Modified 944's

rickware · Oct 30, 2008

There isn't much on the web for modified 944's which is something I've greatly enjoyed doing over the last few years with mine. Can others post theirs so I can get an idea of what else can be done.

Mine

http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/3976/2898817490104101173S425x425Q85.jpg

and more can be found here

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=596167&nmt=porsche%20944%20track%20day%20car

j4mou · Oct 30, 2008

looks great [8D]

edh · Oct 30, 2008

Nice car Rick - I think someone linked to this a couple of weeks ago.
When's it visiting the track next? (I'm off to Donington tomorrow [

] )

I reckon your next step is to get down to john Mitchell's for one of his 3.2 litre 500bhp engines! I'm sure we can spend some more of your money for you [

]

As well as this site, I would try Rennlist - www.rennlist.com - you'll get everything you want on modified 944's on there [

]

I read your ph post - you said the boost drops off quickly past 4k. You might have a boost leak, or maybe you have a tired wastegate? - maybe that's bleeding boost?. You should have a standard 26/8 turbo that should be holding at least 11psi at 6k (maybe more depending on your boost control)

You might also want to think about a horizontal bar on the cage for the harnesses - have a look at Peter Empsons's website http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/944lux/Respray_pt11.html
It's a better angle for the straps - preventing possible compression of the spine in a crash & it also reduce the length - so reduces stretching.

The New Zealand branch should be on shortly to give their opinions......

944 man · Oct 30, 2008

If theyre at at least forty five degrees then theyre nothing to worry about. Im no great fan of harness bars (either independent or between the main hoop uprights), in fact: I think that youre far safer using the original mounting points in the car. If you have a big off then theyre far more likely to remain in the correct position than any harness bar is (unless its part of a massive welded in international cage).

edh · Oct 30, 2008

OK - maybe we'll disagree on that one [

]

Let's discuss roll cages in road cars next.......[

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Fen · Oct 30, 2008

Ooh THAT one. I thought it might be from Ed's post. Me likee (though it might look a tad busy ahead of the rear wheels with the arches and the 968 skirts.

To save me getting embroiled in PH, what's the spec? Try Rick's site www.cannell.co.uk for some pics of lots of cars, plus info on his.

Here's mine, which now has a different badge panel and a partly fitted ex Porsche race series engine:

I'm going to disagree on harness angles by 30 degress also, and I'd probably rather the shorter straps and harness bar than long stretchy straps down to the rear floor. I suspect the truth is that no two shunts are the same and you might find their is not an absolute better way to do this.

edh · Oct 31, 2008

Spec for you Fen

"Full Rollcage
Uprated sodium filled valves and wildfire Head gasket (good for 500hp)
New Ported & Polished head imported from Lindsay racing america and bottom end was all strenght tested at time of rebuild with all new belts pulleys water pumps etc
MO30 suspension with uprated front springs and torsion bars
Torsion Bar Lowering rear
Polybushed throughout & thicker front anti-roll bars
Uprated brake system (drill & vented disks, briaded hoses, red stuff pads, blue racing fluid, 964 calipers)
Club sport Seats & Harnesses
Widened track & RS Kit fitted (imported from broadfoot racing america)
Greddy switchable Turbo Boost & rolling rd setup (1.3 bar 300hp or 0.9 bar 225hp)
bbr star chipped ecu
custom made Exhaust
TOYO Proxy's
Adjustable rear wing
Front splitter
Cup Mirrors
968 Door Handles
shortly to have 924 turbo badge panel fitted which I am in the process of restoring as i am suffering from intercoolers not getting enough cold air when the car is hot. hopefully the vented 924 panel will cure this and keep the car orignal porsche. also looking to upgrade the turbo to a variable vane as have massive boost at 4000 revs but then drops off at 5000 revs to quickly at full boost. would welcome suggestions if anyone has any ideas."

Fen · Oct 31, 2008

Thanks Ed.

So the current turbo is a K26/8?

I'd recommend speaking to Jon Mitchell / Simon Peckham about turbos based on what I have heard from those who have done so.

May I also suggest some proper brake pads [

]

333pg333 · Oct 31, 2008

Interesting. I was looking very closely at the Broadfoot kit myself. May still do it on my trackcar if some other parts don't get done in time. As for what else can be done, Plenty! Just depends on what you want from your car and how deep your pockets are. Imho, I don't think it's worth it to keep buying new bits to bolt on as much as it would be to get a goal/plan together and work at that as a whole. Have you been doing trackdays in yours? If so, what are the areas that need improving? The Mo30 stuff was good in it's day but that day is long gone so you can upgrade to superior product. The KW brand has a very good reputation on this forum and rightly so. They're an excellent kit and improve the car immensely. You can get quite a lot more power out of the motor too, but that's when it starts becoming very expensive. There really is a lot you can do to these vehicles to make them excellent fast road, full on track or a bit of both.
Anyway good luck with your mission. Nice to see more people pushing these cars beyond stock in my view.

TTM · Oct 31, 2008

Fen, you're killing me by leaving such a nice piece of 944 in a barn somewhere in the UK.
Please get yourself off the forum and ship it to your place as it deserves to be back on the road again ! [

]

zcacogp · Oct 31, 2008

Thom,

I'd agree, but I am quite interested in what Fen mentioned about the engine -

a partly fitted ex Porsche race series engine

.

Fen, I assume this is being done by your Devonshire indie, with a view to selling it and realising some cash. What's the spec to be?

To the OP - good looking car there. I like it. Having had a spat with McNulters recently on Pistonheads about cosmetic modifications on 944's, I'm going to change tack and say that yours works well - you can get away with much more on a track toy, I guess.

Oli.

944 man · Oct 31, 2008

With regards to harness strap angles: the FIA and the MSA both agree with me [

]. Check FIA diagram 253-42 (current blue book p178). Im not saying that theyre ideal (and nor is the FIA: <10o is preferable), but they are acceptable.

pauljmcnulty · Oct 31, 2008

To the OP - good looking car there. I like it. Having had a spat with McNulters recently on Pistonheads about cosmetic modifications on 944's, I'm going to change tack and say that yours works well - you can get away with much more on a track toy, I guess.

Hehe, that wasn't a spat - I was merely pointing out that you were wrong, and risked making a fool of yourself in public! [

][

]

333pg333 · Oct 31, 2008

944man, what wheels and tyre sizes did the kit allow you to upgrade to, and what year model is your car? My guess is that you have large spacers to run those wheels and extra trackwidth, no?

zcacogp · Oct 31, 2008

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty
Hehe, that wasn't a spat - I was merely pointing out that you were wrong, and risked making a fool of yourself in public! [][]

Paul, such things are a daily reality for me ... but I've 33 years experience, so I have learned to cope! [&:][&:][&:]

Oli.

rickware · Oct 31, 2008

great advise here thanks, the harnesses are mounted to the orginal seat belts at 45 degrees (this is how i was told to have them from a pal who races but i'm no expert) i put m030 as it is easier to explain but it is infact koni shock can't remember number but mo474 i think with hr lowering springs over the top. it handles to good for my expertise so no point in me getting any better stuff as i won't do it justice. next track day is 2 weeks time in ipswich at raf woodbridge. not been before but hoping its raining to practice some sideways action. built it mainly for the nurburgring so maybe see some of you their next year. someone asked about spacers they're 75mm on rear and 35mm front. for track day i am going to have to drop it down though to 20mm front as they rub on tight hard cornering.fen, is that a custom made front panel as the one i bought from a 924 turbo is totally wrong and won't fit

xenon · Oct 31, 2008

Is that number plate for real?

Diver944 · Oct 31, 2008

Hi Rick, welcome onboard. One of our regulars posted some pics of your car a few weeks ago and it's nice to hear from the owner and it's full spec. You definately need to change your factory wastegate asap as it simply cannot hold the boost to redline, especially if you still have the original K26 turbocharger and both of these are causing your dip after 4000rpm. I don't think you really need a variable vane turbo but a modern ball race version will see you reduce lag and increase peak boost (if you have the fuelling and mapping to match).

Here is my car. Amongst many mods prompted by an engine failure it has a 3.2L engine, hybrid ball race turbo, Vitesse MAF & piggyback and large Big Black brakes from a 928GTS. It is mainly a track machine but after a big off at Snetterton last year I am rebuilding my piggybank to hopefully get back on track next spring.

We're normly too shy and modest to show pics and videos

but if you insist:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vBJSzkWtn-c

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mjI-lc9YNfs

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0KSnylaMUfs

http://www.pistonheads.tv/clip177