Coilover kit for 944 Racing
- Thread starter PKR944
- Start date
Neil Haughey
New member
Its a good point actually. The ones without the remote reservoir are extensively used in MX-5 racing where they are also not allowed to use remote reservoir shocks.
I think you must be looking at the '3 way race' not the V3s. The V3s don't have remotes.
Having said that, Dave does bring up a good point about the rear rebound adj being difficult to get to. I wonder if you couldn't cut a slot of some sorts up in the wheel arch / rear tray area to gain access?
I don't really read too much into the fact that the series Dave alludes to doesn't have any/many running KWs. There are plenty of KWs on the track around the world. They do allow you to run pretty high spring rates too. Higher than you'd need on a stripped out n/a.
It's not that I have shares in KW as the reason that I suggest them, just very happy with their ability to run over hard or irregular surfaces and maintain stability. I am actually switching to Motons with remotes for the access. They enjoy a very good reputation, but I am mildly concerned that I'll lose some of my compliancy. Anyway, sounds like the GAZ are a good and well supported brand.
lali
New member
cheeky bar stewrd....
Sadly / Happily(?) I think I've proabably had more sets of suspension on my 24/44/68's than most. I'm the first to admit that I don't know the ins and outs of all of them but I can tell the difference between them... just about[
]
A lot of it does come down to the type of circuit that you're racing on, if its smooth and flat then the KW's will prehaps be too much of a road bias compramise. However if its got big kerbs and you need to ride them to get the best lap times or if the track is 'ring like then they come back into play.
Access to knowledge is the key to a lot of this if you are starting out or running the car yourself. There is no point in speding huge amounts of cash on kit that no one knows how to set up for you...
I took the plunge with the GAZ stuff off the bak of an EMC recommendation and the assurance that with their valving they'd be able give me the settings for every track in the UK. If I was using the 968 in the VLN then it'd have KW's on it without a doubt because there is more data for KW's at the 'ring thn any other brand of suspension.
...that said the GAZ kit I run on the Beetle worked really well at the 'ring but it aint anywhere near as complex a set up as the 968.... see told you I didnt know what I was on about!![8D]
Sadly / Happily(?) I think I've proabably had more sets of suspension on my 24/44/68's than most. I'm the first to admit that I don't know the ins and outs of all of them but I can tell the difference between them... just about[
]A lot of it does come down to the type of circuit that you're racing on, if its smooth and flat then the KW's will prehaps be too much of a road bias compramise. However if its got big kerbs and you need to ride them to get the best lap times or if the track is 'ring like then they come back into play.
Access to knowledge is the key to a lot of this if you are starting out or running the car yourself. There is no point in speding huge amounts of cash on kit that no one knows how to set up for you...
I took the plunge with the GAZ stuff off the bak of an EMC recommendation and the assurance that with their valving they'd be able give me the settings for every track in the UK. If I was using the 968 in the VLN then it'd have KW's on it without a doubt because there is more data for KW's at the 'ring thn any other brand of suspension.
...that said the GAZ kit I run on the Beetle worked really well at the 'ring but it aint anywhere near as complex a set up as the 968.... see told you I didnt know what I was on about!![8D]
Neil Haughey
New member
ORIGINAL: Paz
Lali me ol' fruit, stick to driving fast and leave the techie stuff to those who know what they're talking about [
. . . And when can I have a go in your 968? [
Is there something going on here Lali, what 968? Have you bought another one or a race car or something [8D].
BTW the latest Demon Tweeks catalogue landed on my mat the other day, it has remote reservoir KW's in there with a price from of £4.5K (3A).
Certainly sound advice when starting out in racing to start by getting your car and setup from someone with plenty of experience in that race formula.
PKR944
New member
Hi All, Thanks for the input for the suspension.
I have booked in a track day in February to baseline the car the way it is at Sandown Raceway in Melbourne and will look at getting the coilovers fitted after that. I have had a wheel allignment done to add on some negative camber for now.
I still feel a little confused on which ones to get for the car as would love to see a couple on the track with the KW's just too see how they run.
Paul
I have booked in a track day in February to baseline the car the way it is at Sandown Raceway in Melbourne and will look at getting the coilovers fitted after that. I have had a wheel allignment done to add on some negative camber for now.
I still feel a little confused on which ones to get for the car as would love to see a couple on the track with the KW's just too see how they run.
Paul
PKR944
New member
I would just like to thank everyone again for their input and assistance in gaining some direction. I have made a final decision and am going ahead with the KW Motorsports. I am looking forward to getting them in the car. My first track day is coming closer (12th Feb) so also looking forward to getting out there and base lining the car. I just hope the weather holds out and I get a clear day.
