Keep these videos coming. I’m a huge viper enthusiast, and one day, I’ll one one. For now, your videos that go into detail about them really help with the lack of owning one.
Hi John, excellent videos! I am searching for a 1996 GTS myself, I live in Canada but I’m hoping to buy one from USA. I hope I find one as nice as yours!!!
Thanks for the support! Good luck on your search, I recommend reaching out to Marv at American Supercars in Fresno California. He has been involved in the Viper community forever and is who I purchased my 96 from.
Good stuff! I would add a very valuable one that I have learned over the 7 Vipers I’ve had. BE VERY CAREFUL with taking the remote battery positive nut (where you jump start from) on/off. That stud under that nut is what connects ALL electrical via a power bar that the stud goes through. These studs have plastic holding them in (not a good design) and once they become loose due to heat or cranking on them with a socket you can have all types of electrical issues and will have To replace the entire fuse box and all the wires that are attached. Treat that nut like it’s made of glass and preferably never take it loose if you don’t have to. It’s easy if you need to disconnect battery for maintenance to use this remote battery stud, ALWAYS go to the actual battery behind. The drivers rear wheel well to disconnect.
I've had multiple GTS's and love the cars, they are so timeless and such a beautiful design IMO. I still have my first, a B&W 96 UGR TT GTS and can't imagine ever selling that car!
@@LifeatSpeed It is, but it's more than a handful. I use to take it to the track occasionally (best was 7.76 @ 186 mph), but after a close call and numerous close calls on the street I have somewhat retired it and now only take it out every so often. I have many other cars to fill the void w/o risking damaging my baby and her expensive hood, lol! But like I said, I can't imagine ever selling that Viper! Maybe one of these days I'll update the ECU to a Motec system with a real TC system to make it safer to drive. Part of me doesn't want to change the parts from that amazing TT Viper war period, but modern electronics would certainly make it more controllable. Enjoy your awesome cars my friend!
Oh wow! That is insane fast! I can totally understand the reluctance to drive it. I can also understand not wanting to sell it either, it's one of the most beautifully designed cars of all time imo and I couldn't imagine getting rid of mine.
@@LifeatSpeed Someone else was asking me about this car so I thought I'd share this story about the car to you as well as I'm sure you'd find it interesting... Not only is it the only B&W gen2 GTS UGR TT that I know of, what makes it really special (other than the fact that UGR no longer touches Vipers), is this same car is what basically put Underground Racing on the map, and then ended their Viper program with. This Viper was known as BLOWNGTS on the Viper forums. The owner at the time brought the car to UGR (they were mostly playing with Mustangs in the beginning) and asked Kevin to put a SC on it. At the time there were other SC Vipers out there, but Kevin got this car to make way more power than anyone else at the time was making, especially on the factory engine. The forums completely disregarded the claims and had huge threads calling the numbers complete BS. That was until they easily ripped the first 9 second pass, which was unheard of for an otherwise stock car at the time. This completely put UGR on the map. Later back in 2006, UGR did the first 7 second pass with another TT GTS (with a stick and IRS), this made UGR a household name in the high end car scene. Several years later UGR got into doing the Lambos and the rest is history for them, but back to this GTS... Not only was it the first Viper UGR did, but it was also their last. Later back in 2009 or so, BLOWNGTS was sent back to have them completely redo the engine and driveline to their stage 3R TT specs. Twin 78mm turbos, etc. That was the last Viper they ever did before turning a blind eye to the Vipers. So BLOWNGTS as this car was known on the forums as, was the first and last Viper UGR ever touched... first as a otherwise stock GTS with a SC, and then later with their full TT package. All wrapped in the iconic B&W GTS paint, so more reasons why I won't sell it as long as I'm still resting above ground. ;)
Great video. I just bought a 01’ rt/10 last week. My hood is touching the corner of the front fascia on the drivers side. Everywhere else looks perfectly aligned. I’ll keep playing with it. Maybe take it to a good shop to fix in the spring.
I have the same car. It's not uncommon for the hood not to line up as the car is hand built. Don't make yourself crazy over it and congratulations on your purchase.
