Driver Battle Episode 8: Dodge Viper ACR vs. Shelby Daytona Coupe (Coyote 5.0L Swap)

Drivingline Driver Battle episode 8. The battle of American Muscle!
We are back at ChuckWalla Valley Raceway to bring you another episode of Nitto Tire NT01 equipped driver battles. This is the battle of the snake pit! Dodger Viper ACR from Narvaez racing up against a Shelby Daytona coupe with a Coyote engine swap. Both of these drivers have over 30 years of racing experience and their times around Chuckwalla Valley raceway are extremely fast. Who's going to take home the win in this good old fashioned dog fight? Old vs. New, Dodge vs. Ford... it's going to be epic.

[@nazz2406]

Love the Viper but mad props to the lady. Car girls rule!

[@swiggityswagger1232]

Its because shes a girl that she lost

[@billyrudd2786]

Yeet

[@BradThePitts]

@@swiggityswagger1232 ...Karen has secured more than 200 first place finishes in driving competitions, including Top Eliminator at the Pomona Drags 1999, 2009 and 2010 West Coast Challenge Series Championships, 2011 Western Endurance Racing Championship, and 2016 Northwest Vintage Racing Champion. She is a 4-time National Council of Corvette Club Champion, 4-time West Coast/So Cal Champion, and was named NASA Instructor Driver of the Year. Karen has competed nine times at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, most recently placing 2nd in Class at the 2018 race with the Shift Up Now team’s BMW Spec E30.

[@ryanwells5035]

Im a import guy but id love to have a daytona a cobra and gt40

[@tombulli1236]

Wenn man bedenkt, dass der Shelby Daytona viel älter ist ... verdammt schnell zu der Zeit! Considering the Shelby Daytona is a lot older... damn fast at the time!

[@CaptainFALKEN]

And young people wonder why the Viper is compared to the Cobra so much. Viper is the MODERN COBRA

[@josukehigashikata2979]

Captain FALKEN viper vs cobra cobra runs gets his pals and jump him then roars it's sexy engine

[@gregoryhughes]

Bob Lutz, then with Chrysler, said the original Viper concept was intended to be their interpretation of what the Cobra would be in 1989.

[@jbpiv]

Captain FALKEN y

[@captaindoom1]

Tell em

[@thatguydillan6360]

Never will be lol

[@joshuafallet5690]

Awesome video, that lady on the type 65 has taste

[@kalasmournrex1470]

The type 65r has a wing on it for some downforce, too.

[@stevenlopez5832]

No surprise the viper won really it has a ton of aero and 200+ horsepower over the cobra.

[@briansmith8273]

I agree if the Cobra had more arrow I'm sure taking those corner like the viper would be better and more speed could be carried threw. Not to mention the Cobra was just built and and she was various about the new tires. But her skill was top notch. Which I feel makes her the better driver just my opinion.

[@chasecrane523]

I don't know if you noticed or not but my grandma could drive faster then both of them

[@jrodthegreat1]

Carrol Shelby was part of the Viper team

[@realemiele.franco736]

Now just imagine that same 200+ more hrprs on the FFR Daytona type 65... lady would be saying "Wt hell did that viper go? He was just in front a second ago, Oh... there he is!" as she passes him. Real shit... lady is badass...I think she would have taken the W if 150-200 more hp without aero Imho.

[@Loulovesspeed]

@@chasecrane523 - Yeah, right, Mario! LOL

[@Th3_0_h8]

Love the respect between these two. Very nice change of pace from the norm that race.

[@thetreblerebel]

That Shelby is top...I'd love to drive one. Or own a street one.

[@matthewmurphy5543]

You think that nowww. Lol in all honesty they are awesome. Just got my factory five coupe. They are certainly far more complicated than legos but mostly enjoying the build thusfar

[@jackhouston357]

I got to back in '65 at Jim Hall's track outa Midland ,Tx Never gone fast that since.

