GTR and Can-Am comparison?
Discussion
GTR or Can-Am. Desicions desicions 
The top priority is a fun roadable dependable car, but performance is also very important. The Can-Am looks great and I like the convertible aspect, but what am I giving up in performance, if any?
If you put a GTR and Can-Am side-by-side with similar options, engine and transmission, what are the general performance differences you'll see between the two? Does the GTR accelerate/decelerate a lot quicker than a Can-Am in a straight line? Is the GTR a more nimble car on the track? Top speed differences?
I am guessing the Can-Am would have a more rigid chassis and more wind resistance. But to what extent this would affect performance, I'm not completely clear. Any help?
TIA!
The top priority is a fun roadable dependable car, but performance is also very important. The Can-Am looks great and I like the convertible aspect, but what am I giving up in performance, if any? If you put a GTR and Can-Am side-by-side with similar options, engine and transmission, what are the general performance differences you'll see between the two? Does the GTR accelerate/decelerate a lot quicker than a Can-Am in a straight line? Is the GTR a more nimble car on the track? Top speed differences?
I am guessing the Can-Am would have a more rigid chassis and more wind resistance. But to what extent this would affect performance, I'm not completely clear. Any help?
TIA!
Canam is lighter so might have a slight edge on acceleration.... GTR has a stiffer chassis so may have a slight advantage on cornering.
Top speed should go to the GTR as its closed top but I doubt it'd be anything significant (I did very high speeds with the top off in my canam).
TBH when you weigh it up there is almost nothing in it dynamically between the two... buy the car you like the look of the best, which is of cause the canam
Top speed should go to the GTR as its closed top but I doubt it'd be anything significant (I did very high speeds with the top off in my canam).
TBH when you weigh it up there is almost nothing in it dynamically between the two... buy the car you like the look of the best, which is of cause the canam
Thanks Andy, that helps!
I took a look at your Can-Am... nice looking car. I like the color!
Another question is horsepower: at what point is it overkill for this car? The world records were made with 720bhp. I've read about other 1000+ bhp monsters, but haven't heard about them beating any of these times...
I took a look at your Can-Am... nice looking car. I like the color!
Another question is horsepower: at what point is it overkill for this car? The world records were made with 720bhp. I've read about other 1000+ bhp monsters, but haven't heard about them beating any of these times...
After a five year build and stories that big power is not usable on the road I can now set the record straight after having done over 300mls in the GTW. Utter tosh and balderdash. I think that it boils down to how the motor is built and more importantly, what parts/induction is used. I also have a full set of altered gear ratios and this seems to have made the single largest difference.
GTWayne said:
After a five year build and stories that big power is not usable on the road I can now set the record straight after having done over 300mls in the GTW. Utter tosh and balderdash. I think that it boils down to how the motor is built and more importantly, what parts/induction is used. I also have a full set of altered gear ratios and this seems to have made the single largest difference.
Well, 300miles is a good start, but there's a lot more miles to get under the belt before you'll really know how the car will behave. Good to see it's going well though. Just the SVA to pass now
I think the point is, you can put any sort of insane power in the car and use it on the road, but you may find that there are compromises to be made. Nothing wrong with a 1000bhp install if you so wish - just be realistic about how you intend to use the car.
200bhp, 720bhp - it's all good, but 500 seems to be the normal benchmark
Edited to say - both GTR and Can-Am have their merits and I've been lucky enough to build both. I think the Can-Am makes a better GT car (if that's possible) - but more so when you can have the roof down
Both are hugely accomplished on track, so neither will disappoint. Can-Am probably works out more expensive to build. Edited by stig on Saturday 4th November 09:38
This is very much my own personal choice/opinion of course, but it has always been the Can-am for me. I've ridden in both but when Ted took me round the Nurburgring in the then Spyder (many moons ago) I fell utterly in love with the whole open top/speed thing. Having ridden in both, I came away with the impression I got more of a sense of that lovely V8 moan from inside the Can-am cockpit too.
Stop dithering about, if you go as far back as the spyder, its about time you put your hand in your pocket and bought one. I bought a Canam, I really wanted a GTR but an opportunity arose and its the best thing I ever did, boy am I glad I got the Canam. The Ultima is, and always will be, the only car for me. Shaking as I opened the garage doors, jumped in, fired her up and brought her out into the lovely sunshine, 80 miles later after blowing a few cobwebs away, the performance was almost better than sex (lasted longer) You will never regret it, after all you cant take the money with you, and there is no point in being the richest man in the graveyard, GET IT SPENT, buy an Ultima.
