BigMac
New member
I'm just looking for a discussion with those of you that have Bender triples on your Viper.
I've been using this set up for the last 3 winters and it's worked well. I'm not dissatisfied, but maybe there are better combos - especially clutching?
2002 Viper / Opticool / rear HE / V-Force + spacers / 1.25 Camoplast
For Minnesota altitudes (~1500 feet) I use:
165MJ x 3
55PJ x 3
e3 x 3
1 7/8 AF screw
no air box mod
For clutching, I've been using just Bender's recommendations -
Primary - stock weights / inner 13.9 steel / outer 7.1 alum / yellow-orange spring with 8mm spacer. Engages about 4400, shifts out at about 8500.
Secondary - Bender 02VTP helix - Red-Yellow at 30 degrees
I'm a little concerned about the needle clip position at 3 - not too lean in the midrange? Any of you guys ever burn down a Bender kit?
I've been using this set up for the last 3 winters and it's worked well. I'm not dissatisfied, but maybe there are better combos - especially clutching?
2002 Viper / Opticool / rear HE / V-Force + spacers / 1.25 Camoplast
For Minnesota altitudes (~1500 feet) I use:
165MJ x 3
55PJ x 3
e3 x 3
1 7/8 AF screw
no air box mod
For clutching, I've been using just Bender's recommendations -
Primary - stock weights / inner 13.9 steel / outer 7.1 alum / yellow-orange spring with 8mm spacer. Engages about 4400, shifts out at about 8500.
Secondary - Bender 02VTP helix - Red-Yellow at 30 degrees
I'm a little concerned about the needle clip position at 3 - not too lean in the midrange? Any of you guys ever burn down a Bender kit?
what sort of miliage did you get with that set up? 8-10 or a little higher? I'm guessing the 55 PJ's are because they run at 8500 rpm and need the extra mid range fuel? That is high compared to SLP but they want the clip all the way rich so the 3 position doesn't seem bad. I think that looks fine and at least you know your safe.
What specifically do you want out of the clutching?
What specifically do you want out of the clutching?
BigMac
New member
kinger said:
10-12 mpg. Range hasn't been a problem around here, but one has to be very watchful on the Snowy Range.
I'm not necessarily dissatisfied with the clutching Bender recommends with their pipes, specifically their clutch kit that is "matched" to a Viper with their pipes. But, it is only turning up 8500 RPM instead of the 8700 that Bender specs (spring might have gotten a little weak, maybe) and my plan has sort of been to replace the primary spring with the same when I get around to it, and if that doesn't do it, use a little lighter outer rivet in the clutch weight. This site is filled with clutching geniuses, and now that the Bender triples have been around awhile, I was just wondering if anyone has found a more magical clutching arrangement. Bender hasn't really changed their clutching recommendations since the pipes first came out, and they readily admit that those recs were a little ... "preliminary". They have changed their jetting recommendations since the pipes first were out, going to 165MJ x 3 instead of 162.5 - 162.5 - 165.
Bender does recommend an airbox mod, but this sled gets run at altitude (8000-10,000 feet) a lot. I use Mountain Performance's recommendations for altitude jetting and clutching with these pipes and they specifically recommend against the airbox mod. So mine isn't modded. It is a little fat in warm temps at Minnesota altitude.
Last edited:
SRX RIDER
New member
We talked a little in my pipe re-install post about these so you know we are almost identical in setup.
My mains are still 162.5 on 1 and 3, while 2 is 165.
All three are 52.5 pilot. Can't recall where the needles and screws are at.
Airbox and carb venting are modded to Benders specs. Opticool, Bender rear HE, V-force reeds but no spacers, factory torque limiter.
Clutch kit is Benders with the same springs/helix and I'm 99% sure the weights are the same as yours. 4400-4500 engagement, BUT I'm still seeing 8600 or so at full shift.
600-1000 feet here in PA where I ride and I can pull 10-11 mpg.
For what it is worth my dealer has done 25 or more Vipers with Bender triples and only claim to have lost one. They had a triple and a stocker both go down at the same time in Canada which they attributed to bad fuel.
Like you I've wondered if my clutching is optimal, but I can't knock how consistent this sled is. 8600 every time, and it just seems to always run the same. My altitude doesn't change much, but I've ridden in some pretty different temps and it always runs great. I hate to touch it because it seems so dependable and consistent, which is what I always heard it wouldn't be!
My mains are still 162.5 on 1 and 3, while 2 is 165.
All three are 52.5 pilot. Can't recall where the needles and screws are at.
Airbox and carb venting are modded to Benders specs. Opticool, Bender rear HE, V-force reeds but no spacers, factory torque limiter.
Clutch kit is Benders with the same springs/helix and I'm 99% sure the weights are the same as yours. 4400-4500 engagement, BUT I'm still seeing 8600 or so at full shift.
600-1000 feet here in PA where I ride and I can pull 10-11 mpg.
For what it is worth my dealer has done 25 or more Vipers with Bender triples and only claim to have lost one. They had a triple and a stocker both go down at the same time in Canada which they attributed to bad fuel.
Like you I've wondered if my clutching is optimal, but I can't knock how consistent this sled is. 8600 every time, and it just seems to always run the same. My altitude doesn't change much, but I've ridden in some pretty different temps and it always runs great. I hate to touch it because it seems so dependable and consistent, which is what I always heard it wouldn't be!