How to prep my 944 for the track...
Discussion
I've just picked up a cheap 944 with little in the way of history, and 18 owners for a little track fun.
What should I be looking at sorting out for the first track session? Also, any recommendations for a good place to go for a newbie in the south east?
I'm guessing that basically making sure it starts, stops and steers well is the first step
What should I be looking at sorting out for the first track session? Also, any recommendations for a good place to go for a newbie in the south east?
I'm guessing that basically making sure it starts, stops and steers well is the first step
Brake fluid and clutch fluid change to make sure they are fresh. Same goes for oil and coolant, no point in letting the simple cheap things ruin your day!
Is it turbo charged? If so, flushing the intercooler through with some petrol to clear out the built oil from the crank case ventilation is worthwhile to help keep charge temps down.
Make sure there isn't any crap/tools etc rattling around in the cabin too!
Check the condition of the discs (check for lips) and find out how much meat is left on the pads too.
Same goes for the tyres, you need to be able to drive home after!
Winter track days are much easier on cars, easy to keep coolant and oil temps in check, same goes for tyre wear and brake cooling.
Do the basics, grab a lid and go enjoy!
Is it turbo charged? If so, flushing the intercooler through with some petrol to clear out the built oil from the crank case ventilation is worthwhile to help keep charge temps down.
Make sure there isn't any crap/tools etc rattling around in the cabin too!
Check the condition of the discs (check for lips) and find out how much meat is left on the pads too.
Same goes for the tyres, you need to be able to drive home after!
Winter track days are much easier on cars, easy to keep coolant and oil temps in check, same goes for tyre wear and brake cooling.
Do the basics, grab a lid and go enjoy!
Besides what Baz said, which is all good advice, consider getting the belts done (timing & balance shaft). A decent specialist will charge around £350 for the whole job, or you could do it yourself for under £100 (as a guess).
If the cambelt snaps you'll need some kind of engine rebuild, if the balance shaft belt snaps it'll likely take the cambelt out too (though not always, I was lucky once - booked a 968 in for an overdue change and they found the balance belt had snapped and thankfully hadn't take the cambelt out - might have done if left though). I had a 944 engine rebuilt from the best of two and it still came to circa £3k 6 years ago, so doing the belts if cheap insurance.
If the cambelt snaps you'll need some kind of engine rebuild, if the balance shaft belt snaps it'll likely take the cambelt out too (though not always, I was lucky once - booked a 968 in for an overdue change and they found the balance belt had snapped and thankfully hadn't take the cambelt out - might have done if left though). I had a 944 engine rebuilt from the best of two and it still came to circa £3k 6 years ago, so doing the belts if cheap insurance.
two more thoughts:
youtube "wheeler dealers 944" and watch this episode, as they do exactly this to a 944 Turbo.
Also, think about yourself. I took my 944T out on a track a few times, and had no brakes left after 2 laps. Went out with an instructor and he taught me to be quicker, smoother and less aggressive. The brakes lasted easily the whole session then.
youtube "wheeler dealers 944" and watch this episode, as they do exactly this to a 944 Turbo.
Also, think about yourself. I took my 944T out on a track a few times, and had no brakes left after 2 laps. Went out with an instructor and he taught me to be quicker, smoother and less aggressive. The brakes lasted easily the whole session then.
Where2Guv said:
I've signed up to PCGB and the 944 area seems pretty devoid of life. Am I looking in the right place?
Doubt it, the 944 area is one of the busiest of the whole PCGB forum & there are several 944 owner who contribute regularly who are racing their 944s not only track daying them.Where2Guv said:
I've just picked up a cheap 944 with little in the way of history, and 18 owners for a little track fun.
What should I be looking at sorting out for the first track session? Also, any recommendations for a good place to go for a newbie in the south east?
I'm guessing that basically making sure it starts, stops and steers well is the first step
I bought a 924S with the same idea in mind. I spent money on brakes and suspension. The head gasket went after 20mins on its first track day. My specialist said "Oh yes, they all do that*",so you might want to check out the top of the motor too.What should I be looking at sorting out for the first track session? Also, any recommendations for a good place to go for a newbie in the south east?
I'm guessing that basically making sure it starts, stops and steers well is the first step
SS7
*he meant 20+ year of old 924/44s that have had light road use but are then tracked
As said above sort pads & fluid as a 1st step, a 944 lux aint gunna set the world on fire with pace & as stock its waay too soft but you can sort suspension if you stick with it, I've got race Ledas with coilover rears- & its a cracking set up.
Brakes- if genuine pads & lots of meat on will prob cope ok, or ebc yellows are a cheap pad that can cope with the heat & don't eat discs.
ATE racing blue is a good cheap brake fluid- get it from gsf, if you are feeling minted get SRF.
Get as much weight out as you can.
Another thumbs up for the pcgb 944 forum, a cracking resource & they even allow in 924S interlopers
I started thread on my 924S its well well overdue an update as lots done & shes tracked faultlessly since then but some info anyway-
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=566363&...
Mine will most likely be up for sale next yr if anyones after a crackling bit of cheap well prepped track fun
Brakes- if genuine pads & lots of meat on will prob cope ok, or ebc yellows are a cheap pad that can cope with the heat & don't eat discs.
ATE racing blue is a good cheap brake fluid- get it from gsf, if you are feeling minted get SRF.
Get as much weight out as you can.
Another thumbs up for the pcgb 944 forum, a cracking resource & they even allow in 924S interlopers
I started thread on my 924S its well well overdue an update as lots done & shes tracked faultlessly since then but some info anyway-
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=566363&...
Mine will most likely be up for sale next yr if anyones after a crackling bit of cheap well prepped track fun
Fantastic information - thank you.
I'm getting a decent inspection done tomorrow (first time our mechanic has been in since the snow).
It managed to overheat in -4 weather the other day when it sat in a drive-thru for 5 minutes.
It MAY have been doing donuts continuously for an hour beforehand...
I'm getting a decent inspection done tomorrow (first time our mechanic has been in since the snow).
It managed to overheat in -4 weather the other day when it sat in a drive-thru for 5 minutes.
It MAY have been doing donuts continuously for an hour beforehand...
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