[@WestCoastSupercarsandClassics]

Good video, I want to mention to casual viewers that the Daytona Coupe is far lighter than the Viper, and doesn't need any more horsepower to be really quick. If anything it could use some extra aero to match the ACR's downforce. Estimated weight and P/W ratio for the coupe and Viper: Daytona Coupe: 2300lbs, 435hp PW ratio 5.29 Viper: 3400lbs, 640hp PW ratio 5.31 Also keep in mind that every track is different and can favour certain characteristics of the cars. I don't think any single car is the fastest on every track, and again, the driver would also be a huge factor in the performance.

[@chrisdaigle5410]

If she would go with the Aluminator 52XS, she would get 580hp.

[@chrisdaigle5410]

@@jonathanstevenson8948 Horsepower costs money. A lot of horsepower costs a lot of money. But the Viper costs a lot more than the Factory Five Daytona.

[@chrisdaigle5410]

@@jonathanstevenson8948 But the real bottom line is for half of the price of a used late model Viper, a Type R Daytona with the Aluminator 52XS would be faster.

[@caseymurray7722]

@@chrisdaigle5410 I'd skip the 52XS and throw a turbo or blower kit on the 5.0 Gen3 Aluminator. 750-800hp for the same cost (23k for the 52XS, 13k for the Gen 3 + 9k for a whipple kit.)

[@EcuChris]

It looks like she bought and built a Coupe-R spec, which comes with some significant aero parts. I bet she didn't install them because she races vintage class and they probably have rules about adding non-period correct aero.

[@siddharthkrishnan3317]

3:15 I love how wholesome that interaction is. This is how racing should be. Sadly, it's often breeding grounds for toxicity.

[@jakemason2220]

Why is this channel slept on. Great car content!

[@matthewwilliams9200]

I'd like to see classic ford gt 40 and new ford gt as well as the newest ford gt go head to head. it's funny how you could almost say the viper is that gt coup pedigree can see the shelby influence.

[@realone2321]

That would be 🥰 My favorite V8 car vs my favorite suppercar

[@JoRgEChavez-to2xd]

That's because Carroll Shelby did design the original viper.

[@Loulovesspeed]

@@JoRgEChavez-to2xd - Not quite. He contributed suggestions in the design, but he hardly designed the car. Big difference. His role was more of a consultant in the cars design.

[@ryanewbank9271]

Love this. I am a huge fan of factory five. But the viper was awsome. Love the format! Well done, both drivers.

[@NikBeisert]

"do you guys like time attack or do you prefer door to door?" The term is wheel to wheel, lol'ed at that one. And the Lemons. The factory five coupe R (with aero) would spank the Viper - driving skill being equal.

[@josukehigashikata2979]

Her car sounds more sexier

[@Turshin]

Dumptruck exhaust can be sexy sometimes too lol

[@512Berlinetta]

Was it me, or where these guys missing the turn in, apexes and track out points by 2-6 feet pretty much on every corner? Great video though. Love to see more.

[@jamesavery6671]

Hitting the apex isnt always the fastest but its more likely they dont know the track and/or not really good drivers

[@rivahoff]

They're obviously good drivers, in racing you risk your life (and others) in order to win, if you're a bad driver you don't get more than five lucky years of good health,let's say. But this guys have been racing in not one but many racing categories... I would go more for they don't know well the track.

[@psode27]

@@rivahoff They had all day to get the time. I'm sure the video laps weren't their fastest laps.

[@randyarbuya2156]

The lady have better exits though

[@xbox627]

He did the 24 hour Lemonz race yall

[@Charusel]

Great match up and would love to see a rematch between these two!!!

[@Dolby109]

Beautiful cars. I pretty much knew the outcome before it began, but that Daytona Coupe would certainly be a wonderful car to have and hoon!

[@hotchihuahua1546]

V8 engine sound so much better than V10's , I'll take the Daytona because of the Lemans 24 hour history ! Both cars have a Shelby connection !

[@dylan4972]

Both cars are amazing but respect for anyone building a kit car!

[@AaronMartinCOOLVIDEO]

that was a tough one to pick which car I thought was going to win but give it to the Viper it has a V10 and the aerodynamics to help but if I was going to pick a car to take home I would pick Karen's car does Shelby replica to take home but both of these cars were absolutely beautiful.

