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Hi from the desert - Hasbro - 10-18-2013

Hasbro here, currently living on Dove Mountain in Marana, Arizona. My background has been primarily with Brit cars; Ginetta, Elva, Lotus (2), Mini, Austin Healey, etc., etc.. Since a dependable mode of transportation became necessary, I'm also well versed with Hondas.



I almost had a 944 built to Euro Cup specs but the seller sold it from under me in spite of my having left a deposit. Money talks, I guess. Anyway, I've lusted after 968s for twenty years and am currently on the hunt.



Looking forward to being here.

Hi from the desert - tamathumper - 10-19-2013

Welcome!

Hi from the desert - Inkedupfatboy - 10-19-2013

Welcome and good luck on the hunt. There have been a few members cars that have gone across the selling block here. Keep a sharp eye out on the classifieds.

Hi from the desert - Rap - 10-19-2013

Good luck with you're search

Hi from the desert - hot968 - 10-19-2013

there is a beautiful red 968 for sale in the classifies on this forum, worth a look.

Hi from the desert - Hasbro - 10-20-2013

Thanks for the welcome. My intent is to lighten the 968 to around 2800 lbs., external motor mods to add about 50 whp., and tune the suspension to a still streetable but firmer ride suitable for autox and track days. Only work that can be reversed back to stock. I'm not in a big rush and would like a black or other dark color.



I spent most of the day perusing this forum and it appears that my numbers are doable. Lots of fun ahead!

Hi from the desert - jws - 10-20-2013

Hello, this is a GREAT place to start. I did the same as you, I joined this forum before I purchased my car and was the owner of a 944S2, so I know my way around these cars in general. There is a bunch very knowledgeable people here when it comes to these rides, NOT including myself in any way, lol.



The only thing I can say is don't be in any hurry, buy the best car you can afford and that doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive in any way! There are plenty of cars for sale that are way over priced for what they are. Trust your ituition! I was in the middle of a deal and backed out because something just didn't seem right. I lost half of my deposit but that was better then having a car that needed a ton of money put in it.



I see you owned some Lotus cars. Two of my favorite cars are the Europa and early Esprits.



Good luck in your search and keep the forum informed of your search.

Hi from the desert - ds968 - 10-20-2013

2800 lbs will be a very challenging goal if you want to keep the car as a quasi-comfortable street driver. 2900 lbs..much more feasible and keeping the basic creature comforts in place. 50 hp & torque add on with an easy return to stock option has a simple solution : D1R supercharger. Suspension goal : piece of cake, budget permitting, but if you spend the money on the SC anyway, another couple of thou for a decent sports suspension is well worth the investment. IMO.

Good luck with the search, the right 968 is out there for you.

Hi from the desert - Hasbro - 10-20-2013

[center]The 2800 lbs. is not set in stone. It's just my nature to lower weight for handling. I need to remember that this needs to be a street car first and will use my Civic more for track duty. With -450 lbs. and counting, it's more track than street.



The whp is (always) the least of my concern and would be satisfied with 12lbs./whp.



I'm learning that the suspension on a 968 is pretty sensitive and will require some careful matching and tuning.[/center]

Hi from the desert - Bulti - 10-21-2013

Welcome! When eventually buying one, and definitely from somebody you don't know, always have an other 968 (or 944) owner have a good look at it. A neglected car could cause some serious damage to your savings account.



These babies are rock solid, but they are getting of age and have their (maintenance)needs.

Hi from the desert - Hasbro - 10-21-2013

ignore

Hi from the desert - Hasbro - 10-23-2013

Well, I've spent a bunch of hours researching on here and my goals still seem viable. Still searching for things like sprung/unsprung weight, front and rear motion ratios, computer calculator for designing springs by hertz, increasing track vs. it's negative effects (kpi, scrub radius), etc., etc..



2,900 lbs. does seem reasonable but may try for lower. No interest in forced induction, just chip, intake, exhaust, stage 2-ish? head. Bracing.



