Discussion
Had an excellent day at Harewood hillclimb yesterday. Sadly the rain came (and came and came) after the 2 practice runs but I managed to get a quick and dirty dry ish timed run in too.
The car performed magnificently. Compared to some of the cars that are specifically setup for hillclimbing it held its own with aplomb.
A few pics:
The car performed magnificently. Compared to some of the cars that are specifically setup for hillclimbing it held its own with aplomb.
A few pics:
andy97 said:
Just for clarity, is this the sort of thing you generally do with the 944: http://www.historicroadrally.co.uk ?
I don't know much about it but on the face of it a 924 could be a cheap way in to the pre 1981 class or a 944 in to pre 1986.
Any idea what sort of prep is required?
Andy, yes, sometimes. I've done a few from that list. The 944 is set up for slightly more aggressive stuff though, more like Tour Brit for track/tarmac and LeJog for endurance/rough stuff.I don't know much about it but on the face of it a 924 could be a cheap way in to the pre 1981 class or a 944 in to pre 1986.
Any idea what sort of prep is required?
Will write up the ideal prep for a 92/44 later when in the office.
Prep for both 924 and 944 is pretty simple for that kind of rallying above. They're fundamentally very strong little cars. Also, counter intuitively (and I have this from Porsche) the sunroof models are stronger still due to bracing in the A/B/C pillars.
Ride height and damping is the first to address. Bilstein B6 offer the best off-the-shelf option as they're built so well. I killed a full set of Koni yellows in 2 days a few years back. The Billies are in a different league.
Brakes - lots of MSA rules here but the bottom line is you have to keep discs of the same diameter and type and the same for calipers. For us that means we can use vented discs as they were standard equipment but need to keep the single pot steel calipers. Pads are open. Spend time and money on the braking system - good discs/pads and full caliper rebuilds often (kits available pretty cheaply). Also consider upgrading the lines to BF Goodrich braided stuff and regular fluid changes. I use decent racing blue fluid and have never had any real complaints from the braking system.
Underbody - you'll want to reverse all the exhaust hangers so nothing sticks down and also consider some underfloor plating. The sump sits quite low, the starter is exposed, the gearbox (at the back, obv) can take whacks etc.
Interior - You can take some liberties with the Blue Book here, I have. Mine is stripped back to bare metal. I have velcroed mats into the front footwells and cut down the back seat squab (1.2kg) that lies across the back seats. MSA says if you have back seats they need to remain and I've never had any complaints on my setup. You can go as mad as you want with door skins etc. For the rallying in your link above a cage is not optional and neither are harnesses. I'd never fancy that in a quick car though so I have a half cage (about to be replaced with full FIA cage) and proper seats bolted through the floorpan on alu fillets, plus 4 point belts.
Engine - not a lot you can do here apart from make it work to the best of its ability. You can't go changing the fuelling, DME/map, adding throttle cams etc - needs to be as originally as manufactured. You can use later engines as long as they're exactly the same type as was fitted (as in any 2.5 8v engine is fine). Old fashioned tuning to the head, manifold, exhaust etc is all fine.
Ride height and damping is the first to address. Bilstein B6 offer the best off-the-shelf option as they're built so well. I killed a full set of Koni yellows in 2 days a few years back. The Billies are in a different league.
Brakes - lots of MSA rules here but the bottom line is you have to keep discs of the same diameter and type and the same for calipers. For us that means we can use vented discs as they were standard equipment but need to keep the single pot steel calipers. Pads are open. Spend time and money on the braking system - good discs/pads and full caliper rebuilds often (kits available pretty cheaply). Also consider upgrading the lines to BF Goodrich braided stuff and regular fluid changes. I use decent racing blue fluid and have never had any real complaints from the braking system.
Underbody - you'll want to reverse all the exhaust hangers so nothing sticks down and also consider some underfloor plating. The sump sits quite low, the starter is exposed, the gearbox (at the back, obv) can take whacks etc.
Interior - You can take some liberties with the Blue Book here, I have. Mine is stripped back to bare metal. I have velcroed mats into the front footwells and cut down the back seat squab (1.2kg) that lies across the back seats. MSA says if you have back seats they need to remain and I've never had any complaints on my setup. You can go as mad as you want with door skins etc. For the rallying in your link above a cage is not optional and neither are harnesses. I'd never fancy that in a quick car though so I have a half cage (about to be replaced with full FIA cage) and proper seats bolted through the floorpan on alu fillets, plus 4 point belts.
Engine - not a lot you can do here apart from make it work to the best of its ability. You can't go changing the fuelling, DME/map, adding throttle cams etc - needs to be as originally as manufactured. You can use later engines as long as they're exactly the same type as was fitted (as in any 2.5 8v engine is fine). Old fashioned tuning to the head, manifold, exhaust etc is all fine.
Well, change is afoot.
I've decided that next year I'm going to do something that's been bugging me for ages - euro hillclimbing.
I seem to spend the majority of my time watching this kind of stuff on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_8B0mkrc_8
So for the last few months I've been accumulating bits and bobs and now the time has come to wheel it into Michael's workshop and pop on the A Team music.
