Building the Ultimate 944 Cup....?
11-02-2006 | 08:48 AM
#1
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From: in a racecar somewhere...
Building the Ultimate 944 Cup....?
Since winter is coming I thought I needed a project to keep me busy. I bought a 1986 944 NA and intend to convert it into a 944 Cup series car. Engine will be freshened and I will basically start with a blank canvas. For those who have built cars, what are some of the "do's" and "dont's" and steps to include or avoid when building a 944? I need some wisdom and inspiration! I'll post pic's as things progress over the winter.
11-02-2006 | 10:04 AM
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From: Royal Oak, MI
Do - put in the biggest torsion bars you're going to possibly want up front. You don't want to do this twice. Of course, you can do rear coilovers, so that may not be in your plan, but just in case it is.
Do - get good shocks. I don't personally put much faith in Koni yellows for proper race use, even at Spec 944 spring rates, I just don't find they have the durability.
Don't - put too much faith in big swaybars unless you've got an LSD...
Do - replace all suspension bushings, whether it's with plastic or spherical.
I second the comment on custom cage; mine's the OG design, and even though it's the best (off-the-shelf) one I've seen, it could be better.
Do - get good shocks. I don't personally put much faith in Koni yellows for proper race use, even at Spec 944 spring rates, I just don't find they have the durability.
Don't - put too much faith in big swaybars unless you've got an LSD...
Do - replace all suspension bushings, whether it's with plastic or spherical.
I second the comment on custom cage; mine's the OG design, and even though it's the best (off-the-shelf) one I've seen, it could be better.
11-02-2006 | 10:04 AM
#5
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From: Heber Springs, AR
If you need the bores done, to fit oversize pistons, send the block and pistons to Duffin Engine in San Antonio TX. You can look at the JAB RAcing in the sig to see their work and complete build of our track car. After some discussions with Mahle this year on machining, they recommend keeping the factory tolerance on piston to cylinder wall clearance, rather than trying to tighten it up a bit.
11-02-2006 | 10:06 AM
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First . . . read the rule books and then read them again, and then maybe ask a scrut questions before you spend a dime.
With respect to 944 cup, which is what I run, you can come into the series via one of two paths: PCA OR SCCA. You cannot mix and match. As such, it can be a little confusing at times as to what is permissible and what is not, particularly because you may see some cars running mods that are unavailable to you since you entered via the other path.
TD
With respect to 944 cup, which is what I run, you can come into the series via one of two paths: PCA OR SCCA. You cannot mix and match. As such, it can be a little confusing at times as to what is permissible and what is not, particularly because you may see some cars running mods that are unavailable to you since you entered via the other path.
TD
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11-02-2006 | 10:27 AM
#8
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From: in a racecar somewhere...
should have added...the car is bone stock, street car. Excellent cosmetically, the current engine is coming out and I have a donor engine already set to go in which will have new bearings, oil pan, etc....I'm having Steinel's put the engine in...after that, it's all on my own!!
11-02-2006 | 11:17 AM
#10
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From: Phoenix, Az
well if it is going be a PCA prep 944 cup then use rear coil overs. SCCA prep 944 cup then big t-bars.
Like TD said... best to read the rules and pick SCCA or PCA prep then build the car to those rules.
BTW.... do you want a 2.5L or 2.7L motor?
ON the other Hand...
If you want a top notch 944 SPEC build I can help you with that give you everything you need to know. 944 spec can run in 944 cup, but it may not be competitive. 944 spec rules can be found at http://944spec.org
Like TD said... best to read the rules and pick SCCA or PCA prep then build the car to those rules.
BTW.... do you want a 2.5L or 2.7L motor?
ON the other Hand...
If you want a top notch 944 SPEC build I can help you with that give you everything you need to know. 944 spec can run in 944 cup, but it may not be competitive. 944 spec rules can be found at http://944spec.org
11-02-2006 | 11:18 AM
#11
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From: St. Louis
Do: Call Karl at Racer's Edge and let him suggest how to "pimp your ride" suspension-wise. He's developed or helped to develop the original versions of most of the 944 racing suspension goodies available today.
1+ for the custom cage. Well executed it can be well under 90 lbs which would be helpful for a 150 hp car.
By the way,what is the best header choice for the NA motor?
1+ for the custom cage. Well executed it can be well under 90 lbs which would be helpful for a 150 hp car.
By the way,what is the best header choice for the NA motor?
11-02-2006 | 11:22 AM
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From: Royal Oak, MI
Originally Posted by VaSteve
I assume you mean "at the beginning". I've never seen T-bars in the front.
I've heard that the Stahl header, while spendy, is one of the best for the 2.5L.
11-02-2006 | 11:26 AM
#13
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From: DC/Boston
Originally Posted by bgiere
what are some of the "do's" and "dont's" and steps to include or avoid when building a 944?
......(the "don't-get-one-of-them-fewc's-in-the-first-place" "don't's")
)