Panoz Esperante GTS
Panoz Esperante GTS
Panoz Esperante GTS
RVP – Reliability / Value / Performance
Suspension Tips
Controlling Under Steer
This section is related to the correction of understeer.
At this stage the scope of this document cannot cover
all possible scenarios to correcting understeer condi-
tions. The Panoz GTS is usually released from the
factory with conservative alignment settings. These
settings usually tend to create an understeer condition.
The Design of the car is not such that it inherently
has an understeer problem. There is more than enough
adjustment possibilities to get the car to handle any
way that you like.
There are a lot of things to consider when adjusting the
handling characteristics of a car. One of the biggest
things to consider when adjusting for understeer and
oversteer is weight transfer and it’s effect on the tire
contact patch.
When talking about understeer, the first question we
have to ask is “Does the car understeer going into the
corner or coming out?
Going into a corner
If the car exhibits understeer going into corner (poor
turn in), that can be related to 2 things; weight transfer
and bump steer (assuming that tire pressures are
correct and that the tires are not overly worn and
have not been heat cycled too many times). More
times than not it is related to bump steer.
Bump steer is refers to the amount of toe change that
occurs as the wheel travels through the suspension
limits. By nature the GTS tends to toe in during heavy
brake (suspension compression). For that reason we
specify an alignment setting of toe out (ranging from
1/16” to 1/8”). This can be adjusted out by going
through a bump steer exercise and slightly modifying
the geometry of the front suspension. If you have not
performed that exercise adding a little more toe out
will help you during turn in.
Weight transfer can be adjusted by driving style and
by shock adjustment. Braking deep into a corner and
turning while you have maximum weight on the front
tire can help corner entrance understeer condition.
The other option is to soften the rebound setting of
the rear shock.
The Penske shocks have rebound adjusters. The
adjustment is from soft (-) to firm (+). Note: before
making any adjustments to the shocks, record where
they currently are. All adjustments from Panoz Auto
Development are referenced from a full firm setting.
By softening the rebound on the rear shock, you allow
the rear of the car to raise, which in turn applies more
weight to the front tires which can help you turn in
and rotate the car.
Weight transfer can also be controlled by adjusting
the rake in the car. Rake is the ride height difference
from one end to the other. You need to know where
you are at prior to making any adjustments.
Page 63
