924 trackday car

[sbloxxy]

Hi everyone, just bought a 924 with the aim of using it for track days (also just bought a Boxster but wifey is very nervous by the thought of me tracking a car that we rely on for work etc). Anyway as I won't be using the 924 for very much other than track days, I don't need to compromise so much. Therefore the (tatty) interior is going along with anything else that may help reduce weight. when money allows, I can look at suspension etc but any advice about anything else I can do ( such as rear brake upgrade) would be most welcome.
Steve

 

[geoff Ives]

There was a book called 'The Porsche 924/944 Book' written by Peter Morgan and published by Haynes in 1990 and reprinted in 1998 the ISBN No. is 0 85429 764 2.

Get a copy. As well as the history, specifications and general tips on the models chapter 9 is entitled 'COMPETITION' and is a goldmine.

So start looking and good luck.

 

[lali]

I would be careful with the rear brake upgrade.... uprate the pads and fluids of course but I would try and stay the same size caliper. The 924 is a narrow car and will swap ends on you if the brake balance is out. I reverted back to the original size after having a car that was undrivable on track, it goes well now....

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nurburgsingh

Its got a gaz suspension kit devised for EMC Motorsport. (Call Kevin on 0121 3282225 ) and a few other 'bits and bobs'

 

[burrow01]

Nice video - glad I'm not the only 911 driver who is slow on the track []

Pete

 

[sbloxxy]

Lali, thanks for the video link- really enjoyable - just shows how the correct line and late braking (compared to the 911 in front) can pay dividends.What else have you done to the car with regard to engine power or is the suspension set up that makes the difference?
The reason I ask is that I hope to find most of my track performance gains by suspension/braking/weight mods rather than outright power - I want the best chance of increasing my driving skills if pos.

 

[lali]

The car has been stripped of all its insides and has got mintex 1177 pads. You cant go mad with the 924 in terms of brake upgrades because they are narrow track and you cant easily beef up the brakes without changing hubs etc... and as i said if you beef up the rears then they have a tendancy to lock up and send you off backwards.
If you are interested in improving your driving skills then EMC are a really good place to start for that as well. The whole family have been involved in racing 924/44/68's fro what seems like eons and Alex ( currently running a class 1 968 in the pcgb club ) used to be an instructor at Olton and few other places. So he knows the tracks well and more importantly he knows the cars at the tracks...
I have used him for instruction on a number of days and when he was with me at Olton park last year I eneded up going faster in my 944S2 under his instruction than a friend of mine went after having Mark Hales teaching him in his 968.... he is also the reason I can chase down 996 turbos at silverstone...

Are you doing all ofthe upgrades etc yourself?

 

[sbloxxy]

Yes, I'm hoping to carry out the majority of the work myself. I've spent today assessing exactly what I've bought and what needs doing and the enormity of the job is just dawning on me. For example, the front suspension is a just a mass of rust and really needs a full rebuild - though I'd planned to uprate this anyway. My immediate worry is that I'm about to spend a fair few quid getting the car up to a decent track day standard and I'm concerned that the car is worthy of the expense. The car looks to have been resprayed by someone who was standing at least 20 yards away at the time and to be honest this Porsche is never going to win any prizes for looks - again I can't justify a respray on a car that cost just £300.

 

[lali]

EEK!!
Its sounding expensive already..... Porsche track cars are like Pringles...

Once you pop... you can't stop!!!

Does the paint work really need reworking? I have to say from a personal point of view overtaking is much more rewarding when the car is so unasuming...

But seriously, if you look at the price of the upgrades that you are about to embark on and look at the costs for similar upgrades to say a 944S2 I dont thaink you'll find that they are any more expensive for the S2 and its is a much more capable car to start with. I know you'll never find one for £300 but I would have a really good hard look at the figures before you start to shell out on upgrades. Please dont think that I am trying to put you off but having been through it with my S2 I know how easy it is to get carried away.

 

[sbloxxy]

You know exactly where I'm coming from! To be honest I've actually halted work until I think this one through. As you say, suspension upgrades etc are pretty well the same price whether its a 924 or a 944.
Watch this space...

 

[lali]

You know what probably makes even more sense? I'd be tempted with an ex PCGB Class 3 944 race car (£5K ish ) and pay the coupl eo fhundred quid to have the lights etc put back in to make it road legal....

 

[sbloxxy]

After much head scratching, I've decided to go to plan B. The 924 is now back on Ebay and I've bought a (very cheap but much better) 924S. Seems like a heck of a lot of car for the money and its easier to justify spending a few quid on it. I'm picking it up next week so I'll tell you more then...