Hennessey Venom 650R upgrade gives Dodge Viper 678 horses
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This is the part we love. It's when the OEMs and tuners start throwing haymakers at each other by releasing cars capable of bending the space/time continuum, so gaudy are their horsepower and performance numbers. The flurry comes in advance of the Corvette ZR1, which is poised to blow everyone away with what are certain to be obscene performance capabilities. The Nissan GT-R is now on record with a 3.3-second 0-60 time, a quarter mile in the elevens, and the handling capabilities its AWD system brings to the table. Dodge's '08 Viper puts out some impressive numbers to begin with, and now, ahead of the super-duper Vette's arrival, Hennessey has announced the 650R upgrade for all of Dodge's 2008 snakes - coupe, 'vert and ACR. The kit, which includes new headers, a 3-inch exhaust, performance cats, a K&N filter, and a brake upgrade, boosts power from the stock 600 hp to 678. At the dragstrip, the added juice translates into a 0-60 of 3.3 seconds (same as the stock GT-R), and a quarter mile time of 11.3 seconds at 131 mph. Swap out the street tires for drag radials, and the quarter drops to 10.7 seconds at 132 mph. Top speed for the coupe is estimated to be 211 mph. So, how will the Corvette ZR1 stack up against the newest batch of street monsters? We don't know yet, but let's just say that you might want to click back here one last time tonight before you start counting sheep, capisce?
[Source: Hennessey Performance Engineering]
PRESS RELEASE:
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
- 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)
- 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
- 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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MemphisNET 11:13AM (12/19/2007)
And nobody here can afford either. So oh well :D
Almost 80HP from exhaust and breathing? I wonder if there was any computer tuning involved, or if the stock system is just that restrictive.
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Parkerman 11:18AM (12/19/2007)
I dunno, but for some reason I was looking at Hennessey's website yesterday [I hate Hennessey btw] And this package cost 8.5k if i remember right. There is a nice list of things that are included.. but over half of the list is just listing the badges that come with it. Seems like he is just trying to rip some rich people a new ones.
MemphisNET 11:42AM (12/19/2007)
Yea, I don't know what their deal is. Maybe he's using re-tooled 40HP Honda badges that all the wannabe streetracers use :D
Henn hasn't blown me away for a few years now. And am I the only one that finds 600HP enough of a suicide ride as it is? I'm all for more power, but this car doesn't baby you one bit.
I wonder how a Viper would perform with all the modern goodies (Traction control, stability, etc) - probably awesome, but it would then go from Muscle car (yes, thats what it is) to true Sport/Exotic
Paul P. 5:01PM (12/19/2007)
"And nobody here can afford either. So oh well :D"
Just because you can't doesn't mean no one else could. :-P
Joe K. 11:21AM (12/19/2007)
Of course the ZR1 and GT-R are factory vehicles, vs. Hennesey that a.) is not factory, and b.) sucks ass for reliability, anyone remember the Tuner challenges Car and Driver used to do? Hennesey would drive in, but always be pushed out.
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Benfolio 11:38AM (12/19/2007)
Where's that "Hennescrewed" picture when you need it......
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burglar 11:42AM (12/19/2007)
Who cares if it breaks? This is a crazy automotive arms race, and the enthusiasts are the winners.
Some people like rum raisin, some like rocky road. Having a good four monsters to choose from that give exotic performance at half (or third) exotic price just rules.
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MemphisNET 11:44AM (12/19/2007)
And the guys buying these 'unreliable' cars will just get them fixed. They don't care.
Sarah 12:31PM (12/19/2007)
The GTR doesnt do 200mph. Its low end performance is a result of its gearing. The viper would absolutely destroy it top end.
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Benfolio 1:06PM (12/19/2007)
Not that there's anywhere in the US you can legally go that fast anyways. And not many tracks have that long of a straightaway to reach top speed.
It's just a bragging point. The only reason the Viper can reach those speeds is due to it's very overdriven 6th gear. It was designed for mileage, not speed. Just ended up that way.
burglar 1:53PM (12/19/2007)
Sure, it's just bolt ons, but you can't really go to Pep Boys and pick up this stuff for a Viper like you can for your '92 Civic. Someone has to engineer headers, cats, exhaust, and intake before the Chinese manufacturers copy the design, add lead, and sell it for 1/10th the price.
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Peter Downey 2:22PM (12/19/2007)
You know, I really love autoblog. I think this site is great, no question. But I really have to question the integrity of this site when they repeatedly post every single little press release from a company like hennessey whose scam artist business practices are proven true over and over again.
Hennessey is nothing more than a snake oil salesman.
Peter Downey
www.pctserviceswestpalm.com
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MikeSS 2:22PM (12/19/2007)
That car is impressive, but as many already stated, a GT-R or ZR-1 that have a full factory warranty are far more impressive to me.
This has me VERY intrigued
"So, how will the Corvette ZR1 stack up against the newest batch of street monsters? We don't know yet, but let's just say that you might want to click back here one last time tonight before you start counting sheep, capisce?"
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Matt Keller 11:49PM (12/19/2007)
I heard that the GT-R can cure cancer, and make babies smile inside the womb.
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3000GT TwinTurbo 1:45AM (12/20/2007)
badass.
gotta have all the fun we can before those stupid fuel economy laws start ruining everything.
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Waffles 2:55PM (1/01/2008)
I don't know about you peoples but anyone with the Dodge Vipers rock. And about Hennessey...well lets just say they tuned up a car to go about 255 mph. Which car you say well the one and only Dodge mutha f ing Viper. Tell me who was the one to do 217.9 mph in a standing mile and break the world let me repeat myself WORLD record? But if you ask me the Viper is just fine to me without upgrades. Hennessey....need I say more. But enough about that lets talk about the Viper and the competitors...If you look at it, the Viper has a bigger attraction to it than the corvette because people hardly see it and the corvettes are all over. If people have a corvette then most likely they are usually going to be the 400 horsepowered ones because they can't afford the 505 horses ones. Am I right? Right...Don't get me wrong, I think corvettes are cool but really the Dodge Viper has a better shape and look to it if you truly look at it which most don't. I bet that if you got in one you would have a big smile. Sure the corvettes pampers you but it cost money for the real thing. The Viper is still making improvements and it is going to become a Super Amercian Exotic Sports car. The corvette had a lot of years to improve in horsepower since I don't know when. But the Viper just started out in 1992 and look where it stands in the American Muscle War. 678 horses Need I say more.
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