Stripping out 944 turbo

[MarkK]

Hi Neil any new pics of your Maritime race car?[]Hows it going?

 

[Peter Empson]

ORIGINAL: Neil Haughey

Carbon fibre bonnet and wings would of course be [8D], but also plenty of wonga to sort and could cause insurance "issues".

Thankfully my insurers have never batted an eye lid over the panels, or anything apart from the near doubling of HP. As an aside I am glad I don't have a full cage, that's one they seem to be very nervous about (but I think we've had that discussion before).

I've not had chance to read the thread properly and wont until the weekend, but that's never stopped me spouting twaddle before [] All I can say is, do it! It transforms the car into something that can give you an instant shot of adrenaline whenever you drive it, even a half hour jaunt gives me a massive grin that lasts for days. My only regret is not getting the time to use mine more often []

 

[Neil Haughey]

ORIGINAL: MarkK

Hi Neil any new pics of your Maritime race car?[]Hows it going?

Patience guys, Barry sent me a few pictures a little while back but he took them with his phone and they are not great TBH. I have resisted taking any more myself now until the car is on the road which will be sometime this month as its basically done.

Last time I was in Northampton I tried the seat and harnesses out to see if the driving position was OK, it was good but the crotch straps dug into my thigh really nastily when I angled my leg to heel and toe. Barry has moved the seat 1/4" or so over to the left to help with this. I also helped put the rear hatch back on as its so bulky it really needs 2 ppl. The engine was in and all the door stuff (glass/mechs/cards etc.), all wiring, dash and pipe work had been in for a while now. The only outstanding items was to setup the rear suspension, install the aerocatches on the bonnet, front headlights/running lights, radiator, gearbox reverse light switch, mirrors, rear bumper and rear number plate lights, hatch release cable and a little more FG panel jiggling as ISTR Barry was not happy with the shut gap between one of the wings and the door. Then its back lane test time and MoT [], after that it will be back off upto EMC for a blow over of the FG panels etc. and cleanup of any scabs on the floor/underside etc. and cambelt job which reminds me I need to call Kev about that bit.

 

[bennyboy]

Hi Sandy, sounds like you're after pretty much what I've now got, save for the power increase. I've removed everything from behind the rear seats (seats, belts, carpet, sound deadening etc..) but keep a 'lightweight' boot carpet in the rear to give a little sound deadening for road driving. I've also replaced my sport electric seats with a pair of Corbeau's, junked all the stereo equipment and fabricated some RS-style doorcards. I've got a 'PJS Special' (do a search for roll cage and it should come up) half cage/roll hoop in the back and a pair of harnesses. I've also had the A/C removed and fitted KW v3.

My car comes in at about 1320kg, without fuel IIRC. Going any lighter would require significant investment and I'm not sure it will be worth it.

The car is transformed. You really do notice the extra agility the weight reduction allows, and you also notice the difference a roll cage makes in making the whole shell a great deal stiffer. The suspension has made a mahoosive improvement, making the ride feel 20 years younger, and the car is so balanced and adjustable it really is a joy on an empty B-road.

The interior is still very habitable, if a little louder than before, but it's by no means uncomfortable.

When the day finally comes and I move on, I'm 100% certain I wont get back what I have spent on it, but as someone above commented, a well-executed and maintained fast-road/track car seems to be a tempting proposition to many people at the right price.

 

[u63af]

Ben,
Yours sounds exactly what I would want. Dont want to go too extreme. One of my friends has a corrado and he has removed window mechanisms, all interior. I dont think he will be able to sell it on. I want mine to be lighter but still useable. A bit like a gt3 rs version of a 944 (if they had ever made one).
I am wanting to get these seats http://www.corbeauseatsdirect.co.uk/catalogue/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_21&products_id=45
Luckily can get trade prices on them []

How much weight do you lose from a lighter rear hatch (lexan?)

 

[944 man]

Itll sell if you re-fit the carefully stored parts.

The polycarbonate rear hatch saves a good deal of weight: approximately twelve to fifteen kilos, perhaps a little more. I think that mine weighs less than twelve kilogrammes, although I havent weighed it.