@@LifeatSpeed everything came together perfectly. Right price, right time, first in line. Your Viper videos helped show me what to look for so I appreciate all the info! Keep those videos coming!! Could you maybe talk about window regulators in a Viper video? The drivers side one in my soon to be new to me car, rolls up really slowly. Rock Auto has always had great prices...until I looked up the window regulator...$500 😵😵😵 can they be rebuilt for cheaper? Can I do anything to avoid the $500 price (that’s even installing it myself). Or am I pretty much screwed and will have to bite the bullet and spend the money?
So when it comes to the regulators there is a plastic "shuttle" that is the usualy failure point. Of course that part isn't available by itself, but that shuttle is also used on the minivan regulators qnd you can get them at an auto wrecker for cheap. As for the entire regulator, $500 is actually pretty good, as I seem to recall the last time I priced them they were over $1,000! I'm glad my videos are helping people! That is one of my main objectives of the channel. You can count on more Viper content in the future! Enjoy your new Viper and if you ever have any questions just reach out and ask me, I am here to help.
@@LifeatSpeed you can count on that for sure! And I really appreciate that. This has been my childhood dream car so this truly is a dream com true for me. I just hope it doesn’t turn into a nightmare with costly repairs!😲
@@LifeatSpeed I did think of something that you might be able to help me with actually. My car will need new tires and since the rims on the car are dated aftermarket rims anyway I want to replace them with Gen 5 rims. I love the sidewinder rims but they are super expensive and next to impossible to find right now so I settled with a close second the Gen 5 Rattlers. I from my research, I believe they will fit a Gen 2 however, the front will stick out slightly. Approximately 1/2” according to some viper forums. Do you have any experience with this?
Doug!! You're instructing people to close the hood the wrong way, you can severely damage the hood by pushing down forward of the vents! The hinges are are aligned parallel to the vents, your hands should be just at the front of them when you push down or you will crack the front of the hood. Also, your door is just out of adjustment that's why it's hard to close - Gen 1 and 2 are notorious for "sagging" over time - a simple adjustment and the doors will close very easily, there are plenty of YT videos how to do it. Nice car though, I have the same one. Rock on.
Good video, John! I didn’t know about the fuel priming either. I had heard people mentioning something about pumping the gas pedal a few times, was that part of the same issue or something completely different?
Thanks. Probably people who are used to carbureted engines. On Vipers (like all modern fuel injected vehicles) being fuel injected pumping the gas pedal only opens and closes the throttle bodies, doesn't squirt any fuel in.
Very cool video, I didn’t know about the check valve. My ‘01 GTS actually turns off at random times while driving. It just dies out of nowhere. Maybe a couple times a month. Then starts again after a crank or two. Have you heard of this issue or have any idea what that can possibly be or what areas I should look into? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Thank you. As for your issue, that is a weird one. Initial thoughts it sounds electrical related like the fuel pump is cutting out, or a relay is starting to fail, something along those lines. I'm reaching out to some friends of mine that know these cars better than I do and I'll let you know what I find out.
@@LifeatSpeed Thank you for taking the time to do that! Let’s see what they say. I’ll read up on the electrical in the meantime and see what I can find.
@@user-wm6wb4of5h I got a couple of other things you might want to check from a friend of mine (former Viper tech). He suggested checking for carbon build up on the throttle bodies and check to make sure the 2 throttle bodies are synchronized properly. Hope this helps.
@@LifeatSpeed I will check on those two things and go from there. Very much appreciated! I also read on a forum that either the crankshaft or camshaft sensors going bad can cause that too. I’ll start with the throttle bodies first. Thank you! Keep the videos coming!
Because you have clearly never owned one if you ask that question...but I do. You open or close that hood enough times incorrectly, it's kind of expensive and a problem. I believe the hood is/was regarded as the single most expensive American car part ever made or sold. Fact ✔️.
Keep these videos coming. I’m a huge viper enthusiast, and one day, I’ll one one. For now, your videos that go into detail about them really help with the lack of owning one.
Thanks for the support! More Viper videos in the queue for the coming months! Good luck on reaching your goal of buying a Viper!
My 2000 rt/10 arrived last Thursday! Thank you for all the info on these things! Great channel, keep it up!
Congratulations that's awesome! More Viper content in the works!
i just got my 1997 3 weeks ago!
Wonderful Viper, John! A GTS Viper is my favourite of all and that blue paint with white stripes is simply the best combination!