[@bermo61]

And 200+Hp advantage

[@jonathanfletcher97]

God that coyote exhaust note NEVER gets old.

[@meierb75]

The FFR ‘65 Coupe-R with a Coyote 5.0 would be a better match up. Honestly, I was excited to watch this. She build her car with the same specs I want to build my future FFR ‘65 Coupe. I am also a big fan of the NT-01s.

[@Michael02496]

I think this might be the coupe r because you can see the roll cage cross members going across the inside of the passenger windshield . Though it was weird that they didn’t mention it though.........

[@jeffthebaptist3602]

@@Michael02496 It's not. Every factory five Daytona has those. They're part of the space frame. The R has a significantly different aero and ventilation changes to the nose of the car. Her car has the traditional body.

[@EcuChris]

@@jeffthebaptist3602 That is definitely an R frame. Michael is right, the standard 65 Coupe does not use the cross members between the A pillars and she has the door cage (1:18) that the standard frame does not have. Maybe she didn't want to add the aero because the vintage class she races in doesn't allow it? For example, in SVRA, this is straight from their rules: "The body configuration should be as raced "in period". All body parts must be of the same material and design as those supplied by the manufacturer as standard or an option." Not sure how she's racing in vintage races with a modern Coyote though. That we'd have to ask her. The R front lip is attached, not molded btw. Same with the fender vents that reduce air pressure in the wheel wells. I'm building a standard 65 Coupe and all that aero on the R are parts that can be purchased individually (which I will be installing on mine).

[@FUNZO1975]

Very nice cars........you are BOTH winners already.

[@7sins979]

modern suspension, modern aero, driver assists, the viper had a lot of advantages here. there is a reason vintage cars run in vintage races.

[@chisquare5701]

So glad that I forgot about these driver battles, years ago, and that they are still making these. Now there's a bunch of episodes to see, as I please. ...so sick of videos just showing off, or drag racing 'unobtainium', or '1-of-'very small number' cars.

[@MatthiasAI]

seeing her do a 2:08 with almost no aero is freaking crazy, shes awesome!

[@randallmason9687]

I was looking into building a time attack car. On the top of the rule book page it stated that the Factory Five 818 is not allowed. Dose anyone know why?

[@Calvin1911]

Holy shit, both of these cars are amazing but the Shelby Daytona is.. just a beaut!

[@patrickGforce]

very good video

[@MercuryVisions]

Love the looks of the FFR Daytona. I wish I had the time and skills to build one, I’m sure it means a lot more when you built your own car.

[@fks-pv8il]

That was cool!

[@TheSweettooth95]

With more experience with her car and this track I think she could beat his time!

[@Chris-us8yq]

Maybe with more aero

[@derick-smith]

Certainly the Daytona gets a 10 second advantage because the driver actually built it! Seriously though, these are some incredible vehicles and clearly some talented drivers. Love to see ladies wrenching and ripping up the track!

[@mj_b23]

This was cool

[@1699Club]

Love the Shelby!!!

[@ssoffshore5111]

Clearly the ACR should kill it, but she did great!

[@realjakeberg]

this was wholesome and fun.

[@randr10]

I'd say it was the aero too. Can't argue with the power either even though the Viper is much heavier. That Daytona Coupe was one of the first cars to have real aero, so I wouldn't say it doesn't have any, but you can't beat a huge budget with wind tunnel testing and 50 more years of engineering advancements, even if you are Carroll Shelby and Peter Brock. I'm impressed with how well the Daytona did next to the modern stuff honestly. Those guys were way ahead of their time. I bet with about 100 more hp from that Coyote the race would have been a lot closer.

[@caseymurray7722]

FFR also makes a race version with a race wing and way more aero. However that has a full race cage that's SCCA and NASA legal, its still has doors though. Having better aero and more tire I think they would be almost the exact same.

[@YourBestFriendforToday]

They make an aero up version of that daytona. Round 2?

