Group C JPS tribute build.
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 3:34 am
So an odd 40 years after laying eyes on the JPS 635csi I'm finally building my own tribute. I've been following these cars around like a groupie for a few years now, and I'm off to Philip Island Historics in a couple of weeks to see the racing JPS 6's in full flight. I currency own a series 2, 5 speed Australian delivered 635csi - previous owner Addam Smith (aka OziBimmer) of Bavarian Classics and Restorations in Brisbane. Addam's building a limited edition Group C body kit, and I was lucky enough to be invited to own a set. Then we decided to go the whole way and build a tribute form the ground up. So all things going well, this time next year I will be seated in my dream car!
As I'm discovering, the hardest part of all this is deciding what spec to build to, so I'd be interested in your feedback on what I'm thinking. I don't have endlessly deep pockets, so this will be a smart, neat build. If I had the money I'd buy the real thing! So we're going try to make the most of what we have in stock and buy some hero pieces.
Here's the brief.
Must be able to be road registered. Here in NSW we have historic plates allow you to drive 60 days a year plus club events.
Must be able to track in regularity events (I'm not a fast driver, and have no aspirations nor budget to race, however I would like to stretch my legs on the track now and then).
I will be driving it to race events, cars and coffees and entering it in show and shines.
On the road I would like it to have good torque, not necessarily top speed.
And sound tough.
So answering the brief rules out a full caged replica race car.
I could get away with a half cage for the road, but would turn it into a two seater. Not too interested in that.
Question is to go full race stickers, which is awesomely cool and indoor face - driving on the road certainly would be an event.
or
What if, in 1986, BMW chose to release a limited edition of Group C spec road cars? what would they spec out? (Aussie readers think Walkinshaw Commodore or road going A9X Torana )
In Australia they did release an e21 JPS special, built by the race team for the road, with these specs:
So here's the spec: plan this week (it constantly changes).
Here are the definite items.
Starting with a 1978 series one shell (it's how we can afford to get started).
Limited edition Group C body kit.
Paint Schwatrz black
Simmons wheels 16x9 front 16 x 10 rear
Lowered suspension - bilstein shocks
New bushes all round.
Custom headers.
air con delete
Audio delete.
Inspecting with view to purchase
Individual throttle Bodies plus haltech engine management system
Still to be decided:
Motor currently M90 motor B35 head.
Gearbox - early 4-speed or later 5 speed. Overdrive 5 speeds are pretty useless. I’d rather have a 4 speed if I cannot get a dogleg.
Brakes - stick with 4 pot e12 brakes?
E28 rear subframe with LSD
Nice to have -
Garagistic - shifter.
https://store.garagistic.com/Garagistic ... EsbPPWDckk
Bigger Brakes - 135i? Extra gauges.
Front and rear strut braces - battery relocate to rear.
https://www.racetep.com/manufacturer/sh ... _i_7i0XGBs
Be keen to know what you would prioritise? How would you spec it out? Thanks for reading and look forward to sharing the progress.
Here’s some photos to get started.
As I'm discovering, the hardest part of all this is deciding what spec to build to, so I'd be interested in your feedback on what I'm thinking. I don't have endlessly deep pockets, so this will be a smart, neat build. If I had the money I'd buy the real thing! So we're going try to make the most of what we have in stock and buy some hero pieces.
Here's the brief.
Must be able to be road registered. Here in NSW we have historic plates allow you to drive 60 days a year plus club events.
Must be able to track in regularity events (I'm not a fast driver, and have no aspirations nor budget to race, however I would like to stretch my legs on the track now and then).
I will be driving it to race events, cars and coffees and entering it in show and shines.
On the road I would like it to have good torque, not necessarily top speed.
And sound tough.
So answering the brief rules out a full caged replica race car.
I could get away with a half cage for the road, but would turn it into a two seater. Not too interested in that.
Question is to go full race stickers, which is awesomely cool and indoor face - driving on the road certainly would be an event.
or
What if, in 1986, BMW chose to release a limited edition of Group C spec road cars? what would they spec out? (Aussie readers think Walkinshaw Commodore or road going A9X Torana )
In Australia they did release an e21 JPS special, built by the race team for the road, with these specs:
So here's the spec: plan this week (it constantly changes).
Here are the definite items.
Starting with a 1978 series one shell (it's how we can afford to get started).
Limited edition Group C body kit.
Paint Schwatrz black
Simmons wheels 16x9 front 16 x 10 rear
Lowered suspension - bilstein shocks
New bushes all round.
Custom headers.
air con delete
Audio delete.
Inspecting with view to purchase
Individual throttle Bodies plus haltech engine management system
Still to be decided:
Motor currently M90 motor B35 head.
Gearbox - early 4-speed or later 5 speed. Overdrive 5 speeds are pretty useless. I’d rather have a 4 speed if I cannot get a dogleg.
Brakes - stick with 4 pot e12 brakes?
E28 rear subframe with LSD
Nice to have -
Garagistic - shifter.
https://store.garagistic.com/Garagistic ... EsbPPWDckk
Bigger Brakes - 135i? Extra gauges.
Front and rear strut braces - battery relocate to rear.
https://www.racetep.com/manufacturer/sh ... _i_7i0XGBs
Be keen to know what you would prioritise? How would you spec it out? Thanks for reading and look forward to sharing the progress.
Here’s some photos to get started.