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New to the forum and 986s. I'm taking on a project with a 986 V2 (2003) for ChampCar Endurance racing. I've been racing 944's both the 2.5 and 3.0L for several years and have had much success. Now I'm taking on the 986. It maybe brilliant or the dumbest thing I've ever done. And here is what makes this build a challenge. Per ChampCar rules the 986 V2 with manual transmission would be assessed 2 penalty laps. I can avoid the penalty laps if I run the Tiptronics transmission. That's the plan endurance race 986 v2 with Tip. So I hope you will be interested in my project.
Challenges and Goals:
Complete build and testing for Watkins Glen 7 hr race at the end of May
Get the racing weight under 2400# current weight is 3000# yikes!
Tiptronics: rules are pretty open on what I can with the automatic. I will be researching how to build this trans to be quick reving and quick shifting to get 0 to 60 times closer to the manual car. As delivered
Other Mods:
ECU tune (ROW or aftermarket?)
Remove immobilizer?
Euro Exhaust (extra points for aftermarket exhaust) to eliminate the catalytic converter.
Thinking 17x10 wheels on a square set up
Must run 200 tread wear tires. 255 0r 275
Perhaps some aero
Most of the suspension, brakes will have to remain stock.
Current state: stripping the car to install the cage. plan is ti have to the cage builder Dec 1 and back in 2 to 3 weeks.
Pile of parts removed. Needs to weigh 800# when done... I'll try to sell off as many of the stocks parts as possible.
This is a big departure from what most are doing, spec classes and such. Those in endurance racing series are running the 2.5L manual. I'm hoping I can make the 2.7L Tip a faster car. I hope it will be of interest to you all and thus will provide your thoughts input and experience.
I will have lots of questions as I go through this project.
Thanks all
More to come.
Jay
Last edited by ChampRacerJ; 11-07-2021 at 09:39 PM.
Good luck with the car. I did one Lemons race with a team in a Nissan Altima, and as goofy as it is, it's a lot of fun. That's interesting that a manual gets penalty laps automatically!
Good luck with the car. I did one Lemons race with a team in a Nissan Altima, and as goofy as it is, it's a lot of fun. That's interesting that a manual gets penalty laps automatically!
the 2.5l manual has 25 points to spare, the 2.7l is over the points limit as is.
you will want a deep sump, baffle and under drive pulley, and camber any way you can get it
Well, it looks like it is too late to tell you that you just chose the most expensive route to a race car. That being said, sometimes it is the satisfaction of journey that counts the most, so enjoy your build!
Up-date on the progress:
Thx to all for comments and replies.
The car is ready to go to the cage builder. I have relocated the fuss box, repay box, immobilizer and main wire harness to the center of the car to provide room for the roll cage. Also removed is the dash bar, heater/A/C unit. etc. I've replaced the AOS (failed). Other wear out items will be replaced.
Thinning the wire harness down to the essentials is going to be a royal pain of a job. I was going to trace each wire to its source and de-pin it. But it might be easier to just cut what I don't need and trace the remaining section back to the its source and de pin. Thoughts on what you have done?
The doors are gutted. I will just use just the door outer skin bolted to the car to reduce as much weight as possible. Hence they will be fixed and non-opening. More pics on this later.
A/C is removed and using the non-A/C serpentine belt.
What are the racers doing with Power Steering. Are most of you deleting the PS? We have in the 944. Tried it in the 928 and it was imposable to drive.
Exhaust: I don't want to take the points for aftermarket headers, so I can either get the Euro Spec OE exhaust manifolds (I don't know the part number) Or cut the cats off and fab the exhaust.
Euro exhaust pic below:
As the roll cage is getting fab'ed I will be working on the thinning the wire harness, removing the cats, PS? Trimming every non essential part or material to reduce weight.
After that will be buying new parts to replace typical wear out items and race parts. Also researching what to do the tiptronics to make it race worthy.
Are you going to use a containment seat? I would find it nearly impossible to egress with a fixed door. Especially if the sliders were damaged in a crash.
Good point, we ran into this issue with our 944. In the 944 we have fixed doors and fixed seat. A containment seat would not allow egress so we used a basic racing seat. In the Boxster we will have a similar set up, except the seat will be on sliders to accommodate the 6" difference in drivers leg length. The doors are also reduced to 3/4 height.
Good point, we ran into this issue with our 944. In the 944 we have fixed doors and fixed seat. A containment seat would not allow egress so we used a basic racing seat. In the Boxster we will have a similar set up, except the seat will be on sliders to accommodate the 6" difference in drivers leg length. The doors are also reduced to 3/4 height.
It's the short guys like me that have a problem. Old doesn't help either. Taking our 944s to NJMP today for the AER 14 hr.
11-07-2021 | 09:35 PM
986 Endurance Racer Build
so we used a basic racing seat. In the Boxster we will have a similar set up, except the seat will be on sliders to accommodate the 6" difference in drivers leg length. The doors are also reduced to 3/4 height. 
It's the short guys like me that have a problem. Old doesn't help either. Taking our 944s to NJMP today for the AER 14 hr.