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President’s
Remarks It's been a great Porsche summer and it's not over yet! Check out your great color photos on our web page http://www.pca.org/cia/ Our Autocrosses at Marshalltown have been a great success with several new members attending and driving. We had a great time again this year at Tweeks Funfest Week-End in Effingham and they gave great discounts on merchandise. A swap meet for memorabilia and toys added to the event this year. Some of us are headed to Boise for a week of Porsche Parade activities sponsored by our National Porsche Club of America. We'll be counting the trophies when you all get back! We're still exploring a date and place for our annual "Porsches And Ice Cream" event and perhaps another Autocross late this fall. And, some of us are going to Road America to see the Labor Day Week-end Porsche Races... Keep in touch and let us know your interests.
Do you know about the great Boxster rebates from Porsche Cars North America? As a PCA Member you are eligible for $500.00 on a Boxster and $1000.00 on a Boxster S. if you do it now! Call your favorite dealer.
John Dyson
Free,
Reserved Porsche Parking You are invited to display your Porsche at The 19th Annual Sertoma Airport Breakfast. Come enjoy one free breakfast for the driver of each Porsche on Sunday, August 25 at the Iowa City Airport. For your personal reservation please phone: John Dyson 319-335-9843 daytime, 319-337-5367 at night or email: john-dyson@uiowa.edu Have breakfast, meet other auto enthusiasts, see and ride "The Spirit Of St Louis", radio controlled model planes, parachute jumps and enjoy all the other events. Breakfast begins at 7:00 am Events until 3:00 pm Call now for your reservation.
1999
911 Carrera 4 Highlights
Benefiting from years of thorough experience with four-wheel drive, Porsche's engineers have found a particularly effective solution in upgrading this drive technology to the highest standard: Variable distribution of engine power to the front axle by a viscous clutch in the front differential guarantees excellent traction and supreme driving safety on all kinds of roads and under all conditions, without the driver being required to influence the traction aid systems. Porsche Stability Management. The Carrera 4 is the first Porsche to feature the Company's PSM Porsche Stability Management serving to intervene in the engine management and brake system in order to stabilize the car in both longitudinal and lateral direction whenever the car is driven to -- or beyond -- the extreme. And PSM has been tuned by Porsche's suspension engineers to ensure that the sporting character of the 911 is not suppressed by premature intervention. Indeed, the objective in this process was to provide brief but essential assistance whenever necessary on all four wheels, should the car come too close to the laws of physics. Electronic Gas Pedal A gas pedal incorporating a sensor to transmit electrical signals to the Motronic and an actuator operating the throttle butterfly are the essential features required for dynamic drive control with all the qualities of Porsche Stability Management. The use of such sophisticated electronics pays off not only in extreme situations, since E-Gas, as it is called, also improves the response of the engine to the accelerator and allows a further reduction of fuel consumption by adjusting the throttle butterfly perfectly to the engine control map. A further advantage is the reduction of exhaust emissions and last but not least E-Gas also provides even better cruise control. Large-Volume Side Airbags Fitted as Standard Apart from the full-size frontal airbags for the driver and front passenger, Porsche's new and highly progressive Side Impact Protection System (POSIP) comes as a standard feature. It consists of two side airbags fitted in the doors and additional door lining taking up impact energy. Offering extra-large volume of no less than 30 litres, the two side airbags ensure optimum efficiency throughout the entire seat adjustment range, POSIP thus protecting the driver and his front passenger in all areas around their head, chest, arms and hips, even with the roof down and the side windows fully retracted. Another Porsche First: Four-Wheel Drive plus Automatic Transmission The new Carrera 4 is the first-ever Porsche allowing the customer to combine four-wheel drive both with a six-speed manual gearbox and five-speed Tiptronic S.
New Headlight Look Like all Porsche 911s in the 1999 model year, the Carrera 4 comes with a new headlight look: The direction indicator units within the headlights are white, the direction indicators in the rear light clusters whitish-gray instead of orange.
Exclusive Aluminum Wheels for the Carrera 4 A clear sign of distinction characterizing the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 at very first sight is provided by the 17-inch light-alloy wheels in unmistakable spoke design. Extending far inside to the hub, the spokes become wider towards the rim and merge into the base at the far outside, making the wheels look even more powerful and larger. These 17-inch wheels are the right choice particularly for the comfort-oriented sports car driver. Superior Driving Safety, Outstanding Driving Qualities The springs, anti-roll bars and dampers are all specially tuned and modified to reflect the dynamic driving qualities of the four-wheel-drive model. Consistent adjustment of axle geometry to four-wheel drive and re-tuned elasticity on the front axle ensure neutral behavior all the way to extreme limits, allowing the driver to safely approach the highest possible speeds in a bend without losing control of his car.
