The 944 Turbo is horrible at AX... Prove me wrong.

[motoken]

Took my 1986 Turbo to AX this past weekend, and man did it struggle. While the suspension mods I have done worked great (car was very responsive and maneuvered nicely on my Paragon coilovers and Koni sports), the power was just never there when i needed it. Turbo lag. I get it. So, has anyone turned a turbo into a competent AX'er or am i just kidding myself.
BTW, I was bested by an NA by .2 of a second. I'm thinking the Turbo is destined to be an HPDE car and I'll use something else for AX.
Thanks,
Ken

[walfreyydo]

How many times have you taken the car out for autox before? Autox can be very humbling, for sure.

Speed is usually 75% driver skill and only 25% car. Tires also play a huge role. If the guy in the NA autox's all the time, is running 200tw (or better) tires and you have only autox'd a few times and are running street tires, this is not a surprising outcome.

There is a guy at our local autox group running an early 2000's toyota corolla sedan running nothing but sticky tires and regularly beats out cars that are much faster and have more mods. Always amazes me because he has that car at the absolute limit, floaty suspension and all.

It really is all about seat time, ride alongs with faster drivers, and understanding where you are losing efficiency in your own line and braking choices. Its really all in the minutea.

[motoken]

First time with this 944. I’ve AXd for years in caymans and Boxsters. Even had a 944 NA. I’m used to being in the top 10. The 951 has a performance alignment with good camber and RE71s for rubber.
The problem was power when I needed it. I almost felt like I should drive with two feet…. One to keep the revs up in the gas pedal, and one to apply brake as needed. Anyway, definitely requires a different driving style for me to be competitive in this car.

[CEW]

While I am not an AXer, I can see the disadvantage of running a turbocharged car in that “short course” environment. Especially a 944 turbo that is fairly lethargic under 3k rpm.

I’m sure there are folks that have perfected the art of managing the rpm/power with that car in that setting and will chime in with some suggestions. Good luck with your pursuit.

[motoken]

While I am not an AXer, I can see the disadvantage of running a turbocharged car in that “short course” environment. Especially a 944 turbo that is fairly lethargic under 3k rpm.

I’m sure there are folks that have perfected the art of managing the rpm/power with that car in that setting and will chime in with some suggestions. Good luck with your pursuit.

I agree about the short course environment. I'll likely save the 951 for HPDE...

[Zirconocene]

For more knowledgeable folks, is this behavior in the power band something that gets managed by modern turbo impeller designs? Have folks / is it possible to drop in a TurboSmart part (or a newer Garrett option) to widen the power band?

I have exactly zero boosted cars in the stable so these things are always interesting to me.

Cheers

[PSU_Crash]

First time with this 944. I’ve AXd for years in caymans and Boxsters. Even had a 944 NA. I’m used to being in the top 10. The 951 has a performance alignment with good camber and RE71s for rubber.
The problem was power when I needed it. I almost felt like I should drive with two feet…. One to keep the revs up in the gas pedal, and one to apply brake as needed. Anyway, definitely requires a different driving style for me to be competitive in this car.

I have been AX a lot in the last 15 years. Although not in the 944. I use my other 80s car for that. The ol 86 Mitsu Starion is purpose built for SM class. Seat time is the key! This can not be stated enough. Keep at it and you will learn the little tricks your car desires. I also taught myself to left foot brake so I can keep on the throttle enough to stay spooled. This virtually eliminates turbo lag out of the corners. Game changer.

I feel your pain! when I started AX the car put down 464/507 at the wheels and I was getting beat by stock civics. Humbling indeed. It has since been detuned for better spool and a GTX3071R installed. That managed winning the series 3 times in the last 10 years for me with Glen Region SCCA.

I always looked at it as a bad day of AX is still a damn good day. Then after a few years and countless events with the car I slowly improved to be competitive.

[motoken]

First time with this 944. I’ve AXd for years in caymans and Boxsters. Even had a 944 NA. I’m used to being in the top 10. The 951 has a performance alignment with good camber and RE71s for rubber.
The problem was power when I needed it. I almost felt like I should drive with two feet…. One to keep the revs up in the gas pedal, and one to apply brake as needed. Anyway, definitely requires a different driving style for me to be competitive in this car.

I have been AX a lot in the last 15 years. Although not in the 944. I use my other 80s car for that. The ol 86 Mitsu Starion is purpose built for SM class. Seat time is the key! This can not be stated enough. Keep at it and you will learn the little tricks your car desires. I also taught myself to left foot brake so I can keep on the throttle enough to stay spooled. This virtually eliminates turbo lag out of the corners. Game changer.

I feel your pain! when I started AX the car put down 464/507 at the wheels and I was getting beat by stock civics. Humbling indeed. It has since been detuned for better spool and a GTX3071R installed. That managed winning the series 3 times in the last 10 years for me with Glen Region SCCA.

I always looked at it as a bad day of AX is still a damn good day. Then after a few years and countless events with the car I slowly improved to be competitive.

Good advice! Two footed driving is something I've never done before but I've heard it was a technique used by old-timers years ago. I'll give that a try at the next event. Thanks!

[PSU_Crash]

First time with this 944. I’ve AXd for years in caymans and Boxsters. Even had a 944 NA. I’m used to being in the top 10. The 951 has a performance alignment with good camber and RE71s for rubber.
The problem was power when I needed it. I almost felt like I should drive with two feet…. One to keep the revs up in the gas pedal, and one to apply brake as needed. Anyway, definitely requires a different driving style for me to be competitive in this car.

I have been AX a lot in the last 15 years. Although not in the 944. I use my other 80s car for that. The ol 86 Mitsu Starion is purpose built for SM class. Seat time is the key! This can not be stated enough. Keep at it and you will learn the little tricks your car desires. I also taught myself to left foot brake so I can keep on the throttle enough to stay spooled. This virtually eliminates turbo lag out of the corners. Game changer.

I feel your pain! when I started AX the car put down 464/507 at the wheels @25psi and I was getting beat by stock civics. Humbling indeed. It has since been detuned for better spool and a GTX3071R installed. It's now 363/400 @18psi. That managed winning the series 3 times in the last 10 years for me with Glen Region SCCA.

I always looked at it as a bad day of AX is still a damn good day. Then after a few years and countless events with the car I slowly improved to be competitive.

[t36]

For more knowledgeable folks, is this behavior in the power band something that gets managed by modern turbo impeller designs? Have folks / is it possible to drop in a TurboSmart part (or a newer Garrett option) to widen the power band?

I have exactly zero boosted cars in the stable so these things are always interesting to me.

Cheers

I'm curious of this too. 951 is my first and only turbo car experience. I would love to get some earlier boost.
Also,
I would 100% be way quicker in my e36 M3 around cones. But at an HPDE I'd prefer the 951.