Viper-powered 300 SRT10 was one man's garage job (and Chrysler should be ashamed they didn't do it first)

It looks like the Viper-powered Chrysler 300 teasedon the group's Dodge Youtube channel is nothing more than the dream of one man: David Ekins. The 300 SRT10, it turns out, started as an unsuspecting 2006 Chrysler 300 Touring (which initially came with a V6); now it's got four more cylinders and puts down a claimed 525-550 horsepower.

Mr. Ekins is said to have built the project himself (except for some specialty work), having sourced the 10-cylinder 8.3-liter engine and T-56 Tremec transmission from a wrecked donor car. Other than the power train, a slew of other systems obviously had to be upgraded in order for the car to become a 300 SRT10 and not just a 300 Touring with a massive engine.

This homemade project now rides on Eibach coilovers and gets a new sway bar kit, as well as a little bit of extra cooling up front in the form of a 3-inch thick radiator and "custom" oil filter. Other additions include a new fuel tank mounted in the trunk and the little styling tweaks found throughout.

David says, "It took me about a year because I had to figure everything out...I built it knowing about the power and trying to keep it reliable. I didn't really build it to race it, I just wanted something different. I really liked the Viper, but I couldn't fit my whole family in it."

Not to take a single iota of mad love away from this build, but I think it would look ever more righteous with a set of Viper wheels (hey, I'm an OEM+ guy). Short of that nit-picking, this is one amazing ride that I'd love to see more of. Chrysler, pay this guy to show it off at SEMA and get started on a DIY kit for Viper-to-300 conversions...STAT.

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Chrysler and Dodge to Recall More than 26,000 Vehicles in the U.S.

A new recall announced by the Chrysler Group will affect 26,397 owners of Chrysler and Dodge brand vehicles in the USA. The recall includes certain 2010MY Chrysler 300 and Sebring, and Dodge Charger, Avenger, Challenger and Journey, and some 2011MY Ram pickup trucks, because a power steering pressure hose may leak fluid onto a hot engine and cause a fire.

The U.S. automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that dealers will inspect and replace if necessary the power steering pressure hoses free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin before the end of the October 2010.

Owners may contact Chrysler for more information regarding the recall at 1-800-853-1403.

According to reports, 13,000 vehicles are also being recalled outside the U.S. for the same problem.

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