My window sticker on my Viper says I should get 11 MPG (City) and 21 MPG (Highway). I paid $3,000 gas guzzler tax just to get my 11 MPG (CTY) and 21 MPG (HWY).
My complaint is this -
I just filled up and did the math and I'm getting 12.5 MPG City.
I also get 22.5 MPG Highway.
In no way was I even remotely trying to get mileage better than the EPA window sticker in either case.
Do I need to turn myself in to the EPA for flagerantly violating their mileage standards set for the Viper?
Will they force me to take a refund of my gas guzzler tax?
------------------
Kenny
2002 GTS in Viper Race Yellow (1 of 83) from Bill Pemberton @ Woodhouse with some "neccessary" mods
Checkmate
08-05-2002, 03:13 PM
I'll tell you what. I'll swing by and take the car for a spin or three. Then you will average much less on that tank of gas.
SUN RA KAT
08-07-2002, 11:18 AM
After an extended romp on the roads yesterday, I had to get gas this morning.
14.2 MPG.
SUN RA KAT
08-09-2002, 10:24 AM
I drove it harder this tank than last.
14.6 MPG
McClane
08-09-2002, 10:42 AM
I like Checkmate's suggestion. Even better, how about swinging up to Canada, and I'll help you determine fuel economy. A few trips out to Banff, K-Country, and we can see if the EPA is bang on or not ! :D :D :D
DODGEguy3
08-09-2002, 04:54 PM
drive it even harder maby you will get 15.0 MPG!!!!!!! :D
SUN RA KAT
08-10-2002, 04:28 PM
I'd love to vist Banff!
SUN RA KAT
08-12-2002, 09:25 AM
O.K., this time I did a lot of practicing shifting at lower RPMs as if I was driving in city traffic. I did this when there was very light traffic. I also had my brief run up to 110+ MPH this tank, too, so it all wasn't drudgery...
16.2 MPG
McClane
08-12-2002, 12:39 PM
Sun Ra, I take it then that is a yes ? j/k ! :D :D :D :D
DODGEguy3
08-12-2002, 02:24 PM
thats freaky ken, why the heck do you think you are getting so much good gas milage. i am cerious... how do you mesure the MPG?
SUN RA KAT
08-12-2002, 03:00 PM
McClane -
My mom visited Banff when she graduated high school (long before I was born) and she told me how beautiful it was. I do photography and always wanted to go out West & see Banff Park, Glacier Park, the Pacific Northwest, etc. and bring my cameras. I'd probably take my Ram truck just for the extra trunk space to haul everything, though.
DODGEguy3 -
I suspect the Belanger Headers, Random Tech Ultra Flow Cats, Corsa 3" Catback, Sean Roe Smooth Tubes and S&B Filters all contribute to my great gas mileage. Also, getting a 3400 pound car up to speed doesn't take nearly as much gas as a 5120 pound truck. I accellerate briskly in 1st gear up to about 35 MPH and then shift to 3rd or 4th gear a lot and coast a lot, too. The Viper coasts great for long distances without losing a lot of speed due to wind resistance. Just get to 5 MPH over the posted speed and coast! Smooth driving helps, too - I anticipate lights changing so I don't have to come to a complete halt at the end of a row of cars waiting for it to change. I do like being 1st in a line stopped at a stop light, though. HeeHee!
I use the trip odometer to measure how far I've driven since the last fill up. Then I write down how many gallons it took to fill the tank, and when i get home I use a calculator to do the math.
DODGEguy3
08-13-2002, 12:58 AM
ahh, your gonna need to help me mod my viper when i get one since you know how to get such good milage :-D
McClane
08-14-2002, 11:44 AM
SUN RA KAT
If you do decide to head up here, drop me a line and we can head out for coffee or something. I live in Calgary, which is roughly about one hour or so from Banff.
