Auto-X Rules: Read This First

[Brood]

What about aftermarket clutches and lightened flywheels? I haven't been able to find any info on their legality (I'm interested for STS), I hope this doesn't fall under the "If it doesn't say it can be replaced it can't" rule.

Brood

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[TheWRX]

Originally posted by Brood
What about aftermarket clutches and lightened flywheels?

Street Prepared. Not allowed in STS.

[Brood]

Street Prepared. Not allowed in STS.

Would either one of these put you in street prepared, or just one of them?

What about aftermarket clutches and lightened flywheels?

[OldRacer]

So What About Fuel????

Hey, folks, here's a new one- in STX, what, if any, are legal options for fuel?

3.6 (A) says "Stock class vehicles will use service station pump fuel only. Pump fuel is defined as that which is Federally approved for use on public highways. This does not allow racing-type fuels which are available at service station pumps."
3.6 (B) then says "Street Prepared, Prepared, and Modified class vehicles may use any grade of gasoline. Gasolines consist entirely of hydrocarbon compounds. Gasoline may contain antioxidants, metal deactivators, corrosion inhibitors, and lead alkyl compounds such as tetraethyl lead. Oxygen and/or nitrogen bearing additives are prohibited except for those present in service station pump fuel."

So, what about Street Touring classes?? How to interpret the silence in the fuel rules for STS/X? Both the ST and SP start with references to Stock Class (ST-"all the Stock category allowances and the modifications that follow...", SP-"all allowable modifications in Stock Category are allowed....may only be modified in excess of Stock...rules in the following ways...".)

Specifically;
-what about racing gasoline available at a service station pump?
-what about various commercially available octane enhancers??

I suspect somebody has run this by the SEB, but there's nothing in the Appendix F Clarifications....

Len

[trhoppe]

What this means IMHO is that in stock class you cannot run leaded gas. You have to buy gas that is approved for use on public highways. You cannot buy 116 octane turbo blue, but you can buy the 104 unleaded thats available at some BP and Sonoco gas stations because that gas, says right on the pump, IS intended for use on highways.

-Tom

[ChrisW]

Originally posted by Brood
What about aftermarket clutches and lightened flywheels? I haven't been able to find any info on their legality (I'm interested for STS), I hope this doesn't fall under the "If it doesn't say it can be replaced it can't" rule.

Brood

If it is aftermarket, and not specifically written in the rules, then the part in question is not allowed.

So, for Street Touring (STS, STX) no lightened flywheels, no aftermarket clutches

[Austin]

Is it legal in Street Mod to slot the front strut towers to achieve *caster* adjustment?

I know it's legal to slot the oem mounting holes to achieve camber adjustment, but I don't know about caster.

[ChrisW]

Austin,

should be ok under rule 14.8-D

14.8.D
On vehicles with strut-type suspensions, adjustable camber plates may be installed at the top of the strut, and the original upper mounting holes may be slotted. The drilling of holes in order to perform the installation is permitted but the center clearance hole may not be modified. Any type of bearing or bushing may be used in the adjustable camber plate attachment to the strut. The installation may incorporate an alternate upper spring perch/seat and/or mounting block (bearing mount). Any ride height change resulting from installation of camber plates is allowed. Caster changes resulting from the use of camber places are permitted.

It clearly states that you can slot your upper mounting holes. your only limitation is the hole for the strut top cannot be modified, but the holes for strut top studs can be slotted.

[Austin]

I've read that rule... but I still don't see it as clear cut. It would not be a "caster change resulting from the use of camber plates"...

It seems to me the rule is implying that you are only allowed to slot the strut top mounting holes to achieve camber adjustment. The only place it mentions caster is to say that any caster added as a byproduct of using camber plates is OK, but not that you can slot the mounting holes *specifically* for caster adjustment.

Not that I'm argueing with you... but I'd hate to drill my strut towers and then find that I'm bumped out of SM for it...

[natasha talarico]

This answered alot of my questions. I will stop modding my car now I have gone way to far already. Had to take off the BOV and boost controller to stay in STX. I am a novice I will learn how to drive now. Only cosmetic things for me like leather seats that wont bump me any classes right.

[z3coupe]

GREAT Natasha Talarico, and welcome to our addiction

I will stop modding my car now I have gone way to far already. Had to take off the BOV and boost controller to stay in STX.

This is exactly why I have been trying to push for SoA, SCCA, and the local Dealers to communicate. That way, IF a new Sube owner wants to mod their cars, the dealer at the local level is informed of what is what - meaning ASK the new owner what he wants to do with his car. And if there is any remote possibility that he may AutoX it, then help guide him with legal mods. That way, you never have to say you spent the $$$$, and now have to remove it, you look more informed, and the person never comes back at you for wasting his money. Sure, it is the responsibility of the owner to know what he is doing - but how many out there really know what AutoX is? They only know the drags and illegal street racing. So we have got to work together to help

[natasha talarico]

By dealer do you mean the place that I bought the car. The way the Subaru is voiding warranties I would lie anyway and say that I only plant to drive the car on Sundays to and from church.

