DJF1

I have commited myself to get a coupe to be my dedicated track car. Since selling my cab is not an option I'm on a limited budget and I cannot splurge. I'm in no rush as well so that helps. I thought of the option on getting a 951 or 968 but I'm hooked on the flat six and I could only consider a 964 or 993 since I want a car that i can upgrade over the years and when my skills improve be able to do competitive club racing.

With that in mind here are the following option I consider:

1. buying a high mileage 993 or 964
2. buying a 993 shell and built the car up.

Bying a shell is attractive as initially I do not have to lay a lot of cash and I can have fun building things myself.I'm not so sure if that will be a more expensive way and how much of a PITA the project will be...
Finally are there any differences in the chassis or the TT with the normal 993? My twisted mind thinks of getting a TT chassis and mount a normally aspirated engine...I looked at the PCA rule book and I do not see specific limitations on this.

What do you think?

joey bagadonuts

Three letters: R S A

There's probably no better option in the $30K - $40K price range than a 964 RS America. Most come without the back seat and limited sound proofing. For PCA Club Racing, it's minimum weight is 2800 vs. 3000-3200 for a C2 or C4 respectively. Many were purchased without the sunroof, stereo and AC, although the latter two are more common. LSD is also a common factory upgrade, so the right car could be a worthy track tool right out of the box.

I've toyed with the idea of an earlier 911 for track use, but the torque is just not there. As for a 951, while highly regarded by many, it's just not a 911 now is it?

I believe the RSA market is a little soft at present, so now may be a good time to pick up a very decent example with 40K - 50K miles in the mid $30K range.

Jean-Marc

I think that a dedicated track car that is not a factory Porsche race car is a money pit and if you are not doing it "for the fun" with money as no object, you will loose a ton of $.

When i wa sin your situation, I decided to buy a Cup car (993 cup) and never regreted it as it held its value, cost less than if I had built one and was a very easy resell when i decided to get out of it.

Think about it, you can probably get a very nice 993 cup for 65-70K and getting an RSA + mods will get you in the 55K range. Now, I also advise to carefully consider the fact that you will need a trailer, a dedicated tow vehicle, lots of room, etc etc etc... Most importantly, you will need lots of time. Good luck whatever you decide to do
JM

Greg Fishman

Danny,
Not the RSA, you might as well buy a C2 and convert it without paying the extra $$ for the RSA.
Look at a 964 Cup Car. Best bang for the buck, and in PCA it runs in the same class as the RSA. They weigh about 2500lbs and for PCA you add about 200# of balast. They have center lock wheels and air jacks. My guess is you could get one for around 40-45K. Contact Gert he probably has a contact for one. I also know a few guys that can import one, email me and I will give you their names. I don't know if it is sold yet but my mechanic knows of a 993 Cup car for $57K.
Greg

Jack667

I would go for the RSA. Check the proposed rule changes for Club Racing:
<a href="http://www.pca.org/pca/clubrace/rule_changes_review.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pca.org/pca/clubrace/rule_changes_review.htm</a>
to note that the C2/C4 may be going to a higher class, and the RSA's may be going to a lower class.
Also, keep in mind that if you want to PCA Club Race on a budget (ha, ha!) the only way to go is the stock classes.
Regarding the tt with NA, would have upgraded brakes, etc, and you would probably run as "prepared". I can't imaging thaqt this would be a cost-effective plan, unless you fell into a deal on a tt roller, somehow.
2nd choice after RSA is a C2.
Either way, you can upgrade exhaust and suspension and stay in class. You will have a very fast car...

E. J. - 993 Alumni

Damn Greg and Bill, They want to move 1995-1997 RS cars to B class.

And move RS Americas to E class.

Greg Fishman

EJ,
I know. I am sure it is some prepared RSA's that are making the fuss. I wrote in my 2cents worth so hopefully it won't change. Very, very few cars run in B class and I know that I would get killed. The Radical is starting to look pretty good!
Greg

DJF1

Thank you all for your replies!
I have looked into the option of getting a cup car. It is just a bit out of my league right now as it would require a tow vehicle and then the budget skyrockets. Also I'm not sure how to go about financing a car like that etc etc.
I'm looking at starting in the stock classes, maybe prepared but something I can drive to the track and back so it has to be street legal. Also since all have wisely said in the past I think that i should get my hands dirty with a "slower" car first, learn the dynamics of racing and move up if necessary.
Regarding the Turbo chassis, I see in the rule book that it will run with the normal 993's in the D class. Jack said that the uprated brakes would put the car into "prepared". How about the C4S that came with Big Reds? In any case I was thinking of the TT chassis because I do have a deal on a theft recovery one.It is just the chassis, no suspension no nothing on. Would a TT chassis be stiffer hence a better platform?
In any case your advise on getting a 964 and bring it up to Cup standards maybe the best thing and the cheapest way to go.

