.
4Runner or its Lexus counterpart? capable and comfortable
I love Vipers, have since I was a kid. My dads best friend was the Executive Producer on that old Viper TV show, and I remember getting a ride when I was 11.....still will never forget that. I was dead set on buying one about 3 years ago, ultimately as mentioned not being able to get the kids in killed it for me. Will own one, one day.
yeah it's one of those "some day" things. If I had kid(s) I most likely would not have been able to do this.
Originally Posted by oonowindoo
4Runner or its Lexus counterpart? capable and comfortable
I am looking at Lexus sedans right now... I do think I want something with a cushy ride. But I am not sure where this search will take me.
Keep her rubber side down so you don't need the car in the background.
on the dream car acquisition.
Sounds amazing.
