Hennessey 2008 Viper SRT10 Adds 78 horsepower

By Brian Potter
December 19, 2007 3:28 PM
Filed Under: American, Dodge, Tuners

Already before its launch, Dodge/Chrysler tuning firm, Hennessey Performance Engineering, are targeting the upcoming 2009 Corvette Blue Devil ZR-1. For the 2008 Viper SRT10, Hennessey presents an engine upgrade package called Venom 650R, with a power increase of 78 hp to 678hp which results in 0 to 150 mph dropping by a huge 1.5 seconds, 15.5 sec. versus 17.0 sec. for stock Viper. Hennessey achieves these gains by simply improving breathing with custom fabricated 5 to 1 stainless exhaust headers, aftermarket catalytic converters which are followed by full stainless 3-inch mid pipes and high-flow mufflers. On the intake side, just the addition of a K&N high-flow air filter was added.

Other items include light-weight cross-drilled brake rotors saving 8 lbs. per corner, Hennessey Venom Power floor mats, exclusive Hennessey Venom 650R exterior badges and a serial numbered plaque located in the cockpit and under the hood.

Available through specially selected Dodge dealerships the upgrade costs $8950 and includes professional installation and dyno testing. The 650R will only have 200 units made and comes with a full 3 year / 36,000 mile Hennessey warranty that will cover the modifications performed to the vehicle.

Source: Hennessey via Jalopnik

Press Release (Click to expand)

Hennessey adds 78 horsepower to the 2008 Viper SRT10 to Combat Upcoming 2009 Corvette Blue Devil ZR-1

Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) today announced that it is introducing the company's first high-performance upgrade system for the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10. Known as the Venom 650R, the engine modifications increase by 78 horsepower giving the Viper the ability to accelerate from 0 to 150 mph 1.5 seconds quicker (15.5 sec. versus 17.0 sec.) than the already factory-fast 2008 Viper that offers a stout 600 horsepower.

The Venom 650R package consists of custom fabricated long tube stainless-steel exhaust headers with 1 7/8-inch primary tubes flowing into 5-to-1 merge collectors. From there, the spent exhaust gases flow through aftermarket catalytic converters before traveling through a full 3-inch stainless-steel exhaust system fit with high-flow stainless-steel mufflers. Other performance upgrades include: K&N high-flow air filter element, 2-piece light-weight cross-drilled brake rotors (saving 8 lbs per corner), professional installation, dyno testing, Hennessey Venom Power floor mats and exclusive Hennessey Venom 650R exterior badges. Each Venom 650R has a serial numbered plaque located in the cockpit and under the hood. Rounding out the package, the Venom 650R will carry a full 3 year / 36,000 mile Hennessey warranty that will cover the modifications performed to the vehicle.

HPE plans to build 200 units for the 2008 model year. Many of these cars will be available through an exclusive Hennessey dealer network comprised of high-performance minded Dodge dealers.

The Hennessey Venom 650R upgrade package gives 2008 Viper owners the option to fend off any Corvette Blue Devil ZR-1s that they might encounter in the coming New Year.

2008 Hennessey Venom 650R Specifications:

Available for all 2008 Viper SRT10 models including Coupe, Convertible and ACR.

Power:

  • 678 bhp @ 6,200 rpm

  • 645 lb-ft torque @ 5,200 rpm

    Performance:

  • 0 - 60 mph: 3.3 sec.

  • 0 - 150 mph: 15.5 sec. (stock 2008 Viper = 17.0 sec.)

