M758

Patti, The spec cars run 2600lbs with driver. So that means empty car weights of 2400 to 2450 lbs or so. We don't allow any fiberglass or lexan have limits on wheels. So to get there folks must rip every last thing out of the cars.

In my mind that is one significant difference between an I car and SP1 car.
The I car feel more like a stock car with a cage and really nice suspension.
A spec car feels more raw and purpose built since it is lacking all nearly all the creature comforts. When I built my race car long ago I was not looking for a street car with cage and nice suspension. I wanted a more raw feeling that came with a stripped out car. I and H just like all the stock classes are great for those that want to keep an interior in their cars. I don't want to see any stock classes "put out to pasture" due to adding a spec class. I do however think the ability to take a cheap beat-up 944 NA and turn it in to a fun, raw, low buck race car has been lacking in PCA. Now one has chance.

Some folks may find it strange, but there is something to be said for racing a very raw feeling car. Knowing there is little left on the car that is not needed. Sure it may not change the racing any, but part of the reason people race is for fun.

svochuck

I just got my second 944 to make into a spec race car! I was planning on building the cars just for NASA then running it in PCA with the full race crowd. PCA has made a race car class that i can afford to enter but still have fun. 3 kids all under 10.
I do not understand this " taking up spots" deal if there were 50 944 spec race cars at an event i bet there would be more events!

chuck

M758

aeshultz

And just another data point - from my observation - about the onlything "stock" in most PCA "I" car IS the interior. Most are modded far beyond what Spec944 allows.
Alan
Owner of a newly PCA legal Spec car!

M758

Great

968gene

How many SP-1 cars are running in the Southeast? I just purchased a 944 for track use and I'm hoping the class is there by the time I get my competition license.

M758

I am not sure. The class is new so only time will tell.

However since 944 spec was started in the middle of 2002 we have some 70+ race cars in Arizona, California and Colorado with 95% build from scratch for the class.

John Brown

Really nice suspension as in stock and comfortable or as in racer? Cause all the 'stock' cars around here are of the 'racer' variety. So much so that they are likely to feel much more 'raw' than a car prepared to your spec rules. PCA 'stock' suspensions allow LOTS more than the spec rules.

John Brown

Amen

M758

As in a stock street car. I don't mention those tube frame, brick shaped dinosaurs in any form of road racing.

Oh... I don't think any car with an interior and A/C feels like a raw race car.

I can be fast and fun to drive, but can't match that 'bath tub" feeling of stripped out race car.

curveraider

I have never driven a 944, but the spec class sounds like a real grass roots type of class that would be fun. Is there a great benefit in running the different gear ratio of the '88 cars and what does a rebuild of an engine run. Please assume that the work would done at a shop and not DIY.

Thanks

M758

The only different ratio is 5th gear. It will only make a difference on tracks were 5th is used. How much of a factor depends on the time spend in 5th. For places like Willow Springs, and Cal Speedway you really need the short 5th.

Engine rebuilds... cost depends the labor rate, but any reasonble competant shop should be able to do the work. I have rebuild engines at home and they are as competitive as any engine. I have also seen $1000 junkyard motors win races. Realistc rebuild cost is maybe $1000 in parts (seals, bearings, ect) and maybe $2k in labor. I can't really say as I have only done it myself. What I can say is the rebuilds are standard by the book rebuilds. No fancy stuff needed. In fact 90% of engine would run just fine with new rod bearings ($700 parts/labor) and a freshend head ($200 for head work and maybe $500 removal/replacement).

The bores themselves don't wear and most motors will not need new rings.

curveraider

I am still real new at this track stuff. I hit 5th in my 993 at T-hill, but I think it is because my car is re-geared. Anyway, can somebody tell me if 944's hit 5th at tracks like t-hill or b-willow? I have a line on a very affordable 944, but it's a 85.5 not a 88 so I am debating on pulling the trigger or waiting.

Thanks,

M758

The 944 spec will hit 5th any time over about 100 mph.

If you have a line on an 85.5 get it. You can get the short 5th from a 924S gearbox complete or take from a 944 Turbo or 944S gearbox. These are rather simple swaps. I got my short 5th from a complete 87 924S gearbox in my 84 chassis.

pixrken

Hi Arlen,

I'm just about tap out in 4th prior to turn 1 at T-hill in my 944spec (my rev. limiter was raised about 500rpm).
Was not able to get into 5th at b-willow either.
The only track I been on that I got into 5th and stay there for awhile was Willow Springs. You can get into 5th prior to turn 8 and hold full throttle thru the long increasing radius sweeper which is turn 8 at about 120-125mph in a 944.
None of our Norcal tracks (Thunderhill, Leguna Seca, Infineon) are as fast compare to the Socal Willow Springs and California Speedway tracks (never been to Cal Speedway).

I was doing DE/HPDE with my supercharged 996 for about a year and got to point where I was worried about damage from even a minor offroad excursion since my 996 was only 4" off the ground, hence my build up of a dedicated track car.

I'm having a lot of fun with my 944spec because I have to work harder (dive deeper, brake lighter) to keep the momentum up to compensate for the lack of HP.

We have a group going to Thunderhill this coming wed. (3/22) for a trackday with the Lotus club. About seven 944/924S plus some 911's and boxsters.
If you can make it, please join us.

--Ken