Superior Crash Safety Carefully defined deformation of the steel bodyshell keeps the loads acting on the car's occupants in an accident to an absolute minimum. Throughout the entire process of developing the new 911, passive safety was consistently enhanced to an ever-increasing standard, the results of numerous crash tests confirming the conviction of Porsche's engineers that they have created one of the safest high-performance sports cars in the world.
Discreet Signs of Distinction Applying the principle of being "great to look at but even greater inside", the Carrera 4 does not in any way flaunt its wares. The Carrera 4 model designation stands out in titanium color on the engine compartment lid and is also to be admired on the black wheel hub covers. Further visible signs of distinction are the special 17-inch wheels and titanium-colored brake calipers. And like all Porsche 911s in the 1999 model year, the Carrera 4 boasts the special look of the light units already mentioned.
Air Drag and Lift Forces Reduced to a Minimum The Porsche 911 offers a low drag coefficient compared with other sports cars. And at 0.58 m2, the product of drag coefficient and the frontal area of the car is also very low and therefore advantageous on the road. A further, particularly important factor is the minimization of lift forces on the 911 Carrera 4, like on the Carrera itself, the Cfa lift factor on the front axle being a mere 0.08, while rear axle lift, thanks to the spoiler automatically coming out at speed, is even lower at 0.05.
Water-Cooled Boxer Engine An efficient cylinder charge ensured by four-valve technology and stable thermal conditions guaranteed by water cooling make Porsche's flat-six power unit a genuine performance machine. Displacing 3.4 litres, the engine of the 911 Carrera 4 develops maximum output of 300 bhp or 221 kW. Top speed is 280 km/h or 174 mph. A further point is that the horizontally-opposed engine, through its concept alone, offers decisive benefits in the construction of a sports car: Compensation of mass forces is perfect, dimensions are kept to a minimum, and the short, stiff crankshaft allows high engine speeds.
Aluminum Suspension All track control arms on the suspension and the two axle subframes integrated in the body are made of light alloy. In its design and dynamic driving characteristics, the front axle has been modified in accordance with the car's drive technology feeding power also to the front wheels.
Four-Piston Monobloc Brake Calipers Following positive experience in motor racing, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4, like all other Porsche models, comes with four-piston monobloc brake calipers made of light alloy. A particular advantage of this technology is the high standard of safety ensured at all times and minimum fading even under extreme conditions.
Litronic Headlights with Dynamic Range Control The Carrera 4, as well as all other models in the 911 range, is available as an option with Litronic headlights, special gas-discharge units illuminating the road ahead far more brightly and thoroughly and thus significantly improving safety at night. A further contribution to your extra driving safety is the dynamic headlight range control considering not only the load the vehicle is carrying, but also any change in body angle (sway) due to dynamic driving conditions. The halogen bulbs (H7) for the high-beam headlights are surrounded by a particularly efficient free-space reflector. Whenever the driver activates the high beams, the low-beam headlights remain switched on and also move their own beam up by way of headlight range control in order to improve illumination of the road ahead. A further feature of the Litronic headlights, finally, is the headlight cleaning system.
Individual Sports Features It almost goes without saying that the Carrera 4 can be enhanced to an even more sporting standard as an expression of the customer's personal taste. Features available individually are sports seats with reinforced side support, 18-inch turbo-look wheels measuring 225/40 ZR 18 at the front and 265/35 ZR 18 at the rear, and -- as on the coupe -- a sports suspension with even firmer and shorter springs, harder dampers and reinforced anti-roll bars. (courtesy Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG)
Get
Hooked Up! If you have e-mail and are not
getting notices of Porsche Club events, please update your e-mail address by
contacting: john-dyson@uiowa or jmdyson@mchsi.com
or, phone 319-337-5367 or 319-335-9843. If you have a FAX number we can send
information by that method. There are times that we might
need to contact you about an upcoming event that we don’t have time to send a
mailing. Please consider getting this information to us.
The Club’s Website Besides my recent venture into becoming the
newsletter editor, I also keep up the Central Iowa Region’s website. If you wish to look at the site, go to, http://www.pca.org/cia/
If you have any ideas for the site or contributions please let me know at
jasonw@ninesixtyeight.com. Please
visit our website, http://www.pca.org/cia/
Check out the pictures of past events, marketplace items, and our
upcoming events calendar and information.
For Sale: I too, must part with my lovely Porsche. My nearly antique 1978 911 SC Targa is in excellent condition. The engine was completely redone at 83,000 miles by Tom Bruch, the legendary Iowan racer and mechanic. New pistons, cams, everything. Now just under 100,000 miles, NO WINTERS. Shiny SILVER with BLACK interior. First year of the 3.2 litre engine with 20hp added through new dual Webber carbs.
