SPF GT40 handling?

Alan in Nevada · 10-12-07, 06:06 PM

I see that Foowowee and DaveM are accumulating some track time on theirs.

Question: How is the handling on these as received? Are you running the suspension and steering as setup by High-Tech or did you or your retailer do any sorting out?

Thanks

Foowowee · 10-12-07, 07:17 PM

Alan, I wouldn't call what I've been doing "tracking the car". Just taking some spirited parade laps. No alterations from stock that I'm aware of, besides the Nittos. But I was impressed with the handling. I'm no expert, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Mike

Jeff · 10-13-07, 12:55 AM

Alan, my Dad and I have a few track days on the GT-40. As delivered to us (second owner) the toe was out of whack and the front camber was almost 0 deg. We had the car realigned but I didn't get the specs...I'll see if the shop that did the work still has them.

For the track;

I felt the anti sway bars and suspension damping are too soft - rebound and compression. Especially the rear. I think we're going to revalve the rear dampers??

There is quite a bit of understeer, not such a bad thing for most people (myself included)

The chassis feels very rigid and stable.

The sidewall on the OE tires are really squishy. No surprise there.

We had too much fun driving the new GT and The SPF GT-40 back to back! Heres a pic...

Foowowee · 10-13-07, 04:29 PM

Jeff, that is pretty neat pic. Too bad it wasn't a closer shot to see some detail on the cars. I'm assuming the GT40 is a Windsor based 427. How did it pull against the GT?
I'm sure the GT was easier to drive, but which car did you have more fun driving?

Mike

Herman · 10-13-07, 04:42 PM

As European SPF importer we just have developed a complete set of fully adjustable coilover shocks, different spring rates, adjustable rebound and adjustable compression with high and low speed settings.
Final pricing will be available shortly.

Herman Eshuis

Alan in Nevada · 10-17-07, 03:44 PM

Thanks, guys. That's just the sort of information I was looking for (including the Holiday Inn Express

).

Anybody else?

Jeff · 10-17-07, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foowowee

Jeff, that is pretty neat pic. Too bad it wasn't a closer shot to see some detail on the cars. I'm assuming the GT40 is a Windsor based 427. How did it pull against the GT?
I'm sure the GT was easier to drive, but which car did you have more fun driving?

Mike

Well, when I drive the GT it is much faster than the GT-40 and when I drive the GT-40 it is much faster than the GT.

My Dad is a bit more conservative on the track than I am, so I honestly don't know which car accelerates faster. If I had to guess I would say the GT-40 is a bit quicker but all the noise could make it feel faster than it is!?

Given a choice of which car to track I'd choose the GT...my Dad, the GT-40. I think the GT-40 gives you more warning before loss of control than the GT that's probably due to the generous sidewall on the GT-40? My dad spun both cars (no damage), he commented about how quickly he was facing the wrong way on the track in the GT. No squeal from the tires, just instantly backwards. BTW, I happened to be looking in the side mirror when he spun.

Thats one image I won't soon forget!

Foowowee · 10-18-07, 12:32 AM

Thanks. Very good analysis.

Mik

Alan in Nevada · 11-01-07, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Jeff

My dad spun both cars (no damage), he commented about how quickly he was facing the wrong way on the track in the GT. No squeal from the tires, just instantly backwards.

Hmmmm . . . . . Not good. Any sports or race car should give you warning before it lets go. Sudden snap oversteer is not a good thing.

Interesting that all the car magazine reports on the Ford GT never mentioned this idiosyncrasy. Either they never pushed the car that hard (they are expensive), or they were afraid they would alienate an advertiser.

Jeff · 11-01-07, 02:20 AM

Alan,

I sincerely do not believe this is any issue with the GT or GT-40, rather inexperience on the drivers part.