Hi John, excellent videos! I am searching for a 1996 GTS myself, I live in Canada but I’m hoping to buy one from USA.
I hope I find one as nice as yours!!!
Thanks for the support! Good luck on your search, I recommend reaching out to Marv at American Supercars in Fresno California. He has been involved in the Viper community forever and is who I purchased my 96 from.
Good stuff! I would add a very valuable one that I have learned over the 7 Vipers I’ve had. BE VERY CAREFUL with taking the remote battery positive nut (where you jump start from) on/off. That stud under that nut is what connects ALL electrical via a power bar that the stud goes through. These studs have plastic holding them in (not a good design) and once they become loose due to heat or cranking on them with a socket you can have all types of electrical issues and will have To replace the entire fuse box and all the wires that are attached. Treat that nut like it’s made of glass and preferably never take it loose if you don’t have to. It’s easy if you need to disconnect battery for maintenance to use this remote battery stud, ALWAYS go to the actual battery behind. The drivers rear wheel well to disconnect.
That's solid advice! I've heard multiple horror stories of people breaking those studs free and then having to replace the box as you said.
I've had multiple GTS's and love the cars, they are so timeless and such a beautiful design IMO. I still have my first, a B&W 96 UGR TT GTS and can't imagine ever selling that car!
I'll bet that 96 you have is an absolute monster and a blast to drive!
@@LifeatSpeed It is, but it's more than a handful. I use to take it to the track occasionally (best was 7.76 @ 186 mph), but after a close call and numerous close calls on the street I have somewhat retired it and now only take it out every so often. I have many other cars to fill the void w/o risking damaging my baby and her expensive hood, lol! But like I said, I can't imagine ever selling that Viper! Maybe one of these days I'll update the ECU to a Motec system with a real TC system to make it safer to drive. Part of me doesn't want to change the parts from that amazing TT Viper war period, but modern electronics would certainly make it more controllable.
Enjoy your awesome cars my friend!
Oh wow! That is insane fast! I can totally understand the reluctance to drive it. I can also understand not wanting to sell it either, it's one of the most beautifully designed cars of all time imo and I couldn't imagine getting rid of mine.
@@LifeatSpeed Someone else was asking me about this car so I thought I'd share this story about the car to you as well as I'm sure you'd find it interesting...
Not only is it the only B&W gen2 GTS UGR TT that I know of, what makes it really special (other than the fact that UGR no longer touches Vipers), is this same car is what basically put Underground Racing on the map, and then ended their Viper program with.
This Viper was known as BLOWNGTS on the Viper forums. The owner at the time brought the car to UGR (they were mostly playing with Mustangs in the beginning) and asked Kevin to put a SC on it. At the time there were other SC Vipers out there, but Kevin got this car to make way more power than anyone else at the time was making, especially on the factory engine. The forums completely disregarded the claims and had huge threads calling the numbers complete BS. That was until they easily ripped the first 9 second pass, which was unheard of for an otherwise stock car at the time. This completely put UGR on the map.
Later back in 2006, UGR did the first 7 second pass with another TT GTS (with a stick and IRS), this made UGR a household name in the high end car scene.
Several years later UGR got into doing the Lambos and the rest is history for them, but back to this GTS...
Not only was it the first Viper UGR did, but it was also their last. Later back in 2009 or so, BLOWNGTS was sent back to have them completely redo the engine and driveline to their stage 3R TT specs. Twin 78mm turbos, etc. That was the last Viper they ever did before turning a blind eye to the Vipers. So BLOWNGTS as this car was known on the forums as, was the first and last Viper UGR ever touched... first as a otherwise stock GTS with a SC, and then later with their full TT package. All wrapped in the iconic B&W GTS paint, so more reasons why I won't sell it as long as I'm still resting above ground. ;)
Thanks for the tips 👍 I never new the one about how to pressurizing the fuel system 👌🏻
You're welcome!
1996 gts here since 2010..23k miles. BLUE ON WHITE STRIPES 💙 STRIPES TOO...
Great video. I just bought a 01’ rt/10 last week. My hood is touching the corner of the front fascia on the drivers side. Everywhere else looks perfectly aligned. I’ll keep playing with it. Maybe take it to a good shop to fix in the spring.
I have the same car. It's not uncommon for the hood not to line up as the car is hand built. Don't make yourself crazy over it and congratulations on your purchase.
