It is my understanding that, in the United States, both Air Conditioning (M573) and Power Steering (M657) were available options. In other words, they were not standard features of the production car. Can anyone verify my understanding?

I am asking because I am trying to class my car for PCA club racing.

Thanks,

TD in DC

 

TD,
Make it simple. Run the car in the 944 spec class. By all accounts your car is legal per 944 spec rules. This way no reson to run A/C or put the interior back in. You would need to run 15x7 cookies however. You can however run the car at 2400-2450lbs or so and can run camber plates.

To anwer your question. I believe you need the A/C. Powersteering was an option in 1983. Not sure about 1984. I think it may have been standard. So to use manual you need to work through the update/back date rules to ensure it is legal.

 

Hey Joe,

I know you are right, but I am trying to understand the differences between (1) the 44 cup rules, which might become a PCA class just like 944 spec recently did, (2) the new SP-1 rules, and (3) the old PCA stock rules.

When I had my motor rebuilt, I didn't end up using the old ITS Spec head that was on the car. As a result, I have stock crank, stock pistons, and a stock head, which means that I basically have a PCA stock motor now rather than an ITS spec motor. Since I no longer have the benefit of the ITS spec motor, I might as well use the PCA classes, which allow a lighter weight AND 15x8 fuchs rather than the 15x7s.

Here are the 44 cup rules:

2006 RULES
In an attempt to create parity between the various classes, and yet minimize modifications, the following preparation rules will apply. All cars must meet the preparation rules of either SCCA or PCA for the car's declared Stock or Improved Touring Classes with the exceptions listed below:

(a) Car and driver must meet minimum weights combined (see chart below). Weight requirements, which include driver, vary depending on the SCCA or PCA Class. Cars will be weighed upon their first event.
(b) PCA cars may remove any part of the car interior and delete A/C, heater, and headlamp systems related parts.
(c) Updating or backdating by model type is allowed.
(d) Replacing stock mirrors for other models is allowed.
(e) 924S may add flares to their fenders or use 944 fenders and still be classified as PCA I.
(f) Any DOT approved tire is allowed.
(g) 924 in both SCCA and PCA are permitted to replace original body parts with fiberglass or carbon fiber and lexan for glass. Also 924 wheels, cams and brakes are free, and the fuel injection system can be replaced with carburetors.
(h) A window banner of the title sponsor and two 944 Cup decals must be displayed to earn series points and prizes.



PCA Eligibility
Model Year Class Displacement Min (lb)
944/924S 83-88 I 2.5 L 2650 H 2.5 L 2750

~ Euro Spec years 83-87 required to add 100 lbs, years 88-89 same as above
~ PCA Stock with allowed "prepared" changes required to add 100 lbs

SCCA Eligibility
Model Year Class Displacement Min (lb)
944 83-88 ITS 2.5 L 2800

Here is a link to the website: http://www.44cup.com/info.html


Since the 44 cup rules allow me to run PCA weight despite no a/c and no interior, I think that is the way to go so that I can get the lower weight and the wider tires.

Am I thinking about this the right way?

TD

P.S. Thanks for all your useful advice. You have become my western mentor of sorts.

 

If you are running PCA you have 4 options in that car

1) PCA I - stock. here you need A/C, interior and car weight of 2779lbs - you can run 18" wheels and mondo tire however

2) 944 spec = PCA SP-1 - Run the car at 2600lbs with driver, stock motor, basic suspension like you have, 15x7 cookies ith 225/50 R15 Toyo RA-1's. This is the lightest and cheapest configuration

3) 944 cup PCA SP-2? - prep to PCA I with adjustments = Class is in the works as far as I know. Car would be 50lbs heavier than the spec car, but you could run hoosiers on massive wheels just like I-stock. Plust have a more developed suspension that SP-1.

4) GT4S - You can pretty much do what ever you want so long as you keep displacement to 2.5L, run DOT tires and have a safe car. You will get creamed in the class.