  • 1/4 mile (street): 11.3 @ 131 mph (factory Michelin PS2 tires)

  • 1/4 mile (track): 10.7 @ 132 mph (BFG 345/18 drag radial tires)

  • Top Speed: 211 mph (estimated for the hardtop coupe)

    Includes:

  • 1 7/8 inch Stainless Steel Long Tube Headers

  • Full 3 inch Stainless Steel Exhaust System

  • High Flow Catalytic Converters

  • K&N Airfilter Element

  • Light-weight 2-piece Cross-drilled Brake Rotor Upgrade (front & rear)

  • Powered by Hennessey Valve Cover Badges

  • Exterior Hennessey & Venom 650R Badges

  • Hennessey Windshield Banner

  • Hennessey Venom Power Floor Mats

  • Serial Numbered Dash Plaque & Engine Compartment Plaque

  • Limited Production - Only 200 units will be offered for sale for the 2008 Viper model year.

  • Limited Warranty - 3 years / 36,000 miles

  • Lifetime Headers & Exhaust Warranty for Original Owner

  • Available from Hennessey / Dodge dealers or installed at the Hennessey Performance factory located at Lonestar Motorsports Park in Sealy, Texas.

  • Professional installation at HPE includes all necessary gaskets and fluids plus before and after chassis dyno testing plus up to 100 miles of road testing.

  • Mail Order kit also available.

Comments

FOXHOUND
December 19, 2007 7:24 PM
this car looks pretty cool, lets see who wins, the new corvette or this new viper. its always been a good competition.

persian187
December 19, 2007 7:31 PM
Does it really matter which car wins? It's tragic how these two cars have lost their distinction within just a few decades. agreed?

FOXHOUND
December 19, 2007 7:43 PM
well persian187 its ture that both cars have kind of lost their appeal over the years, but i still like both of them, but in my opinion the best year for the vette in recent times for me was the '96 zr-1, not because of the speed or power but because of the charm and magic it held for me, and for the viper in my opinion was also '96 because the gts coupe (with side exhaust) first arrived and it was brand new, different for dodge and just looked incredible to me. these new versions are awesome, but if i really had the choice i would probably choose an older model.

Joe_Limon
December 19, 2007 9:22 PM
yes the older vipers were the best but really a 96 vette? Thats when they had the least imaginative design. Back to the hennesey. It doesn't surprise me that a couple exhaust/intake upgrades could give the viper an extra 78hp... an 8.4L engine that makes 600hp is horrendous as far as super cars go.

FOXHOUND
December 20, 2007 9:37 PM
i know, i know a '96 vette zr-1 is kinda lame but they are one of my favs because it was the first car with decent power that i drove and the experience is still with me. i have driven other great cars, but the experience of lighting up the tires on that red zr1 for the first time, i will never forget it.

german-cars-lover
December 19, 2007 11:53 PM
With 678 bhp @ 6,200 rpm and 0 - 60 mph: 3.3 sec. it's really strong and fast . But there is something wrong ... it's ugly !

phobos
December 20, 2007 9:57 AM
hmmm.....0 - 60 mph : 3.3 sec, 473 hp, 70 - 80 k usd... GT - R

rydamee
December 20, 2007 8:11 PM
its freakin' humiliating to see the big 3 worry about only whats under the hood. what about suspension and brake tech? more unsprung weight? gm's electro...magno...rheo... the electronic shock system that they have, isn't being tapped for its hidden secrets. ferrari has it turned up a notch on the 599gtb. i hope the new zr1 uses it.

blueraider19
December 21, 2007 1:40 AM
SRT did update the brakes and suspension on the '08 Viper. Most auto journalists focus on the horsepower. Fortunately, the ride and handling have improved too.

magoo
December 21, 2007 7:43 AM
I read an article somewhere on the net about the Viper vs. vette.There wasn't much difference in the drag race.The Viper won out by a slight houndreth of a sec.But the article did make a comment about sound.The Vette won on the sound of engine and saying the Viper sounded like "A tuba making love to a vacume cleaner."Funny I thought.

radmeister
December 25, 2007 5:19 AM
8950$ for headers and exhaust and a 80$ filter??? Headers should be MAX 1200$ a side, and the rest MAX another 2K, so you should be paying 4500$ for the parts, and maybe another 200$ for labour...seems like a huge ripoff to me. The viper is already too expensive in my opinion.

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