The more street than track is still my choice. My dd is more track than street but still comparatively lightly sprung with a good sized rear bar. Very nicely balance. I would like to avoid a Koni Sport type set up as they aren't great with bumps, perhaps a double adjustable Koni Race that's been customed to handle lower weights? Or similar without breaking the bank (or I'd go with JRZs!) The low spring weights being used here still surprise me so I'll have to test ride one to get an idea of where to start. I'd thought starting with springs in the low 2.?? hz. area would be good but not sure now. Lol, I seriously might need two sets of tires for the road and design the suspension for in between them; one for highway and one for spirited.



Just rambling, thanks again, all.





Edit; Avatar is of my 2002 Dare TG Sport, which I call a Ginetta to simplify. The four Walklett brothers created Ginetta, sold it and started Dare. The TG Sport has a Ginetta G4 chassis with a redesigned front suspension. 1375 lbs., 150bhp. Metal bushings/joints but handled quite softly. Basically a more aerodynamic 7.

Hi from the desert - tamathumper - 10-23-2013

Interesting. Got a bigger photo?

Hi from the desert - Hasbro - 10-23-2013

I don't have a scanner to upload my pics but here you go. The front suspension is off of a DZ.





Hmm, guess you'll have to paste it. I will read up on how this forum does pics!



www.dare.uk.com









Testing; still trying to figure out, will look into it more later. .... still not getting it.... not sure where the browse window is.

Hi from the desert - tamathumper - 10-24-2013

Can't post pics in the Introduction sub-forum, but that's OK, I got the link. Thanks!



Hmm, goes to something about life-skills?!

Hi from the desert - Hasbro - 10-24-2013

Yeah, finally figured out about posting in the intros. Educational, though.



That's weird. Just post in the search option and there's plenty of info.

Hi from the desert - JWahlsten - 10-24-2013

Welcome. Sounds like you're going to have a fun car when you're done. One of the guys recently did Motons on his, and likes his. Flash has some Carreras on the rear, and something else up front.



At 2900 lbs the 951 M030 stuff is a good start, but I would look to the JRZs or Motons... I'm using the Konis right now and have no issues, but have seen locked up rears in the past.



If you're not too concerned about mileage, there is a nice black car near me for sale. I'll be seeing Rob tomorrow, and will take a closer look.

Hi from the desert - MCL968 - 10-24-2013

I didn't notice in the thread, but are you looking for a cab or coupe? Also, I assume you are familiar with Search tempest and Auto Tempest, but if you are not, they can be used to search the CL ads nationwide. Ad Huntr also works for that, but I find Search tempest to be a little more complete.



FYI, there is a nice red cab for sale in the Reno area. A little pricey, but it looks very clean.



Welcome!

Hi from the desert - Hasbro - 10-24-2013

I was hoping to avoid the big buck stuff,such as Motons, at least at first. I need to test drive a couple to get a feel for them. I've only driven a couple of 944s and they were a good while ago - but they were enough to leave a lasting impression.



I do anticipate that my spring weight, etc. preferences may be a bit higher than most would prefer as I don't care for a cushy ride. If a car leans I don't care for the feel. The unexpectedly fun part of this suspension is in the diverse opinions re. how to make it work. I came in figuring 350 lb. front springs or higher would be the norm, lol. Wrong. Digressive dampers, maybe? Maybe not. Torsion bars or no torsion bars? Challenging! I do want to have a fairly firm suspension without the poor bump response.



Not to eager to look at high mileage cars unless they are exemplary.



MCL968, definitely a 6 speed coupe. I was not familiar with Search Tempest et al. Thanks.



Also, I'm not in a hurry, certain family funds are taking their sweet time to be, uhh, dispersed. You don't want to know. But that's ok, anticipation is half the fun.... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/whine.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Hi from the desert - bombfactory - 10-24-2013

I'm running stock M030 Koni struts (rebuilt), stock springs/torsions and M030 swaybars with upgraded bushings and links, corner balanced. Still way more body roll than I prefer, so it's back to the drawing board once my wallet recovers from fixing a ton of other things. The suspension on 968s seems really difficult to get working right. That's been my experience so far at least.