1997 Viper GTS project "War Venom"

[maxharvard]

Hey all, figured I would throw this up here to see if there's any other Viper folks up in here.

Long story short, I trade my car for two cars. A 1979 Porsche 911 turbo widebody slatnose and a 1997 Viper GTS race car.

Both came with little history to be honest, but more info is known about the Viper.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/R8BYDxJ-1.jpg

I ended up selling the Porsche within 24 hours of taking possession of it. Could have held out for more money, but meh... Cash is cash.

The Viper was cool, I've ALWAYS wanted one and this one seemed to have all but one thing I'd want in a car... Kick ass suspension, good running gear and decent amounts of miles. However... The interior was all 'race car'

I found a couple receipts for Archer Racing in Duluth, so that's a good sign that at least someone competent had their hands on it. Learned the story later that they did track side services for the car along with installing and tuning the suspension as well as beefed up the transmission. The mysterical black art of suspension tuning seems to be sorted out for me.

I needed to get out of the 'race car' biz and back into 'fun street car' mode.
Here's the interior, which I wasn't all that keen on running on the street without a helmet... Besides, hitting the halo bar with my skull doesn't sound like fun.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/UkzPaJk-1.jpg

So it all came out. And thank god too. The passenger seat? No bolts holding it in... the drivers seat? Only two holding that in... Yea, this thing needs to be gone through for the sheer sake of safety.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/VzT8sIH-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/h9hnfin-1.jpg

Next the body was sold to me as "great" and the paint was "good". Bull**** it wasn't. Considering this is a fiberglass car, I said 'screw it' and scuffed up the crappy paint where it was PAINFULLY obvious someone had tried to use a paint brush to fix the bad paint.
Then I decided to try and wrap it with a matte black. WHat the hell right?
BIG PICTURE
http://i.imgur.com/H69DCKE.jpg


FYI, doing a wrap is WAY harder than the videos make it look. The hood alone took me 7 hours.
Long story short, it needed a full interior and the wrap completed and it was pretty much good to go.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/l6C8UVM-1.jpg

I had to install new doors as it was cheaper to buy complete doors than try and piece together door glass/motors, etc...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/LP7H41I-1.jpg

Interior is back together, the widows work and I even have myself a key fob! lolz.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/xWMX2vk-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/geyBveP-1.jpg

Got myself a set of Forgeline's for the car and got rid of the CCW's. Unfortunately, it snowed before I could test drive it with the new interior.
BIG PICTURE!
http://i.imgur.com/IKm6JqO.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/P6Tuhuf-1.jpg

[Cop Magnet]

Fellow Viper enthusiast here. That's a big project but these cars are indestructible!
Most guys go further and further into track mode, not back out of it as you are doing. Was there a reason you wanted this car, which was already heavily modded? Just curious.

[sdg0080]

Hell yeah man. Raw power with zero driver aids. Takes some balls to really drive these.

[maxharvard]

Fellow Viper enthusiast here. That's a big project but these cars are indestructible!
Most guys go further and further into track mode, not back out of it as you are doing. Was there a reason you wanted this car, which was already heavily modded? Just curious.

It was included in the trade deal and everything had already been done to it that I would have done to it.

Basically, I want a road-race street car that can take corners and brake with the best of them but also just cruise with some decent comfort. This car already has the suspension and running gear sorted out with big brakes, transmission upgrades and a fresh engine.

[813Demon340]

Very cool build and what a great starting point. I'll be looking forward to the progress!

[Supra510]

Nice

[ICrombie]

The 97-99 GTS imo has always been one of the coolest looking vipers ever made, the 911 turbo you briefly had was pretty cool too!
As far as the wrap goes, if you did it again would it still take as long? I'm kind of interested in wrapping my car myself, but I'd probably like to change the wrap every couple of years or so.

[maxharvard]

The 97-99 GTS imo has always been one of the coolest looking vipers ever made, the 911 turbo you briefly had was pretty cool too!
As far as the wrap goes, if you did it again would it still take as long? I'm kind of interested in wrapping my car myself, but I'd probably like to change the wrap every couple of years or so.

Oh, definitely not. If I did it again I think I would cut my time in half since I sort of know what I'm doing now. It's really not as easy as it looks on YouTube!

[maxharvard]

FedEx guy shows up, "I got some brakes for you"

Ohhhh I bet you do!!

Baer Extreme 6S's. MUUAHHAHA!!

