QUOTE(Tony @ Aug 20 2003, 12:08 PM)
I was hoping to autocross my 914 in the stock class in SCCA. My question is are stock 914s still keeping up with the new cars or is best to modifly it and race in other classes.
Thing One is to read the SOLO-II handbook which gives very clear definitions of what is and what is not permitted in the various classes, and what cars are classified in what classes.
by there letter of the rules, you'll probably be running in E-Modified (engine change) since there were no 2,0's in '71. probably, no one will care in the least. you can update and backdate some - the progression is in the rules. (but you can't make a car that never existed - as you've done - by the strict letter of the rules...)
SCCA has always hated Porsches in general, 914's in particular, and it's very, very hard to make one competitive. it's been done - i know there's an F-Prepared 914.6 that's been National Champion several years but i know the drivers are extremely accomplished and the car is flawlessly prepared.
so - if you think it'll be easier in a non-stock class, think again. OTOH - you'll probably be very competitive in the stock class against other 30 years old cars. technology has come a long way. Miatas, for instance, are ridiculously fast in the right hands, as are any number of contemporary front-drive water cars. it's hard to give up 100 HP and still be competitive although the 914's extremely good handling help a lot on energy-management courses (it gives up a little on very tight courses due to the wheel base, which is longer than it looks ...)
IMO - go drive what you have and have a ball. learn to drive what you've got. if you want to go faster, the cheapest bottom line is to buy a car that's already done the way you want.