Oil pressure failure - Gen4 Viper

[max89k]

Hi all.

I've got a serious problem with my '08 SRT10. The car was used on the trackdays most of the time, almost 2 years without technically problems. The mileage is just 6200 miles.
During the last racing event, on the hotlap, I noticed that the oil pressure gauge is on the "zero". I have turned off the engine immediatelly, to prevent serious damage.
In the service station the first diagnostic revealed steel shavings (flakes) in the oil filter, and in the oil pan. Two connecting rods and bearings were damaged, and the crankshaft too.
I found some info about oil pump problems and oil starvation on Gen2-Gen3, because of broken rotors. My oil pump and rotors is in good conditions, and I did not found information about same problems on Gen4.
I'm preparing to rebuild the engine, the new crankshaft and connecting rods are already bought.
BUT, I have no idea about the reason of the oil-pressure disappearance.
Can anyone help?

[Ginja]

Hi, Sorry to hear about your problems. As you know these engines are strong but do have a few foibles. You've read about the issues on the Gen 2 and 3, did you notice anything on the oil pickup? My Gen 3 has been fitted with a swinging pickup in the sump to prevent oil starvation but I'm not sure if this was resolved on the Gen 4 - someone else on here will undoubtedly know!

[Leatherman]

Sorry to hear about your problems Max and hopefully you will get lot's of help on this site. It would be very interesting to hear about the track scene in Moscow. How active is it and what types of motors do you get turn up.

[ViperDave]

As one of only a handful of gen 4's in the uk I'm ashamed to admit I'm of no help as I haven't had the problem or looked into it. Would be interested to hear the outcome though just in case.

Have you posted over on the VOA, VCA, Alley etc as that is the place you will most likely get some feed back.

Really sorry to hear of the damage though.

[Dr-Bob]

Contact Chuck Tator at Tators garage in NY ... Viper wizard..

Wonder if they share the same issue as the Gen3 crank oiling..

[max89k]

Thank you for answers.
I'll try to email Chuck Tator.
Have posted the same question on the ViperAlley, I'm not the only one with such problems
One guy had rebuilded the engine twice for 20k miles, and he never entered trackday. But he couldn't answer definetly about the reason too, but sure it is in the pump.

I've read more about low oil pump productivity, especially on the gen1-gen3, but didn't noticed that on my car.
I never used semi-slicks on the car yet, but already bought Hoosier A6 for next season
If the dry-sump system can totally solve oil problem, I'm ready to spend money for it.

There is three Time Attack championschips in Russia now. Russian Hot Hatch Champ (my car with 600hp is too much for it), small Porsche Cup (only Porsches of course), and Maxpowercars. The tracks are - Moscow Raceway, Smolensk RIng, Kazan Ring (very far away), and Myachkovo Ring (the oldest, smallest, slowest).
Last year I challenged with Nissan GT-R's, Porsche 997turbo, Ferrari458. Finished third in the season The car was stock with rear wing by APR. It's slower that the tuned GT-R's (especially on the straight), but even in the rain can fight with them in the corners. 4wd porsche is slower without huge modifcations, ferrari is little bit faster. For next season I've already instaled headers, suspension, front splitter.

[tigerbomb]

I bought a Gen 4 engine for a project a few years ago that has near zero miles.
I am now concentrating on gathering parts for a different project.
As this is proving to be a bit more expensive than I hoped, I may sell the Gen 4.
Would it be of use to you?

[max89k]

Thank you, but it's very difficult to import engine through russian customs.
I'm steel looking for dry sump system.

[fishboy]

I recommend Spedition Services Ltd, they specialise in transportation into Russia.. email [e-mail]