The short of it is: the LSD will go in with a new competition clutch and possibly a lightened flywheel if I can afford it. In addition it'll have to have a bit of a drop so new springs on the front and reindex the rear.
I've not driven the car since about August, it's just been sitting quietly under a cover in the garage. I had a bit of a poke around and started it up for the first time in nearly 6 months last night and all is tickety boo.
Michael at the workshop suggested seriously upgrading the ARBs if the diff is going in so I've sourced a 26.8mm M030 front one and am still to source the rear.
The preening dandy in me has also commissioned a local upholsterer to refit my seats with original Porsche hounds tooth fabric. If I'm going to go off an Alp in a fireball I at least want to do it looking a bit gucci. This is the stuff she's using, I love it.
Also of course comes the engine. I've now got everything I need to create the new one. Still trying to decide whether to raid my existing engine for auxiliaries (water pump etc.) or buy more. It'll come down to budget but suspect I'll use a fair amount of what I already have.
Lastly brakes - will need to look into the regs as it's currently on std discs and calipers as per the MSA rallying rules. If I can go bigger/better for hillclimbing then I think I will do.
That's about it. Heading to the workshop now for a chat about getting the work done. Also want to investigate the chance of getting the new bloke in the back with the English Wheel to create some kind of removable mental Mad Max front & rear splitters a bit like on the 924 GTP Le Mans car
LASTLY:
A few things I still need to buy. If anyone has anything they're selling can you drop me a line? Budget is as tight as a midge's t
t so I'm well on the hunt for deals!
1) Front springs - ideally a c.30mm drop from stock
2) Rear ARB - ideally a 19mm or 20mm adjustable
I've decided that next year I'm going to do something that's been bugging me for ages - euro hillclimbing.
I seem to spend the majority of my time watching this kind of stuff on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_8B0mkrc_8
So for the last few months I've been accumulating bits and bobs and now the time has come to wheel it into Michael's workshop and pop on the A Team music.
The short of it is: the LSD will go in with a new competition clutch and possibly a lightened flywheel if I can afford it. In addition it'll have to have a bit of a drop so new springs on the front and reindex the rear.
I've not driven the car since about August, it's just been sitting quietly under a cover in the garage. I had a bit of a poke around and started it up for the first time in nearly 6 months last night and all is tickety boo.
Michael at the workshop suggested seriously upgrading the ARBs if the diff is going in so I've sourced a 26.8mm M030 front one and am still to source the rear.
The preening dandy in me has also commissioned a local upholsterer to refit my seats with original Porsche hounds tooth fabric. If I'm going to go off an Alp in a fireball I at least want to do it looking a bit gucci. This is the stuff she's using, I love it.
Also of course comes the engine. I've now got everything I need to create the new one. Still trying to decide whether to raid my existing engine for auxiliaries (water pump etc.) or buy more. It'll come down to budget but suspect I'll use a fair amount of what I already have.
Lastly brakes - will need to look into the regs as it's currently on std discs and calipers as per the MSA rallying rules. If I can go bigger/better for hillclimbing then I think I will do.
That's about it. Heading to the workshop now for a chat about getting the work done. Also want to investigate the chance of getting the new bloke in the back with the English Wheel to create some kind of removable mental Mad Max front & rear splitters a bit like on the 924 GTP Le Mans car
LASTLY:
A few things I still need to buy. If anyone has anything they're selling can you drop me a line? Budget is as tight as a midge's t
t so I'm well on the hunt for deals!1) Front springs - ideally a c.30mm drop from stock
2) Rear ARB - ideally a 19mm or 20mm adjustable
Not updated this for quite a while. Due to a lack of time, daylight and money it's just been sitting doing naff all for the last few months.
However my wife has a friend who is an upholsterer looking to diversify so I put her on the task of sorting me some swank houndstooth inserts for the seats.
Am really, really chuffed with how well they've worked out.
Now the days are starting to get a bit longer and work is looking up the rest of the work will be starting up too. Will take it down to Goodwood at the end of the month for the Mission Motorsport 4th anniversary - am sure it'll love some flat out track fun after ages doing nothing!
Sorry for cack photos, taken in a dark garage with finger smears all over the phone lens!
However my wife has a friend who is an upholsterer looking to diversify so I put her on the task of sorting me some swank houndstooth inserts for the seats.
Am really, really chuffed with how well they've worked out.
Now the days are starting to get a bit longer and work is looking up the rest of the work will be starting up too. Will take it down to Goodwood at the end of the month for the Mission Motorsport 4th anniversary - am sure it'll love some flat out track fun after ages doing nothing!
Sorry for cack photos, taken in a dark garage with finger smears all over the phone lens!
I got the stonking mates rates deal so not really representative. It's her first foray into this but her work is amazing.
It's fabrics only though, not leather.
If you want a quote you can send me details and I'll get her to put a price together. Surprising how expensive the fabric is, this Pepita 100% wool houndstooth was gnarly cash.
It's fabrics only though, not leather.
If you want a quote you can send me details and I'll get her to put a price together. Surprising how expensive the fabric is, this Pepita 100% wool houndstooth was gnarly cash.
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