944 vs 951 opinions please
04-09-2007, 12:56 PM
#18
Race Director
I may be late to the this, but here is my take.
I have had my 944 Turbo since feb of 1997. Over that time I tracked it stock form and autocrossed it. It was fun... alot of fun and I figured I was at my driving limits. Then in 2000 I decided to got a little more intense and rather than go off the deep end moding my 951 I built a 84 944 NA for track/autocross use. Well it was the best thing I ever did. My 84 944 is stripped out, stock motor, and with solid basic track/stiff street suspension turns laps 7 seconds faster that my best in my stock 951. That is for a 2450lbs and 132 whp vs 3000lbs and 230 whp.
The cost to operate is very cheap for a track car. Maintenance is mostly tire rotations, bleeding brakes and oil changes. Learning curve is much much better on my NA car. Reason is I don't have hp to help cover mistakes. I overslow for corner entry and will never make up the speed. This has taught me to really drive the car in the well in the corners.
Plus.... 944 spec is great racing class. Complete cars run for 10k or so and can be raced for about $330 per weekend excluding entry fees, transport, & hotel. In the racing world there is no better value in Porsche racing. The class is designed to be driver's class with focus on keeping costs down. The only difference between podium cars and backmarkers is the driver. Also the other 944 drivers are really fun hang out with.
944 spec is open to 83-88 944 and 924S. Motors are virtually stock 2.5L 8valve and are approx 133 hp at the wheels. Min weight with driver is 2600lbs and well all run on the same tires (Toyo RA1) with two allowable OEM wheels (15x7).
I have had my 944 Turbo since feb of 1997. Over that time I tracked it stock form and autocrossed it. It was fun... alot of fun and I figured I was at my driving limits. Then in 2000 I decided to got a little more intense and rather than go off the deep end moding my 951 I built a 84 944 NA for track/autocross use. Well it was the best thing I ever did. My 84 944 is stripped out, stock motor, and with solid basic track/stiff street suspension turns laps 7 seconds faster that my best in my stock 951. That is for a 2450lbs and 132 whp vs 3000lbs and 230 whp.
The cost to operate is very cheap for a track car. Maintenance is mostly tire rotations, bleeding brakes and oil changes. Learning curve is much much better on my NA car. Reason is I don't have hp to help cover mistakes. I overslow for corner entry and will never make up the speed. This has taught me to really drive the car in the well in the corners.
Plus.... 944 spec is great racing class. Complete cars run for 10k or so and can be raced for about $330 per weekend excluding entry fees, transport, & hotel. In the racing world there is no better value in Porsche racing. The class is designed to be driver's class with focus on keeping costs down. The only difference between podium cars and backmarkers is the driver. Also the other 944 drivers are really fun hang out with.
944 spec is open to 83-88 944 and 924S. Motors are virtually stock 2.5L 8valve and are approx 133 hp at the wheels. Min weight with driver is 2600lbs and well all run on the same tires (Toyo RA1) with two allowable OEM wheels (15x7).
