944 Spec tech session?

[Tim Comeau]

Well, I just caught up on some of the technical threads. I usually read just the general discussion stuff.
Anyway, I had heard rumors of people attempting to rope a couple of us in to a 944 race info sharing session.

I'm up for that, consistent with my work/customer racing schedule.

**This doesn't have to be an official PCA event, but certainly I have no problem with that.**

There's plenty of parking at the shop location.
I always have plenty of engines and trannies open and ready to tinker with. Tons of suspension pieces. I can have an open head with valves installed. Hell, it's cool just to see an engine on a stand outside of the car. I have factory manuals and such.
We could:
1. Set up some race videos and chat about the line , racing moves, etc.
2. Q and A session based on the crowd's input. Which mods are effective and which are B.S.
Caveat: I don't pretend to have all the answers (I'm learning more about 944's all the time) and if I don't know yet, I'll tell you, "I don't know." The only thing I hate worse than being wrong is teaching others something that's wrong. BUT, If I don't know the answer off the top of my head, I'll probably know which book has the answer! If we use the Socratic method to discuss topics instead of just lecturing, we'll probably end up with the best info on every topic.
3. Cater in some food?
4. Test drive a Spec car around the block with an open exhaust ? ......Not a chance.
5. Discuss the evolution of the 944?
So, let's brainstorm and hear your thoughts about how I can serve the 944 racing community.

I'll start with these loose thoughts.

- Meet on a Saturday at the Starbuck's on Mission Gorge at 9:ish.
- Drive the short distance to the shop. Do 944 stuff for a couple hours.
- Cater lunch?
- More 944 stuff?, or caravan up to the Miramar Speed Circuit for some karting (to be coordinated with them)?

[mrondeau]

Count me in. I like the suggested format, especially the kart racing afterwards. Eat, learn, eat, race. Sounds Great!

[LUCKY DAVE]

Im in too.
Hell, I own three of the things, it's about time I learned where to pour in the oil.
Miramar Speed Circuit sounds good too, maybe I'll get around to using the races I won at the driver's dinner.......if I can find the paperwork.........

[Bill Behun]

Awesome Tim -

I like the format and the karting idea too! Count me in as I'm a 944 owner now too. (I'd want to do this anyway even if I wasn't)

[ChuckS]

Tim:

I am in as well , as long as we can get a time when I can attend. Let's try to schedule it far enough in advance so we can all reserve the day.
The thought of 944 guys karting is really scary!

[Tim Comeau]

Mr. Behun,
Whaja buy?

[elcap00]

Tim-
you guys already do this? I am in--. lets go over an outline of weight loss basics and "advanced"--(cutting off all those bolts that are a half inch too long--lexan sunroofs--etc.

c'mon racer--I need to hear your go fast secrets---Jackie is still whoopin up on me and its getting tiring.

[Tim Comeau]

We haven't done it yet.
Lexan for the roof is a waste. You should hold one that I've given the treatment to.
I've never had to resort to cutting off bolts to save weight. That's a waste of your time, buddy.
Bring your car in and I'll find out where all the extra weight is. I've become pretty good at it.....

The only reason Jackie's 944S engined-car is whooping yours is that she has a 944 gearbox with a short 5th. All the ratios are different from your 944S gearbox.

[993Panzer]

The only reason Jackie's 944S engined-car is whooping yours is that she has a 944 gearbox with a short 5th. All the ratios are different from your 944S gearbox.

I don't believe this is the only reason Jackie is faster.

[Tim Comeau]

Well, ok. It's the biggest reason.....

[harnishclan]

You don't think it might be the extra 30 HP on top of driving skills?

[Tim Comeau]

No, they both have 944S engines.

[ronaldtrotter]

When you watch Jackie attack a track you realize it's not horsepower it's skill.

[993Panzer]

When you watch Jackie attack a track you realize it's not horsepower it's skill.

My point exactly. The girl can drive. She did it the right way. She took the time to learn skills and develop her driving technique. Don't dismiss her driving abilities. She didn't do it with hardware. IMHO A lot can be learned from her example.

[elcap00]

I think it is definitely a combination of both skill and hardware tuning.

She routinely is 3 seconds faster than me and at Fontana she was 4 seconds faster with 888's and 5 seconds faster with slicks (i am rounding the numbers-so dont get riled up about the 1/10's "OK").

My driving skill will improve at a much slower rate than I can improve my car--so that is where I am putting my immediate attention. One major difference in our cars is that I am running 28MM bars and 350# springs--she is 30MM and 400# (i believe).

Here is what I think--my competitor has a lighter car/headers/short 5th/regular 944 gear box/sponsors and a pro mechanic as a team-mate. In addition to improving my driving I need to improve my car as much as I can. I finally just got camber plates and have taken as much weight out of the car that I can--although I still have headlights and wipers.

My skill will improve with track time--my car will improve by listening to guys like Tim, Chuck, and Jackie--and acting on that information--that is why I think this tech session could be so valuable--someone should write a booklet outlining optimum tuning both on the chassis and suspension (comparing torsion bars and spring rates with track times). Just my 2 cents!