I have also purchased a Cobra race seat and the car should be going in to get caged, seat and suspension fitted in approx March/April.
I have also purchased a Cobra race seat and the car should be going in to get caged, seat and suspension fitted in approx March/April.
That's a shame, you could have bought my KW 2 way race M/sports for a lot less than you'll pay new nowdays. What did they quote you and where are you getting them from?
Did you fill out their questionnaire? Is your car still going to be street registered? If so be careful which seat you go for. The full 'Halo' version is a no go on the road.
Who's doing your cage? I've deal with Rod Smith of R.S.Racing and he seems a good and experienced guy when dealing with 944 Challenge cars. I bought one of his heated windscreens
for mine. Good to deal with.
This seems like the Aus subsection of the PCGB forum![]
Hope you guys are OK what with all the bad weather and all.
Have you seen the latest UK edition of Top Gear? Featured a good natured ribbing of the Top Gear Aus team who had to endure such cheap shots as being transported in a prisoner lorry and driving cars bolted upside down in a double decker. And Jeremy was even nice to you!
]Hope you guys are OK what with all the bad weather and all.
Have you seen the latest UK edition of Top Gear? Featured a good natured ribbing of the Top Gear Aus team who had to endure such cheap shots as being transported in a prisoner lorry and driving cars bolted upside down in a double decker. And Jeremy was even nice to you!
PKR944
New member
I was chatting to someone in Germany in the motorsport section and eastcoast suspensions here in AUS to get them.
I have been getting a bit of a prompt from Chris at Centreline Suspension in Thomastown (Melbournes northern suburbs) to get into racing. I have organised for him to build the cage. I have seen a few cars that they have worked on and they all look to be really good quality with their workmanship. He has also been saying to take the car to the track stock to baseline it just to get an idea of how it runs prior to the majority of the work being done. He has given the car a wheel alignment and it now has 3 degrees neg camber front and 2 degrees neg camber rear with +1 toe in front and rear. I have purchased race brake pads from aporschapart, which have now been fitted. I have also got a 944 challenge spec cam and Wolf 3D ecu. I am tempted on getting a heated windscreen as it needs to come out for the cage to be fitted.
I am going to organise club rego for the car in VIC before I start to strip it so hopefully that will be ok with the seat and harness.
I am booked in with Driver Dynamics to run the car on one of their track days. Sandown 12th Feb. It will be the first time on the track in the 944, should be a good change from a 1971 Ford Falcon. There should be a lot less fighting with the car. Hopefully have added a picture of the Ford in here for the UK friends.
I live in Melb so have been away from all that is going on, have been chatting to colleagues and friends that know people in QLD and have been told that they took a big beating by the cyclone but the ones we have heard from are doing OK. Jeremy and James are coming to AUS to host a few TopGear shows in Melb mid March. Surprisingly my wife actually bought me a ticket to go along with a couple of my friends, so looking forward to the show. The Aussie version does not compare to the UK version.
I have been getting a bit of a prompt from Chris at Centreline Suspension in Thomastown (Melbournes northern suburbs) to get into racing. I have organised for him to build the cage. I have seen a few cars that they have worked on and they all look to be really good quality with their workmanship. He has also been saying to take the car to the track stock to baseline it just to get an idea of how it runs prior to the majority of the work being done. He has given the car a wheel alignment and it now has 3 degrees neg camber front and 2 degrees neg camber rear with +1 toe in front and rear. I have purchased race brake pads from aporschapart, which have now been fitted. I have also got a 944 challenge spec cam and Wolf 3D ecu. I am tempted on getting a heated windscreen as it needs to come out for the cage to be fitted.
I am going to organise club rego for the car in VIC before I start to strip it so hopefully that will be ok with the seat and harness.
I am booked in with Driver Dynamics to run the car on one of their track days. Sandown 12th Feb. It will be the first time on the track in the 944, should be a good change from a 1971 Ford Falcon. There should be a lot less fighting with the car. Hopefully have added a picture of the Ford in here for the UK friends.
I live in Melb so have been away from all that is going on, have been chatting to colleagues and friends that know people in QLD and have been told that they took a big beating by the cyclone but the ones we have heard from are doing OK. Jeremy and James are coming to AUS to host a few TopGear shows in Melb mid March. Surprisingly my wife actually bought me a ticket to go along with a couple of my friends, so looking forward to the show. The Aussie version does not compare to the UK version.
