door window options?

[Jad]

In my quest to lighten the turbo, I am thinking the doors with window glass, motors etc must be heavy. What are the options for lightening this? I have thought of a couple, but don't know if they work or are legal:

1) put 924 manual windows in and maybe use plexiglass.

2) they make a 'slider' window where half the window slides forward, but the plexiglass is fixed. Is this legal per PCA rules?

3) other options? The car is daily driven, so some sort of window is needed.

Any ideas or experience would be appreciated.

[pdy]

Jad, I think you need to make the decision: Is this a track car,
or a daily driver. It is possible to have a car do both in the stock
classes, but increasingly harder as you progress. On the one
hand, keeping the windows is not that much weight, but OTOH
every kg helps.

My 924 Turbo went down that path (slippery slope), and got
to the point where there were no side windows, minimal interior,
motorcycle lights for headlamps (got rid of the motor and arm),
and eventually no lights at all. I did not drive it on the street,
and HAD to trailer it to events. That was okay for WSIR, but a
relative pain for events at the Qurph.

Sounds like lightening the car is important to you (that's why you
stay thin, I suppose), and I suspect you are well on that path
(slope). My vote is to remove the windows in the 951, and
start driving that Targa!

[Jad]

The targa is driven , but usually by Amy , so I would be stuck with the X5 and I hate SUV's. The turbo needs windows either way as it is parked outside under a cover. I know it is basically a track car now (some lights may be coming out soon), but it needs to live on the street so I am trying to see what can be done given the situation. Most of the interior is out, but the doors are stock and look heavy with the handles, motors, glass etc.

[gulf911]

so I would be stuck with the X5 and I hate SUV's

ummm...I can definately see how the X5 would be so uncomfortable compared to a stripped track car...

The way I see it, you're driving an SUV either way....

[pdy]

More options....

Get used to the X5 - Gotta be more fun (and much less fuel) than my Land Rover

Get Amy to drive the X5 - Gotta be better than the minivan Ruth drove for years

Get another car (we had 3 per driver for a while). Like how about another Porsche, and say it's for Miles?

Get better at driving, so you can overcome the weight penalty. Seriously doubt there's much improvement here, but then again the weight's not that much either. OTOH, I am still learning, and there are no points assessments for "Improved Driver".

Get plastic sheeting to cover the window openings on the 951, like you see on rusty '72 Impalas at trailer parks.

I'm sure I can come up with more wonderful ideas...

[Jad]

so I would be stuck with the X5 and I hate SUV's

ummm...I can definately see how the X5 would be so uncomfortable compared to a stripped track car...

The way I see it, you're driving an SUV either way....

I never said the X5 was uncomfortable or bad, but it is not as fun to drive as a Porsche...

Yeah, the 944 put the "sport" in Sport Utility Vehicle

Find me another 3000 lbs 250 hp SUV with 275 tires all around and I will buy it and change my view on SUV's

As far as the other options, I think I would be much happier driving the X5 than telling Amy she can't drive the 911

May have to just work on the driving and take other misc weight out for now.....

[Steve Grosekemper]

Jad,
Why are you digging your heals into the side of this slope and saying, "Slope? I don't see a slope, I'm not on a slope".

Start ripping that thing apart. 944spec cars can be street driven, you have a long way to go!

Windows-
Take out the window, regulator, motor and inner door skin.
Install a plexiglass window with a nylon strap from the bottom of the window to a slit in the top of the door skin (911R-style).
Pull the strap- window up (snap on bottom of door to keep it up)
Unsnap it and reach inside the door and pull down-it's open!

When you are done with that you car rip out the rest of the interior from the dash back.

A/c and heater will be the next to go!

[Jad]

Slope, I am approaching freefall - and I have no problem with that(OK Mike is in freefall without a parachute, I still 'think' I can pull the ripcord and slow down ) A/C is gone, interior from doors back is gone. Heater seems like a good idea to keep from the defroster standpoint? Headlights may go, I can drive with fog/driving lights if I have to....

But, Steve, your response is what I was looking for. I did not know how to have the plexiglass removeable. Looks like there is an easy method, I will have to call and discuss this with you as I am not familiar with the 911R windows and am not totally understanding your description... Thanks, I think

Any spec guys know the weight saving of the window, reg. motor, skin etc?

[Pete Millikin]

Jad - Not that I have been looking, mind you, but GT racing has lots of 944 stuff including lexan windows.

http://www.gt-racing.com/catalog/gtr944.htm

Just think of it as a way to maintain the upper hand with Dan and Curt.

[Jad]

GT who - never heard of them

They are the ones that have the slider window, but no one has answered if that is legal or not in PCA.

Dan and Curt are no longer a challenge, except in parking lots, I am getting closer to the big boys only 2 seconds from Steve at Fontana.....

[Steve Grosekemper]

Sorry to burst your bubble Jad but I was 1.6 seconds slower than I was last year due to my water soaked ignition system.

So if we can safely say I could have improved .4 seconds over last year with a proper running car, you were 4 seconds slower. If I improve my driving any it is 5 seconds....at the longest track we run.

You better start throwing balast overboard now... BW is only a few weeks away!

[MVZ944T]

Jad,

FYI. Currently for sale on Rennlist is John Sabourlin's full race 951. Very strong car, in I think very good shape. Before you spend ton's of $ making yours into a race car, you might check this out. White car with blue stripes. Holds the POC V0 lap record at Thunderhill, mid 120's at WSIR.

Mike VZ

[MikeD]

(OK Mike is in freefall without a parachute, I still 'think' I can pull the ripcord and slow down )

Mike who? Me or Gagen?

I'd vote for Steve's solution.

In fact I'll probably be doing the same soon. Except I need to keep the interior to stay in D. Ever seen RSA door panels on a Boxster? You will soon.