Joy ride turns nearly fatal (Stolen Viper goes airborne after only 4 blocks)

Effingham (IL) Daily News ^ | 10.8.03 | KIM WIEDMAN

[isthisnickcool]

Neon? No.

See here

[sc2_ct]

NOS on a Saturn. I am just speechless.

lol, just wait until I'm done getting the dedicated dragster Saturn done, that should be running in the 11's :)

[banjo joe]

I value it more than I value the life of a scumbag who tries to steal it.

I'm gonna use that next time I'm trying to 'splain to some doodoo-head why I would shoot a burglar, car-thief, etc.

[Interious]

I drive a supercharged Audi A4 2.8L Quattro.

I'd smoke you all!!

[flying Elvis]

LOL! That was my first thought too. I kept hearing the Star Wars theme in my head as I envisioned a flying Viper.

[Jaded]

Illinois State Police is continuing to investigate the crash, and Clasby could face criminal and traffic charges.

Could face? What's up with that? It was a stolen car.

[flying Elvis]

Why did he move the capacitor to the driver's side?

[truthandjustice1]

"I drive a supercharged Audi A4 2.8L Quattro"

What's your 0-60?

[RatSlayer]

The times in that list are highly dependant on driver skill, the tires and how much they were willing to abuse the car. Some of the drivers in those car magazine tests were terrible.

For instance the 427 Cobra is capable of much better times than listed here if it has the right tires and a really good driver.

[Terry Mross]

I wasn't aware Ford made a 427. I know they made a 428 and a 429 hemi. I always thought a 427 was a Chevy.

[Interious]

My 0-60? Seriously, don't know.

I was blowing copious smoke, of course. The PES G2 supercharger transforms the 2.8L V6, but is shy on torque below 4000 rpm. Boost is limited because of lack of room for intercooling.

Supercharged A4's are generally running 14.5 - 14.9 sec in the quarter mile. That should give you some idea. Lively and tons of fun, but not a muscle car. A chipped S4 smokes it, as would obviously the Sub WRX Sti.

[truthandjustice1]

Thanks for the response. You gotta love that German Engineering!

my vette generates 375 ft/lbs of torque at 6k rpm. It's optimized for 3rd and 4 th geer.

[RatSlayer]

"It has the best power to weight ratio of all sports cars."

You'll need to limit this to current reasonably priced sports cars to make it true.

The Viper is about 3500 lbs and makes 500 bhp or about 7 lbs/hp.

The 427 Cobra is about 2200 lbs and makes about 400 bhp or about 6 lbs/hp.

I suspect the new Enzo also beats Viper in lbs/hp, but it costs $500,000.

[HeadOn]

Have you seen one of those SSRs in person yet? I saw one and it was very nice, but not as sporty as I had expected. I like your red one better than the drab purple color I saw...

Have you seen one, and did you like it?

[RatSlayer]

"I wasn't aware Ford made a 427."

Ford made 427 side-oilers for NASCAR racing in the late sixties. I think the only street car to use these engines was the 427 Shelby Cobra. Actually, most Shebly's ended up with 428's because the GT40 and NASCAR racing programs were using up all the 427's that Ford could build.

[Flying Circus]

Gorgeous looking vehicle, but from what I've read in previews of it it sounds like it is poorly designed and built, and an underpowered gas hog. You have to read between the lines with all the release hype that comes with these articles, but there has consistently been a subtext of over-priced and under-engineered, style over substance. All too typical of GM products.

[zeugma]

Tell the truth... how long did you laugh once you found out the driver was unhurt? :-)

[PeterPrinciple]

Why did he move the capacitor to the driver's side?

---

When she pushed the button, she got the shock instead of her passenger.

More coffee please.

[truthandjustice1]

I forgot to stipulate that. Thanks for pointing it out.

[Interious]

The G2 modified 2.8L is rated by PES at 265 ft-lbs and 290 hp at (I think) 5800 rpm. Some of the guys who've had access to a 4 wheel drive dyno (Mustang) have gotten results that are quite a bit less.

The A4 Quattro is heavy--around 3400 lbs, I think. Supercharged, it moves, but I'm OBVIOUSLY envious of your 375 ft-lbs!

My wife is looking at an '04 Maxima with a 3.5L normally aspirated V6. 265 hp. That SOB smokes, even with the excellent 5 sp auto trannie. I'm not sure I want her to buy that car though. She drives it like a crazy woman.