944S destroyed engine... do I kill it or fix it?

[Indi9xx]

As some of you may know... I have a 944S with what seemed like a blown head gasket.

After a long time being too busy to even look at it, I decided to let my apprentice take the head off to see what was going on inside the depths of the engine.

Turns out its managed to accumulate a couple of slightly bent valves and a cracked head, along with some nice touch points on the piston crowns from the valves.

Technically, I have no questions (as you may expect)... the question I am Um'ing and Ar'ing about is...

Should I strip it for spares or search for a good head? (rocking horse what?) and then sell it.

I really should do something with it, because I just realised the number of Porsche I own has now reached TEN !!! And this one is one I am not emotionally attatched to.

I may not follow your advice.... But I think I would appreciate your input!

 

[333pg333]

Take the engine out and use it (the chassis) as a mule for any development motors? What were the fundamental differences between the 944 and the 944s? It was still 2.5ltr so not sure what separated it from stock?

 

[Diver944]

Fantasy option #1

Drop in a 3.4 litre, 16v variocam Turbo running at 2 bar boost and enter it into the Porsche Open against GT2's and 935s []

More realistic option #2

Replace the head (8v if 16v unobtainable) and gut the car to below 1000kg, get Rick to cover it in 9xx Decals and charge £1000 each for six keen 944 Register members to drive it in this years Britcar 24Hr race at Silverstone. Finish the race and gain plenty of worldwide kudos and PR among the 944 community.

Finally.......

Send Ben the bill

 

[eastendr]

ORIGINAL: Diver944

Finally.......

Send Ben the bill

[] [] [] []

 

[Indi9xx]

Ouch... sore subject []

Paul, do you really think that you could find six people prepared to pay £1000 each to enter a 944 into the enduro?

One of the things I was contemplating was stripping it, putting a half or whole cage in it, a couple of bucket seats, putting on some design 90's, giving it a 8v 2.5 engine and loom and then using it for a ring trip later this year (before the safety nazi's go and ruin it), maybe doing a couple of track days in her and then putting it on ebay as a track toy afterwards.

 

[John Sims]

ORIGINAL: Indi9xx

..... do you really think that you could find six people prepared to pay £1000 each to enter a 944 into the enduro?...

I'd have a job justifying £1000 but might sneek £800 past Belinda []....but not if Ben is in the team

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: Indi9xx

Paul, do you really think that you could find six people prepared to pay £1000 each to enter a 944 into the enduro?

Dunno, but we've already got two of us after only a few hours (ok so John is on the cut price entry where he does his own refuelling and brake pad changes while the rest of us sit in the 944 Hot Tub relaxing )

 

[David]

ORIGINAL: Indi9xx



One of the things I was contemplating was stripping it, putting a half or whole cage in it, a couple of bucket seats, putting on some design 90's, giving it a 8v 2.5 engine and loom and then using it for a ring trip later this year (before the safety nazi's go and ruin it), maybe doing a couple of track days in her and then putting it on ebay as a track toy afterwards.

Do it you will have loads of fun
regards dave

 

[zcacogp]

When is the safety nazi's appointment at the ring? And what do they have in mind?


Oli.

 

[carlmthompson]

ORIGINAL: Diver944

ORIGINAL: Indi9xx

Paul, do you really think that you could find six people prepared to pay £1000 each to enter a 944 into the enduro?

Dunno, but we've already got two of us after only a few hours (ok so John is on the cut price entry where he does his own refuelling and brake pad changes while the rest of us sit in the 944 Hot Tub relaxing )

I could be tempted. I'd have to do an early slot though as my bedtime is 9pm. When is it? Just so I know when to start syphoning money from the joint account (ssssh!)

 

[944Turbo]

I would be very tempted as well, once in a lifetime opportunity, (though a bummer if someone else wrecks it prior to your stint) guess we would need a race licence as well, can we borrow the club lorry for the weekend?
[]

 

[Peter Empson]

Nice idea Paul!

I could be up for this too, depending upon funds of course (which would be a struggle for me this year if I'm honest). I've been keeping an eye on the 2CV race series as that seemed like a good way into endurance racing, but this is a much better idea! []

Regarding the cost, how about considering allowing each driver a small portion of the car which they can use for any sponsorship they might be able to get? (as long as it doesn't compete with 9xx of course). Might help to reduce the financial impact a little...

As Tony says getting a license is another issue, plus there's the need for a race suit and so on which would soon add up for novices like me (I know John has no worries here!).

Best regards,
Peter.

 

[John Sims]

ORIGINAL: Peter Empson

....... plus there's the need for a race suit and so on which would soon add up for novices like me (I know John has no worries here!).

I have big worries! My race suit seems to have shrunk over the years. [8|]

I did wonder about sponsorship and those of us with Companies of our own will no doubt wish to avail ourselves of such tax efficient advantages. []

As for obtaining outside sponsors, I would suggest that one is more likely to bed Keira Knightley or obtain use of the PCGB trailer. [] I know which of those three options I would pursue.

 

[Indi9xx]

Its all sounding like there may be some merit to this idea.... worth looking into!

With the safety nazi's at the ring, its just a gut feeling I have had for about the last 5 years and it gets worse the more the ring is on programs like topgear.

My worry is we live in not only a country that is obsessed with safety at the expense of common sense and enjoyment, but also in a europe which has the same agenda.

I can see a time where the ring will accumulate speed humps, traffic lights, speed cameras or something else which will turn it from being the worlds most amazing tollroad come race track, into something like the M25 or the very sad brooklands.

Too many born again bikers, bike passengers and back street heros end up head first into the armco for the safety Nazi's to ignore it forever... I plan on getting at least a couple of ring trips under my belt during 2007

 

[SimonP]

You can count me in......................

Simon

 

[Fen]

Is there still a slot left for the Enduro drive? No definite decisions yet, but as it's looking quite likely 2007 may be my last chance I'd definitely be up for that especially if I could have a panel to put the company logo on to justify fat Gordon paying part of the cost. It would be a laugh doing the ARDS course together etc. as well.

I'm already booked for 'Ring trip #1 in early April []

 

[944Turbo]

you enjoying the trip then fen?

 

[Fen]

It's superb thanks. A bit of rain this morning, but it's beautifully sunny again now as it has been the rest of the time since we arrived on Thursday.

 

[333pg333]

When's this race??? I'm over that way later on this year.
Fen where are you??

 

[DivineE]

Wow owch this topic hits a bit of a sore point in the old memory (guilt trip)! So what an earth caused the valves to meet the pistons??

Apart from the pressure in the header tank and 11ltrs of oil per 1000miles it was consuming the engine felt smooth and quiet right up to 5mins before it died (and emmited a three lane wide smoke screen accross the M40)? Did the timing belt fail?

Ben