944 Track car project - parts needed please

Elliot · Aug 1, 2009

I have just finished a rover mini cooper sportspack project and my next one is a 944 track day car.

I have a Cat D 1986 Black 944 stored ready for the conversion and i am looking to convert it to track day use.

I am looking for parts and will be willing to swap for parts i have or obviously pay you.

This is a budget project as the car will only be used a few times a year.

suppose i am looking for fibreglass panels, bonnet, racing seats, roll cage, harnesses etc.

I will be removing the black carpets, dash etc and centre console and probably welding the roof panel etc.

Any advice welcome and i would love to hear from you re parts needed and how to get them on a budget as i am already running two 944s, a 911 SC and a mini.

cheers Elliot

944 man · Aug 2, 2009

I have a polycarbonate glazed rear hatch, if youre interested? Its not on your list, but thats probably because you didnt think that youd be able to get one at a sensible price. [

] I can also supply you with a set of polycarbonate or acrylic windows too. PC is stronger, but even Margard coated PC isnt as resistant to scratches as acrylic (Perspex), which is far stronger than glass and a good deal cheaper than polycarbonate.

Mine has seen a few hard seasons racing in the Open series. The polycarbonate wants a damned good polishing and, in order to comply with series rules, the PC has two longtitudinally mounted alloy reinforcing strips. I wish that Id fitted this one to my own car, instead of the alternative which doesnt have the reinforcing (which has since sagged in the sun...).....

The rest Id buy new for differing reasons. The wings and bonnet represent better value new and I wouldnt entertain used harnesses, seats, or roll cage. Safety Devices are certainly superior, but you can buy a new RollCentre rear for a little over £175: and thats a good deal less than a used SD rear can be found for.

Simon

ChasR · Aug 2, 2009

After seeing a RollCentre cage in a mate's Mini I can vouch for the quality of them.

944 man · Aug 2, 2009

Theyre not fantastic in a 944; if you compare one fitted with a bolt in SD cage youll see what I mean. Theyre certified though; and a rear will keep the roof up in most circumstances.

MarkK · Aug 2, 2009

Can you reccomend the saftey devices dealer for a half cage,also anyone tried the Pro 9 glassfibre wings?I have spoke to deutsche nine but they seem a bit hard to get hold of,i would love some wings that finish well and don't stand out a mile....?

iputthebootin · Aug 2, 2009

I have a bonnet and nose panel and headlamp lids that i have just listed on ebay for 99p taken off a 1985 lux but they are metal not fibre glass if they are any good to ya?
shaun
tel 07806 688472

MarkK · Aug 2, 2009

I am after some lightweight bits thanks though[

]

944 man · Aug 2, 2009

Id use the parts from Pro-9. Simon's parts are no worse than anyone elses. The bonnet should fit, but Id expect most wings to need patience and a Dremel. I believe that youll need to speak to Kev at EMC for a bolt in SD cage; as theyre supposed to be the sole supplier.

Simon

MarkK · Aug 2, 2009

Thanks[

]

Big Dave · Aug 3, 2009

I dont think Kev will supply bolt in cages.
Weld in yes, but not bolt in....
He doesnt think they provide any protection.. + he has seen enough crashed cars to make a informed judgement....
But i suppose its worth a call...

944 man · Aug 3, 2009

He told me he was ditching them months ago, in fact: he offered me the last one for next to nothing (just before Christmas, so completely the wrong time). Other people have since said that he has them back though, and theyre mentioned in his new website. Certainly he wont fit a bolt-in for racing and I do see his point there.

A.Wang · Aug 3, 2009

Just got off the phone with Kevin @ EMC...the message I got is that he no longer stocks bolt-in half cages, on the basis that they are useless in a crash. You're better off saving the money and not have one installed.

To paraphrase the great man - if you crash, the car almost inevitably ends up on the driver's side A-pillar, and a half-cage at the back will only serve to preserve your remains in one piece for identification purposes. As Dave said above, he's seen enough crashed cars to know what is safe, and what is for decoration purposes only.

Elliot · Aug 3, 2009

ORIGINAL: iputthebootin

I have a bonnet and nose panel and headlamp lids that i have just listed on ebay for 99p taken off a 1985 lux but they are metal not fibre glass if they are any good to ya?
shaun
tel 07806 688472

I have about thirty of the above all in metal as well so no thanks

Elliot

iputthebootin · Aug 3, 2009

You could buy mine off ebay for 99p and have 31! [

]

dixhuit · Aug 3, 2009

Hi Elliot,
If you want to e-mail me I can send you a spec of my 944 track toy which was also an 85 lux originally. I have all the suppliers details of the major mods my specialist put on. We didnt go the lightweight panels though so I cant help on that issue. But I do agree with a previous post in that all safety equipment was bought brand new. Its your life at stake !! Plenty of second hand harness on e-bay at the time but thanks no thanks !

Neil Haughey · Aug 3, 2009

ORIGINAL: A.Wang
half-cage

This is the key point, I don't recall Kev saying he would stop supplying all types of bolt in cages. The bolt in solution looks OK, if its installed to meet MSA regs you need to weld in all the mounting spreader plates anyway so not that much less hassle then a full weld in job, and certainly not as good. There is a guy racing an S2 in the PCGB championship with a bolt in cage and IMHO the rest of the car is just a road car that has been stripped down, you pays your money and takes your choice as they say. Personally I am glad I went for EMC's full motorsport body shell.

andy watson · Aug 3, 2009

Hi Elliot,

I am after a few interior trim parts if you want to lose some weight and sell?

Door handle surrounds
Centre console switch cover
Heater switch cover trim
2x Door speaker covers
Ashtray
Door pins
2x Screw covers (beside left & right air vents)

Let me know

A.Wang · Aug 4, 2009

ORIGINAL: Neil Haughey

ORIGINAL: A.Wang
half-cage

Click to expand...

This is the key point, I don't recall Kev saying he would stop supplying all types of bolt in cages. The bolt in solution looks OK, if its installed to meet MSA regs you need to weld in all the mounting spreader plates anyway so not that much less hassle then a full weld in job, and certainly not as good. There is a guy racing an S2 in the PCGB championship with a bolt in cage and IMHO the rest of the car is just a road car that has been stripped down, you pays your money and takes your choice as they say. Personally I am glad I went for EMC's full motorsport body shell.

I agree that bolt-in cages are adequate and a lot cheaper to buy, however as you said it's not that much less hassle. I have a lot of confidence in the EMC shell with the full weld-in cage - as you probably know, it was "tested" at 120mph into the Silverstone pitwall, and the driver walked away with nothing more than a bruised wallet! [

]

How's your S2 coming along? Mine is (nearly) ready for racing - I am probably going to put the racing plans off until next season now, as the alternative is having to eat beans on toast twice a day for the rest of this year...

Neil Haughey · Aug 4, 2009

Achingly close to finishing now mate, Barry tells me it will be rolling by the end of the week but he will then have to put the engine back in, glass work and doors + a few odds and sods. It would be nice to have her ready to take back up to EMC by the end of next week.

edh · Aug 4, 2009

ORIGINAL: Neil Haughey

ORIGINAL: A.Wang
half-cage

Click to expand...

This is the key point, I don't recall Kev saying he would stop supplying all types of bolt in cages. The bolt in solution looks OK, if its installed to meet MSA regs you need to weld in all the mounting spreader plates anyway so not that much less hassle then a full weld in job, and certainly not as good. There is a guy racing an S2 in the PCGB championship with a bolt in cage and IMHO the rest of the car is just a road car that has been stripped down, you pays your money and takes your choice as they say. Personally I am glad I went for EMC's full motorsport body shell.