944s Chumpcar Project- where to start first?

[Coach House 911]

Newest acquisition and winter project is my '87 944s. It fell off the hoist at a garage and was subsequently written off. Unknown running condition and the transmission was out of the car at the time -so likely needing clutch work or worse transmission issues. Either way that's what $780 will buy. I'm new to the 944 club so any advice on where to start first is appreciated. I plan to document the transition to race car over the coming months.

[smokintr6]

here is a link to my chump car build:
951 Chump car build - Rennlist Discussion Forums

start with all the free stuff first, ie anything you dont need can be taken out, we got a little over 500 lbs off the car.
next, make sure all the maintenance is up to date, cam chain and belt things etc. THEN figure out if you have any points to spare for go fast parts

[smokintr6]

ps, i think you only need 66% of the original body, so if that roof is damaged you can slice it right off, and probably the windshield too.

[Av8tr_66]

Your trans may be fine. When you replace a clutch, you have to remove the exhaust, torque tube, and transmission. That may be what was being serviced when the car came off the lift. If you're going to race it, plan on going through the motor and replacing the clutch. We have an early 944 we are chumping as well. Also, as far as suspension, install koni shocks and struts. Swap out the factory springs for progressive 400lb springs. You will need the heater core and fan to defrost the windshield, so don't pull it. The car comes from the factory with -2 degrees of camber. I would have an alignment shop bump that to -2.5 or 3 degrees. Need about an 1/8" toe out to stabilize the car. I would not cut the roof off. The body is pretty twisty as is and the roof will add strength. Don't cheap out on the cage. While a bolt in cage is fine for track days, there is no way I'd let myself or team members compete in Chump with nothing less than a fully fabbed cage with nascar style door bars.


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[Coach House 911]

Thanks Av8tr,
Do you have any brand of preference for the clutch? I assume a performance clutch is in order. Also is there an online shop you can recommend for the remaining parts?
Thx,
Mike

[Av8tr_66]

Well, I have used Centerforce in a 911sc and was terribly disappointed. In the 944, I put a Sachs pressure plate and disc in and it works very well. I did install a fidanza lightweight billet flywheel as well, and it made a huge improvement in power at take off. For real race parts, go to Lindsey racing. 944online is great as well. Don't spend a dime until you have fully assessed the car. I don't want to discourage you because I truly love Porsche, but I would be remiss to not tell you that it is going to cost quite a bit to get this car race ready, even for chump racing.


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[smokintr6]

av8tr beings up a most important issue before you even get started. you need to decide right off the bat if you are racing to win or just out turning laps for fun. if you take his suggestion of 400 lbs springs and koni adjustables (i dont know of non adjustable front inserts but i could be wrong) you will start 20 laps down to my 951.. unless your car is factory m474 or m030 originaly. then you would start about even with me once you cost the springs. you could also choose to run the EC Class, and if thats the case get some coil overs, and take the gloves off, maybe some head work etc. in EC its the wild west, so you'll be racing against the fastest cars on the track

[smokintr6]

also theres no reason a 944 chump car needs to break the bank. we had ours out on stock springs at mid ohio, and it's FAST. we're building a legal car, and trying to win in open class. lots of used parts suppliers. if you're going to go for all high quality race parts your completely missing the point of chump racing and the 944 will be very expensive, and in the grand scheme of things, it will still be slow.

[Av8tr_66]

You make a fine point.


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[Coach House 911]

Thanks for the great advice guys. I'm planning to be in it for the Chumpcar "on the cheap" and stay within the money by keeping it as stock as possible. Reliability is my biggest motivation as I would like to get in as many laps as possible for the fun of racing over a long period of time on great tracks. It is also my first venture into racing and I don't want to bust the bank.
That being said I chose the 944s because of reading up on the stock improvement over the previous year models in both hp, brakes and suspension. With as much weight removed as possible I'm hoping it is a good combination to be competitive as well.

[smokintr6]

legal shock options are going to be the biggest trouble. we cut our front springs to lower the car and also slightly increase spring rate. reindexing the rear torsion bars is really annoying, but probably necessary. at a minimum look for an OEM spring centered clutch disc. do the maintenance items on your motor and go do a track day and see what you've got. for ours were preventatively resealing the "oil cooler", and fixing a cam tower leak while looking for a noisy lifter. while that is apart well put on a new cam belt and inspect the rollers.

[87944turbo]

Dan did a nice job of documenting the build for the Dragon here.

https://xsboost90.wordpress.com/

I would say maintenance first. Make sure you have a good running, reliable street driving car before you start tearing into it. It can be a very fun to drive and reliable platform if done right.