Hurricane I6-Swapped Dodge Viper Loses 4 Cylinders but Gains Over 400 HP
BoostedMotorsports (YouTube)
Subscribe to The Drive’s daily newsletter
Stay updated with the latest car news, reviews, and features.
We’re huge fans of the Dodge Viper here (especially Adam and me). It’s the car I had posters of on my walls and sketched in class—truly the quintessential American sports car. Despite its multiple shortcomings, it still remains a dream car for me. However, even with my unwavering admiration, I don’t consider myself a Viper purist. In fact, one of my favorite concept cars ever is the Chrysler Firepower, which was simply a re-bodied Viper featuring a Hemi V8 and a 5-speed Mercedes automatic. Some may consider this sacrilege.
So, when BoostedMotorsports brought a Hurricane-swapped Viper to Roadkill last week, I wasn’t offended at all. I suspected that the Hurricane I6 would do the car justice, and honestly, the sound of the V10 isn’t one of the car’s most lovable traits. A different sound might be a pleasant change for some. After witnessing it start up in person (and the video doesn’t quite capture it), I concluded it was at best a lateral move.
BoostedMotorsports removed the high-output Hurricane’s factory twin-turbo system, opting for a single twin-scroll turbocharger paired with a custom manifold. Right off the bat, the Hurricane produces 492 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque at the wheels; that’s 42 more horsepower than the ’96 GTS delivered at the crank. However, it’s likely that the turbo I6 weighs as much as the old aluminum V10 (if not more), and mediocre gains would not satisfy anyone. This is a Roadkill project, after all; the muddier the better.
On their second run, they quickly discover an additional 50 lb-ft of torque, but no significant power increase. The next tuning session proves to be much more productive, resulting in 593 horsepower and 544 pound-feet. They’re just getting warmed up at this stage. By round four, they reached 704 horsepower and 616 pound-feet of torque. By the fifth round on the dyno, the I6 is producing more power than a stock Hellcat does at the flywheel.
In the final run, the team manages to extract over 840 horsepower from the Hurricane. There’s reportedly even more potential, but they wanted to ensure the car could handle its Roadkill debut before pushing it to the limit. On the track, the team was running a tune generating over 900 horsepower at the wheels. Impressive.
Do you have a tip? Let us know at [email protected].
Other articles
Hundreds of Drivers Caught Concealing Their Vehicles to Evade Taxes | Carscoops
Investigators are searching neighborhoods to find concealed vehicles, which leaves drivers with tax debts grappling with rising bills and increased stress.
A Legendary Jaguar Has Emerged From 31 Years Of Storage | Carscoops
Australian Formula One driver Paul Hawkins once possessed this unique Jaguar.
Why Didn't I Consider the Flip-Up Truck Bed Cap?
Convenient access? Confirmed. Secure storage area with cargo capacity comparable to a three-row SUV when the seats are stowed? Absolutely confirmed.
Queen Elizabeth II's enhanced Range Rover is available for sale.
This 2006 Range, which was personally driven by the Queen of England, is the sole example known to feature a supercharged V8 engine with 400 horsepower.
Dodge Dealer's $49 Charger Lease Is Genuine, But You'll Ultimately Pay Four Times That Amount | Carscoops
There are a number of hurdles to overcome, but this deal appears to be genuine for a fortunate few.
Illinois Recently Issued More Than 5,000 Tickets In One Day And There's More | Carscoops
That amounts to more than 215 tickets each hour, not counting the over 4,000 warnings.
Hurricane I6-Swapped Dodge Viper Loses 4 Cylinders but Gains Over 400 HP
Not everyone is fond of the Viper's original engine sound, and swapping in an inline-six is bound to be just as divisive.