Considering a Panoz GTRA... Reliable?

I know it depends on the car, but overall are they solid reliable cars? I'll be selling my IP BMW m3 to buy one, not sure how they compare to an e36 M3 Full race prepped car.

Any known issues, things to look for or avoid in a GTRS?

Thanks in advance!

Any known issues, things to look for or avoid in a GTRS?

Well, in my case I would say the wall in turn 13 at No Problem Raceway... :grinyes: But aside from that it appears that if you keep them nut/bolted properly they are pretty damn good cars all around. Don't know how your transition from BMW to Panoz will go but I went from a rear-engine P-Car to the Panoz and felt very comfortable. They are pretty loud, but a set of ear-plugs cures that little problem.

I am comparing to a well prepped Corvette, and to me there is no comparison. The Panoz is a true race car and doesn't eat through tires and brakes like crazy! I have a GTWC car, so it has a bit more power - but find the car to be very reliable and fun to drive. The things that need attention are only to do with driving fast, which I like a lot more than fixing street car items on a track car (electric windows for example). It appears I can go several weekends on a single set of tires and brakes for much longer than that. The motors appear to be basically stock, so they seem pretty durable too. You will need to go through the car carefully, but again it is very easy to work on. I am back to enjoying working on my car, especially because I am just tweaking it to go faster!

I think the reliability of the car is one of it's strongest assets. I haven't had any problems on track yet.

They are big heavy cars. Very safe. An absolute blast to drive. The last guy to go for a ride in my passenger seat went right out and bought one for himself.

I think the reliability of the car is one of it's strongest assets. I haven't had any problems on track yet.

They are big heavy cars. Very safe. An absolute blast to drive. The last guy to go for a ride in my passenger seat went right out and bought one for himself.
What a sucker. :grinyes:

I echo what Jim and others say on reliability. My experience after just two short track days, and preparing for my first race, is that the car is extremely reliable (knock on wood). I've had no problems at the track. I've gone through the car very carefully and found several things that needed attention, in addition to a good nut and bolt tightening. But so far with 2 hours of track time I've not come across any other problems. My hope is that a good maintenance program will keep the car reliable.
Comparred to my Z06, the car is easier on tires and brakes. We'll have to see about other consumables (shocks, etc.).
I had the car tech'ed by the local vintage club here in ABQ, and they all marvelled at how well the car is put together and all the safety equipment. To an inspector (and there were three going over the car) each thought the car is well prepared, and much thought has obviously gone into it's design.
Driving the car continues to impress me. It's well balanced and neutral thru the corners. I'd like a bit more power, but that's another story.

Thanks everyone for the insight. I am leaning heavily towards a GTRA or most likely a GTWC. How are the head and leg room on these cars? I'm 6'2 230lbs. Knowing that the GTWC were for women drivers are they cramped?

I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure all the cars are the same dimensions. I would call the cars "spacious"! The GTWC cars are essentially a GTS with a 4.6l motor vs. the 5.8l, but they are fuel injected and run on pump gas. I have had mine tuned on a dyno and get right at 300 RWHP on 93 octane gas. I also moved the redline back to 7000 rpm with the tune.

thats what I want to hear thanks!

I would call the cars "spacious"!Kind of like driving your living room around the track.... :lol:

Yeah, a very fast living room! Great scenery and sound effects, but no cup holders. I do have a nice ice chest in mine though. Maybe I can get some clip on drink holders - like one of those Big Gulp size?????

Anyone know of any Panoz owners near Raleigh, NC? I'd love to see one up close prior to buying.

There's plenty of room. I'm 6'2" 240. I fit very comfortably. I did need to move the steering wheel closer to me. That was accomplished by having a spacer made by a local machine shop. I also made some modifications to the seat mount to get it back another 1". The cars are all a little different though. Some that I sat in where fine with no modifications.

One draw back they do have is the heat. They get hot inside. A cool suit may be in order.

I like the living room analogy - but we've adopted the "Aircraft Carrier of Sports Cars" label out here on the left coast...you could land an F18 on the hood...our take? Fun cars, great concept, very safe...Reliability? We've had our issues, and when you have an issue, you can't run it to the dealer - its like a mystery novel - unravel the mystery and you have a fun car to drive..

