View Full Version : The "Vintage Viper"
exwestracer
12-09-2009, 05:44 PM
OK, so it's a little different, but that's how I tend to do things... This project started out as a mild custom I did for a friend about 15 years ago. I bought it unfinished last summer and decided to try to make it handle.
The chassis is 4X5" factory boxed past the rear axle! The front end is a rear steer Camaro stub frame. The drop in the stub gives that low ride height without lowering the front. I'll be installing Fatman narrowed control arms and relocating the upper mounts to get the camber geometry right. The rear leaves are being replaced with a custom 2 link / torque arm / panhard setup with coilovers.
The engine is a 1969 Dodge 335hp 383. Plans are a rebuild with porting and cam, an EFI tunnel ram, headers and side outlet exhaust. I think 450hp at the flywheel should be do-able. The trans is an A833 close ratio 4 speed with a McLeod hydraulic throwout bearing. The rear axle is an 8 3/4" with a 2.95 posi.
The top has been chopped 3" (the only work I farmed out). Plans also include a 3" body section, 52 DeSoto hood, and custom grille designed to look like the GTS-R Viper nose.
Sure it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I think it'll be a fun ride
exwestracer
12-09-2009, 05:49 PM
Sorry, guess this should have gone in the newb forum. I'll post a link over there.
Smock67
12-09-2009, 06:07 PM
Looks like its going to be an awesome project.
colt zantop
12-09-2009, 06:09 PM
is that the P.A. chassis fab shop?? looks mighty familar :)
Bryce
12-09-2009, 06:47 PM
you need a V10 wheels and brakes from a viper. That would continue your theme. Looks awesome tho. Good luck with your project.
gearheads78
12-09-2009, 07:14 PM
sweet I used to have a 50 business coupe I sold to buy some appliances for my ex wife. For sure on my top 5 list of cars to build before I die.
exwestracer
12-09-2009, 07:15 PM
is that the P.A. chassis fab shop?? looks mighty familar :)
Yup, sure is.
smooth68
12-09-2009, 08:23 PM
you need a V10 wheels and brakes from a viper. That would continue your theme. Looks awesome tho. Good luck with your project.
I agree!...Nice projecT though1
67goatman455
12-09-2009, 08:48 PM
hmmm. so are you just trying to make the front end look like a viper? I think you should try and carry that there throughout the entire car. like the hood in your photoshop, looks pretty cool.
CruizinKev
12-09-2009, 08:54 PM
awesome project! can't wait see some progress!
wellis77
12-09-2009, 10:01 PM
you need a V10 wheels and brakes from a viper. That would continue your theme. Looks awesome tho. Good luck with your project.
I concur, that would definitelz complete the theme of your project. I like it a lot.
You're going to need the car to ride on the ground and really chop the top, but I think it could be doable. The proportions will really matter. Good luck and keep us posted.
jackfrost
12-10-2009, 10:12 AM
cool project. I was hoping it had a Viper motor, though. :razz:
John Wright
12-10-2009, 10:29 AM
cool project. I was hoping it had a Twin Turbo Viper motor, though. :razz:fixed it for ya....LOL
Bryce
12-10-2009, 10:47 AM
fixed it for ya....LOL
HAHAHA. I like it!
shortrack
12-12-2009, 04:52 PM
pretty cool project....
now speaking of cool.....lets see some pics of your Super.
now THATS cool!
exwestracer
12-13-2009, 09:29 AM
I agree the v10 deal would be cool, but Troy's already done the v10 in an old Plymouth... Besides, it's a gennie "police interceptor" engine, and I always wanted one of those when I was younger :drool:.
Shortrack... a pic of the old car, and the new one UC.
Chad-1stGen
12-13-2009, 10:11 AM
neat idea.
You should host your pics rather than attach them if you turn this into a build thread. Otherwise you are going to have to delete earlier pictures...
badbu68
12-13-2009, 09:15 PM
I like it! Period correct hemi would be cool too. :smoke:
79_GBody
12-15-2009, 08:23 PM
Here ya go Ray https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26620
exwestracer
12-16-2009, 05:33 PM
Here ya go Ray https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26620
Thanks Rod. I'm just gonna stick the photos in my PT Garage and host them form there... Should have some susp updates this weekend. DOWN WEEK...YAY!
19,69camaro
12-16-2009, 10:45 PM
Cool project. It should look real mean
exwestracer
06-09-2010, 01:00 AM
The "Vintage Viper" project has sort of been on the back burner over the past few months.
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=6883
There has been some progress, and I finally got around to taking some pictures today. The suspension work is all being done by students here at the school. Not the prettiest, but it's all solid work and I'll clean it up when the time comes...
The torque arm rear suspension is finished, other than buying some coilovers (and some bolts :)).
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=8197
I used a BMW "dog bone" toe link as the pivot for the torque arm. Pretty neat piece, it's like 2 heim joints built into one forged steel housing. Guess I'd better get that crossmember welded in...! The torque arm itself is 1 1/4" X .095 Chrome Moly. Should be plenty strong, even with the bends I had to put in it.
The rear is held in clevises on the axle plate, which should be enough to keep it from moving sideways under heavy braking.
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=8198
If not, I'll add a side radius rod near the front.
The front suspension mods include Fatman narrowed lower control arms (NOS from 15 years ago!), AFCO upper arms (not shown), and new upper control arm geometry to improve the camber curve.
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=8194
The stringy looking vertical welds are filler beads to smooth the transition on to the old frame. The guys actually lay some pretty good welds for beginners... What we did here was to cut off the old spring perch and upper control arm mount. I wanted to align the upper perch so the spring worked a little more freely. The upper perch is 3 1/2" X .250 DOM tubing which was welded under the new top plate. We located the center of the tube and hole sawed the top plate out 3 1/4" which left the lip to weld around. The shock will come through the hole and mount to a bracket above the plate. The upper control arm mount will be MUCH lower than the original. I may not be able to get the camber curve perfect, but it will be a big improvement.
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=8195
Another goal was to get rid of the nasty "bulge" where the frame goes around the spring pocket.
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/vbpgimage.php?do=full&p=8196
There isn't much strength gained by it anyway. I had the guys actually cut open the bottom of the rails and pinch them to make the shape of the rail flow better. We're going to cut off the old inner lip inside the bottom and replace it with a loop of DOM tubing around the back of the spring. It should be stronger than the original, and I think it'll look much better than stock once it's all finished and painted.
Next steps are to locate the upper control arm pivots and build the top shock mounts. Hopefully I'll have more photos and updates soon.
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