[@neilcitraro7032]

Shift Up Karen!! Great video!! I want to build a Factory Five Daytona when I get garage space!

[@156penguin]

I'm sorry, did she say she got the FFR Daytona for vintage racing? I'm very curious about what kind if vintage racing she's doing with a Coyote?

[@musicalfox539]

5:36 my gooooddddddddd.....lock this song!!!!!! It is Insane!!!!

[@SimonCas]

I love the coyote swap!

[@argenisperez9301]

Not surprised 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jamesdriscoll2478]

I think it would’ve made up the difference if she had the aero package of the 65R

[@cvi.lanell_2438]

That was an intersting battle. ACR is so much car for the money. Love to see it against a GT3RS or C7 Z06. Maybe even put my car in there 👀

[@Turshin]

It crushes those cars. Motor trend already did a video. It beat both of them by almost 3 secs @ Laguna Seca

[@cvi.lanell_2438]

@@Turshin Motor Trend lapped those cars with a professional driver. There is a little bit more at play when to average people drive these cars.

[@5637718]

@@cvi.lanell_2438 dispite the driver mod , the viper acr is an easy car to be fast in so much mechanical grip , what the videos about it, its insane

[@bigcoyote76]

Let's talk dollars here too if we're going to compare. The Viper ACR with all the mods is a $150,000.00 car. The FFR Daytona Replica with the 5.0 swap out is less than half that cost. For the difference in money and lap times the FFR Daytona is very impressive. I'd take the Daytona for the money.

[@Beezy_Builds]

Those FFR cars arent cheap brother I wouldnt be surprised if it was north of 100k

[@caseymurray7722]

@@Beezy_Builds No more like 50k with brand new everything. Even the full race version sits at about 65k if you went with the Aluminator.

[@caseymurray7722]

Also the base coyote is awesome but throw the 575hp 351 in for 3k more for a real rocket ship.

[@iluvcakes19]

Those replicas are ~100k give or take $25k. Then she modded further. Dodge Viper ACR was ~$120k MSRP. Could easily option them to $150k though. Right now they sell second hand for $250-300k.

[@jermainewilburn1355]

very good

[@charleywaffles6366]

If you look back at who’s responsible for both of these car you will find the Great Carroll Shelby. The man knew his stuff. Really cool video.

[@Loulovesspeed]

@charleywaffles6366 - While Shelby was involved with the Viper, his work was little more than some body design suggestions and didn't incorporate any mechanical aspects of the car. He headed up Shelby American which had complete control over the Daytona's creation.

[@rezboadog369]

Would you ever have the drivers drive each other's cars?

[@realtalk4689]

Both beautiful cars. I had no doubt the Viper is a faster more capable sports car but couldn't predict a winner due to the unknown capabilities of the drivers.

[@HelloImVangkou]

Man some of those lines weren’t great. Lol I’m surprised they didn’t go harder with those cars that are so capable.

[@ciscovip1]

Need to do some a VIR

[@hawaiianpunch6534]

The Daytona sounds killer.

[@carguy1320]

Both those cars should have been under 2 minutes.

[@kiamaz254]

Ikr!

[@anthonysaquinoworld839]

Both card are nice😘

[@wickedmainah950]

Built not bought...I see a factory five hotrod pick up in my future. Viper is badass too.

[@veNombz]

Both look like great drivers. Swap cars.

[@AnguishBarbarian]

lol, the lack of experience really stands out. the people with cheaper cars seem to drive a lot better.

[@hamsterbrigade]

?

[@AnguishBarbarian]

@@hamsterbrigade does that sound harsh? I'm not the articulate type

[@TheSweettooth95]

I with she had that ffc cobra or gtm. Or the 818c

[@angeloalvarez8882]

A demon in Exorcist matchup would be great

[@BradThePitts]

So guys which do you imagine is more fun to drive?

[@michaelcarr4748]

The Shelby, by far.

[@bermo61]

The Daytona has 430 Hp, the Viper has 645. That it was this close is testament to how good the Daytona really is!

[@Loulovesspeed]

Also, the Viper is 1,100 lbs heavier - that is a ton! (figuratively).

