Liners and pistons

[Ex Skyline]

Yes, JME are indeed located in the USA. I spoke to them the other week and, found they were very easy to get on with. They said
that they would get someone to call me back that same afternoon and, guess what.....? They did! All parts ordered would be
delivered to my door within a week (providing they have everything sorted their end of course). I don't call that "far from easy"
Simon.[]

 

[Mac944]

ORIGINAL: Ex Skyline

Yes, JME are indeed located in the USA. I spoke to them the other week and, found they were very easy to get on with. They said
that they would get someone to call me back that same afternoon and, guess what.....? They did! All parts ordered would be
delivered to my door within a week (providing they have everything sorted their end of course). I don't call that "far from easy"
Simon.[]

I think you may have underestimated what's involved in importing goods for the US. It's less hassle if you just need new parts, off the shelf and don't need to send anything to the US, such as the cams for reprofiling for instance (which I would need to).

Keep in mind the import taxes and VAT when the parts arrive in the UK. There will then be a delay of several days once goods arrive at the border whilst you deal with import duties, then once the payment has been received it takes another couple of days before you'll receive the parts. That is unless JME deal with the import charges on your behalf.

Although I've never imported parts from JME I have imported goods from the US and the Far East as well and it can be a PITA. It's worth checking who the UK based courier will be when the goods do arrive. Some goods I ordered recently were shipped from the US by DHL but then passed to Yodel which was a nightmare.

I've heard of times when suppliers stated on dockets that products are either 'samples' or items of a lower value to avoid import duties but then the risk really is on you. Even if the goods are stated as their full value and you pay the full import duties (VAT and Customs duty), should anything go wrong with the parts in transit they will need to be shipped back at your cost etc and that is providing the supplier will accept them back, some suppliers pass on the risk of shipping to the customer, trading laws can be very different than in the UK so with all that in mind it's not as straight forward as it may seem.

The guys in the US seem to be on another level in terms of what they can do with these engines, but for what I need and for my budget, if the expertise and parts exist in the UK it will almost certainly be cheaper, probably quicker and probably less hassle.

 

[Neil Haughey]

ORIGINAL: Mac944

With a stock engine and chip it sounds like you're running conservatively, almost stock. I'm a bit surprised the head let go and now slightly concerned for my build, eek.

Don't forget that it is/was a completely original engine from a 20 yr old car with 160K miles on it at the time, almost certainly on the original HG as well. Broken valve springs are not that unusual on old engines, also seems to be very common on 968s for the top end to require rebuilding to get the power back. These really are pretty remarkable engines when you think about if the goal is for a relatively stock class of racing, if one was looking at something a bit more tuned I wouldn't bother personally with the pork not when E36 M3s are so cheap and plentiful and can be tuned to stupid performance levels relatively easily.

 

[Mac944]

True, although the E36 would run in Modern Classics whereas I run in Future Classics.

I believe M3s in Modern Classics have their own class but to be honest I really enjoy the 944 and I'm sure going from the current 2.7 lump to a 3.0L 16V will give me quite a jump up but as I'm going to a great deal of trouble refreshing the S2 lump I thought now is the time to invest in the engine and do anything that needs to be done (within reason and budget) and do it right.

I'm now tempted to put it back together as stock as that will be the safest, quickest and cheapest option and if the mods relate to the head that wouldn't be such a pain to attempt at a later date.

 

[Indi9xx]

From experience Capricorn are the best for many reasons, but you have always had to factor in 3 months to get something done, even though they might initially quote 6 weeks. The German connection is just a paperwork thing and full of politics, but does not really change the turn around time, Capricorn have always been a case of "quote 6 weeks, deliver in 3 months"..

The real issue, from experience, is if AMG, Brabus or any one of the F1 team engine companies say jump, they jump, and in any one 6 week period, one of them will say "jump", so it ends up taking 3 months.

Can't blame them, I am just amazed they take on small orders, especially from end users, as their core work is doing the block work on 150 F1 blocks as a batch, from bore design through to completion and the rest of the capricorn group doing most of the other engine components.

But you really, honestly, can not fault or beat their work, for loads of reasons I do not mind talking about at length if anyone can cope with the essay I would churn out.. But my new years resolution is to try to keep my text communication shorter, to stop as many people entering into a coma. []

 

[Indi9xx]

And I might just happen to have one 2.5 944 turbo and one 3.0 944 S2 block, nickle ceramic plated, to standard size, and ready to go... I learned my lessons with Capricorn, which is

"Dig your well before you get thirsty"

 

[Mac944]

I must admit I was slightly surprised they even took my call when I first enquired but it really would have been easier if they did just say either 3 months or that they couldn't help me, but I'm assuming that's why they now have a German partner.

 

[Neil Haughey]

Mac I am not sure if stock or tuned makes much difference under race conditions. There isn't a lot of difference between a 968 and S2 after all, the 968 top end for example is a bolt on with an identical exhaust manifold. Still though its a very long way from the 350+ run by M3s in DM. Its one of the reasons why I was never to excited about DM compared to FC even though I am not really a fan of hot hatches running in FC. As it is we now have the new Dunlop Porsche Cup so its all a moot point and I can look forward to doing something I can afford at long last.

 

[Mac944]

Certainly from what I've seen in FC a very well prepared S2 is a consistent top 5 car (overall) in the right hands.

