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Looking for pictures and build details of any 944 variants used for off-road and/or rally racing.
I've seen a few pictures here and there of the factory rally efforts and they are great, but would like to see more recent examples
I have in my mind the idea of getting another 944, stripping it out and lifting it to make it a high-ground clearance off-road racer/truck/Afrikakorps vehicle. I've got all kinds of things designed and worked out in my mind but want more inspiration...enough that I just might go do it.
I considered this route for my car for a while. Here in Colorado they have a dirt hill climb series that looks like a lot of fun.
Prior to this car I had nothing but built up classic 4x4s and really miss sliding around in the dirt.
The problem I ran into is that, while there is a ton of info on road race suspension setups, there isn't much info on how to design and build a suspension set up to take this kind of abuse. There would be too much guess work, broken parts, time, and money to get it figured out properly, most of which I don't have at the moment.
Strut spacers, blocks to move the caster mounts down/crossmember (lift the engine back up though for sump safety)...works for subaru
notched spring plates and index the t-bars to lift the back end, find longer rear shocks (perhaps borrowed from the baja bug catalog).
not super tough but not fragile either, t-bars suspension is hard to break, biggest concern would be the lower balljoint on the front arms, but the VW heritage provides for mono-ball joints to bolt between the arms and the spindles which should be very tough! alternatively...make a porsche twin-i beam front end
apply skidplate and big tires. avoid big jumps but enjoy the gravel and dirt. limit straps? stock CV's will be totally fine even with ~3" lift.
cut back panel between lights and make a mini-tailgate, build flat floor over rear seat buckets and isolate from the front seat area (weatherproof cargo box?)
swing out rear tire carrier? roof rack? front bumper full of lights??
We've been RallyCrossing 944s for a few years now. So far we have done nothing more than run with winter or rally tires.
I do have plans to build an MR class 944 this year. I will be starting with an empty shell and bolting on only what is needed to make it go, stop and turn.
The reduced weight will automatically raise the ride height. I am expecting about 1/2 inch of extra clearance from this. For what we are doing - there is no need for more.
I will use Lexan for all windows other than the windshield. The plan for the rear hatch is to have a simple sheet of Lexan mounted flush against the seal using dzus fasteners or even hood-pin type mounts.
I will fabricate a fiberglass hood and maybe header panel. All lights will be removed and covered with a thin sheet of fiberglass. I will make a light bar that can be bolted in place for our day/night events.
Doors will be gutted with a pull cord to open the latch. I'll create a sliding guide system with pip-pins that will allow two or three positions for the door "glass".
Unless I can find a good used LSD for cheap - I will probably have the diff welded up. We'll look for ways to squeak a little more power out of the engine but reliability is critical. Ideally a 968 or S2 engine would be best - but I'm not ready to take the engine out of Stu for this project.
I'll probably document the build over at Reutterwerk since I have used up all of my photo attachment permission here.
There is a guy that ran STPR in a 944 the last couple of years. We were in a Group2 Lancer so I think we were in the same class. You might be able to find some information on his car if you do a search. I only chatted with him for a few minutes. We didn't get too deeply into build aspects.
Protective plating under the engine and transaxle should be among the first things to consider if you plan to do any "real" off-roading. Our build may include some protection of the engine.
Awesome!
I agree stripping it will help, since it'd be a 944 truck sort of thing it doesn't need to be so comfy, that's what the other 944 is for
As far as reliability goes I was thinking about modifying a 944 engine to make it non-interference for this car. Keep up with maintenance of course anyways but nice to have that added security.
I'm rally spec building a cross country drive out of an 86 944NA. Only about a 1/4 into it, need to sort out suspension, continue stripping out interior components, and install seats/roll bar. Before all the grumbles, yes it's an automatic. For my purposes and experience cross country traveling this works to my advantage as I'm often driving 12+hour stretches through traffic congested cities, road construction, and operating camera/invitational equipment. W/ 120k on the odometer this 944 has been reliable.
01-11-2015, 09:31 PM
Show me your off-road/rally 944s.
