Dealing with crash damage

Had a tough first outing with the new to me GTS. Driver talent along with a cold damp track and wet grass resulted in a slide into a guardrail.:banghead: In additon to left side body damage I bent some suspension parts, cracked the steering rack and punched a pencil size hole in the side of the radiator. I have already called Panoz for parts. Boy was I surprised how expensive the plastic panels are!!!
I asked (Josh) about an aluminum radiator in lieu of the plastic side tank model that is in the car. Josh could not tell me what was available only that they have a replacment unit available. Has anyone else changed the radiator after a crash or wreck? Looks like a number have been replaced doing a quick search. Anybody else concerned about the integrity of the plastic side tanks?

Any feedback or information would be appreciated.

TIA,
Rich

The radiator and air box changed a bit from the early years. I have a 2000 GTS and after a crash had to replace the most of the front end suspension and mechanicals. The new radiator is fine but was not a direct replacement for the old one.

The plastic pannels can be repaired pretty well by a body shop (they use the same glue etc as most of the plastic bumpers on new cars). So this may be an option if you have to fix and repaint. You may want to tape and glue things up until you get your "sea legs" as learning will result in damage. I guess it depends on how crushed things are. On my car the original panels were white plastic and all the new ones are black and harder to match paint.

The radiator has held up well on our cars other than direct damage.

Kevin

I just bought one of these plastic welders. Haven't tried it yet but all of the reviews were positive.

http://www.arizonatools.com/tools/plastic-welders-rods-and-plastic-adhesives/detail/URE5600HT/

Fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin works great for repairs and reinforcing cracked panels. Just use it on the back side.

thin sheet metal and large head rivets works great and is fast and really strong. You paint the heads of the rivets and its perfect. I have over tested these type of repairs. Also, call wire wheel and see what stuff he has left.

I have replaced the radiator many times. We have used the stock one but I buy them from ford thru a buddy that works in the parts dept. I have not found a less expensive alternative and its the first thing that breaks in any frontal collision so why buy a better radiator?

Brian,
What is the Ford part number or application you have used?

Thanks,
Mike

Hi Rich, sorry to hear about your "incident". We have used used aluminum radiators. $150.. Alloy radiator surround new $75.
A arms used $20 new $40.

Steering rack we may have..it is an off the shelf Ford part anyway.

Sorry we are out of body panels. Rivet sheet metal fiberglass all work. We have glued parts together using acetone and plastic shavings to create the glue and have even molded small bits onto panels that have broken off.

let us know if we can help.

best wishes,
James

Eric has some ABS Rockers that we picked up by accident - I am sure if you need them, he will make you a great offer.

Devin

Brian,
What is the Ford part number or application you have used?

Thanks,
Mike



My Notes show the radiator is this (could be the discontinued # but ford can get you the new one) - M-8005-R58

The new radiator has some diff. connectors on one side and you need some aditional mounting brackets and Panoz has a nice instruction sheet to make the modifications. Ford doesnt make the original radiator that came in the GTS's.....so depending on how old the radiator is in your car you may need a mod kit from PAD and instructions.

Power steering rack – RP736R

Eric has some ABS Rockers that we picked up by accident - I am sure if you need them, he will make you a great offer.

Devin

Devin & Eric,

If you happen to have two left ABS rockers, I'd like a price as well for the second after Rich gets his :uhoh:

Just in case, I am also looking for a good used ABS radiator inlet, brake duct inlets and an undamaged left front ABS fender. As my instructor can testify, the guard rail at Barber can come up pretty fast with the same combination of factors that Rich had.

Mike

Rich, if the car goes up for sale let me know.

i have also been into the gaurd rail on the warm up lap of a race....rain, puddles, bad rain tires....bad day at the track.

Luckily those were the days that Joel Grewett worked with Panoz and he opened PAD at 6pm on Sat and I loaded up and had the car fixed and running for warm up at 9:30 Sun.

Crashing sucks but that is why we all have a PANOZ!!!! I luv these cars!

Guys,
Thanks for all the great feedback and suggestions. I have been here before. I raced circle track for years before I started road racing about 10 years ago. I raced a GT1 for a few years. Those cars eat $100's like candy bars.:screwy: On a good night at the oval you came home with a couple of bent nerfs and fenders. Other nights I was on the roof. On the Panoz I can repair most of the panels using a combination of all your suggestions. The nose :icon16: and left front fender are junk. The suspension parts are easy to deal with.

Eric if you have a left side rocker panel let me know if you want to part with it.
If anybody has GTS body parts they want to sell drop me a note.

James I'll be in touch with you to see what's lying on the ground down there.

Dawgfan I don't plan on selling the car. Thanks for offering. This is just a bump in the road. I've wanted one of these cars for the last 5 or 6 years (since I sold the GT1). I've had many more good days than bad at the track. I'm looking forward to enjoying this car and some great days. Should something change you will know first.

Thanks to all,
Rich

Rich, I love drive my Panoz. I will be completly rebuilding my car over the winter and I am going to buy one or two Thunder Roadsters and try to run two classes next year. Good luck.

I have a set of "ABS panels, they are actually fiberglass replacements for the the ABS cars, a RARE find!

I actually can't use them because i have the fiberglass paneled car.

The problem is shipping them, the last time i checked shipping was very expensive and a PAIN.... if someone wants them make me an offer!

Eric,
PM sent on the ABS panels.
Thanks Rich