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So initial impressions: first it looks amazing. Vipers have such amazing paint. The car was a mess before, but with some elbow grease it looks better than new in some ways.
I notice the suspension even before the clutch. Toddy (the builder) was really worried that the metal racing clutch would give me fits, but I really only noticed the suspension at first. It has 900 lbs springs up front, 1100 out back, but rides as smooth as my daily. The viper has a short wheelbase, so it tends to catch air, or almost catch air where other cars just bounce around a lot, it still does that but recovers so smoothly now. I would say it's less bouncy than the M5 in some cases now. These custom ohlins bring the wood, couldn't be happier, pricey, but worth it.
The clutch can hold 1100 lb/ft. It's basically the same clutch that's in the acr-x as this shop provides clutches for that series. Like I said, he was really worried that it would give me fits. It tends to clatter upon initial pickup, but if you feather the gas a bit it will settle right down. Once moving it behaves typically. It takes a little getting used to, but I like it. You can hear and feel it working and it feels like it's made of unobtanium.
The diff does diff stuff....looks good though! I'm sure it's a trick piece (i know it is) and does all kind of math down there, but mostly it just seems to go where i point it. I may have more to say about that later, but I drove it for like 10 minutes.
The brakes are legit. The calipers are stock. The rotors and hats are acr-x stock. It has SS lines now.
There were a lot of other misc things like these cool looking spark plug wires and the car is actually clean!!
Last edited by ealand0001; 12-05-2016 at 12:39 PM.
That's a lot of front spring. What are the rear rates?
Vipers are really fun cars, and drive like big, torquey S2Ks.
edit: i'm an idiot, the ohlins can run up to 1100F/1300R, but I have 900F/1100R right now...sorry. I was reading his info to me incorrectly. Rates are 1100/900, approx. They are ohlins euro spec springs, so it's metric, but close.
I agree. It's the reason I've always liked vipers and s2000s...remind me a lot of each other. Everything is just happening faster in the viper!
It's crazy how stable and smooth it feels with springs like that.
Last edited by ealand0001; 12-05-2016 at 12:38 PM.
edit: i'm an idiot, the ohlins can run up to 1100F/1300R, but I have 900F/1100R right now...sorry. I was reading his info to me incorrectly. Rates are 1100/900, approx. They are ohlins euro spec springs, so it's metric, but close.
I agree. It's the reason I've always liked vipers and s2000s...remind me a lot of each other. Everything is just happening faster in the viper!
It's crazy how stable and smooth it feels with springs like that.
I'll take your word on it. Still sounds like pretty high spring rates for a Gen 3/4, and not far off the Comp Coupe's rates -which are often considered way over-sprung.
I'll take your word on it. Still sounds like pretty high spring rates for a Gen 3/4, and not far off the Comp Coupe's rates -which are often considered way over-sprung.
I'm taking his word for it so far. What i've experienced so far was really nice, but I haven't tried it out on a track or anything.
From the viper board about the acr-x: "X comes with an 800lb front spring and a 1480lb rear."
So little higher in the front, much lower in the rear.
The difference isn't as stark either. I will see how it handles...it's possible I may need to use different springs.
Last edited by ealand0001; 12-06-2016 at 07:10 AM.
12-05-2016, 08:35 AM
I'm sure it's a trick piece (i know it is) and does all kind of math down there, but mostly it just seems to go where i point it. I may have more to say about that later, but I drove it for like 10 minutes.
