chilix

I have an '87 944 N/A prepared to a legal spec in PCA I-class racing. The car can weigh as little as 2779 pounds in this class. My car is 50 pounds over weight. What can I do to lose weight in this car? The power steering isn't leaking and that is planned to stay in until it does leak. I found that the hatch carpet weights about 17 pounds with all the sound padding. I'm thinking I can get some cheap light carpet and cut a similar shape to stock and put it in place which would probably save me 10+ pounds. All the speakers are gone. How much does the cruise control system weight? How much does the sunroof motor weigh? What else can come out that will save weight?

I'm currently looking for an example of a U.S. spec 944 w/o A/C from the factory so I can legally take out the A/C system and move the alternator down.

Until the engine is rebuilt I'm stuck with a tired out 150000 mile engine which has little grunt left and losing weight can help make the car more competitive in the class I run in. I know with a carefully blueprinted and rebuilt engine (everything measured well within spec), at least 10+ hp can be gained over original stock spec. Regardless, I turned a 1:54:XX lap time in this car at Road Atlanta and my typical lap is around a 1:56:XX.

Mighty Shilling

does it have a cage in it yet? is the total weight with the driver? try the A/C delete... it's a good thing. I beleive the A/C alone would knock off that 50 pounds you wanna lose...

Mighty Shilling

Rockfan, I got my AC delete kit from Paragon, and it was the factory bracket. I do beleive that is legal in PCA, I know for a fact it is with NASA.

Kurt R

I'd like to find an AC delete US spec car too. I don't think one exists.
If you still have stock seats replace them both with racing buckets. Remove any undercoating you can get at. Every little bit helps, and before you know it you'll have the 50 lbs gone.

Mongo

Do you have the stock seats still in the car? swap to a Sparco, Corbeau or Cobra seats. This will save you some significant weight.

shiners780

Get a Braille light weight battery. You'll save about 30 pounds, from the FRONT of the car and high up, and relatively inexpensive. There's been mention of a GB here recently, I'm eagerly watching for that. Not sure of the stock class legality though.

yellowline

Lexan hatch, if you wanted to get creative?

I'm surprised you think your engine is losing steam at 150k. I have 122k on my '83, and it feels really strong. I've given the tope end a little refresh, I can't wait to see it now. I don't believe the engine was opened up until I did it recently.

ELLSSUU

There's a good excel spreadsheet detailing pieces that you can take off of a 944 and their weight. PM me your email addy and I can forward it to you.

BTW, I didn't create the file I only saved it to my HD.

Mighty Shilling

as far as I know, at least in NASA, Lexan hatches are illegal... too light.

shiners780

IIRC stock class cars can only replace the front windshield with Lexan, the rear hatch must remain glass. Don't quote me on that though.

The stock class rules are fairly specific about what can and can't be removed/replaced.

shiners780

Damn, Geoff types faster than I do.

Mighty Shilling

Serge944

here you go

M758

Well in a PCA stock class 2779 is the min weight. No driver.

The trick is there is alot of stuff you can't remove due to rules. NASA (944-spec) rules are very different and not compareable. Heck we are 2600 with driver so that is 2400 to 2450 lbs for most cars.

In PCA stock you can pull the sound deadening under the carpet and then replace the carpet.

chilix

the car is all race ready...Corbeau seats, safety devises roll cage, light weight battery...i know a/c delete is okay in NASA but in NASA the interior can be gutted too...I checked with the screteners in PCA and unless I find an example of a factory A/C delete, I can't take out the A/C system...

The engine is all tired out and that can be shown on the long straights at Road America compaired to other I-class cars who pull away even if I gain in the turns on them...I have another '87 N/A as a daily driver with 132XXX that has a lot stronger engine than the race car. It's noticable!!!

I have a 87 944 N/A in my driveway that I got for just over $150 with everything but the engine that I want to build into a car for NASA...the interior is toast but I have a lot of core parts to sell that are worth more than the car was bought for.