Hi all,

I'm not even a Porsche owner...yet. But I'm looking, with money in hand. I'm looking for a pre-74 911 to set up as a nationally competitive autocross car. Anyone have any idea what the "hot" setup is in this regard? My thought was to do a 72-73, with a 3.0, to get the best bang for the buck. Although, I've heard the 2.4 and 2.7 are pretty torquey too. (Torque is more important than top speed for autocross). I'm very green to the Porsche world, having raced a Honda for a few years now, so any tips would be appreciated. Thanks,

mto

 

I assume you're contemplating "A Street Prepared"? The SCCA rulebook lists the 911 up to 3.2L, which means you could put a 3.2L engine rather than a 3.0. There was an article in Excellence, a Porsche magazine, about a guy who did this specifically to set up for ASP autocrossing. It had info on the suspension setup as well. I don't recall the exact issue so you'll have to track it down.

I have a 92 C2 that is set up for ASP, but it's certainly not nationally competitive even if I was a good enough driver.

 

One more thing: the back of the rulebook lists the names and models of past national champions. There are quite a few 911's that have won ASP. It probably wouldn't be hard to track down these former winners and ask them what they did.

 

You may want to consider a 914. I have heard from several that they can be very competitive.

 

No doubt the 914 is a great autocross car, especially when set up properly, BUT it isn't competitive (nationally) under the current SCCA classification rules. It typically has a weight advantage in its classes, but it's very underpowered compared to the dominant cars in its classes. Check out the results from Nationals for the past few years. I don't think a single 914 competed at last year's event. I know that no one trophied in a 914.

OTOH, if you're simply after FTD and bragging rights, a 'prepared' class 914 competing in regional events can do very well.

 

I just finished an early "Prepared" streetable 911 built to race POC time trials and PCA Auto-x events. I'm not current on SCCA Rules for solo racing. The Excellence magazine mentioned above is the July 2001 edition. The car is a 70 911T owned by a gentleman named Randy Wells. The car he put together is really something, very well done. from what you said in your post, this sounds like exactly what Mr. Wells accomplished. If you can't find this issue, contact me and I'll try copy it and mail it too you. PS I also really like the 914's for this purpose, it is a shame SCCA rules killed these cars for solo competition.

 

That Excellence magazine sounds great! I just went to find their website, but couldn't track it down. I was thinking of either running ASP, or SM2 (Street Mod), depending on the car I get.

And yes, I'm definitely looking for a 911 over a 914. 914's are phenomenally well-handling cars, but just aren't very competitive right now.

Thanks for the responses.

mto

 

Found the article! It's actually the November 2001 issue (issue #106). The project cost the guy $50K before he had to rebuild the engine, at which point he poured another $22k into the car.

The car weighed 2300 pounds (!!!!) before installation of a roll cage.

Check out the 2001 SCCA Nationals results. Randy placed 9th in ASP out of 21. His codriver placed 6th.

 

OH!, you must be talking about Randy's car...yeah, a real POS! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> (Tongue in cheek..winky smiley, all of that)...good luck beating him! His "unfair advantage"? He belongs to R Gruppe, among other things..

 

Yea, I'll NOT be sinking $72k into the car. I think it can be competitive for FAR less money! eBay, here I come....

 

I stand corrected: a 914 won F prepared last year.

 

mto-

For SM2, you will need a highly modified 930 Turbo or you will be bringing a knife to a gunfight. No way you are going to build a competitive one for less than $50K unless you own a prep shop or something. SM2 was a little soft last year because it was a provisional class at Nationals, but people are getting their cars developed now and it will be tough next year. JGW (who won it last year in a borrowed ASP Corvette) is dialing in his 930 this season and from what I have seen lately, this man is SMOKIN' in that car. It is a BEAST!

Do not underestimate the level of competition at the National level these days. In ASP, you will have to deal with GT in his Corvette, and his car is set up by the best in the business and the guy drives for a living! The FP 914 is Greg Fordahl's, and I think we all know about his reputation as a driver/mechanic/fabricator.

The two other Rennlist members who could help you figure things out besides Randy are Mike Piera and Matt Murray, both past Natl. champs.

I think you have a better chance of being nationally competitive in a Boxster S in A stock these days.

Good luck,
TT

 

Tom,

Thanks for the info. The *good* news is, my good friend Bill Lamkin finished 3rd in ASP at nats last year in his 02 M Roadster. He's done a massive amount of work on it over the winter, and has a real shot at the championship this year. So, at the very least, I have a local guy to gauge my progress against. I don't for a minute think that this car will be nationally competitive for a couple of years. Heck, I haven't even chosen it yet! Not only that, but I've *never* driven RWD, so the driver has a couple of years of development yet. That said, I'm willing to put in the time and the investment to make it happen. I'm just looking for a good donor car at this point.

Thanks,

mto

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Michael O'Neal:
<strong>Not only that, but I've *never* driven RWD, so the driver has a couple of years of development yet. That said, I'm willing to put in the time and the investment to make it happen. I'm just looking for a good donor car at this point.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Well, I've never driven a FWD car in competition so we're even, I guess.

If you're determined to prep a 911 for ASP, then definitely read the article about Randy's car. You should look for a solid, rust-free tub in the '69-73 vintage, probably a T model, as they are the least expensive, and put a 3.2 in it built to the rules. Keep the 7:31 ring and pinion from the early 915 box, though, if you get a later tranny, as it will help you pull out of the slow corners better. You will still be underpowered compared to the Corvettes and overweight compared to the Lotus Elans, but it will be a fun ride. I do notice that the 2003 rules allow the GT-2 ('02+) in ASP now, if $$$ are no object.

When the car is done, I would suggest taking the Evolution (ex-McKamey)autox and Dial-in courses when they are in your area if you are serious about competing at the National level. It will speed up the learning curve considerably <a href="http://autocross.com/evolution/" target="_blank">(Evolution web site here)</a>. It's good that you have your friend to use as a benchmark, that will really help to show you how you're progressing. Be patient and have fun.

I hope to make it to Topeka one of these days, but so far I have just run the National Tour events when they were in town to sample the competition. I got a DFL in ASP the first time I ran in my 911 w/ a 3.0, but I actually trophied in C-Mod in my FF the second time, and had the fastest run on the second day. I'm trying to sort out my new D-Mod car for next year now. Luckily, the level of our local competition is very high, so I know how far I have to go, still.

TT

 

So far, I have two local championships in STS, and am usually top 5 at national tours and Pro Solos. Last year at nats, I was top 10 the 2nd day, but forgot to show up the first day...

I would love to take an EVO school, and will soon enough. I have to get this new car dialed in first. And yes, $$$ is definitely an object. I don't have the dentist/doctor budget for this thing. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Thanks for the advice.

mto