Tech Talk Tuesday: Dodge Viper Cooling System Upgrades

[@RTTTTed]

AND ... the aluminium rad has aluminum welded end tanks and aluminum dissipates the heat better. AND .... the aluminium is a 3 core rad and some are much cheaper than recore. $500 from Roeracing. And ... adding Water Wetter to the antifreeze works tto drop temps 15F add 2 if you want. Best is if you NEED to add coolant you won't have to wait a week for "Evans" because it's OK to add water. AND .... adding a close out panel underframe will increase airflow through rad and better aerodynamics!. AND ... venting your windshield cowl (or buying one from Autoform) will also increase airflow and improve cooling 15F.

[@LifeatSpeed]

As always Ted your wealth of Viper knowledge never ceases to amaze me! How do I add the plate underneath?

[@joshuaborem7063]

i've only owned a viper (1997) for 3 weeks now, but also i've researched the temp gauge and found that it is fully good/safe unless it's literally touching the line for 250. Which has me thinking people are overreacting about their Viper "overheating' when really it's just fine. I live in central Florida, so I'll find out next summer.

[@LifeatSpeed]

The factory manual says it's good to that point, but those of us with extensive automotive backgrounds prefer to keep our cars cooler than that for longevity.

[@BM-bd6yj]

Also, for more info, the drip is coming from the front center of the engine. This is why I suspect the pump. I will do more inspection in the coming days. Love your channel, lots of great content.

[@LifeatSpeed]

Thank you! Sadly it's likely the water pump. If you're lucky it'll just be a gasket

[@BM-bd6yj]

Thanks for the quick reply. Yeah, I suspected as much. Yes, I have looked at a few places for a rebuild. Most likely option. Have a great 4th of July!

[@LifeatSpeed]

@BM-bd6yj you're welcome! Best of luck and happy 4th to you as well!

[@blarneystone1385]

On a 92 and early 93 with the radiator that has the radiator cap on the radiator you HAVE to remove the hood and hinges and hinge brackets because the radiator is removed from the front of the bulkhead between the bulkhead and the front fascia. On the cars that had the coolant reservoir on the passenger fender, you can remove the radiator from the space between the bulkhead and the engine because the totally designed the front bulkhead in late 1993 with the radiator mounted to the rear of the bulkhead instead of the front. Time difference: 6 hours for a 92/93 versus 1 hour for a late 93 and Gen II. Just an FYI

[@toddpedersen6694]

Thanks for the tips. Do you know of anyone selling silicone heater core hoses? All I'm seeing are a few different brands of radiator hoses. Thanks!

[@LifeatSpeed]

You're welcome. For the silicone heater core hoses check out this link. www.viperpartsusa.com/all-products/product-category/coolant-hose-sets/?swoof=1

[@viperpins]

Thanks for the tips and the links!

[@LifeatSpeed]

You're welcome!

[@viperpins]

@@LifeatSpeed So the fan controller runs the fan after the car is turned off until the desired temperature is reached, correct? " runs the fan after engine shutdown" -Roe Racing

[@LifeatSpeed]

That is correct.

[@viperpins]

@@LifeatSpeed Thanks! Where is the harness installed at, and can it be hidden out of sight easily?

[@LifeatSpeed]

The harness runs along side the factory harness, so it's hardly noticeable. The controller module itself mounts to the back of driver's headlight assembly.

[@WAN0N0]

Thanks for the reliable information!

[@LifeatSpeed]

You're welcome!

[@WAN0N0]

@@LifeatSpeed Question: the cab of my 96 GTS sometimes gets stinky when I am idling or driving it quickly... have you ever had any similar exhaust smells in your cab at any time? If so do you know what a solution would be for this??? I have Corsa exhaust that was installed the smell issue had been there before and after the install. Thank-you!

[@LifeatSpeed]

Definitely sounds like an exhaust leak. The good news is there are limited places to check. The bad news is most of those locations are behind the side sills. Under the hood it could be an exhaust manifold leak. Behind the side sills it could be any of the exhaust connection points. The side sills are not difficult to remove. There are a series of bolts under the car and a series of bolts in the door jam.

[@1991tommygun]

My gen 1 has been parked for 2 years because of cooling issues, mabe time to get her back on the road, thanks

[@LifeatSpeed]

Good luck on sorting out the cooling issues. Have the head gaskets been replaced? I know that was a weak point on the early cars.

[@1991tommygun]

Yes thats on my list. Almost sure they are toast

[@BM-bd6yj]

What water pump do you recommend? I have a 1997, and I have a leak. I just replaced the hoses to mishimoto hoses, thinking, hoping that it was a hose or clamp, but it now looks like the water pump is dripping. Any advice on a pump or where to get one is appreciated.

[@LifeatSpeed]

From my understanding finding a replacement water pump is a bit of a challenge these days. There is someone who is rebuilding/upgrading them, but I can't remember their name. You can find them on the various Viper related Facebook groups. I would find that individual and get one from them. Also I believe they are a few hundred dollars and also have a hefty core charge.

[@charlieryan1736]

Thanks for the helpful tips 👍🏻

[@LifeatSpeed]

You're welcome!

[@RTTTTed]

And ... the larger fan center stud is to the side of the earlier one (top center). You could just cut off the stud.

[@LifeatSpeed]

Thanks Ted! That I was not aware of. The fan had already been swapped on my '96 when I got it.

[@lifeisgreat1718]

Thanks for the tips! I have a question. I just picked up a 96 GTS. Do you recommend upgrading the radiator fan and adding a fan controller without replacing the stock radiator? My viper still has a good radiator but I would greatly love to make the vehicle run cooler

[@LifeatSpeed]

The radiator upgrade while nice isn't a necessity. If mine hadn't started leaking I wouldn't have recored it. Upgrading the fan and installing a fan controller will make a worthwhile difference on their own.

[@lifeisgreat1718]

@@LifeatSpeed perfect! Just the answer I wanted to hear. You're the man! Much love from Jersey

[@LifeatSpeed]

You're welcome! And congrats on the purchase!

[@lifeisgreat1718]

@@LifeatSpeed thank you!

[@rockys7726]

How exactly does the fan module circulate coolant through the engine? Does it control the water pump too?

[@LifeatSpeed]

No, as the temperature of the coolant in the radiator drops it then circulates with the hotter coolant in the engine and the hotter coolant moves into the radiator and the fan then cools it.

[@guitarhurricane99]

I'm looking for the 98-02 fan...there's one on ebay for $1000 right now. 😳

[@jacktimmermans2713]

how many gallons of Evans coolant do i need for my 2001 RT10

[@LifeatSpeed]

Factory coolant capacity on a gen 2 is just under 13 quarts or just over 3 gallons. I would pick up 4 gallons to be safe and have a little extra on hand

[@ManfredEWhite]

Nice "maintance" video.

[@Boatfisherz1]

Tips are nice but most of that can be found in forums. Actually doing a how to video would be best.

[@LifeatSpeed]

Agreed, unfortunately all that work I did on my car prior to creating my channel, plus more and more folks are coming to KZbin for information and not the forums.

[@georgioocean7629]

Evans Coolant is one of the worst Product I’ve heard there’s a lot of people doing research on KZbin and they were not happy with it at all 👎