GTM Speed envelope

[Ojref]

I have to say, I've been pretty taken aback by this thread. 130 MPH for the GTM is unsettling? 150+ is untested???

I've been up to 140MPH in my Ford Lightning. While not exactly "planted", stable enough to safely run around a big NASCAR track. I've really been anticipating this car as being the "supercar" experience that was touted. If it's having issues breaking 130 without serious configuration, I think I'll stay with the vette, which I know is pretty good past 170+. This news is really unsettling and disappointing, but better to know this before making the purchase in any event. Unbelievable.

[bbjones121]

I have to say, I've been pretty taken aback by this thread. 130 MPH for the GTM is unsettling? 150+ is untested???

I've been up to 140MPH in my Ford Lightning. While not exactly "planted", stable enough to safely run around a big NASCAR track. I've really been anticipating this car as being the "supercar" experience that was touted. If it's having issues breaking 130 without serious configuration, I think I'll stay with the vette, which I know is pretty good past 170+. This news is really unsettling and disappointing, but better to know this before making the purchase in any event. Unbelievable.

I had my subaru svx up to 140 and it felt planted. I thought the gtm was a 200mph car!?! My 818 better be faster than my svx was. I know it will be quicker, but come on, it should still be faster.

If the gtm is anything like the 818, there are definitely places on the body panels that need more support. I am welding up more support points for the body so that i can see how fast it will go and not worry about the body flying off.

[kabacj]

I have to say, I've been pretty taken aback by this thread. 130 MPH for the GTM is unsettling? 150+ is untested???
(

Hi Ojref

As you do more research and learn about building a GTM. The GTM is certainly capable of supercar speeds right out of the box.

However you do need to give it a quality 4 wheel alignment. (Just like every factory super car and production car has )

A quality alignment is not the one you get at the local tire shop.

A street alignment is at least good for 130.

I'm not saying you need to bring your car in for a race alignment either. I never did an alignment in my life before the GTM. And with the proper tools have setup my car quite well. The important part is knowing what to set.

My GTM has seen 163 (GPS verified) running at Virginia International Raceway. I am just switching into fifth gear at that speed and the car is rock solid stable.

I think we as a community have learned that if you go out and try to set land speed records without setting your rear bump steer you might have some issues.

If you decide to build a GTM you will find that the community is here to help with any problem you might come up against. Others can tell you about how they solved the issue you have and you can choose the solution you like best.

Thanks for as asking the question. I think you have helped clear up a common misconception.

John

[carbon fiber]

I have to say, I've been pretty taken aback by this thread. 130 MPH for the GTM is unsettling? 150+ is untested???

I've been up to 140MPH in my Ford Lightning. While not exactly "planted", stable enough to safely run around a big NASCAR track. I've really been anticipating this car as being the "supercar" experience that was touted. If it's having issues breaking 130 without serious configuration, I think I'll stay with the vette, which I know is pretty good past 170+. This news is really unsettling and disappointing, but better to know this before making the purchase in any event. Unbelievable.

As John mentioned, it's all about the setup. Out of the 400 plus GTMs produced by FFR there are only a handful that have been on a track and their owners are taking the time to get the suspension and aero properly prepared. It's a work in progress. None of the Gen I cars have the upper control arm mounts in the right place and they will need to be relocated or have adjustable upper control arms to replace the vette ones to get proper caster. There are several other things, bump steer kits, aero, proper alignment, etc. that will dictate how the car performs in the end. Please check out some threads and get informed before making blanket statements and discouraging others with your first post. Fran Hall, IS THAT YOU?!!!

[crash]

As John mentioned, it's all about the setup. Out of the 400 plus GTMs produced by FFR there are only a handful that have been on a track and their owners are taking the time to get the suspension and aero properly prepared. It's a work in progress. None of the Gen I cars have the upper control arm mounts in the right place and they will need to be relocated or have adjustable upper control arms to replace the vette ones to get proper caster. There are several other things, bump steer kits, aero, proper alignment, etc. that will dictate how the car performs in the end. Please check out some threads and get informed before making blanket statements and discouraging others with your first post. Fran Hall, IS THAT YOU?!!!

+1

Some other things to consider...we could get our FFR PDG GTM race car to over 170, I believe, pretty easily. The problem is that we cannot do that on a relatively short straight away and with the down force we are creating that allows us almost 2 Gs in the corners. The other thing to note is that in EVERY case where we have been on track with "supercars", some that claim well over 200MPH as a top speed, we pretty much wipe the track with them. Corners, down the straights, everywhere. As I have related before, we had the opportunity to run with a street licensed Corvette in Seattle that was hitting over 150 down the long front straight at SIR and we were limited to 130 because of gearing. We had almost the exact same lap times. Top speed is one thing and going fast is another.