SUN RA KAT
08-14-2002, 01:59 PM
McClane - After my daughter graduates from high school next year, I plan on doing a lot of travelling. Don't be surprised to see me in person!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Another day, another fill up -
13.7 MPG
Obviously the result of a more respectable right foot on the snake pedal this time. HeeHee!
DGERAM
08-14-2002, 02:46 PM
There, that's better. Now you just need to get it down a few more mpg and you will be right on with the EPA mileage. That should make you feel better, right? ;)
DODGEguy3
08-14-2002, 03:44 PM
how much times do the viper need to be filled up? about every day? and how much do you spend on gas... just wondering so i get an estimate just in case i mesteriously win a viper for some reason. oh ya and can you fell me in on insurance estimates? thanks!
McClane
08-14-2002, 05:10 PM
SUN RA, looking forward to it ! :D :D
SUN RA KAT
08-14-2002, 08:41 PM
I usually fill up when the tank is half full, or is that half empty? The Viper's gas tank is small by Dodge Ram standards - either 18 1/2 gallons or 19 gallons , depending on the source. I force myself to drive it everyday that there is decent weather here so I can get better with manual shifting.
What's weird is I feel more comfortable in the Viper than I do in my Ram now. I feel like I'm driving a mobile livingroom when I drive my Ram. It's so much more quiet than the Viper that I find myself going 10 - 15 MPH OVER the speed limit in the Ram. I also am amazed each time I get in and try to put my left foot on the clutch and discover I left the clutch in the Viper. :o
I usually get up to the speed limit plus 5-10 MPH REAL QUICK in the Viper and shift from 1st gear to 3rd, 4th, or 5th gear, depending on how many micro-seconds I was Vipering in 1st. If I'm in traffic or I want to practice low speed shifts, I'll go from 1st to 2nd. Unless I'm having too much fun, then I'll wind it out in 1st and shift to 2nd and wind it out up to 80 MPH before I shift to a higher gear - all at part throttle until I am much better at the manual shifting (I wouldn't want to miss a gear and hit 2nd when I wanted 4th).
DODGEguy3
08-15-2002, 12:18 AM
you use more than 2 gears?? i thoght all you need is 2-3 gears in the viper??
SUN RA KAT
08-15-2002, 08:35 AM
I'm like a kid - I put it through any and all gears just for fun. It's my first manual transmission car and I am most fascinated with using both legs and both arms to drive at the same time. I like just driving along and upshifting and downshifting just to build my skills. I like zooming away in 1st gear and getting it up to where 3rd, 4th, or 5th gear is the next logical choice in gears to cruise in. With the prodigious torque of the Viper engine, you could easily just use 2-3 gears, but it's more fun to play with all 6 gears.
Things I've learned are Viper engines don't like to be much below 1300 RPM except to idle, though at idle and in 1st gear on level ground you can go fast enough in parking lots to where a person next to you would have to run or trot to keep up and above 3000 RPM to 5800 RPM (the fastest I've turned it so far with a 6000 RPM redline) the power comes on like, well, like a Viper!
DODGEguy3
08-16-2002, 04:11 AM
hahaha man, i so cant waite to own a viper so that i could experience the chills and experiences that you get driving it. talking about chills, i bought the fast and the furious (only because it has the baddesd asp charger that ever was), and let me tell you, every time vin diesel starts that beast up I GET CHILLS ALL OVER MY BODY. that charger is SUCH a beast! right now its at the part when the charger does the wheelie, omg im getting so much chills just listening to that 1200+ torque monster. imagin listening to it in real live, it will vibrate so much you will die in it!
HankL
08-16-2002, 08:22 AM
Sun Ra Kat, if you have the camshaft specs for your Viper V10, please post them.
I wonder if the duration and overlap are a lot more than the cast iron truck V10 - or if the extra power mostly comes from the cylinder head differences.
Your comment that the engine does not like to run below 1300 seems to indicate something is worth noting.
When you are in top gear (second overdrive), what is the rpm at a steady 60 mph?
