A few suggestions from a Viper owner:
- If it has the original Michelin Pilot Sport run flat tires, change them immediately. They are rolling death on the car.
- If it has the newer Pilot Sport 2s, they're great on the car but expect them to grind off very quickly. The newer Pilot Super Sports last much longer and grip almost as well as a Pilot Cup. Be prepared for 345 mm tire sticker shock, though.
- I highly recommend installing the B&M short shifter. With the stock shifter, it is VERY easy to miss shifts, often in an unpleasant direction (3rd to 2nd instead of 4th, 5th to 4th instead of 6th) which will result in a spin and/or grenaded engine. The B&M really makes it easier to drive quickly.
- If you don't do something with the shifter right away, an old viper trick for avoiding mis-shifts is as follows: For gears 1-3, position your hand "thumb up" with the plam of your hand on the right side of the shifter. For gears 4-6, rotate your hand counter-clockwise to a "thumb down" position with your palm on the left side.
- If the car doesn't come with a spare key, have one made immediately as should you ever lock your keys in the trunk, the only way to open it is with the fob or another key.
- Make certain the seal along the top of the windshield has not been damaged. It is very common for passengers to grab the top of the windshield while getting out of the car and damaging the seal, which can lead to water entering the car during heavy rain.
- If you clearbra the car to prevent rock chips, do not put any on the rocker panels. They get so hot it'll melt.
- For the same reason, be very careful getting out when hot if wearing shorts, else you'll get "snake bit".
- A 170 degree thermostat is highly recommended. In hot weather they perform MUCH better at speed with a lower water temperature.
- Some manner of nose guard is a good idea. Either several layers of clearbra or one of the aluminum versions that are on the market.
- The StopTech 2-piece brake rotors from the ACR are a very worthwhile upgrade. The stock brakes are very good, but you can cook them if you really give it the beans on a track. Vipers driven in anger also seem to like EBC Yellowstuff pads the best. (I've tried everything).
- The K&N Typhoon filter kit should be your second mod (after the short shifter). It REALLY wakes the car up on the top end. Not that it's slow by any means, but more is better.
- If it has the original Michelin Pilot Sport run flat tires, change them immediately. They are rolling death on the car.
- If it has the newer Pilot Sport 2s, they're great on the car but expect them to grind off very quickly. The newer Pilot Super Sports last much longer and grip almost as well as a Pilot Cup. Be prepared for 345 mm tire sticker shock, though.
- I highly recommend installing the B&M short shifter. With the stock shifter, it is VERY easy to miss shifts, often in an unpleasant direction (3rd to 2nd instead of 4th, 5th to 4th instead of 6th) which will result in a spin and/or grenaded engine. The B&M really makes it easier to drive quickly.
- If you don't do something with the shifter right away, an old viper trick for avoiding mis-shifts is as follows: For gears 1-3, position your hand "thumb up" with the plam of your hand on the right side of the shifter. For gears 4-6, rotate your hand counter-clockwise to a "thumb down" position with your palm on the left side.
- If the car doesn't come with a spare key, have one made immediately as should you ever lock your keys in the trunk, the only way to open it is with the fob or another key.
- Make certain the seal along the top of the windshield has not been damaged. It is very common for passengers to grab the top of the windshield while getting out of the car and damaging the seal, which can lead to water entering the car during heavy rain.
- If you clearbra the car to prevent rock chips, do not put any on the rocker panels. They get so hot it'll melt.
- For the same reason, be very careful getting out when hot if wearing shorts, else you'll get "snake bit".
- A 170 degree thermostat is highly recommended. In hot weather they perform MUCH better at speed with a lower water temperature.
- Some manner of nose guard is a good idea. Either several layers of clearbra or one of the aluminum versions that are on the market.
- The StopTech 2-piece brake rotors from the ACR are a very worthwhile upgrade. The stock brakes are very good, but you can cook them if you really give it the beans on a track. Vipers driven in anger also seem to like EBC Yellowstuff pads the best. (I've tried everything).
- The K&N Typhoon filter kit should be your second mod (after the short shifter). It REALLY wakes the car up on the top end. Not that it's slow by any means, but more is better.
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