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  Sept. 17, 2010 8:06 a.m. knodtre None

  I recently got my '87 XJS on the track for the first time in August and had a great day. The only issue at this point appears to be brakes. I didn't drive it particularly deep into corners before braking, but went through a lot of pad and the pedal began to get a bit spongy towards the end of the session. The only mods to the brakes at this point are CBX yellow stuff pads, braided steel lines, silicone racing fluid, and removing 900 lbs from the car. The local vintage racers have been encouraging me to upgrade the car to race it in their events, and I was wondering if anyone out there knows what type and diameter brakes Group 44 used in it's original TransAm XJS. I have a Wilwood 12" six piston setup that would be an easy conversion for the front and a plan to fit 11" rotors with the original front calipers to the back. Any insights out there, Group(44)ies?

  A bit of video from Track Day One. Most of the sessions captured on tape that day were slow touring except for the last clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ojN41nFNSo

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  Sept. 17, 2010 7:11 p.m. WedgeWorks1 New Reader

  At one point possibly with the early XJS non tube chassis Group 44 cars had two front calipers per wheel! You need to get a copy of the road & track with the Group 44 XJS test drive and specifications.

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  Sept. 17, 2010 8:49 p.m. knojag New Reader

  I had trouble finding the issue on their site. Any ideas of the year and month?

  Robert Knodt

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  Sept. 17, 2010 8:53 p.m. knojag New Reader

  Never mind. Found it/bought it on ebay. I don't know why I didn't look there first.

  Robert Knodt

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  Sept. 19, 2010 7:53 p.m. Basil Exposition New Reader

  I had an 88 XJS that was my daily driver for a while. I can't imagine putting one on the track without a major effort at getting weight off it. It was a heavy car! It handled really well for all that, though.

  I don't recall if the stock discs were vented, but I think they weren't? You might certainly want to upgrade them if you can.

  What vintage group would allow an '87?

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  Sept. 20, 2010 4:41 p.m. knojag New Reader

  In Minnesota, the group would view it as a continuation model, being that it is identical in all important respects to the original model. The current HE motor would have to go, but I have a few spare early motors to build. The weight issue has been dealt with. With me fully clothed after lunch with a full load of fuel, 3550 lbs, according to the scale at the grain elevator. Thats a little over 3200 lbs empty. According to the R&T article from '77, the original weighed 3150, though I don't know if thats with fuel. Also, they used 12" brakes on the front and the stock 11" units at the rear, all items on the shelf currently. The article is a treasure of info about the prototype Group 44 car. The basic structure appears to be largely stock in the photos with the exception of a reconfigured trunk floor. The heartbreaker at this point is there are major wheelwell modifications coming up with the 15x10 Panasports(minilite lookalikes)and it took me a long time to get it looking this good. That's racin', I guess.

  Robert Knodt

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  Sept. 20, 2010 4:44 p.m. knojag New Reader

  They used the stock front E Type 11" brakes at the rear, that is.

  Robert Knodt

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