SUN RA KAT
08-16-2002, 11:02 AM
Exhaust duration = 305.0 deg
Exhaust lift = .542 inch
Exhaust valve head diameter = 1.575 - 1.585 inch
Intake duration = 297.0 deg
Intake lift = .542 inch
Intake valve head diameter = 1.915 - 1.925 inch
Stock Vipers can go a little bit above 3,000 RPM before wind resistance is more than the horsepower. I think with my Sean Roe Supercharger and the rest of my modifications I could hit 3,500 RPM before wind resistance overpowers horsepower.
"Could" and "would" are not the same - I'm NOT going to do any ultra high speed runs.
Top speed in a Viper is achieved in 5th gear. 204 MPH at 6,000 RPM (redline) for my Viper with my modifications and the Sean Roe Supercharger is possible, but not by me. A pure stock Viper GTS coupe (much more aerodynamic the the Viper RT-10 convertible) can reach 192 MPH.
I'll know in about a month if I'm getting on the first run of the Sean Roe Superchargers or not. If not, then I'll be one of the first people on the list for the 2nd run of Superchargers due out later in the Fall.
HankL
08-16-2002, 04:10 PM
Thanks for that info.
Yep, that camshaft has a lot more duration and overlap. I understand why it wouldn't like rpms below 1300.
Do you have a trip computer on your Viper? Can it show what the MPG is at 60 mph?
I personally think that double overdrive 0.5 sixth gear would be welcome on the V10 trucks as well, and would help a Ram V10's highway cruise MPG quite a lot.
SUN RA KAT
08-16-2002, 06:37 PM
Not having an overhead console trip computer is one of the things I miss the most when driving my Viper. I have gotten lost several times just driving around not knowing which direction I was going...just drove some more until I found a familiar landmark and then I was found. The only times I got lost were when it was cloudy and I couldn't see where the sun (days) or stars (night) were.
VIPER52USA
08-16-2002, 09:54 PM
I HOPE TO DO THAT ONE DAY. GET LOST IN MY VIPER AHHHHHH, SOOOO NICE
SUN RA KAT
08-19-2002, 04:43 PM
14.8 MPG latest tank full.
SUN RA KAT
08-21-2002, 04:33 PM
15.0 MPG with Sean Roe VEC1 installed.
I'll do a post with pictures about the Sean Roe VEC1 soon - it feels like my Viper has just gotten a 20 horsepower boost..
VEC = Viper Engine Calibrator
six pack
08-22-2002, 11:22 PM
Sunra,
if you happen to drive the beast up to Banff, stop off and visit(3hrs from banff)
Would be intersting to run you with the bosses Viper! Same color as yours but has the additional black stripes. Only Mod is the Mopar Performance exhaust system.
Stop in if your driving the truck as well;)
SUN RA KAT
08-23-2002, 08:57 AM
Probably would be taking the Ram - has bigger trunk space and more ground clearance in case I want to get off the beaten path on purpose this time (no more surprise offroading adventures for me!).
Hopefully, will make it up to meet you in person within the next 2 years or so.
==============
- Ken
Checkmate
08-23-2002, 10:34 AM
All I have to say is MUST BE NICE :cool:
SUN RA KAT
08-26-2002, 09:19 PM
13.3 MPG city driving
After 5 weeks of owning my first manaul shift car I'm finally getting pretty good at it. I've had to retrain my legs and feet and hands to all work together on this. I think the breakthrough came when I started to relax more and be less fearfull of the Viper. The clutch is like a '60's muscle car clutch requiring lots of strength and finnesse at the same time. (The clutch is not stock - I had the Sean Roe Clutch adjustment done to give me more leg room. I'm doing almost all city driving now so I can shift gears a lot in real world conditions. I would not want to drive a Viper in stop & go traffic - or any car for that matter.)
I also find it harder to get out of the Viper because I'd much rather keep driving it...
carguy2
08-29-2002, 10:22 PM
Why are you whining about getting good gas mileage? I wish I could get that on my dart. 4-6 is the norm. If the 3,000 realyy mattered, you would've got an intrepid. Or you could always trade it for a ram srt-10.
