I got to drive the Cup car on the track for the first time yesterday. I’ve been both anxious and nervous waiting for this day. Mostly the later. Having just been occasionally starting her up or taking her around the block, you still immediately know that a Cup is a huge step up from a streetcar. Stiff clutch, short shifter, no power steering, slicks, strange metallic noises and crazy loud exhaust. It’s a real racecar, and never having driven such a car before, I had no idea what to expect.

My main impressions which struck me after three sessions on track:

1. The suspension is STIFF. My track 993 is setup with 600/800 H&R springs and MO30 (f)/RS (r) sway bars. I still get some noticeable lean in the fast turns. I don’t remember the Cup leaning at any instance.

2. I like the lack of power steering. When the car would step out in the rear, the steering wheel would seem to try to correct your mistake for you. Too much input and the wheel will snap back for you. Your arms, however, will get tired.

3. Once you hit about 5000 rpms, the cabin gets very loud. The rear of the car sounds like its going to shake itself to pieces. If you didn’t know you were in a Supercup, you’d think you were in some broken down jalopy.

4. Slicks are AWESOME. They are like crack. You feel invincible with them and after the first try you’re hooked forever.

5. Once you get acclimated to the short throws and clutch, the gear shifting is very smooth. I was afraid of missing a shift due to inexperience, but I got the hang of it by the end of the day.

6. Acceleration: 2500 lb car, short gears and 315-325 hp.

At the end of the day I had a wheel bearing fail and cause one of my tires to come off of the rim. Since the car was now much lower on that side, I couldn’t fit a jack underneath to remove the wheel. So the airjacks came in handy. Till then, I wasn’t really convinced they were that much easier than just conventional jacking, what with hauling a nitrogen tank around, forcing the wand onto the coupler with 400 psi in the line, and needing big crescent wrenches to break the air line from the tank. I like the centerlocks, but I was having trouble keeping the car from rolling (no emergency brake) while trying to torque 340 ft-lbs with a 4’ wrench.

 

Kevin, WOW I am jealous - that car is the ultimate dream hobby for me...When you have a chance post more pix!

 

Nice toy. Hope you're wearing earplugs? I don't know anyone who drives a racecar without them.

 

That's a great thread. I have been racing mine for sometime now and forget how I felt when I first drove it. Your thread in right on target. Sorry to hear about your wheel bearing.

Once you get the hang of the air jacks, you will never want to use a reqular jack again. The air jacks make tire changes and bleeding you brakes simple and quick.

I usually put a piece of wood in front on a wheel while breaking the centerlock nut. It is helpful to keep the car from moving. If you forget and put the car in the air, just have someone get in the car and hold the brake pedal down.

They are noisey, but when you have your ear plugs in for your radio, it isn't that bad.

Slicks are great, they take you to a new edge, when the break loose, hold on. These 993 Supercups with the multi link suspension are a blast to drive, you get a lot of feedback and the tail is not as happy as a 964 Cup.

Congrats, have fun and while you are smiling and enjoy the heck out of that car, let people know I have one for sale.

 

Congratulation Kevin,

I'll see you at MSR for the CR/DE - I'll be in my 'toned down' garage queen ;-)

Ben

 

Good stuff! What races are you planning on doing this year?
I believe the SC suspension uses 1500lbs springs so it is going to be very stiff.

Probably not a bad idea to add wheel bearings to your annual maintenance list.

 

Make sure to do all 4 wheel bearings while there. On my Cups we changed wheel bearings spark plugs,and tie rod ends at the beginning of each season. We changed oil and gear lube after each event which is WAY overkill but I do it to keep track of things. A more reasonable schedule would be oil every 3-4 with gearlube double that.

 

Ben -

When?.....

 

It's Memorial Day weekend.

Mav PCA Club Race/DE

Ben

 

Please pardon my ignorance, but are the club cars imports (i.e. Euro spec.) only? or Porsche actually sold U.S. legal club cars here? Also, what kind of OEM suspension came with the clubs?

Not that I'm buying one, just need some education. Thanks.

CP

 

Hey Glen, the oddest thing was that there was a little grease coming out of the center hole of the centerlock bolt. I guess it was an early indication that something was wrong.

George

 

In the back or the front?
If it is in the back there is an opening from the hub bolt all the way to the cv joint but there is a compression fitting that you tap in that will hold the grease in. I don't think it has anything to do with the bearing.

 

Cup cars are not street legal and do not have to comply with US DOT/EPA regulations. They are sold through Porsche Motorsport America in Santa Ana or one can buy them from European sources.

http://content2.us.porsche.com/prod/...aenglish/sales

 

Viken,

Thanks for the link. Amazing cars there. Wonder how much it is for a 962 these days?

CP

 

Yes, it was in the rear. I wonder if the fitting came loose. I hope that doesn't mean Kevin needs to look into his cv joints......

George