Pear can for reference.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/02/OXl6EMa-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/02/5xdVK89-1.jpg

[Pt109]

Looks like fun. My car also had some things done to it, but after a quick glance, it is all coming apart because of things that just arent right. Safety first for me... and others!! A buddy of mine has a Viper , tho I cant remember the year. He let me drive it once and, well it didnt take long to get way over the posted limit. WAY over... My old boss had a Porshe like that. It had been heavily modified and, well lets just say he had tons of money and a real good lawyer for his driving habits... Have fun!!

[maxharvard]

Looks like fun. My car also had some things done to it, but after a quick glance, it is all coming apart because of things that just arent right. Safety first for me... and others!! A buddy of mine has a Viper , tho I cant remember the year. He let me drive it once and, well it didnt take long to get way over the posted limit. WAY over... My old boss had a Porshe like that. It had been heavily modified and, well lets just say he had tons of money and a real good lawyer for his driving habits... Have fun!!

Oh I know the feeling. First time I drove the Viper i noticed that traffic was going so much slower than I was and it really didn't feel like I was speeding.. Yep... totally was WAY over the limit LOL

[Centerforce]

Wow, those are some big brakes! Hopefully your new wheels dont have any issue fitting over them.

[Decline]

Just wondering what was wrong with the stoptechs? Most people i know consider them superior to baer's or pretty much anything else(especially the trophys)

[another69]

Love that car and the wrap looks good! I've always had a thing for Vipers, definitely one of the cooler cars out there. I don't thing they get enough respect from some of the enthusiast magazines though. I remember one (Motor Trend I think) comparison where a mini cooper beat it out as a better "driver's car"....REALLY??? I don't read Motor Trend anymore.

[maxharvard]

Wow, those are some big brakes! Hopefully your new wheels dont have any issue fitting over them.

YESSIR!!! I talked with David from Forgeline before I ordered my wheels, he assured me they would fit :)

Btw, I think I may be looking in your direction for a clutch..... Got anything useful for a Dodge Viper? ;)


Just wondering what was wrong with the stoptechs? Most people i know consider them superior to baer's or pretty much anything else(especially the trophys)

These are bigger and one piece, the stoptechs are two piece and smaller.... and from 2000. :)


Love that car and the wrap looks good! I've always had a thing for Vipers, definitely one of the cooler cars out there. I don't thing they get enough respect from some of the enthusiast magazines though. I remember one (Motor Trend I think) comparison where a mini cooper beat it out as a better "driver's car"....REALLY??? I don't read Motor Trend anymore.

Thanks, I agree... funny how much these cars get overlooked.

[maxharvard]

I have problem with tangents sometimes...

http://gearheaddaily.com/clamping-force-hands-on-with-baers-6s-extreme-big-brake-package-and-possible-ninja-attack/

[maxharvard]

Installing my new Baer brakes.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/02/R2LYV01-1.jpg

Obligatory artsy fartsy pics;
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/02/3elOeC2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/02/cLJuUHY-1.jpg

[Dave B]

Sweet! We really need a "Like" button.

[Motorcitydak]

Sweet build, love the car. I have always wanted to buy a car from Ebay's race car/not street legal section and put it on the road

[maxharvard]

Thanks guys! Its coming along nicely now!

[Centerforce]

YESSIR!!! I talked with David from Forgeline before I ordered my wheels, he assured me they would fit :)

Btw, I think I may be looking in your direction for a clutch..... Got anything useful for a Dodge Viper? ;)


Yes! We offer a Dual-friction kit for the Viper part #DF985985. If you have any questions about it, feel free to shoot us a PM or call!

[maxharvard]

Wife helped me bleed the brakes, she had to get on her "dirty cloths". I tried explaining that she had the "clean job" of working the brake pedal, but she was having none of that.

Oh well, didn't stop me from take a drive, with out the hood. Got some interesting looks, oh well. Don't care, drove Viper.


Viper in its natural pose, marking its territory.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/03/8ppBzwc-1.jpg


I might be a bit down on power here....
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/03/IeV7uWD-1.jpg

[go-fish]

Did you go to school in Cambridge by chance?

[maxharvard]

Did you go to school in Cambridge by chance?

Cambridge MN? Nope. I did not :)

[go-fish]

I was just thinking of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdymZtHO2cA :)

[maxharvard]

I was just thinking of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdymZtHO2cA :)

LOL, ok ... I think that one went over my head. We have a Cambridge city next to me so that's probably why I got confused :D

[Aficionado]

That's some background for that driveway photo....

[maxharvard]

That's some background for that driveway photo....

Ok.... what is it?

[Gil]

The black one looks like a Belvedere, maybe...

[maxharvard]

It might be, I can't remember the exact model. Fast though ;)