I’m taking ownership of my new ‘02 this week! Thank you so much for all the info!!
Congratulations! That's amazing!
@@LifeatSpeed everything came together perfectly. Right price, right time, first in line. Your Viper videos helped show me what to look for so I appreciate all the info! Keep those videos coming!! Could you maybe talk about window regulators in a Viper video? The drivers side one in my soon to be new to me car, rolls up really slowly. Rock Auto has always had great prices...until I looked up the window regulator...$500 😵😵😵 can they be rebuilt for cheaper? Can I do anything to avoid the $500 price (that’s even installing it myself). Or am I pretty much screwed and will have to bite the bullet and spend the money?
So when it comes to the regulators there is a plastic "shuttle" that is the usualy failure point. Of course that part isn't available by itself, but that shuttle is also used on the minivan regulators qnd you can get them at an auto wrecker for cheap. As for the entire regulator, $500 is actually pretty good, as I seem to recall the last time I priced them they were over $1,000! I'm glad my videos are helping people! That is one of my main objectives of the channel. You can count on more Viper content in the future! Enjoy your new Viper and if you ever have any questions just reach out and ask me, I am here to help.
@@LifeatSpeed you can count on that for sure! And I really appreciate that. This has been my childhood dream car so this truly is a dream com true for me. I just hope it doesn’t turn into a nightmare with costly repairs!😲
@@LifeatSpeed I did think of something that you might be able to help me with actually. My car will need new tires and since the rims on the car are dated aftermarket rims anyway I want to replace them with Gen 5 rims. I love the sidewinder rims but they are super expensive and next to impossible to find right now so I settled with a close second the Gen 5 Rattlers. I from my research, I believe they will fit a Gen 2 however, the front will stick out slightly. Approximately 1/2” according to some viper forums. Do you have any experience with this?
Doug!! You're instructing people to close the hood the wrong way, you can severely damage the hood by pushing down forward of the vents! The hinges are are aligned parallel to the vents, your hands should be just at the front of them when you push down or you will crack the front of the hood. Also, your door is just out of adjustment that's why it's hard to close - Gen 1 and 2 are notorious for "sagging" over time - a simple adjustment and the doors will close very easily, there are plenty of YT videos how to do it. Nice car though, I have the same one. Rock on.
Good video, John! I didn’t know about the fuel priming either. I had heard people mentioning something about pumping the gas pedal a few times, was that part of the same issue or something completely different?
Thanks. Probably people who are used to carbureted engines. On Vipers (like all modern fuel injected vehicles) being fuel injected pumping the gas pedal only opens and closes the throttle bodies, doesn't squirt any fuel in.
I always turn the key to run for a few seconds until the fuel pump turns off. It starts very easily every time.
Very cool video, I didn’t know about the check valve. My ‘01 GTS actually turns off at random times while driving. It just dies out of nowhere. Maybe a couple times a month. Then starts again after a crank or two. Have you heard of this issue or have any idea what that can possibly be or what areas I should look into? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Thank you. As for your issue, that is a weird one. Initial thoughts it sounds electrical related like the fuel pump is cutting out, or a relay is starting to fail, something along those lines. I'm reaching out to some friends of mine that know these cars better than I do and I'll let you know what I find out.
@@LifeatSpeed Thank you for taking the time to do that! Let’s see what they say. I’ll read up on the electrical in the meantime and see what I can find.
@@user-wm6wb4of5h I got a couple of other things you might want to check from a friend of mine (former Viper tech). He suggested checking for carbon build up on the throttle bodies and check to make sure the 2 throttle bodies are synchronized properly. Hope this helps.
@@LifeatSpeed I will check on those two things and go from there. Very much appreciated!
I also read on a forum that either the crankshaft or camshaft sensors going bad can cause that too. I’ll start with the throttle bodies first. Thank you! Keep the videos coming!
How many miles did your 96 GTS have when you bought and how many now ?
It had a little over 13,000 miles on it when I bought it and currently has 46,000.
Where are you guys located?
California Sierra Foothils
Why are you telling people how to open our hood? 🤣
Because you have clearly never owned one if you ask that question...but I do. You open or close that hood enough times incorrectly, it's kind of expensive and a problem. I believe the hood is/was regarded as the single most expensive American car part ever made or sold. Fact ✔️.