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

Jack667

Danny -
I may have been wrong about the prepared status for the tt project. I think that "turbo-body" means the "S" version of the 993. I guess you should be able to run with them...

Greg Fishman

Danny, Danny-boy,
There is no cheap way to do anything in racing
You can take out a credit line and buy anything you wish!
I know you don't want to hear it but the best car to drive back and forth to the track is a 944 Turbo S or some variant. You can get one in the low teens, with some track prepped stuff already there. 911's don't have a lot of room and you would have to have a track trailer like EJ's.

A 993 C4S would run in D stock. I don't think the brakes would bump you up a class I know a couple guys that ran 993's in D with the larger brakes, but they aren't 100% necessary if you get the right cooling ducts.

Building a race car is the most expensive way. A 964 Cup car would be much, much cheaper in the long run, especially if you want to be competitive one day. Don't fool yourself you will want to be at the front after you get some experience, it is hard to be in the middle or back because your car is not prepped right. IMHO

DJF1

[quote] Building a race car is the most expensive way. A 964 Cup car would be much, much cheaper in the long run, especially if you want to be competitive one day. Don't fool yourself you will want to be at the front after you get some experience, it is hard to be in the middle or back because your car is not prepped right. IMHO

<hr></blockquote>

Words of wisdom! You are absolutely right...I want to kick some butt and get the trophie home one day! Who wants to run in the back??
That's exactly what I'm looking for. A Car that I can eventually grow into and be competitive...
A 964 then it is!

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

4flynlow

Danny:
I would mirror some of the earlier posts. Racing is not a inexpensive hobby even on the recreational level.I grew up with one of the racing legends "DAN GURNEY" and know first hand how much time and money is involved.That being said I believe the best platform to start in is karting.I personally run a 125cc 6 speed shifter kart which makes my 993TT seem slow by comparison.The shifters are used by many formula 1 drivers to train and stay in shape.They are absolute blast to drive and a day at the track will only set you back about $100-$150 between fuel ,tires,admittance and whatever you brake.I love it and believe it is an excellent way to get your adrenaline rush without flogging your P-Car.If anyone is interested the San Diego PCA group is going karting in October.
See you at the track!
Jeffry <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Martin S.

I believe Steve Alarcon at Johnson's Alignment in Torrance, CA has a 964 Cup Car for sale. It is very fast and well prepared. It can't be driven on the street.

Jeff 993TT

Here's something else to throw in the mix.

Have you considered running Spec Miata (SM) or Spec Racer Ford (SRF) cars?

They are relatively inexpensive to get into, ~12K for the SM, ~25K for the SRF. And the best part is that you'd be racing! The experience that you gain using these cars would make you faster when you went back to a high HP car. These suckers only have ~110 HP, so you really learn how to carry your momemtum through the turns.

And they are cheap to run also. You can run an entire season on 1-2 sets of tires. Try doing that with your p-car. Even just doing a few track days will destroy my $1000 set of tires on my TT. If you are racing in your p-car, you'd probably have to change tires almost every race.

I'm probably going to do the SM route next year and see how it goes. Then I might upgrade to the SRF series down the line.

Jeff

DJF1

Jeffry you have a good point about Karting. I gave it a go when I was 18,19 and run 100cc for a few practise events in Europe back then. I agree 100% they are a blast but my weight and size are rather prohibiting to be competitive on a platform that depends so much into weight ratio.
I remember though that the best fun laps I ever had were in the rain running on slicks. It was not competition, just practice runs and for the first time I was able to learn throttle steering and weight transfering.
Recently in France and after so many years, I had a go at a Kart track in Loheac, with a Sodikart 125 ( French chassis Rotax engine). Puting aside that I barely fit on that damn thing it was an exilarating experience for sure and I can totally appreciate the fun you must be having!

Enjoy!