8.4L Dodge Viper SRT10
The new Dodge Viper SRT10's deep-skirted V10 aluminium engine block was revised for a 1 millimetre larger bore, raising the displacement to 8.4 litres from 8.3 litres. With strengthened bulkheads and improved water jackets for better cooling, the block includes pressed in iron cylinder liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps for strength and durability.The Viper SRT10's 8.4-litre engine breathes through new cylinder heads equipped with Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) shaped combustion chambers, larger valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). VVT electronically adjusts when the exhaust valves are open and closed according to engine speed and load, allowing the engine to "breathe" cleaner and more efficiently.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 V10's two-piece intake manifold combines a cast aluminium lower with smooth runners for better air flow, bolted to a die-cast aluminium upper plenum. A revised air-cleaner box with a low-restriction filter sends air through a dual electronic throttle control into the intake module. The air-fuel mixture in the cylinders is ignited by platinum tip spark plugs fired by new individual plug coils mounted on the cylinder-head covers.
Within the cylinders, pistons are equipped with larger diameter floating pins with bronze bushings for high load capability. Forged powder metal connecting rods are secured with aircraft quality fasteners for increased fatigue strength.
Engine lubrication is managed by a larger oil pump and a swinging oil pickup adapted from Viper competition engines, to improve oil pressure in high rpm and hard cornering conditions.
Spent gases exit through tubular air-gap headers, which not only improve exhaust flow, but also ensure quick catalyst light off for improved emission control. The headers' stamped stainless-steel outer shell acts as a thermal heat shield for the individual stainless steel runners that contribute to better flow separation and exhaust tuning.
SRT engineers didn't stop there. Upgrades were developed to handle the 8.4-litre V10's increased horsepower and torque levels, while improving traction, driveability - and durability.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10's V10 channels its power through a new, smaller diameter, twin-disc clutch (a change from the previous larger diameter, single-disc setup). The new clutch reduces rotating inertia by 18 percent, resulting in reduced clutch pedal effort and improved engagement feel.
The transmission is the latest evolution of the Tremec T56 six-speed manual, known as the TR6060. It features 10 percent wider gears for higher torque capacity and a new synchroniser package. A new shifter system results in reduced shifter travel. Club racers will applaud a new provision for adding an external transmission cooler.
Stopping power is another key attribute of the Dodge Viper SRT10 formula, with 14-inch brake rotors gripped by Brembo 44/40 dual opposing piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual opposing calipers in the rear. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents lockup during hard braking. This system results in a benchmark braking performance of 60-to-0 mph in less than 100 feet.
The ride and handling of the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is defined by a race-bred, fully independent, four-wheel suspension featuring lightweight, high performance aluminium control arms and knuckles, damped by lightweight coil over shock absorbers. Where the power goes right to the road, SRT engineers retained the tried and true Dana M44-4 rear axle and outfitted it with a new GKN Visco-Lok speed-sensing limited-slip differential for improved traction.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 remains available in two body styles - Roadster and Coupe. Both feature a dramatic new hood with a larger, more efficient hood scoop for air induction and larger, functional hood louvers to facilitate a greater cooling effect for the more powerful 8.4-litre, 600-horsepower V10 engine underneath.