[@MrBlackbutang]

To bad didn’t you have two professional drivers! Absolutely Feckin Awesome. Team ford

[@McNamEvan]

Now need to switch cars, repeat and average the best times.

[@rezboadog369]

I wouldn't mind being a manager if this Karen asked for me.

[@A.J.1656]

It's not really a "Coyote swap" if you build it with a Coyote in the first place. lol

[@leonlawrencez28]

That ACR is a beast!!!!!!

[@sweaspurdoddd5466]

That Sherby replica desperately needs original size tires. Doesn't look right without them imo.

[@Archangel3083]

They asked Shelby to help create the original Viper and it’s fitting to match them because the idea behind the viper was to be a newer Daytona. However, it’s quite fair, the Daytona needed about 100 more hp to even it out.

[@marcuslimbaugh4592]

More outside of car camera action please

[@ClaytonYatescarenthusiast]

Wow 7 second that's a big gap

[@BradThePitts]

So is half a century of engineering!

[@timm5970]

pretty close for the first half. The second half the viper pulled away hard

[@miguelberetta7887]

I wish I bought an ACR before they went above 200k

[@bojangles3147]

Ok I get the comparison but .... full on factory viper, vs a kit car with coyote engine. Show me the real price diff and better engine power match up. Basically better aero dynamics bigger engine the kit car would dominate?

[@FerRod2113]

If the 5.0 had a bit more power, it would’ve been closer lol maybe a blower or at least FBO with some race fuel or E85

[@Turshin]

She needed aero and more tire. Not more power

[@rivahoff]

I'm in loved with Karen. 🧡

[@motonvipr]

Daytona coupe even with a smaller lesser powered 5.0 motor is probably weighing in less than 2800lbs, thing probably flies, just needs more aero for the track. ACR on the other hand weighs over 3300lbs.

[@Thumper68]

Her lines looked better if she was used to her car I think she would be under 2 min

[@f2detaboada]

I agree, it was her first time on the track with that car, she would have squashed him.

[@randyarbuya2156]

Look at her exits man it's great

[@miguellara6685]

The Daytona is so beautiful....

[@lenintorres1403]

Casi 50 años de diferencia, poco más de caballos de fuerza de diferencia, además la aerodinámica muy, muy mejorada, pero ante todo no es mucha la diferencia, sin duda la máquina de Carril Shelby es tremenda

[@jakemonster001]

Damn, she knows her stuff pretty good

[@BradThePitts]

Karen has secured more than 200 first place finishes in driving competitions, including Top Eliminator at the Pomona Drags 1999, 2009 and 2010 West Coast Challenge Series Championships, 2011 Western Endurance Racing Championship, and 2016 Northwest Vintage Racing Champion. She is a 4-time National Council of Corvette Club Champion, 4-time West Coast/So Cal Champion, and was named NASA Instructor Driver of the Year. Karen has competed nine times at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, most recently placing 2nd in Class at the 2018 race with the Shift Up Now team’s BMW Spec E30.

[@RacerX1971]

DAYTONA COUPE...YES!

[@manclipz]

Cobra Daytona is beautiful 😊

[@StillElias]

Is this the same track that the gtr and the 240 raced? If it is, that 240 beat both of these cars.

[@5637718]

nope diffrent track

[@andrehooker3229]

Soo not an actual Daytona coupe. I remember I had the hotwheel set that had the Viper GTS coupe and Cobra Daytona coupe in there.

[@iluvcakes19]

Viper for me. Always.

[@chuckhelson3744]

I’d like to see the Daytona with more aero on it, plus tires that’ve been scrubbed in a little bit more. I’m confident that the Daytona can break the two minute mark with more aggressive aero.