From what I know of your car if you use the right tire/wheel combo you car is perfect for the 944-spec SP-1 class, but even with big wheels & tires is underprepped for the 944 cup class. However being underprepped for 944 cup may not be that bad in class if many folks run similar setups.

If you are running 944 cup prep using the PCA rules as it will give you less weight compared to the ITS rules.

944spec and PCA SP-1 rules are word for word the same right now.

Here is a link

NASA 944 spec
http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/944-Spec-Rules.pdf

PCA SP-1
http://www.pca.org/clubrace/docs/944...rules_2006.pdf

 

Thanks Joe, and I think you are absolutely right. I will probably only run one PCA race per year, so my main focus needs to be on 44 cup. I also think you are right that I am very underprepped and overweight for the 44 cup rules. Now, I don't really think that matters too much until I improve my driving to the point that the car is holding me back more than the driver, but I still need to pic PCA or SCCA (with adjustments of course) in order to qualify for the 44 cup. My point is that the wisest course will be to start with PCA and adjust rather than with SCCA and adjust. This will give me a lighter weight AND bigger wheels within the 44 cup rules, which will also be fine for SP-2 assuming that gets adopted.

 

I may be a littled biased, but your VERY best course of action is to build to 944 spec rules.
It will be cheaper and you can stuff more tire on the 15x8" wheels than 225/50's anyway.

Ideal would be a strong 944 spec class in that area. 2nd best would a be 944 spec prep level for 944 cup.

Since neither of those exist you should just run PCA I prep in 944 cup.

The big differences between 944 cup I stock prep and 944 spec prep

Wheels & Tires = open in 944 cup / spec'ed in 944 spec - lower cost in 944 spec
Engine = stock in 944 cup / stock in 944 spec, but allows chips (wahoo 2 hp! gain)
Camberplates = 100lbs weight pentlay in 944 cup (H rules apply) / legal for 944 spec better camber curve = sightly better handling and better tire wear.
Bushings = any type for 944 cup I-prep / Must be non-metallic result lower build cost slightly less performance
spring rates = open / 30 mm max t-bar in the rear results in 250 to 400 lbs front springs - keeps costs down since no rear coillovers needed and allow use of cheap shocks since the spring rates are still in their effecive range.
Shocks = open in 944 cup / limited to Koni/Bilstein "performance street" shocks. keeps costs down greatly, but limits performance as well.
Tranny = stock/stock can run short 5th found in 88 944 and all 924S
Weight 2650lbs for I / 2600lbs for 944 spec.

That is a quick run down of the differences. I'd expect a fully built to the limit PCA I-prep 944 cup car to be faster than a 944 spec car due to the tires allowed and the ability to run a seriously nice suspension. That will however cost 3k more to build and quite a bit more operate as Hoosiers and other really sticky tires don't last too long and are rather expensive.

The truth is however you should still be able to have blast in 944 cup as an I prep car. I believe that many of the drivers in the class have not prepped to the absolute max of the rules. A few proably have and you will have a hard time beating them not mater how good you get.

That is one thing I love about 944 spec rules. It is rather easy to build and maintain a car to the limit of the rules and to have equal equipment as the fast guys. Then all that is left is learning how to make use of that stuff to be fast. In most classes it takes alot more money to have a car and maintain a car capable of winning races.

 

My 83 (#610) has both AC and powersteering. I always wondered because neither of them were on the option code tag as extras but everyone says P/S was not even available in 83. Mine came with the sway bar option though(Sport). I've heard that many early 83's didn't have a rear sway as standard.

 

Tod, I think you had non-factory brake calipers, which put already you out of ITS rule set.

 

Actually, they are being removed as we speak! Remember, we discussed that at the track

 

I'm not familiar with PCA rule, but I thought you can have non-factory. If so, why don't you keep them with PCA rule set?

 

Because they carry a weight penalty and they are, IMHO, unnecessary. If I want to be fast in a momentum car, I need to learn how to use the brakes less.