www.QV500.com - Porsche 964 Part 8: 964 Carrera Cup
 
For those customers who wanted to go racing, Porsche produced a variety of factory built competition cars. The entry level derivative was developed with Porsche's one-make series in mind, this having been organised for specially prepared 944 Turbo's between 1986 and '89. The 1990 season would see these front-engined cars replaced by 911's, production of the new 964 Cup beginning in late 1989. Starting with a standard Carrera 2 Coupe, each Cup car was equipped with shorter and stiffer coil springs, Bilstein gas pressure dampers and adjustable anti-roll bars.
   

Ride height was dropped by 55mm and the 911 Turbo's cross-drilled and ventilated disc brakes with four piston aluminium calipers installed. The ABS was re-tuned for racing and the steering stripped of its power assistance, a quicker ratio steering rack and three-piece Cup Design wheels also being fitted. Output was up by 15bhp over the standard Carrera 2, 265bhp now being developed at 6100rpm thanks mainly to a free-flow exhaust system. The five-speed manual transmission had shorter ratios on third, fourth and fifth. Few alterations were made to the bodywork, an aluminium front lid saving a few pounds whilst smaller exterior mirrors offered marginally less wind resistance. The most radical changes were reserved for the cabin where practically every luxury fixture from the regular Carrera 2 was junked. Porsche fitted a Recaro racing seat with competition harness, an FIA Matter rollcage and thinner side and rear glass. The soundproofing and underseal was also stripped away, all of which resulted in the 964 Cup weighing in at just 1120kg, an amazing 235kg lighter than its donor.
 
Production began in late 1989 for the 1990 season, no major developments being made until 1992, at which point all Cup cars were based on the Carrera RS instead of the Carrera 2 (left). The use of Super Unleaded fuel led to an extra 10bhp being developed, output now registering as 275bhp at 6500rpm. Weight was further trimmed thanks to the use of even thinner glass in the side and rear windows whilst the front hubs and new three-piece 18-inch wheels were now magnesium. Production continued until 1993, the new 993 Cup replacing the 964 from the 1994 season.