924Board.org

Lemming · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 77 Location: Birmingham, AL

I'm looking at getting a car that I can ultimately use for wheel-to-wheel racing. I'm new to this so I will start out with more DE's, autoX's and then get my racing license. I’m looking at a 1988 924S and have always liked this line (924/944/968) of cars but I have never owned a P-car. I would plan on keeping the car street legal so that I can drive to local events. So, how does the car do in SCCA ITS (I believe that’s the class that I would have to race in).

Thanks
_________________
Tim
'95 968 (White/Cashmere)
'88 924S? (sleeper

AndyFranklin · Joined: 07 Oct 2003 Posts: 184 Location: Novelty OH

The one or two around here for fairly well. However, you will need to pick any two of "ITS", "competitve", and "street legal." Or at least "street driveable."

924RACR · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 12:04 am Post subject:

There are options beyond just ITS, depending on where you're located, and most of the others (than ITS) do have the potential to be more competitive. Where are you??? Update your profile!

Series of interest in NASA are:
GTS Challenge - a pure power/weight based classing system, very open rulebook, runs in Midwest (Cendiv area) and East Coast (VA through GA)- www.gtschallenge.com
944Spec - Spec series for 944 and 924S, you'd have no issue with competitiveness here, but only runs in AZ and SoCal - http://members.rennlist.com/m758/944-spec.htm (not the official page, but has a link and info)
44Cup - runs ITS and PCA Stock 924S's and 944's, as well as turbos in an upper class, in VA and SouthEast - www.44cup.com

Cheers,
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

Lemming · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 77 Location: Birmingham, AL

I'm located in Birmingham (profile has been updated).

It appears that the title issue has been resolved and I will be picking the car up for a pre-purchase inspection tomorrow afternoon. If all goes well, I'll own it by tomorrow night.

During the test drive I was impressed how the car pulled from down low, I did not have a chance to open it up on top.

Thanks for the links to the series. As soon as I get a few minutes I'll go through the websites to see what they offer.
_________________
Tim
'95 968 (White/Cashmere)
'88 924S? (sleeper

924RACR · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 10:19 pm Post subject:

Cool! Given your location in AL, and your appreciation of Bimmers as well as P-cars, I suspect you'll like the GTS Challenge layout! I should've mentioned the concept a little better; it stands for German Touring Sportscar Challenge, and is a chance to match up Porsches with BMW's, Mercedes', and Audis. We're going to be running a big weekend at Road Atlanta in June.
http://www.gtschallenge.com
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

Lemming · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 77 Location: Birmingham, AL

I got to drive RA last month at the BMWCCA DE in my M3 and had the time of my life. The major pitfall was fear of putting my new M into one of the many walls, hence the reason for a streetable track car. I'm going to try to drive over for the June race but won't be able to stay both days since I have a motocycle race on Sunday.
_________________
Tim
'95 968 (White/Cashmere)
'88 924S? (sleeper

924RACR · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:43 am Post subject:

Cool - I've emailed over to NASA SE to let them know you might be dropping in...
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

Lemming · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 77 Location: Birmingham, AL

Well the pre-purchase inspection revealed that the car needs quite a bit of work. Thus, I low balled the seller and the car is not sitting in my garage. If you know of any good S's out there, let me know.
_________________
Tim
'95 968 (White/Cashmere)
'88 924S? (sleeper

924RACR · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:34 pm Post subject:

Cool, will do...

As an aside, one more piece of info regarding racing 924S's I forgot to mention; a 924S (Christian Cook) currently leads the National Points Championship in GTS2, although his margin is slim; there's a Bimmer driver (Clemm) 3 points back, and a 944 driver (Picelle) 3 points further adrift...
http://www.gtschallenge.com/2004driverpoints_files/2004driverpoints.htm
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

Lemming · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 77 Location: Birmingham, AL

I was really bummed last night when the purchase didn't occur. The car is tight, but needs a complete engine rebuild. I felt the asking price was too great, given the money that I would have to drop just to get it running properly.

I see there's an 88 in the classified section, hopefully it's in better condition.
_________________
Tim
'95 968 (White/Cashmere)
'88 924S? (sleeper

924RACR · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:54 pm Post subject:

Before putting one of these cars (a 924S or 944) on track, or at least before racing it, you need to plan to replace the following:

Rod Bearings!!!
timing belt
balance belt
water pump
seals and rollers for balance shaft and timing belt (all of the above but the rod bearings are in one big front-end engine service)

That's just preventative maintenance. There are additional things to learn about the oiling of the 944 engine (which the 924S shares) from Jon Milledge, as it often suffers from failure of the #2 rod bearing if preventative measures and maintenance are not taken/performed. If you take all the right steps, they can certainly be reliable on-track.

In general, other prep you're looking at is race-prep, not so much maintenance; race shocks (don't waste your money on street shocks including Koni Yellows, in spite of what everybody says), springs and torsion bars or helper springs, brake pads and stainless braided brake hoses, perhaps suspension bushings if you can budget them. Those would be the basics to make sure you have a fun, as well as reliable, racecar.
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

924RACR · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:57 pm Post subject:

You might also get in touch with Bobby Dodd (bob@924.org) in Tulsa, I recall he just picked up a 924S, and might be looking for a new home for it (in that he has too many toys).
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

CBCook · Joined: 31 May 2003 Posts: 9

Tim,

I'm the guy Vaughan mentioned leading the NASA GTS2 championship, albeit by a slim margin. I cite that due to my driving skills, not the car. While I didn't know what I was doing at the time, I've never regreted the decision to buy a race ready, 88 924S. It's absolutly on par with 944s and lighter, resulting in higher speed. The only grip, and I mean only, is that wheel options are limited due to the tight fenders. 7x15 will fit, but they have to be the right offset. I use 7x15 phone dials and a set of racing BBS. I bought a used race car, which I reccomend if you can find a good one with a good history and owner. I have reciepts for over $45k, which would prohibit me building a car. On the upside, I paid a fraction of that. Most mechanicals (all that I've run across) are compatable with 944s, which keep maintenance costs low. My car's been bullitprood to date, although I plan on doing an engine rebuild next year to see what's inside. Oiling is a worry, although I have not had any problems.

Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll do my best to answers.

Regards,
Christian

88 924S GTS2
02 SLK230 Sport
95 Vette Indy Pace Car
02 K2500 Suburban (my 2nd favorite)

924RACR · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 10:17 pm Post subject:

FYI, Christian, I just picked up an engine hoist, among other fun stuff, so unless you just planned on having Jeff Jones do it for you...
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

CBCook · Joined: 31 May 2003 Posts: 9

Thanks!