[Aus968]

Hi guys,

We had a very small gathering here in Houston last night, Rich (uscarrera is his rennlist tag) came into town from florida, we went out for steak and a few drinks then headed back to seans house to watch rich's video of him running Sebring in his Beautiful 968 CS, let me tell you this guy know's how to drive, i was so impressed with how competetive the 968 is in F , I think that Jim Childs is heading down there pretty soon, and also runs in F, and from what i hear is very quick also, wish i could be there for that battle,

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[Jim Child]

Yes, I'll be there, but unfortunately without my #13 968. Its currently out of commission, undergoing a tranny rebuild, and other work to get it ready for the 2005 season. Instead I'll be co-driving a friend's 968 in the Enduro on Sunday. I've seen Rich's video too, and he certainly does know his way around Sebring! I've never been there before, so I'll have to work my butt off just to stay with him.

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[sayporsha]

Do you guys who race your 968s have trouble with any part of the Variocam system? I've read that the mounting boss on the head tends to crack, and I get the sense that it's the Achilles' heel of this car.

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[Jim Child]

[quote name='sayporsha' date='Feb 5 2005, 04:19 AM']Do you guys who race your 968s have trouble with any part of the Variocam system?  I've read that the mounting boss on the head tends to crack, and I get the sense that it's the Achilles' heel of this car.

[right][post="246"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Not at all. My race car has 85,000 miles, almost half of them track miles, and I've never had a variocam related problem. However, I am on my second variocam chain. The car blew the heater control valve and overheated on the track at about 45,000 miles. It lost the head gasket about 2,000 miles later. At that time my mechanic replaced the variocam chain simply as a precaution even though it looked fine. The pads looked fine, so he left them in place.



Its now 40,000 miles later, and we just inspected the variocam system again. The cam teeth look absolutely pristine. The pads still look good as does the chain, but we're replacing them anyway just as a precaution. I should point out that this car has been fed a steady diet of Mobil 1 15/W50 since day one, changed VERY frequently due to the heavy track usage.

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[Eric_K]

I don't think these cars have an Achilles' heel. Just like any car there are lots of things that can break - especially on the track. Proper maintenance is essential. That said - the variocam is something to keep an eye on. Like Jim obviously has been. I just found a couple of teeth on my intake cam have gone MIA. That is at only 39k miles - but some of those miles are at a spirited pace <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> .



Eric

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[sayporsha]

this car has been fed a steady diet of Mobil 1 15/W50

That's good to hear - so has mine.

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[uscarrera]

Hey you Houston guys, I had a great time visiting with you, don't forget to check in with me when any of you come to Florida,

Rich

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[Samariter]

Rich, (or anybody who raced both 911 and 968)



you are racing both the 911 and the 968. From your point of view which are the most important advantages of having a 968 on track compared to a 911.



Is it true that you do have a totally different approach in taking the corner with both cars ?



Giving the same skilled driver do you think a 964 is the faster track car ?



Thanks

Alex

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[uscarrera]

It is really an interesting comparison. In my case my 911 is a HSR car so its tecnology is somewhat older than the 968 and it shows. The 968 is much easier to drive fast but 911 is really driving! 968 has good power but only when variocam is working say at about 5000 rpm's and higher. 911 with its 2.7 and webbers really has low end grunt which translates to more power out of low speed turns. Driving both cars has given me some insight as to how to race 911s when I am in my 968, need to stay on their ass in low speed stuff and wait for an opportunity to exit high speed turn leading to long straights. As for 964 u have a more modern car than my 911 but think principles still hold. Alfortunately racing usually comes down to driver skill which is great equalizer in all cases.

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[Samariter]

Rich,



very interesting, thanks for that - don't stop <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Alex

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[sparky]

[quote name='Jim Child' date='Feb 5 2005, 03:44 PM']I should point out that this car has been fed a steady diet of Mobil 1 15/W50 since day one, changed VERY frequently due to the heavy track usage.[/quote]



Damn good idea. A question on the oil grade, I have around 20 litres of 5W-50 Mobil 1 left over from my Boxster S (now sold - had to upgrade ;-). I'm assuming I can also use this is also suitable for use in my 968CS, which will be tracked. Does anyone know for sure? (The owners manual seems to indicate this spec. is OK)

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[Greimann]

[quote name='sparky' date='Mar 27 2005, 03:55 AM']Damn good idea. A question on the oil grade, I have around 20 litres of 5W-50 Mobil 1 left over from my Boxster S (now sold - had to upgrade ;-). I'm assuming I can also use this is also suitable for use in my 968CS, which will be tracked. Does anyone know for sure? (The owners manual seems to indicate this spec. is OK)

[right][post="2425"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



That grade should work great. Like Jim has observed, an SAE 50 as the top number on an oil helps protect the cams and tensioner pads. A 5W- as the firs number ensures good cold weather service too.

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[Dave]

I don't think these cars have an Achilles' heel.

I've kinda wondered about this. Having replaced rod bearings in my 944 NA TWICE in the 4 years I owned / tracked it... What's the oiling situation for heavily-tracked 968's?



Wisdom I have heard thus far indicates it's not really an issue, but I can't quite understand what changed between the 944 motor and the 968, relative to this issue. Sure, there's under piston oil spray and an added cooler... But is that it and is that enough (especially for higher-G track work)?



Thoughts, advice, and input very welcome on this subject.



Thanks in advance,

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[Eric_K]

I've wondered about it as well. I've seen many 944/951's eat #2 rod bearings at the track but I haven't heard of it in a 968 either. Is it the small number of them at the track and the 968 being relatively newer or is there a real design improvement?



I think the larger oil cooler makes a big difference. I don't see how the piston squirters would help the rod bearings, but who knows? I think the baffle tray in the sump may also be different(?).



BTW, I've been using 0W-30R Mobil1 Racing Oil with good results so far.



Eric

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[Graham]

Hang on a minute...thats what went on mine causing the need for a full rebuild and new crank!



Graham

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[Eric_K]

Way to go Graham. Ruin it for the rest of us. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Did it happen at the track? Any other details you can give?



Maybe we don't have it any better.



Eric

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