Road Test: 2003 Viper SRT-10 Venom 650R
When 500 horsepower isn't enough: 2003 Viper SRT-10 Venom 650R
By John Kiewicz
Photography by the author
Motor Trend, December 2003
With only 500 horsepower and 525 pound-feet of torque on tap, a stock 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 just isn't fast enough for some people. To put added bite in the already ridiculously fast snake, aftermarket venom is now available, including from longtime Viper tuners Hennessey Performance. Two years ago, some customers raised concerns about Hennessey's business practices (we heard from a few), and the jury is still out on the validity of those claims. But the distractions haven't stopped Hennessey from developing a cache of new speed parts including two turnkey engine packages, the Venom 600 and Venom 650R, one of which notched the quickest quarter-mile time we've recorded on stock tires.
The Venom 600 package incorporates a host of traditional go-fast upgrades that focus primarily on moving air in and out in quicker fashion. A custom air-inlet tract uses twin free-flowing air filters that mate with a ported throttle body. CNC-ported cylinder heads increase intake port flow from 275 cfm to a healthy 325 and also raise the compression ratio from 9.6:1 to 10.2:1, thanks to head decking. A Comp Cams custom ground hydraulic roller camshaft sends opening and closing cues to valves upgraded with extreme-duty valve springs and titanium retainers. Special computer calibration still allows the fortified 8.3-liter V-10 to run on premium unleaded pump gas and comply with 50-state smog certification, according to Hennessey. Venom 1.8-inch-diameter stainless-steel 5-to-1 headers team with high-flow catalytic converters to quickly vent spent exhaust fumes and deliver a more throaty exhaust note. The $19,500 Venom 600 package includes professional installation, chassis dyno testing, road testing, and a limited two-year warranty, along with the requisite Venom 600 badging to impress your buddies.
Not enough? Consider the Venom 650R package that includes all the above hardware and takes it to the next level by way of a stroker short-block: The 522-cube 650R incorporates JE 10.8:1 forged pistons, moly rings, longer than stock Manley Pro forged-steel connecting rods, and a custom-machined stroker crankshaft. A Comp Cams roller cam is employed along with an upgraded fuel system and specific computer programming to deliver a wider powerband with gobs more torque than stock. Independent chassis dyno testing of the Venom 650R verified 587 horsepower and 584 pound-feet of torque measured at the rear tires. That translates to about 690 horses at the flywheel, assuming an industry-standard 15-percent drivetrain loss.
On the highway, the Venom 650R remains docile during cruising--actually even mellower than a stock SRT-10; but at the track, the package is vicious. Running on stock Michelin run-flat 19-inch radials, we drove the Venom 650R to an amazing 10.76-second quarter mile--making this the quickest stock-tired vehicle we've tested. We hustled the 650R to a 3.0-second 0-to-60-mph sprint that beats all-wheel-drive super-exotics like the Lamborghini Murcielago by over half a second. If there's a downside to this performance story, it'll be the hit to your pocketbook, as the 650R package will set you back a solid $34,500. We suggest skipping the Venom 650R badging; let your time slips do the bragging.
2003 Viper SRT-10 Venom 650R:
WHAT'S HOT
·10-second e.t.s with a warranty
·200-plus-mph potential on pump gas
·Still looks stock
WHAT'S NOT
·Serious $$$
· Get ready to meet Mr. Highway Patrol
·Mid-corner oversteer potential faster than you can say "AAA Towing"
Specs:
Viper SRT-10/Venom 650R
0-60 mph: 3.9/3.0
1/4 mile: 11.77@123.63/10.76@128.67
Braking, 60-0, ft: 97/98
0-100-0, sec: 12.2/10.4
Source Motortrend
redriderbob
Road Test: 2003 Viper SRT-10 Venom 650R:
