suspension

[vcucheer]

I'm trying to get a 914 ready for some track events. I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on what may have worked for them. Right now I have Bilsteins on all 4 corners and 150 springs on adjustable perches. No sways and stock torsion bars. Right now I plan to run on atock fuchs or mahles I have both. Any tire size or brand help?
Thanks
Tim

[campbellcj]

You've already got the Bilsteins and 140-150 lbs rear springs, which is a great start.

Put a 19mm swaybar up front, get the car lowered, aligned and corner balanced, and toss on some Kumho Victoracer 700's (205/50x15). This will leave you in a stock or stock-improved class, and you will be amazed what the little car can do with these simple and not terribly expensive mods!

Oh, and make sure your brake system is in perfect working condition before you hit the track. Flush and bleed with some hi-temp fluid such as ATE SuperBlue or Motul. You may want some race pads too, eventually.

Have fun,

------------------
Chris C.
73 914 2.0
70 911E Targa
campbell.chris@gte.net

[This message has been edited by campbellcj (edited 06-11-2001).]

[vcucheer]

thanks for the quick response. The 19mm sway sounds good, and like a project. I have misfortune of not having a factory sway. When lowering the front using the torsion adjuster is that going to make the front to soft?
Any input appreciated.
Thanks
Tim

[Jim Smolka]

You might want to make the car safer with Seats and 5 point belts and a full cage. The cage is nice since it will stiffen up the car and then handle better. I recommend that you check out stable energies for a cage and pelican for the seats.

Also, a 4 wheel corner balance and alignement by a shop that is has 914 experience is highly recommended.

You might also want to vent the front brakes, check out the 911 tech articles on this subject. You might also want to convert to 5 lug.

The Hoosiers are also nice tires.
I would stay away from the G-Force tires.

It is all about time and $ = how fast you want to go.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Three very important steps to take first:

Step 1) Read The Rule Book.
Step 2) Read The Rule Book.
Step 3) Read The Rule Book.

The rule book will tell you things like what kind of safety equipment you have to have in the car. (Example: PCA Zone 7 requires five-point or six-point harnesses for driver and passenger in all classes for big-track events. 2-liter 914s with European P&Cs are moved to a class where a roll bar is required.) They will also tell you what kind of modifications are allowed in which classes.

Strange things, like the wrong kind of aftermarket seats, can move you up into classes where you have less than no chance at all.


BTW, I very very strongly suggest that you flush the brake fluid (i.e., completely replace it) before every track event. 6-month old brake fluid will not hold up under the rigors of track use. (BTDT, got the brown-stained shorts to prove it!) Fresh fluid should.

--DD

[vcucheer]

Thanks for all the responses. This is a great site. Right now I have a stock 2.0 with 40 Dells, the suspension previously mentioned. I have a roll bar but not a cage, I have gutted the car which now I realize was a mistake because it puts me in different classes everywhere. I want to keep it as stock as possible I have some upgrades (5 lug conversion, front and rear, deep sump 4 parts cars, even a turbo, etc.) but don't want to go that route until I get better at driving.
Any advice?
Tim

[campbellcj]

Tim -

As Dr. Dave D. said, it is crucially important to

Step 1) Read The Rule Book.
Step 2) Read The Rule Book.
Step 3) Read The Rule Book.

I have read my GCR books about 5 times lately!

It would be very easy to bump yourself into a class where you have absolutely no chance of being competitive without spending major bucks...your carb and gutted interior may have already bumped you out of stock class into a production/prepared class, where you are basically running against fully prepped race cars that arrive on trailers. If you're just out there for fun, no big deal, but if you're out there for a trophy, it could get frustrating and expensive!

Adding a turbo will be a total blast, of course, but likely will bump you even more class wise. Turbos nail you with like 15 points for just that one single mod...not counting anything else you do in conjunction with the turbo like head or exhaust work!

I have gone thru the same debate, and based on input from lots of folks -- in addition to my wallet -- I decided to learn how to drive down in the stock/improved classes before plunking down the time and money to further race-prep the car. Doing it this way also lets you pace the mods to the car, i.e. you can take care of your basic safety, cooling and suspension mods while in stock class, and then tackle the performance mods later after lots of seat time.

Anyways, let us know what you decide to do!



------------------
Chris C.
73 914 2.0
70 911E Targa
campbell.chris@gte.net

[vcucheer]

I'm trying to get the car set up for maybe the Improved class. I think I have enough interior to get by with that. I have a roll bar but need a cage, any suggestions?. I have some 1.7's and 1.8's that are fuel injected if the carbs bump me out of IT class. I have 916 fiberglass bumpers, I don't know if that is an issue.But I have 2 more 74's and a 72'for parts or maybe make the 72 a track car. Like everyone says I need to read the rules. I want to get some runs in with NASA, because you get so much more track time. If the 914 is too much to mess with right now I will run my 924s for now.(Bone stock)
Right now I'm not worried about being competitive, Ijust want to start going around the track. Autocrosses are fun but after running a few laps at VIR in my daily driver, (91 Stealth Twin Turbo) I got bit by the bug bad, I really want to get out there and just have fun.
Tim