nowata

Can someone provide a rundown of what should be done to a Stock 78 sc just to make it suitable for de events?

Primarily concerned with handling and reliability

race911

How good of a car are you starting with?

Casual DE, or looking to maximize what the platform offers?

Finally, is this a $1-2K project.....$5-7K......$10-12K.......or yes, unbelievably $25K+? (Some Spec 911 builds at the world class shops push 991 GT3 money. But they would make a factory built Spec 911, if such a thing were to be built, look like something I could piece together.)

nowata

Casual
Drive to track and back sort of thing maybe 3-4 wknds period yr
Minimally invasive to a stock condition car

I am looking for a decent alternative to my 993 so I don't devalue or damage it

Prefer an air cooled car but they might all be too expensive for me now

Spyerx

Good tires, good brake pads, good brake fluid, fresh oil, fresh tranny fluid, car in a good state of tune and not leaking all over the track. Get it inspected and ensure it is sound. Just drive it!

Sky is limit if you want to go all in.

pu911rsr

I am going to get flamed for this but here we go- BMW E36 M3, I just bought a nice track rat for $10k, fantastic track car. I've tracked and raced Porsche's for over 30 years can't get anything close to the value of a M3 for track use.

Phil

nowata

I agree 1,000,000% with this however I also Enjoy Attending Rd., America with Pca Chicago and they no allow non p cars so as not to pollute the herd. Old habits are hard to kill

However They change could their rules even if it means having a non p car session

If so I might grab a satin jacket and a gold chain and a z06

pu911rsr

Ok here would be my priorities:
1. Safety, especially for RA
2.Reliability - for a SC that means keeping oil cool
3. Handling - proper alignment

I'd buy a car already done- a decent SC is a $25k plus car these days, if you already own one I'd put a good race seat with good harness set up and go have fun.

Phil

Techno Duck

E36 M3 is alot of fun on track, very forgiving handling dynamics and probably the perfect amount of power to be fun but not get you into too much trouble. Sold my '97 last year.

If you want to keep it Porsche on a lower budget than an air cooled car, perhaps look into a 944. Lower cost of entry and for about $10k you can make a pretty nice track car. Its a momentum car though unless you go S2 or Turbo, both of which will be more expensive than a n/a 8v 944, but still cheaper than an SC i bet. The 944 is very similar to the E36 in respects to a very neutral handling car, just it has about 100bhp less!

Edward

Wait, the OP asked about a 78SC, so you guys are giving him advice on M3s and 944s?

To the OP,
Weight:
- Is your a/c working, or do you care? If it is expendable, you save lots of weight with the compressor, evap, etc, as well as all that plumbing. FWIW, I ditched mine and the pile on the garage floor was considerable.

- Ditch the rear bumperettes. Each one of those beasts likely weighs close to 10lbs, and waaay out the rear end of the car, so this is a nice savings.

- Take out the spare tire when you're on the track ...careful with your back as it's a doozy

Reliability:
- Good oil, fresh brake bleed, check your pads' life.
- watch oil temp on track. You may want to ditch the stupid "trombone" oil cooler and perhaps get the for a Carrera "finned" type (you don't "need" the fan if you manage airflow properly). Or at least the euro one that is a radiant type with more surface are for cooling than the trombone.
- Do all your standard maintenance and these cars are mechanically near bulletproof.

Handling:
- Tires: sticky rubber is the easiest thing to improve handling.
- What's your "tolerance" level? Modest T-bars and Bilstein shocks are easy, relatively cheap, and are a great enhancement on the track while not beating you up on the street. Lots of options with stiffness here, so get lots of advice.

Hope that gives you a few tings to think about

Edward

nowata

Thanks for the refocus

I am looking at buying a car to do this and the 78-81 are more within my budget than an 84+

I am not looking for a dedicated race car and I prefer to stay with an air cooled car

I'd prolly keep the ac in tact to keep it as original as possible

I'm just looking for the low hanging fruit changes to do

Basically...is this car even a smart starting point or should i just get a Boxster/cayman? Oh that's gonna pull some responses

Jason @ Paragon Products

I'd start with the regular maintenance items. Make sure your shocks and suspension bushings are in good shape. Change to a high temperature brake fluid like ATE Type200, Motul 600 etc. Check pads and rotors and insure that the battery is secured.

pu911rsr

A torsion bar 911 is a fun track car but a more modern Porsche is a heck of lot easier to drive and faster. The entry point for a decent SC is at least $25k these days, they are terrific cars and appreciating. If I wanted a good Porsche DE car right now I'd probably try a Cayman S that some one else has already set up.

Phil

nowata

...which is part of my dilemma

Cayman will never hold much less appreciate and they're less durable from what I've heard and read

The last event I did was is my 993. There were a couple '06 caymans in my session. I'm not gonna pretend to be the best driver but I'm decent. But they sure looked like they were having an easier go of it than I was to go the same rate around the track.

Freddie Two Bs

I plan to do exactly the same if I ever manage to buy an SC. These cars deserve to get a workout and stretch their legs once in a while.
Twisty back roads may be fun, but two wheels in the air on the uphill at lime rock is even more fun.

To me, the fact that it can be a challenging car to drive fast adds to the enjoyment. I'd like even more if you had to double-clutch it and had no power assisted brakes.

Charles Freeborn

Here's what I'd say too. The usual maintenance items are a given (oil , pads , etc) but the best bang for the buck I got with my car was replacing all the suspension bushings. Not terribly expensive in parts, but labor intensive.

Modern cars will be faster - no argument there - easier to drive too, but getting an old car to go is a better education in my book.



-C