where to start ('94 325is J Stock project)...

[project325is]

if anyone is running BMWCCA club racing...

I've recently acquired a '94 325is and want to run it in J Stock. I previously built an SCCA ITS RX-7, but this time I have to be a bit more sedate. I will be driving the car on the streets as well. Don't worry about stiff suspensions and what-not. I drove my ITS car on the street daily in race trim. The bimmer was damaged in the grille area (brother hit an SUV). So I'm replacing the radiator w/ a Fluidyne (or similar), and other parts that were damaged. But I'm looking for input on what people are running, setup tips, etc... This is the first bimmer I've ever owned so I'm still learning about it. Home will be Summit Point. I'm just not sure what to look at for wheels, springs, shocks, and rollcage. Currently I've got a Sparco seat and steering wheel, and Sabelt 5 point harness, so the interior is pretty much set minus the window net and rollcage. And yes, I've printed out the rules and am going by "the book".

Thanks,
Mike

[SG_M3]

www.bimmerworld.com , they build winning 325 ITS/JP cars. They can set up an JS car.

[///M3Matt]

id hold off on that aftermarket radiator.....im pretty sure its illegal in stock classes.

[LITEWAITM3]

Originally Posted by project325is

I will be driving the car on the streets as well. Don't worry about stiff suspensions and what-not. I drove my ITS car on the street daily in race trim.

The problem with driving race/track suspension on the street is, if you have shocks valved for the high spring rates, you are going to bust the shocks up by driving them on the street. They don't care if you are comfortable, but when you have to get them rebuilt and revalved every couple weekends, its not going to be worth it.

[project325is]

the J Stock rules state in part Q. Any radiator may be used, providing it is mounted in the original location, maintains the same plane as the original core and requires no body or structure modifications to install. Since the Fluidyne is a direct replacement, i should be all good.

thanks for the suspension comments. only thing is right now i can't afford to buy a street shock and a race shock. plus, i do have a truck and motorcycle, so road use will be very limited. i would like opinions on shock and spring setups though. the rules state that if the car didn't come equipped w/ coil-overs from the factory, you can't run them. advice???

[caracas_e30]

hey there, glad to see you are in with a bimmer now. I can give you some advice i have gained in the past year of participating in BMWCCA events from as far down as VIR to as far away as Putnam Park. I dont know the rules and limits of the J class so i dont want to blab out suggestions that are worthless because of rules and such.

DASport builds decent enough cages that can be run in BMWCCA and so does Autopower if you are looking for the economical way in to it. Your suspension can be done through several ways. HR springs, Koni shocks....theres many variants out there that vary in performance within each driver. if you are allowed, run as many chassis setups as you can to stiffen it up. X-Brace, front rear strut braces etc etc. Camber plates allowed? ah i dont know what to say since i dont know the J class to well

[driftz31]

contact ar fabrication in winchester, va. They make some of the nicest roll cages ive ever seen. they may be a little on the expensive side but there well worth it if your life is depending on it. also theres lots more than just suspension and roll cage .... i.e. brakes. if your looking for something for big brakes let me know we would be more than happy to work something out with you.

[LITEWAITM3]

http://bmwccaclubracing.com/2004%20S...l_20041020.pdf

Page 16 Stock class.

J stock is 14-16.59 lbs/bhp by the way for reference.

[caracas_e30]

nice, thanks.
Im not sure but i think you wont be able to run a BBK in your class.

[SG_M3]

correct, no bbk in JS.

[project325is]

yep, no dice on the bbk. i'm just going to run different pads and stainless lines. contacted bimmerworld w/ some questions. i would like to give them props for being helpful and friendly. of course, then i start thinking. james clay, bimmerworld, recommended instead of running the fluidyne rad and a lesser shock, to run an oem rad and their advanced design shock. of course, my big issue is cost. yesterday i found the AA rad which is quite a bit cheaper. also, what's everyone using for plug wires? i know OEM filter and OEM NGK plugs. already got the Mobil 1 synthetic oil. i knew the search feature would come in handy. oh yeah, what about the H&R cup kit? i don't know anything about it. since it's not a coil-over setup i could run that. i'm still searching for the suspension (shocks & springs). Thanks for all your help!