micahbones Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Newby here looking at a couple potential donor cars to start building a race car over the winter. Quick question for y'all: Given about equal condition, for a starting point would you choose an 1985.5 with factory limited slip/swaybay options or a 1988 without these options, and why? I am trying to weigh the relative benefits of having an LSD vs. the increased compression ratio/power of the '88s... FYI any prompt answers would be great, as I'm considering a purchase this weekend. Thanks! -micah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
944-Spec#94 Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Newby here looking at a couple potential donor cars to start building a race car over the winter. Quick question for y'all: Given about equal condition, for a starting point would you choose an 1985.5 with factory limited slip/swaybay options or a 1988 without these options, and why? I am trying to weigh the relative benefits of having an LSD vs. the increased compression ratio/power of the '88s... FYI any prompt answers would be great, as I'm considering a purchase this weekend. Thanks! -micah The difference between the the two cars is the following 85.5 - early offset so you can run cookie cutters (plus) - can run steel front contol arms (plus) - easier install of manual steering rack (plus) - LSD (plus) Sway bars are not a big deal as most guys chose the sway bars that work best for their suspension choice (neutral) 88 - late offset so phone dials only (minus) - Some say the late offset geometry is better however (plus) - high compression motor (plus) - .829 5th gear (probably should verify) (plus) Of all of those the one that will be the biggest gain is the .829 5th gear as you will NEED it on tracks that use 5th. I personally use a low compression motor and an open diff and have done well. I am giving up some to LSD cars and maybe a tiny bit in the motor. I have an 88 motor as a spare and one day I will install it. I don't have and LSD and would love one. So it is a tough call. I guess I would lean torward the early offset LSD car. Of course the bomb would be to put the 88 motor and short 5th together with the LSD probaly in 84 chassis as I like early offset due to wheels & steering rack. Plus the 83-85 tubs may be a bit ligther. Really I would pick the one in the best condition that will require the least work. With the exception of the actual tub and suspension offset all the other good parts are easily swapped from one car to another. You can sway suspension parts too, but that is alot of work. Any other views. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 I'd go for the 85.5 with LSD if it were me. The sway bars don't really matter, since you'll want something bigger anyway. The extra 8 HP and short 5th gear of the '88 would be useful, but I haven't seen anyone's '88 being noticeably faster in straight-line speed yet (Chris and I were dead even side-by-side on Pueblo's main straight back in March), and 5th gear doesn't really matter much at Pueblo, La Junta, and apparently Hastings too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Comeau Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 There shouldn't be any extra HP from the 88 engine because the early cars can shave the head to match the compression ratio of the 88 pistons. You can only barely, barely shave the head on the 88 engine and stay legal. The 5th gear is nice to already have, as is the LSD, though it might require freshening. You're going to install bigger sway bars anyway so those don't matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmdirks Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 I agree about the sway bars and transmission. My '88 does not have a short fifth gear (the trans was replaced by the PO) however I haven't driven this car at Miller Motorsports yet, which might be the only track around here where I would need one. Also, it's tougher to get the '88 down to weight; I'm still looking for 50lbs. to remove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cory M Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Considering that the LSD is the most expensive single part that a front running 944 needs I would go for the 85.5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micahbones Posted August 24, 2007 Author Share Posted August 24, 2007 Thanks for all of your prompt feedback -- y'all are on it, which definitely helps to get me even more psyched to come join you at the races! Consistent with the general consensus, I will shoot for the 1985.5 car... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Addy Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 Or, you could buy an early chasis already built with a short 5th and an LSD rady to go and you could start racing next weekend...Anyone know of a car like that, you know, ready to go ? Anyone, anyone, Bueller, Bueller,...? Click the link... http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=14884 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcarpen22 Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 No! Buy the late car and then give me the number for the guy with the early car:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micahbones Posted August 26, 2007 Author Share Posted August 26, 2007 Seven useful responses in a couple days -- thanks fellas! '85.5 is now mine, more later... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sterling Doc Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 No! Buy the late car and then give me the number for the guy with the early car:) 3 944's isn't enough for ya? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcarpen22 Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 I have a problem:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micahbones Posted August 28, 2007 Author Share Posted August 28, 2007 '85.5 is now mine, more later... Photo of the 944 in question with a few friends/relatives - taken by the previous owner, obviously a Porsche enthusiast, so the car comes w/ good mojo. Plan to have it out for a couple track days/HPDEs this Fall to get a sense for the handling dynamics before prepping for racing over the winter (along with Rick aka Snymo who is a couple steps ahead of me, but kinda at a similar stage...although the rear driveshafts/hubs on his car are probably in better condition at this point). You ready for another entry RMR folk? Can't wait for the first Hanksville Challenge of '08! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck T. Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Looks great Mica ! Yes were ready for one more ! but you, Rick, Kassim, Dave Wright, Cullen Plus at least 3 more from UT. and maybe 3 others We should have 16 cars at the start of next year I would guess 20 by the end of the year ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
944-Spec#94 Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Wow that car looks too pretty to be a racer!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snymo Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Way to go Micah! Can't wait to see it in person. Congrats! Wow, and now we can add Kasim AND Dave Wright????? Oh man, this is gonna be so much fun!!! 944 Spec rules all!!!! Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_venturini Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 cant wait to have you guys join us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmdirks Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 This is going to be so freaking COOL!!! Congrats Micah and to the rest of our future Rocky Mountain 944-Spec guys (and possibly girls... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micahbones Posted August 28, 2007 Author Share Posted August 28, 2007 (edited) Wow that car looks too pretty to be a racer!!! Yes, I probably paid more than most (more the $3K, but less than $4K) for the "donor" car, but after searching for a while and driving a few cars in various states of repair/disrepair, I decided to spend more up front for a mechanically sound car. While I have some mechanical skills to wrench my own vehicle, I do not have the space/tools to do so on my own (but to give credit where it's due, have plenty of support from Rick, Chuck, and the rest of the RMR crew). For full disclosure too, it's not quite as clean as the photo suggests -- there are a couple spots of peeling clearcoat/paint, cracked dash and upholstery, etc. -- seems like 944s are quite photogenic! Living in a 1BR condo w/o a garage/tow vehicle and 1 carport space brings some challenges when trying to go racing...so I plan to get emissions tested (yes the cat will stay in), register the car, and drive it to and from the track to go racing. This means a compromise in terms of building the ultimate competitive spec-944 racer, especially in terms of getting it down to min. weight, but I am in it to go out and have fun! Edited August 28, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_venturini Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 as far as driving to the track with a racecar, if weston and i can make it work, anyone can! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck T. Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 With so many of our race car driving to the track next year I will rig up some head lights for my car. that way if someone needs to drive it home so i can tow the broke car it will not be a mad dash before dark. 20 cars in the RM region ! we are going to have a BLAST ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cullen winter Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Looks like you got a good one Micah, congrats !! Saw your mention of leaving the cat on. While I don't have to worry about emissions, I'll be driving to the track in my car too. I'm probably going with an exhaust cut-out, which might work well for you. I'll let you know how I tackle that. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
944cer Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Too pretty of a car! It'll slow you down, you may not want to mix it up with Dave, Weston and Chris as much! Just kidding, congrats, love the color. It's going to be a big class. I would have a back-up plan in case you can't drive it home. Chuck can probably help in that regard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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