924Board.org

[Screaming Eskimo]

I have browsed this section and the upgrades section but most of the information I found pertained to 924S upgrades, so...

I am looking to make some improvements to my car for autocross/SoloII/slalom racing. Since the majority of this racing is done at lower speeds with a focus on handling, I am thinking that improvements to the suspension are likely the best bang for my buck. I have a 1980 924 NA with 5-bolt wheels.

So, my question is, are there performance parts available for my car or do any parts from other models cross over? I was wondering about swaybars in particular, but other suggestions are also welcomed.
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Scott Duncan

1980 Porsche 924 NA
1966 Sunbeam Alpine Turbo
2005 Dodge Magnum AWD

[edh]

best place to start

http://www.924.org/techsection/SuspensionPreparation.htm
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current - '90 944S2, '00 986S,
ex - '90 944 turbo '86 924S, '88 924S

[Screaming Eskimo]

Thanks. That's awesome!
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Scott Duncan

1980 Porsche 924 NA
1966 Sunbeam Alpine Turbo
2005 Dodge Magnum AWD

[MALUKIA3]

Make sure you know the rules of the class your autoXing in before making modifications.

Don
79/na

[Kaos]

There are two types of autocrossers: Those that want to drive their car fast and have fun, and those that are there to win.

I am one of those guys that autocrosses to win. So, I pick a class that I want to run in (and my budget can afford), and prep my car to the limit of the rules (this means NOT doing some modifications that would be very helpful, but bump me up a class). In my case, it is E-stock. See my other post in this section about 924S ES setup.

If you just want to run your car and have fun, then just do whatever modifications you want to your car, and run it in whatever class that puts you in. Most likely you will not be competitive, but it shouldn't matter if you are there to have fun anyway.

Here's another way to look at it: just drive your car the way it is now, get some experience with it (a baseline), and then make specific changes to it that will help/fix problems that you see. I think you will be surprised at how fast your car will be with just a decent set of tires (Falken Azenis, or real race rubber like Hoosiers or Kumhos).

Personally, I'm not having fun unless I'm in the hunt for the lead, so I do very class specific modifications. But, thats just how I am. What is your outlook?

[Screaming Eskimo]

The clubs we have around here have a pretty limited membership, so depending on the class, there can be a number of cars to compete against or there are none. Right now I want to drive to improve my skills, have fun and learn about my car. I will likely drive it for this season the way it is as the money I will be spending on the car will be to ensure it is running properly and is somewhat reliable. I would just like to have a checklist of parts to start collecting so I can work on the car over the winter.
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Scott Duncan

1980 Porsche 924 NA
1966 Sunbeam Alpine Turbo
2005 Dodge Magnum AWD

[Kaos]

Good answer. You are definately headed down the right path.

I started autocrossing in Ottawa, Ontario in the early 90's. We would be lucky to get 30 people to an event. Since I moved to Detroit 7 years ago, most of the local events get 200 entrants. Divisional and National events are also very well attended here. Seems like more people have more disposable income to spend on Auto-x in the US than they do in Canada (I know I certainly do after moving here).

So, what class are you planning on running? I know the classing structure in Canada is slightly different than here in the US. Something like a points accumulation system to determine if your car is in stock, super stock, street prepared or modified.

If you want to stay in stock, the same recommendations that I did to my E-stock 924S would probably work for your 924. The 924 is in HS here, and I think it could be reasonably competitive (unless you have a decent driver in a new Mini Cooper at your local events).

If you want to step up to classes higher than stock, then your car will become much less steetable. Full on street prepared cars here have upwards of 500lb/in springs which makes for a very uncomfortable street car.

[Screaming Eskimo]

A stock 924 will run H-stock here too. Right now there aren't a whole lot of cars in that class as most have gone up to SS or SP. For this season I will strip the carpets and rear seat out, install a fire extinguisher and get some R-compound tires to go on a set of 14" Fuchs I got with the car. The way I have it calculated, that should keep me in stock (+3/-1 = 2 prep points)

I am not really too interested in trying to add much in way of power to the car. I understand that the gains are minimal unless you spend big $$$. I would rather spend some money on upgrading the handling and go from there. I am currently building a 1966 Sunbeam Alpine with a Ford 2.3 Turbo engine, T5 transmission and 8" posi Ford rearend. It will be in the range of 250bhp in an 1800lbs car. That will be my speedster.
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Scott Duncan

1980 Porsche 924 NA
1966 Sunbeam Alpine Turbo
2005 Dodge Magnum AWD

[Kaos]

I think a stiffer front swaybar would help you more than stripping out the rear seat and carpet.

Get the widest 14" R compund tires you can (at least a 205). Like I said in my earlier post, 225 fit on the front of my 924S with a 1/4" spacer. The problem is more with rubbing the spring on the inside than the fender on the outside. I don't know what the offset is on your fuchs though.

If you want long lasting, with good performance - go with the Kumho V700 Victoracer. They make a 205/55-14 which should fit.