Good luck with your racing set-up. I run 3 deg neg camber on the front of my S2 along with 8 inch rims. The front feels fantastic. Very pointy and direct. I need to tame the rear though so I will probably go for the Gaz Gold coilovers. As its not a competition car I don't need to worry about rules and regs.
Good luck with your car, and I hope Jezza and James get a proper roasting on your TG show!
Good luck with your car, and I hope Jezza and James get a proper roasting on your TG show!
Ok it would have been Michael Grassl in Germany and David Falson at E.C.S. They can help you out and I've dealt with both of them many times. I know Dave a bit and he's a good guy who knows his stuff. You just have to be very clear when phrasing your questions to Michael as they tend to get a little bit lost in translation or they will answer 2 out of 4 questions.
It's a good idea to start as it's been suggested to you. Get a baseline sort of thing. You will probably find that you need more than just pads, what type are they? You will benefit from race brake fluid too. What sort of tyres? Have you had the Wolf fitted? I've heard that they've had some issues with this and are shifting across to Motec this year? I'm going with the latest LINK G4 Extreme so hopefully it lives up to the feature list.
There's a fast Yellow modded 951 racing out of Melbourne. You should go and check it out sometime. Here's a few clips at Phillip Island.
Part1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JAIrVcu01g&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Part2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AHGKV5K-_4&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Your car will be a LOT more nimble than the old Ford (XY?)!!
Yes the weather down here has been truly terrible for so many people. Luckily the Cyclone didn't hammer as hard as they were predicting.
It's a good idea to start as it's been suggested to you. Get a baseline sort of thing. You will probably find that you need more than just pads, what type are they? You will benefit from race brake fluid too. What sort of tyres? Have you had the Wolf fitted? I've heard that they've had some issues with this and are shifting across to Motec this year? I'm going with the latest LINK G4 Extreme so hopefully it lives up to the feature list.
There's a fast Yellow modded 951 racing out of Melbourne. You should go and check it out sometime. Here's a few clips at Phillip Island.
Part1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JAIrVcu01g&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Part2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AHGKV5K-_4&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Your car will be a LOT more nimble than the old Ford (XY?)!!
Yes the weather down here has been truly terrible for so many people. Luckily the Cyclone didn't hammer as hard as they were predicting.
PKR944
New member
I have bought the correct racing pads for the 944 challenge. The car also has braided brake lines installed and AP Racing 660 fluid. So hopefully that is all for the brakes. The only thing that I am thinking later in the year is to install slotted rotors but wanted to check out a few of the other cars to see what rotors they are using. I had the cam and Wolf unit installed in canberra and it all went surprisingly well and so far it hasn't had any issues. They have changed the regulations for the 944 challenge to allow the wolf or motec units. I bought the car last year as a road registered car and had receipts for a full motor rebuild in 2009, so I thought that at least I should get a few years of motoring out of it. When the cam was installed the mechanic confirmed all looked good internally. The car is getting a solid 108kw at the rear wheels. I have yet to get another exhaust fitted which should hopefully give a net gain of about 10kw after a tune. I have heard from a Porsche mechanic down here that most of the cars are getting approx 120kw at the rear wheels. I have a K&N pod filter installed and have plumbed up a cold air intake to direct it to the air cleaner. The car is fitted with Koni shockers at the moment and is running on Bridgestone Potenza 225/50/15 tyres, just a little worried about those as when I checked the manufactured date on them they are about 6.5 years old but with plenty of tread. I also have an oil catch can fitted, so the only things left for the engine bay is to fit another fuel rail as I have heard they are prone to cracking once the balance shafts have been disabled, fit some bonnet pins and remove any bits that I can to lighten it up. I am hoping to run the car with the standard front end as the budget may not be able to stretch out to get the fibreglass front end.
With the interior I have found that when driving my had was covering majority of the tacho so I have done some rearranging of the instrument cluster. I have moved the tacho to the middle, the speedo to the left side (as not enough length in the speedo cable for the right) and temp and fuel gauge has moved to the right. Nice clear view of the tacho now.
I am starting to look around for some light weight 8" wheels that are reasonably priced now, so that is my next challenge.
With the interior I have found that when driving my had was covering majority of the tacho so I have done some rearranging of the instrument cluster. I have moved the tacho to the middle, the speedo to the left side (as not enough length in the speedo cable for the right) and temp and fuel gauge has moved to the right. Nice clear view of the tacho now.
I am starting to look around for some light weight 8" wheels that are reasonably priced now, so that is my next challenge.
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