Must have given you a bum steer there mate, I've got one ! Started the build in June 2005 and she passed SVA about 4 weeks ago. I took her out for the first time the day she returned from SVA beginning October having never driven an Ultima before. What a rush ! I was trembling when I got home. I thought this sensation would go after a few drives but it hasn't, coz I still haven't managed to get the car anywhere near its limit ! Come spring I'll be looking for a track with good runoffs for a plonker with a very noisy, frighteningly fast car that is well beyond his capabilities. But hey I'm willing to learn.
you sure got a nice ride, I am in the same situation as yourself, Hey TAKE IT EASY. 
ultimad said:
Come spring I'll be looking for a track with good runoffs
Hey Andy, I am in a similar position to yourself and will also be looking to get out on track around that time of year. I was thinking of Donington, Silverstone or Rockingham and pending the Db situation am keen to get something planed. Keep me posted if you will as it would be a blast for us both to be on the same track at once (don't worry, I may seem like a bit of a yahoo at times but when it matters, I can be very well behaved, Honest!)
GTWayne said:
ultimad said:
Come spring I'll be looking for a track with good runoffs
Hey Andy, I am in a similar position to yourself and will also be looking to get out on track around that time of year. I was thinking of Donington, Silverstone or Rockingham and pending the Db situation am keen to get something planed. Keep me posted if you will as it would be a blast for us both to be on the same track at once (don't worry, I may seem like a bit of a yahoo at times but when it matters, I can be very well behaved, Honest!)
I feel a Ultima trackday outing coming on......
GTWayne said:
ultimad said:
Come spring I'll be looking for a track with good runoffs
Hey Andy, I am in a similar position to yourself and will also be looking to get out on track around that time of year. I was thinking of Donington, Silverstone or Rockingham and pending the Db situation am keen to get something planed. Keep me posted if you will as it would be a blast for us both to be on the same track at once (don't worry, I may seem like a bit of a yahoo at times but when it matters, I can be very well behaved, Honest!)
Sounds good, I'll have a look around. I'm also thinking about having some track tuition too, anybody done that and recommend anything ? Having had a quick look at some of the track days and their DB limits I'm wondering if we're all gonna be a bit restricted ? Has anybody sound tested their engine and if so what kinda DB's are we looking at ? And I'm now wondering how Ultimas get thru the SVA sound test ??
luckyp said:
I feel a Ultima trackday outing coming on......
An engine will be required for such an undertaking P
Only joking mate, how is it going on that front? Scoob, I know this may sound a little snooty but personally, I rather fancy a proper type track for my first time out at least.
highflyer said:
I bought a Canam, I really wanted a GTR but an opportunity arose and its the best thing I ever did, boy am I glad I got the Canam. The Ultima is, and always will be, the only car for me. Shaking as I opened the garage doors, jumped in, fired her up and brought her out into the lovely sunshine, 80 miles later after blowing a few cobwebs away, the performance was almost better than sex (lasted longer)
so your still in love then
Tested the Can-Am before Rockingham as I was looking to do Snett on a 98db day and recorded the following:
93.4db @ 3000rpm
98.8db @ 3500rpm
102dbb @ 4000rpm
- though that could have been because the meter wasn't the last word in accuracy! It was enough to make me not risk it though.
Go for a noisy (read 105db) day and you should be OK.
Having raced most UK circuits, I was sceptical of Rockingham as I thought it was 'just' an oval - but came away completely converted. It's a great track (well, the layout we did at least) with some nice technical stuff mixed in with some sweeping bends (the oval) and straights to really clear it's lungs
The exhaust noise as it reverberates off the banking is just amazing - providing you're top-down in a Can-Am to enjoy it of course
93.4db @ 3000rpm
98.8db @ 3500rpm
102dbb @ 4000rpm
- though that could have been because the meter wasn't the last word in accuracy! It was enough to make me not risk it though.
Go for a noisy (read 105db) day and you should be OK.
Having raced most UK circuits, I was sceptical of Rockingham as I thought it was 'just' an oval - but came away completely converted. It's a great track (well, the layout we did at least) with some nice technical stuff mixed in with some sweeping bends (the oval) and straights to really clear it's lungs
The exhaust noise as it reverberates off the banking is just amazing - providing you're top-down in a Can-Am to enjoy it of course
Edited by stig on Monday 6th November 12:08
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