Hellcat-Swapped Dodge Viper RT/10 Becomes a Budget Drag Car

Autoblog reports on a 2001 Dodge Viper RT/10 rebuilt with a Hellcat Redeye V8 and automatic transmission, now offered as a drag-focused project for under $20,000.

This 2001 Dodge Viper RT/10 leaves little room for compromise, either technically or philosophically. Once a symbol of raw, mechanical American performance built around a naturally aspirated V10 and a manual gearbox, it now exists by a very different set of rules.

The original 8.0-liter V10 has been completely removed. In its place sits a supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat Redeye V8, an engine rated at 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque in factory form. Power is sent through a three-speed TH400 automatic transmission, a unit widely associated with drag racing thanks to its durability and ability to handle extreme loads. That choice alone makes the car’s purpose clear: this is not a street machine.

The entire build is focused on straight-line performance. The engine setup includes upgraded fueling, a smaller supercharger pulley, and extensive cooling modifications, while the chassis has been adapted accordingly. Penske Racing coilovers, drag-oriented brakes, lightweight wheels, and a line-lock system all point toward a single goal. No dyno sheet is provided, and the claimed eighth-mile performance figures are based on seller statements rather than documented testing.

Visually and mechanically, the Viper has also crossed the line away from road use. Several street-required components have been removed, and the seller explicitly states that the car is not street-legal. This is a familiar outcome for dedicated drag builds, where performance takes precedence over regulatory compliance.

What makes the story especially striking is the price. Offered on Cars & Bids with no reserve, the bidding has remained below $20,000, a figure that undercuts the cost of the cheapest new car currently on sale. By contrast, largely stock early-2000s Viper RT/10 models typically trade for far more, highlighting how radical specialization can reshape market value.

This Viper is no longer concerned with originality or historical purity. It is neither refined nor versatile, and it makes no attempt to be. Instead, it stands as an example of how far an enthusiast project can go when straight-line speed is the only priority, even if that transformation leaves the car cheaper than a brand-new economy model.