[@Loulovesspeed]

@chuckhelson - I have to laugh at everyone faulting the Daytona's aerodynamics. The very reason the Daytona was built was the Cobra roadster was about as aerodynamic as a barn door and just ran out of steam at around 155mph, not fast enough to threaten the GTO Ferrari, its main competitor at Le Mans, which could hit 183 mph on the Mulsanne straight. When Pete Brock and the Shelby crew did some minor wing work on the Daytona, it would reach 197 at the hands of the late, great, Bob Bondurant. Nothing wrong with the aerodynamics of the Daytona! Consider too that it was powered by a 390hp 289 V8 where the Viper had a 640hp, V10. Top speed: Viper ACR - 177mph. Daytona Coupe - 197mph!

[@r3rd698]

i wish factory five would make a GT40 kit

[@jebotelenny9863]

Well Superlite makes their GTR.

[@carsinruin6102]

Factory Five has the GTM which could be looked at as a modern equivalent.

[@1188dale]

How do you do you get to do this

[@danmaynez9664]

What do you mean? Race or build a factory five car?

[@shanelynn7830]

The Viper was made for One thing, to Win races! The Downforce....

[@aaronvector4750]

The woman won this test for me. She has a slightly better line than he did, but he just had the aero and the power to just walk away. Also, there are many car girls out there but it's hard to see a woman who is this invested in and dedicated to the sport and it's just amazing.

[@Loulovesspeed]

@aaronvector4750 - The Viper may have the aero and engine to walk away, but its top speed is 177, and the Daytona hit 197 on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans with Bob Bondurant driving! LOL

[@aaronvector4750]

@@Loulovesspeed there's no straight long enough for the Daytona to catch, no matter which track it is. It may have a higher top speed but it'll still be behind

[@Loulovesspeed]

@@aaronvector4750- You don't listen well do you? The Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans, France used to be a 3.7 mile straightaway and in 1964, Bob Bondurant hit 197mph in his #5 Cobra Daytona Coupe. The ACR Viper was all done at just 177mph, so the Daytona would just cruise past it down the straight! Capiche?

[@aaronvector4750]

@@Loulovesspeed maybe you're forgetting something but LeMans isn't only composed of the Mulsanne Straight. It also has quite a few corners. After the Viper pulls away in those corners, even the Daytona's 10-19mph advantage at the end of each of the on the 4 straights wouldn't be nearly enough for it to catch the Viper let alone pass it😂 look at the Porsche GT4 RS and Rimac Nevera on the Nurburgring. The Rimac has a 43mph advantage on the Porsche on the back straight (177mph vs 220mph), yet the GT4 RS has a slightly faster time. Keep in mind the difference in handling between the ACR and Daytona is FAR greater than the difference between the GT4 RS and the Nevera. All in all, my statement still stands that the Daytona wouldn't see which way the ACR went, even at Le Mans.

[@Loulovesspeed]

​@@aaronvector4750

[@-Diceman]

its not really a Cyote "swap", since the car doesnt come with an engine stock and you choose your engine and build the car yourself

[@johngranato2673]

Carroll Shelby was behind the development of the Viper--hence, the snake reference.

[@tips4truckers252]

That gal is awesome. I'm bias love Shelbys

[@tombulli1236]

Considering the Shelby Daytona is a lot older... damn fast at the time! The Viper 2017 is only 7 seconds faster... well. My heart beats Shelby Daytona. GREAT SOUND too! Racer Shelby would have fun in heaven watching ! Greetings from Germany!

[@Loulovesspeed]

@tombulli1236 - Funny thing is the Original stock Daytona Coupe was 20 mph faster than the 2017 Viper ACR, and with just 8 cylinders rather than 10! LOL

[@tombulli1236]

@@Loulovesspeed A 10 cylinder engine block also weighs a lot more and don't forget the gear ratio also plays a role. ABS electronic helpers also brake...

[@richardbixler]

Two extra cylinders, plus aero made the viper a shoe in. I would still take the Daytona any day of the week.

[@MrDeepzek]

Those cars aren't even close. Viper is a track monster with way more power and everything. Cobra is a replica with a stock Coyote engine, that's not gonna cut it against ACR

[@kirk0respite]

Not a good comparison use the R version of the factory five with the aero otherwise get a srt10 viper instead of the acr bet that Daytona is faster

[@zeeturbo2053]

more track