Anything wrong with tracking a totally stock car?

[cantdrv55]

I thought I'd invest in myself and spend the cash towards more track time. I'll upgrade to better street tires but all else I want to keep stock until I become a better driver. Do you see anything wrong with tracking a totally stock car though? Are things going to start breaking down because stock components weren't meant to be driven that aggressively? Just planning on doing DEs for now.

[cstreit]

Sure... If it was a Kia. Your Porsche on the other hand, should be fine.

Doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare the car for the track...

- Performance pads
- Hi-temp brake fluid (Motul, Ate Blue, etc...)
- Check your bearings, steering, suspension, etc..

There are lists available everywhere about the things that should be checked and verified before going out on track. But there is no reason you shouldn't take your stock car out to the track! (We took our pristine 993 to the track 4 days after we bought it!)


You're definitely on the right "track" spending your money on seat time, it's the best performance gain for the buck!

[nostatic]

I started with my SC bone stock.

It didn't stay that way, but luckily I went the "right" way with mods imho. The only "performance" work was bigger sways and some weight reduction. The rest went into safety (roll bar, harness, proper seats, etc) and just making sure that the car was tight/sorted. Once I got more experience I went to DOT R tires, although I could still be running street tires if I wanted and only lose a second or three.

[jimbilly]

Get a track alignment, and make sure everythings in good shape (shocks etc.). IMO the alignment is really important.

[917]

Hi cantdrv55!

I actually race in a Porsche production class on road radials. These things (I have an '86 Euro spec 3.2 Carrera) are just so tough!...

I load it up with gear and drive for 3 hours to get to the track, do a day's racing, load it up again and drive home without any problems.

However, I agree with everyone else's advice.... Safety First!

Your car must be checked over and be, at the very least, in a sound enough condition to drive at speed safely on the highway. They are great cars, but they are not brand new anymore... If there are any problems, get them fixed before you venture out on the track.

Having said that, I would also strongly suggest performance brake pads & fluid.

As a driver, you can generally cope with a general degradation in grip and performance, but once your brakes become heat soaked.... At worst, it's extremely dangerous and at the least, it will piss you off if you have to crawl around wasting your precious laps waiting for the brakes to cool down.

You're certainly on the right track (excuse the pun) by choosing seat time over vehicle enhancement. Let's face it, even if your car feels like a total pig (and it won't...) on the track, being able to cope with it and maintain consistent lap times will prepare you far better for the long run than setting a new lap record in a faultless and fully dialed-in track demon.... IMHO.

Okay, next thing is to get out there and have a blast! You'll love it!

Cheers mate,

Chris

[cantdrv55]

I have the blue brake fluid in there right now. I'll put in high perf pads and check out my bearings, suspension, etc. Next, I'll spring for the safety stuff (I have Corbeau sport seats already). I had an alignment done a few months ago. I may go with Kumho street tires for now, don't know yet. Thanks for the advice everybody.

[917]

You're welcome. Have fun!

[cbeers]

hey Chris,

as you know, my car is stock, high miles, fat, soft etc.

Brakes were a nice thing to have dialed in. The new rotors and pads bit MUCH better than the OEM stuff.

I run the Kumho MXs now, and they are plenty good enough for me.


I want new Tbars bad (see soft suspension note above) but other than that, I think my car is plenty capable on the track.

Our cars were made for this


-Chris

[juanbenae]

paterno has gotta be looking to sell that road bicycle 'bout now eh?

[cantdrv55]

Originally posted by k911sc
paterno has gotta be looking to sell that road bicycle 'bout now eh?

I haven't been out with the bike club in a while. Not selling the bike though. Just bought an indoor trainer as a matter of fact.

[cantdrv55]

Originally posted by cbeers
I want new Tbars bad (see soft suspension note above) but other than that, I think my car is plenty capable on the track.

-Chris

Did you see Mark Wilson's ad for 21/27 tbars? Don't know if they're still available though.

[vash]

fix your CV's paterno. oh for totally stock, you are gonna have to ditch those turbo tie rods.

hey, you gonna install that oil cooler?

[Z-man]

I have been tracking my 944S2 in basically stock configuration since 2001. The only modifications I have are:
- Performance brake pads and fluid
- Upgraded sway bars
- Race seats, harnesses, rollbar
- Fire extinguisher

I run in the upper run groups, and though I'm not the fastest one out there, I'm pedaling that thing as fast as she can go!! Of course, with the McPherson strut design, there's plenty of body lean - so I just tape up my door handles and side mirrors to minmize the scraping! (Just kiddin')

There are benefits to sticking with a stock or mostly stock car. Most importantly, you will become a better driver sooner - you don't have horsepower or suspension to mask your mistakes. Blow a corner in a stock car, and you'll pay for it the rest of the lap!

Another benefit is the ego brusing you will do to others. Once you start keeping up with, and passing highly modified and setup cars, they will need an excuse as to why you got around them. If they pass you, on the other hand, you need not worry about excuses!

Paramount are two things:
1. Keep up with routine maintenance religoiusly. Better to spend $$ on properly maintaining a stock car, than spending $$ on 'go-fast' goodies, only to find that your weekend is ruing becuase of maintenance negligence. If you've got a 1000hp car with a failed CV joint, a stock car will pass that car alot, since the 1000hp car will be sidelined in the paddocks!
2. Don't skimp on safety items. (BTW: Performance brakes can be considered a safety item)

Most importantly - have fun out there!
-Z-man.

[cbeers]

His Tbars were for a 915 trans.......sigh


I like Chuck's sealed hollow bars best I think. Just have to save for the "while I'm in there" package price!


-Chris

[Tyson Schmidt]

The only weak point on a stock car at the track is the stock rear swaybar mounts.

Either reinforce the one's on there now, or buy the WEVO units. Otherwise, what Chris said in the first post is all you need.

[Dixie]

Do you see anything wrong with tracking a totally stock car though? Are things going to start breaking down because stock components weren't meant to be driven that aggressively...

You're a wise man. Use the money for seat time, not mods. After all, "the biggest nut you can adjust is the one behind the wheel.

You'll have no worries at all tracking a bone-stock car. (Been there, done that, more than once.) The tires will loose grip, and the suspension is compliant enough, to keep anything from breaking. 911’s are very robust cars.

The only thing I would definately do is use ATE brake fluid. Having the car aligned to something "sporty", and running a bit better brake pad are excellent recomendations, but are not requirements. I doubt you'll be going fast enough the first time out to really require them.



Have fun.

[cbeers]

I doubt you'll be going fast enough the first time out to really require them.

You have never seen this man drive then


-Chris

[Lothar]

Get a good tech inspection, flush brakes and use Ate Super (blue or gold) and drive your ass off!!! That's it!!!

Have fun

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
I have the blue brake fluid in there right now.

Then get rid of it before your track event. If it's been in there six months already, it's been in there five months too long IMHO. You want fresh (as in a month or less old) fluid in there. Old fluid, even six-month-old fluid, will not resist heat as well as fresh fluid from an unopened metal can.

BTDT--six month old Super Blue in my 914. Pedal went to the floor at the end of the second 20-minute run session. Definite "pucker factor" increase, there...

--DD

[rich22]

Definitely get an extinguisher. I was at a DE where 3 Porsches burned. One of them was a nice 993 right in front of me. No extinguisher on board, the passenger running through the paddock trying to borrow one.