Dodge Viper Takes On Supercharged Ford Mustang GT350: Video

Snake Versus Snake

With a gargantuan pushrod V10, a classic cab rearward silhouette and a reputation for being one of the most savage and unforgiving cars ever built, the Dodge Viper will certainly go down in history as one of the most iconic American cars ever – if not one of the most legendary cars ever built, period.

Sadly, the Dodge Viper has been dead for a few years now, but the most recent iteration of the American performance icon is still a very relevant performance benchmark. The fifth-gen Dodge Viper ACR holds the production car lap record at numerous American race tracks, despite its relatively low asking price when new and six-speed manual transmission, and lapped the Nurburgring in a scarcely believable 7:01.30 by a group of ambitious privateers led by Viper Exchange Racing owner Ben Keating. Keating also plans on racing a privateer Ford GT at the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans this year.

The Viper doesn’t just excel on the circuit, either. It can also hold its own in a drag race. Hennessey Performance Engineering recently published a video on its YouTube channel showing a perfectly stock fifth-gen Viper lining up up against a Ford Mustang GT350R tuned to with the HPE850 package for a roll race.

To keep up with the Dodge Viper, Hennessey strapped a 2.9L supercharger on top of the Mustang GT350R’s 5.2L Voodoo flat-crank V8 engine. With it comes higher-flow throttle body, fuel injectors, heat exchanger and air induction system. All told, the HPE850 system is good for 858 horsepower and 673 lb-ft of torque, and can run the quarter-mil in 10.8 seconds. 0-60 time on an HPE850 Ford Mustang GT350R is tested at 3.3 seconds.

We thought the Mustang would embarrass the Viper, as it has over 200 hp on the Viper – but the results may surprise you. Check out the video embedded above.

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

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