Decision - what to do next?

[rsmith944]

Hi All,

Following on from my first posting here about just getting a 944 for track and possibly race use:

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=625740

I have had a few conversations to EMC motorsport and Sarah Hutchison who know their stuff and the result is this post here:

http://www.performancecarblog.co.uk/porsche-944-s-a-cross-roads/

I'd love your guys opinions? What would you do?

 

[944 man]

Keving is a rough diamond certainly, but I havent ever disagreed with him during our conversations, nor him with me. Id take his advice, if I were you.


Simon

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Kevin definitely knows what it takes to make a 924/944/968 into whatever is required. He has been doing it for over 25 years and I'd agree with him and Simon.

 

[rsmith944]

Agreed. I think I'll be taking is advice for the race car - i.e. buying one ready done and tested.

The question is - what do with the 944 S we have? Surely it's fine for learning and track time? Kev didn't seem to think it's useful for that (although they run a 944 S race car!)

 

[944 man]

They polarise opinion, dont they? I like the 944S, but I realise that it wasnt a great car. In fact, even Porsche conceded that the S represented poor value... Mechanically the 944 S2 is the car that the S should have been. I think that continuing to use the S wont do any harm and itll certainly help you to get used to keeping a car on the boil.

 

[steves944]

I am looking for good advice and very interested in the postings. We run a 944 lux 8V and to be honest it lacks in so many areas now we are getting a bit more experienced.
I have looked at the 'build it ourself' option but like any resto/prep job it s always more beneficial to buy one with the work is done.
When I analyse what it is we want - it is to drive on track not spend hours bolting bits on, some times making mistakes and having to respend money on different options.
Our 944 lux has had Leda Coilovers, Brembo brakes and minimal engine mods but still is frustrating on track as its just not nimble enough and quite wallowy in corners, and really underpowered with poor gear ratios.
We made the decision this weekend after a rather lacklustre Rockingham that we are going to sell the Lux along with spare the gearboxes,a 2.5 8V engine, loads of bits and bobs and just get a sorted car with proven upgrades which is probably going to cost more to start with but less than all the wasted ££ we have spent so far.

 

[rsmith944]

Hi Steve - yes this is our dilemma. I think overall it comes down to this - if you want a race car as opposed to just a track car - you have to buy a done sorted one (and even then buy off someone well regarded in the industry). Especially if you're getting more experienced it seems you'll want an S2 or maybe even a 968?

Just for a track car though, I think we may keep the 944 S with:

- Upgrade the brake pads to track spec ones
- Better oil
- Track day wheels and tyres
- Possibly suspension and maybe some lightening in the interior

And then next season once we have race licenses and experience, buy a race car.

 

[blease]

I'm a bit ahead of you in this process. I got an S2 which had been started on the road to track spec...half cage, bucket seats, interior strip. On its first track shake down it was immediately evident that it needed much better suspension, so EMC fitted coilovers. Waiting to test that out now, but I expect it well then demonstrate I need uprated brakes and better rubber. But for me, the voyage of discovery is part of the fun. I don't just want to jump in a finished car, I want to learn what makes a good 'un. At present, the S2 engine is more than enough but the longterm plan is to get the running gear right and then drop a chevy V8 in for real fun!

 

[rsmith944]

Thanks Blease - very useful and my thoughts also. I think we'll keep the S for learnings and track days and gradually tweak it but when we go proper racing, we'll get a prepped race car and keep tweaking the track car.

 

[simkin911]

Maybe something like this would have offered a cheapish starting position to ultimately get you to where you want to be?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=2771998&sc=ZK9H

I bought the wheels [] but it looks like he's sold the rest now.

 

[DivineE]

Learn in the S and buy an S2 to race? I would be using an S2 over an S in a heartbeat having spent quite a lot of time in both. The Torque difference makes the S2 infinitely more usable. If budget is a problem perhaps go light and get an early lux/924 S then strip to make a super light weight?

 

[steves944]

Agree with divine E

The 8V just can't cut it when you have the likes of Astra and Saxo going past!

I reckon jump straight to S2 and use the torque.

Actually not a bad idea about 924 as they are much cheaper. Have seen some very nice ones with the aftermarket wider wings pinned on.

Now where's that forum!!

 

[Neil Haughey]

Definitely listen to Kev however always buying a car someone else has prepared ignores 2 points:
1) If one buys a car with a race history you need to be uber careful about exactly how long its raced and what happened to that car in its race history. Some cars sold for good money are utter nails, some are overpriced, some others are amazing bargains the problem is unless one has been around a particular set of series/championships you wouldn't know.
2) Somebody has to build cars fresh, it often appears to be very much the thing experienced racers do because they want the car fresh and just how they want it rather than a car that had been mucked about with by someone else.

Still though from my own position I should have bought rather than build but at the time there wasn't an S2 available I would have been happy with. If one can build up the money and have the patience then that is ideal, Adrian Stock sold his 968 a car that I felt was a massive bargain for the investment it had in it. Likewise Cieran Brewer had his S2 up for sale recently and that car is about as nice an S2 race car as you would ever see. Absolute worst thing to do is to rush into any decision.