SUN RA KAT
08-29-2002, 10:50 PM
"Why are you whining about getting good gas mileage?"
I'm NOT whining about getting good gas mileage - I'm whining because I have to stop driving and get out of my Viper to eat, sleep, work...
I'm surprised that it get such good gas mileage. I'm disappointed the federal government claims it's a gas guzzler and charges me $3,000 tax.
Tell me about your 4-6 MPG Dart and you better have a monster engine in it!
SUN RA KAT
09-01-2002, 09:07 PM
14.0 MPG City with Sean Roe Racing VEC1 set to +12/-20
It continues to amaze me at how good of gas mileage my Viper gets. I think the Belanger Headers, Random Tech Ultra High Flow Cats, Corsa 3" Cat Back, Sean Roe Smooth Tubes and S&B Filters, and the lightweight flywheel all contribute to my getting much better than the EPA gas mileage. I'm pretty sure the VEC1 (Viper Engine Calibrator) doesn't help gas mileage because I have the settings adjusted for power - and it adds a healthy kick in the pants more power.
SUN RA KAT
09-04-2002, 06:03 PM
16.0 MPG , mostly city with some country and some with wide open throttle. :stk:
SUN RA KAT
09-11-2002, 12:50 PM
13.3 MPG fill up today.
Obviously, the snake pedal and the floor mat like each other and are dating...
SUN RA KAT
09-18-2002, 12:14 PM
I'm keeping track of my mileage here, so here's another report.
14.9 MPG
In no way shape or form am I trying to get good gas mileage from my Viper - it just happens & I am very pleasantly surprised.
SUN RA KAT
09-23-2002, 06:55 PM
14.5 MPG
This was a combination of city/country/highway mileage with a lot of very fast accellerations to 5500 RPMs.
Some of the very fast accellerations were actually extremely fast...
Rusty
09-23-2002, 09:25 PM
I can't get that kind of mileage with my truck parked! :)
Rusty
DODGEguy3
09-29-2002, 05:35 PM
rusty, maby you should consider heavily moddifing it, it might get better gas milage lol
SUN RA KAT
09-29-2002, 07:30 PM
DODGEguy3 is right! I kept getting better gas mileage in my truck (The Mighty Dodge) with every modification until I added the M1 intake manifold.
SUN RA KAT
10-05-2002, 10:26 AM
Quite a bit more time in the lower gears and more time in the mid (and higher) RPMs =14.2 MPG .
The cooler weather has a huge effect on Viper performance - the cold air intake + cooler air = much more power!
SUN RA KAT
10-07-2002, 04:23 PM
You can guess what the snake pedal and the floor mat were doing this tankfull.
12.3 MPG
SUN RA KAT
10-17-2002, 08:44 PM
I tried real hard to get less, but I ended up getting 15.0 MPG.
SUN RA KAT
10-23-2002, 11:00 AM
14.0 MPG
Achieved the old fashioned way - many runs to 5500 RPM before shifting gears.
Never once did I exceed the speed limit...
...of the speed of light.
DragonDon
11-06-2002, 06:51 PM
Gee...I must drive my car a lot harder than you guys....last big trip I only got 44mpg!
:cool:
I found that the biggest contributor to the 'mileage factor' is the driver :)
A ton of guys say they 'shift at 5 grand' all the time....then complain when they only get 250 to 300kms (158-180miles) to a tank. Sheesh.
I'm keeping good track of my mileage and like to see what changes I do make any difference.
SUN RA KAT
11-06-2002, 11:41 PM
I got between 9-11 MPG on my last tankfull. I did a lot of WOT runs as required to calibrate the VEC1 in preperation for my dyno run.
My next tankfull will also probably be low, too since my supercharger is almost ready for road testing.
I'll start to report my mileage again once my supercharger is dialed in.