The Dunlop Porsche Cup does sound like it will be more competitive than FC but without the mandatory pitstop it doesn't give the pit guys much in the way of competition.

I wonder how many Porsche's will continue in FC and particularly MC with the new Dunlop series? I do know FC is often over subscribed so perhaps that's the point.

 

[MarkK]

I had a lot of fun in Future Classics in 2010,the 40 minute race format feels so different to a 25 min sprint in PCGB for example,if you get a bad start in a 25 min race it is much harder to come back from but in a 40 minute race you have time to fix mistakes.I raced against S2s in FCs and they were quick but you do race against some big HP cars in Future Classics which is a lot of fun,glad I was in a 944 Turbo.
Whatever you chose to do I am sure you will have a lot of fun and create some great memories,best of luck.[]

 

[Neil Haughey]

Mac Stuart Jefcoate has already said on PH that he is staying with FC, I really love his car but he has being doing it for years now so I am not surprised he wants to continue. Mark it seems for you guys that where successful in the longer format the first big thing you run into in class based single make sprint racing is how important qualifying is. I have only done a bit of a both but I also note just how close the cars are in the Porsche racing, Paul Seagrave seemed to be glued to my rear bumper for 4 laps at Silverstone, I was sure he might find a way past so decided to push a bit harder then he spun off. I like that where the difference in the cars of a particular type is really small.

 

[Mac944]

Stuart is competitive in FC and as you say he's been doing it for years and knows everyone in the series so it makes sense for him to stay.

I'll be sticking with FC too. Other than the car not being eligible for the Dunlop series, my friends that act as pit crew really enjoy the pit stop race and is one of the reasons they turn up. They've put in a lot of effort in to the car so I have to consider our entry as a team rather than just me.

Will keep a keen eye on the Dunlop series though!

 

[MarkK]

Stuart is a gent !His car is really developed aswell.The 40 min race is like a mini endurance race!I lost a race overall win at Donnington due to being slightly slower in a pit stop was gutted!What bars do you have in your door frame? I had a cross,if I could go back in time I would have one diagonal cross,to get easier exit.Also I didn't have a hans device then,I think I would be a lot slower getting in and out now,but I wouldn't race without one now.Its great to hear you have a whole gang that enjoys it.I will keep an eye out for you in the results.Have a great season.

 

[Mac944]

944s are never particularly easy to get in or out of. I'm running the Safety Devices cage with the full cross bar. Being 6ft it's a challenge to scoop my legs over. My legs are covered in bruises by the end of a race weekend.

I had considered removing one of the crossbars but quickly thought better of it and changed the seat instead. I run a HANS too but in practice we've managed 18 secs. In the race it's probably closer to 25secs, there's work to be done there.

Due to delays with the build our first outing will probably be Silverstone. Have a great season too!

 

[MarkK]

For me head out first,putting your weight on the door with a mate to catch you Incase you slip.The pitstop is a real challenge,it really can gain you positions if you shave time off.Please let us know how you get on?Any race report or even a season report thread would make great reading for us 944 fans.Best of luck,go sock it to em!

 

[Ex Skyline]

Hi there, I certainly have NOT under estimated the import process and, beauracratic bull5h1t when getting stuff from the states. I have brought in half a dozen split screen vw vans and, every one was a nightmare []!! However, Jon Mitchel first put me on to JME and, I have researched them, spoken to them re what I want and, they have advised me on what parts I would require and given me a quote. Delivery is via UPS and, they reckon around a week to my door once the package has left their workshop. Can't say much more than that at this time. The proof of the pudding and all that.....! All I am looking for is a new, fully prepped, gas flowed head and a reasonably wild camshaft, all complete with all the trimmings and a wide fire head gasket. All sounds quite straight forward to me or, am I being naive in thinking that any dealings with the yank tuning world would be as (relatively) easy as dealing with split screen van vendors??!![8|]. From bitter experience I know that Americans can tell lies too.....!!

 

[MarkK]

I have dealt with Lindsey Racing,Fabspeed and RS barn al were really helpful and sent the stuff really quick.

 

[Mac944]

Cool, good luck, lets us know what the cams are like when they arrive.

I've boxed mine up tonight and will be sending them to Piper tomorrow. A slightly more aggressive profile to get the benefit from the ITBs. Will see what Piper advise when they unbox 'em.

 

[PSH]

Hi Mac


I'm not on this forum much these days so have only just seen your request for info regarding engine work for alusil blocks, talk to
Serdi Uk
Sarum Complex, Salisbury Rd, Uxbridge UB8 2RZ
01895 232215

ask for John he will be able to answer any question that you have and point you in the right direction as to what sleeves , pistons you may need if you decide to go the sleeve route, he can also machine your alusil bores in house if that's what you want. He's a top guy who knows his stuff and his company works on all types of high performance machines, from F1 cars to the latest top marques including Lambo's which actually have a design flaw and crack a liner with very little use, he's designed a new sleeve to cure that. In fact last time I was there he had two lambo blocks in for this mod, one of which had done very little mileage since new. I'm sure he would be able to do your engine relatively quickly, feel free to mention my name Peter Seymour-Howell, he re bored my 944T and also supplied me with a set of full race IASA pistons for my car, he also did Andrew S's car (422bhp) also of this forum many years ago.

Regards

Pete

 

[944 man]

Hows it coming on Pete? Not given up, I hope?