(319) 936-RYAN
Mobile (936-7926)
Driver's
Seat Brake Diagnosis by Don Vidoli, Connecticut Region (from CHALLENGE) This article provides some practical information you can use on understanding feedback that your car is giving you when braking. Generally, brake feedback from your car comes in two types -- noise and sensation.
I will cover noises first. There are three types of noise that we
identify and should only occur when the brakes are applied. * Low Pitch Growl - This type of noise is more serious, generally indicating a problem with the brake pads -- the brake pads have a bad compound, have been overheated, or are de-bonding from the back plate. This noise occurs under moderate and heavy braking. Repair involves replacement of the brake pads, however while replacing the pads, inspect for signs of overheating and try to determine the cause (sticking caliper, cooling problem, and driving habits). If overheating is apparent, check the caliper dust boots and the condition of the grease in the wheel bearings. * Heavy Scraping When Brakes Applied - Usually this type of noise indicates a very serious situation where the brake pads have worn down to the metal back plates, or it may also be a pebble caught in the brakes. In either case, the brakes need to be checked right away. If the pads have worn away, the pads and rotors will need to be replaced. Also, the brake calipers should be checked for possible damage. Sensations fall into four different types and usually occur when braking. * Pulsation - Usually this indicates warped rotor(s), and if you pay attention to the feedback from the car you can determine if it involves the front or rear rotors. If you notice under braking that the entire car shudders, then most likely the rear rotors are warped. If you notice that the shudder is more pronounced in the steering wheel than the rest of the car, then most likely the front rotors are warped. To identify the offending rotor(s), measure the run-out using a dial indicator and replace as necessary. I do not cut rotors once they have warped. The reason that I don't cut warped rotors is that by removing material from a rotor that has warped once will only cause it to warp quickly again. One word of caution on brake pulsation; if the car is equipped with ABS, make sure that the pulse is not the result of the ABS activating. * Pull - This symptom is trickier to identify because the problem may be tire-related instead of brakes, even though it presents itself when you brake. If the pull is very pronounced, the problem is most likely in the front since weight transfers to the front under braking. To rule out tires, swap the tires from left to right. If the pull does not change, then the problem is most likely in the front brakes. Check both brake calipers to make sure that the pistons expand and retract freely. If both calipers work correctly, check the brake hoses to see if they are restricting the flow of brake fluid. If no problem is found in the front, check the rear in the same way. * Soft Pedal - Typically this indicates a car that needs to have its brakes bled. The repair involves bleeding the brakes. While bleeding, check the condition of the brake hoses. If the soft pedal soon returns, then you may need a new brake master cylinder. Repair is by replacement. * Brake Lockup - Assuming that the brake system hasn't been modified, if you experience unexpected brake lockup in the rear, begin by checking the function of the brake calipers both front and rear. If the brake calipers are functioning properly, then check the proportioning valve if equipped. If the car is equipped with ABS, then try bleeding the system as called for in the manual for your car. If the problem is still not corrected, take it to your favorite repair shop.
A
New Rallye Tip From an Old Rallyist by John Ruther, Chicago Region (from CHICAGO SCENE) Many relatively new rallyists usually can't see the forest for the trees. What do I mean by that? They are usually so busy getting from one instruction to the next and trying to stay on time that they forget to try to figure out exactly what the rallyemaster's trap is that will earn you a MAX score on the leg. If you can do everything in your power to try to keep a broader view of the leg and where you are going, then you'll have a much better chance at figuring out the trap before you earn the MAX score. How do I do this, you say, in the middle of a busy leg? Let me tell you a small anecdote to demonstrate my point. At the 1989 PCA Parade Rallye in Traverse City, MI, Jeannie and I were doing quite well up to the lunch break. But, we needed some great scores to put us in contention for the over-all win. So at lunch we grabbed some fruit and something to drink and headed out way before our scheduled out-time to see if we could figure out the next trap before we actually ran the leg. We went out, found the trap, and pulled the car down the off-course loop just far enough so other cars could see us and waited while we had our lunch. We must have "sucked" four or five rallye cars onto the off-course loop just by being parked there. When we got close to our scheduled out-time we backed down the off-course loop to the beginning of the on-course loop, left right on time and came into the checkpoint with a score of 8. This was with seat-of-the-pants equipment. Not only did we get a good score for the leg, but we even "helped" some other teams get MAX scores on the same leg. Unfortunately none of them were top teams in contention for the over-all win. The point I'm trying to make is that by taking something as simple as a lunch break, and turning it to a competitive advantage, you can greatly improve your scores. During the lunch break, talk to your partner about the rallye rather than to your friends about their scores. Try to figure out what the rallyemasters like to use as traps -- spelling?, ONTOs?, etc. -- while you're not trying to keep CAST or looking for the "next available right."
Oh, how did we do on the rallye? Well, we missed an easy "ONTO"
trap in the afternoon, which cost us the overall win, but we finished 2nd
overall out of some 250 cars.
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