Kevin Ross

Hello Everyone

I have a quick couple of questions... want your advice please...

I currently have a 944S, and want to know if, in your general opinion, this is a great track car?

Right now it is stock, but I am willing over time to put the right mods on it. In other words, I will take this car off the road and modify it for the track. Good idea or not?

Or should I get rid of it and go for something like an S2 or a Turbo? Or should I use the extra dollars to get the 944S up to scratch?

If you think I should keep and modify, then what do you suggest I do, and in what order?

Many, many thanks!!

Take Care!! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

User 41221

I have no idea what your race sanctioning bodies are like down under, but in the States, the 944S falls out of favor fairly fast. A lot of it depends on what your intentions are... DE's are open and you could certainly have fun in one, but for basically the same money, you can get a 951 and have a LOT more upside potential, and most folks will probably tell you to go that way.

As for me, I think its kind of nice to start with a car you already own and know its history, but I do think you will find rather limited opportunities to play with an 'S'.

Regards, ...Scott

Kevin Ross

Scott,

951 = 944 Turbo, right.

(and he hears the whole 944 community take a collective breath in shock at the question )

sweanders

[quote]Originally posted by Kevin Ross:
<strong>Scott,

951 = 944 Turbo, right.

(and he hears the whole 944 community take a collective breath in shock at the question )</strong><hr></blockquote>

Right!

Or if it is a right hand car - 952..

Jerad

I thought 952 = Turbo S. I guess you learn somethng new everyday.

Z-man

Kevin: I think the 944S is a great car to start with. My suggestion was be to use your 944S and attend Driver's Education events: where it's not a race, but you learn how to drive your car on the track. As you progress up through the ranks, you'll encounter people who are already involved with club racing and they can give you suggestions on the next steps.

The 944S should make a very good track car, provided you keep up with the maintenance. The cam-chain guide/tensioner should be replaced at least every 100k miles. If you're attending 5 or more DE events a year, I'd replace the timing belt every other season. The rod bearings need to be replaced more aggressively than if you don't track the car. So your first step is to keep the car in excellent running order.

Second, I'd suggest you upgrade your safety stuff: get a set of 5 or 6 point belts, a harness bar, and a fire extinghuisher. Later on, you can upgrade to a full cage.

Third: you can upgrade your brakes: get a set of intermediate track pads: they should be all the upgrade you need for a year or two. The good think about such pads is: they won't tear into your rotors like the full-track pads, and they will provide additional stopping power. Also: they will last longer than normal street pads.

Fourth: If you must upgrade: start with the suspension, and take baby steps: if your shocks/springs...etc. are in good shape, then I suggest upgrading your rear sway bar to a 968 M030 19mm 3-way adjustable bar. Leave the front bar alone (getting a bigger one will most likely give you more understeer: something you don't want) Our cars have a good suspension: learn on the stock setup, and as you develop your style, you'll know what upgrades to make. Take your time: you'll find that as you learn to drive better, it's not the car's suspension that's slowing you down, but the loose nut behind the wheel!

Fifth: you can get fatter rubber: If you have 7Jx16 front and 8Jx16 rear wheels, you can mount 225/50ZR16's front, and 245/45ZR16's rear. That will get you a bit more stick. Stick with street tires for now: the stickies may make you faster, but it will allow you to drive sloppy.

Hope this helps!
-Zoltan.

PS: Besides attending DE events, see if there are autocross events in your area (parking-lot races). Not very glamorous, but it sure teaches you car control!

smokey

The 944S can be turned into a very compeitive H class PCA club racer, if you're thinking in that direction for the future.

Dave

944 and 951 are type numbers that represent actual models, 952 was used as a "catch all" to represent parts used on short(er) production runs. The parts labled 952 are found on S2 cab's and 951S's (which are just that, 951S's). I've never before heard of 952 part numbers for RHD vehicles (not that it isn't posible) but RHD cars were built before the use of the number. Anyone who claims their car is a 952 is not familiar with the numbering system (IMHO ) unless they have a RHD turbo cab, and even then the number is not being used correctly.

Kevin Ross

Everyone

Thanks so much for all the advice!!

I will go away and think about it all and let you know what I decide.

Can anyone comment on the 968? I might be able to grab a '92 6-speed 968.... how are these for track use?

Thanks a ton!

Z-man

The 968 can make a really great track car, but when you consider that you can have a well sorted and modified 951 that can easily be faster than a 968 on MOST tracks, is it worth the extra price of admission?

And the 951 can be modified easily to produce somewhere between 270 - 300hp for little money. With the 968, you've got about 240hp, and that's about it, unless you start using lots of $$. (944S, 944S2, and 968's are not often modified: tuners are somewhat afraid of the 'fragile' 16v heads)

One thing the 944S2 and 968 have that the 951 can't is a good dose of low end torque: that helps coming out of the corners!

Practically speaking, the 951, even the 944S2 is better for a track car. This, from a 'money' point of view. Then again, in a few years, I may upgrade my 944S2 to a 968 and of course, it will see track time!

Just my $0.42.
-Z.

Brent 89 - GT

I personally think the 968 is a great track car. I have two buddies that run them in DE all the time. I had a modified turbo that was undeniably faster. It was also insanely expensive to run where the 968's just need tires and brakes. Besides the stock 968 will easily run with the stock 951.

The one guy has 115k miles on his 968. It is a dedicated DE car. He has a modded turbo for the street. He used to run the turbo on the track but found the cost to do so quite high. He is very pleased with the 968 on the track. I am amazed at how well they do.

The 944S will be a great starter car but, you will likely long for the extra power at some point.

Kevin Ross

OK

That's some great food for thought. Thanks everyone!

BTW - what a great crowd you are! I tend to lurk around the 964T forum, but this board absolutely hums with activity!

Cheers! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

944togo

Don't count the 944 out for track use. Check out this site: <a href="http://www.944cup.com." target="_blank">www.944cup.com.</a> Here is a great venue to race your 944 in.

Stuttgart951

[quote]Originally posted by jjd944na:
<strong>I thought 952 = Turbo S. I guess you learn somethng new everyday. </strong><hr></blockquote>


Thats what I thought.
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">

gleamingred944

A 944 with square tires is one of the finest road cars ever made.

As a track car, it's a dog.

Enjoy it for what it is! I do.