There's plenty of room. I'm 6'2" 240. I fit very comfortably. I did need to move the steering wheel closer to me. That was accomplished by having a spacer made by a local machine shop. I also made some modifications to the seat mount to get it back another 1". The cars are all a little different though. Some that I sat in where fine with no modifications.

One draw back they do have is the heat. They get hot inside. A cool suit may be in order.

I have a CoolSuit system complete with the large capacity cooler, new coolshirt and the helmet blower. would very much like to sell it. email me at [email protected].

For what it's worth, my GTS ran a 148 at Maxton last weekend in the standing-start measured mile. Sorry to hijack your thread.

I have a CoolSuit system complete with the large capacity cooler, new coolshirt and the helmet blower. would very much like to sell it. email me at [email protected].

For what it's worth, my GTS ran a 148 at Maxton last weekend in the standing-start measured mile. Sorry to hijack your thread.PM sent...

Hi there, interested to know how is the body work on your car hanging in there at 148mph? Mine is lifting badly (whole top of bonnet) even as low as 115mph (and I will be upping the Hp of the car considerably so expect to run 160+mph. Have you fitted any additional stays/fasteners/venting/ineer panels etc to help hold either the bonnet, front clip or boot lid down.

Thanks.

Yeah - it takes some getting used to...ours bulge pretty good too - we did discover that the brackets under the cowl area were broken so allowing more movement than necessary...so repaired those...and we're pondering cutting out the swooshes on the sides to let it breath...our plugs and wires are really looking like they get hot...

Yes, I am also considering cutting out the moulded vents either side of the guards to help relieve pressure under the hood. Other idea I had was to duct the radiator air flow out through the top of the hood or maybe add some panelling around the engine bay to limit/direct airflow. May also look at putting some panelling around the back of the car to reduce air flow into the fuel tank area.

Please keep us posted if you try any of these ideas...the rear deck lid REALLY Wants to leave...so some aero mods might be a good idea...just don't know exactly where to start...

I didn't have any problems with the hood lifting at 148 mph, it does move around quite a bit but doesn't look like it's coming off. The GTS cars have two fasteners on the trailing edge of the hood that keeps the hood in place.

I also wrapped the headers with header wrap. It definitely keeps the underhood temps down. Would also be a good idea to cut some ducts in the side of the fender to exit hot engine heat and to reduce the underhood pressures as well.

Ran the car at Lime Rock last Friday and pegged the sound meter which was set up on thefront straight. Was asked to quiet the car or to leave the track. I left.

Ran the car at Lime Rock last Friday and pegged the sound meter which was set up on thefront straight. Was asked to quiet the car or to leave the track. I left.Just out of curiosity, what other choice would you have? I mean, how would you quiet a Panoz down on such short notice?

Just out of curiosity, what other choice would you have? I mean, how would you quiet a Panoz down on such short notice?

Get an elbow to stick on the end of the exhaust pipe to turn it down towards the track. You may only need to do this on the side that the sound meter is on.:evillol:

Where can I get one of those.

Get an elbow to stick on the end of the exhaust pipe to turn it down towards the track. You may only need to do this on the side that the sound meter is on.:evillol:No kidding? I never thought about that, what a great idea. I believe that could actually work. :)

Where can I get one of those.

I made it myself. :lol: :icon16:

Could you give me some more details on the construction process.

David

Could you give me some more details on the construction process.

David

You wouldn't understand. It would be like trying to teach a fish how to install a garage door....

I'll just give you an extra one I have.:grinyes: :evillol:

I'll just give you an extra one I have.:grinyes: :evillol:That's good for one side, but what if the sound meter is on the un-modified side? :wink:

That's good for one side, but what if the sound meter is on the un-modified side? :wink:

Drive backwards. Duh...

You wouldn't understand. It would be like trying to teach a fish how to install a garage door....


Jim is here all week. Try the veal... :lol:

David, are you in Augusta?

Yes