Viper Question

Cap'n Jack

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10,203
Australia
South of the South
GoldMineGutted
What is the difference between a Dodge Viper GTS and a Chrysler Viper ACR, other than the different manufacturer(sp?)?
 
Yeah i've always (quietly - i.e. not enough to search all about it) wondered what the difference between the GTS and ACR vipers are.
 
The ACR (American Club Racer) Viper is a modified GTS for potential club racers or track dayers(sp?) ie its lighter, a little more powerful and has better brakes to cope.

Dodges are badged Chryslers in Europe because someone else has the 'Dodge' name licenced over here.
 
The first ACR model was the '95 Neon ACR, like mine. It actually was just the sales code, but conveniently it came to be called 'American Club Racing' because it was aimed at SCCA amateur club racers. In fact, to buy one of the first batch of Neon ACRs you had to hold an SCCA competition license.

In fact the engines and brakes are not better than the 'street' versions, because SCCA Showroom Stock and Touring rules prohibit them from being so. Suspensions are stiffer (Neon ACRs feature very stiff struts, with a later change to single-adjustable Koni units), steering ratios are quicker, and the cars are lighter (usually with A/C delete, radio delete, and elimination of sound deadening materials). In the Viper ACR, given its higher price, you get some niceties like 5-point harness and racing seats.
 
The ACR had different, lighter wheels, slightly bigger brakes, adjustable Koni shocks, brake ducts in place of the fog lights situated at the bottom of the front bumper, and 10 more horsepower due to a different air intake system (bringing it to a total of 460). Oh, and it was worth around 10 000$ more than the regular GTS. You could get an ACR Plus package from Mopar in 2000, if you shelled enough money, with a completely overhauled engine (ECU, exhaust, headers, GTS-R valvetrain, braided hoses), fully adjustable coilover shocks and a stronger rear diff, bringing the total to a whopping 506 hp, and over 100 000$...
 
...and which probably dumped the car into Improved Touring class, but I'm not certain about that. It's been a while since I followed the intricacies of SCCA club racing and how badly the Comp Board screwed Chrysler for following the intent of the rules.
 
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