Natasha

[boxer02]

yes, yes. on sundays to and from church.
that's what we ALL do in here. only drive subies on sundays to and from church....

[z3coupe]

What confusion this all is, huh? SoA gives a FREE SCCA membership with purchase of a WRX, SoA sponsors SCCA Solo II and PRO Rally, SoA gives contingency money out for wins in classes (not yet STX, but STS which DOES use mods!!!!), many, and I mean many dealers are dead in the water if they do not have a mod department (some, like Irvine and Renick even have a spearate department just for mod parts!!!!!!) - and yet they wantonly void warranties left and right???? ****

But seriously, if the dealers were knowledgeable about AutoX (instead of ONLY catering to the illegal street racers or draggers), then the new owner can mod his car within the rules and not have wasted money on mods he now has to remove.

**** I had a problem with my BMW Z3 Coupe and BMW by the way. When I bought it in to have the heater resistor replaced, as well as the reat hatch struts, the BMWNA rep was there. He rudely interupted my service writer and told him he wanted to talk to him. Turns out he saw my stickers on the window (SCCA and BMECCA), and flipped out! Voided my entire car! Like an AutoX would make the resistor and hatch struts fail???? But what Mr Jerk did not realize, was that I WAS a member of BMWCCA - and if he voided my car for AutoX, then that would make EVERY BMW that did a BMWCCA AutoX or DE void as well! And you think BMWCCA would get by with just picnics or show cars??? So I got on the horn and made a noise. My car DID get taken care of then. But now if us Sube owners could get something going like BMWCCA, then we too would have some clout.

Later, when the dust settled, I heard the rest of the story. That rep was having a real bad day. He was there to see a brand new M5 with a blown trans, and a BRAND NEW E46 //M3 with a blown motor for warranty work. And get this - both cars owned by the SAME GUY! So needless to say, by the time he saw my car . . . . .

[SHObaru]

I am currently looking for info reguarding the replacement of the stock radiator with a performance radiator as well as new hosing.

I am already in ESP with my WRX.

Thanks

[ChrisW]

Originally posted by SHObaru
I am currently looking for info reguarding the replacement of the stock radiator with a performance radiator as well as new hosing.

I am already in ESP with my WRX.

Thanks

Should be perfectly legal for ESP.

[WRXster]

I'm sorry Chris, Thanks for playing...

Originally posted by ChrisW


Should be perfectly legal for ESP.

There is no allowance for radiator replacement in Street Prepared catagory.

[ChrisW]

WRXster,

I am not disputing your statement, but are you sure about that?

I know of several people that have competed in both national tours and pro-solo events with aftermarket replacement radiators.

oops,

my bad, car in question is a moostang, and the 93 cobra R came with a aluminum radiator.

[hillman]

With respect to dealer and/or port installed options, the rulebook has this to say;

12.4 Standard Part

"An item of standard or optional equipment that could have been ordered with the car, installed on the factory production line, and delivered through a dealer in the United States. Dealer-installed options or deletions (except as required by factory directives ), no matter how common or what their origin, are not included in this definition. This definition does not allow the updating or backdating of parts."

I don't think a clarification from Howard is necessary, the rules plainly state that unless the part was installed on the factory production line, it is not a legal standard part. The port of delivery is not the factory production line.

Also, going way back to the beginning of this thread; both the Impreza RS and WRX are legal for E Prepared under the Subaru catch-all.

Also also, SM2 would be a possible class for both Imprezas, if they were underweight for SM. ( And I bet you could get a turbo'd RS under the applicable 2600 pound minimum weight, if you tried. ) If you're too light for SM2 ( 2300 lbs ), you'd go to EM ( 1700 lbs ) then AM.
At which point your car would consist largely of paper mache.

[Blindeye_03]

I am pretty sure last year you couldnt have headers. But is this true for this year??

Would a full MRT headerback exhaust system be legal in STS for a my01 RS - or would I need to add another cat?

Thanks,
-justin

[jeddy]

Originally posted by Blindeye_03
I am pretty sure last year you couldnt have headers. But is this true for this year??

Would a full MRT headerback exhaust system be legal in STS for a my01 RS - or would I need to add another cat?

Thanks,
-justin

AFAIK, headers have been legal since last year or before (my brother was in STS last year as well, and had headers).
Anyway, headers are legal for replacement in STS, but not cats. You cannot touch the cats in STS, period. It's not just that you have to have some, you must leave the stock cats in place. So, you can replace everything between the cylinder block and the cats (headers), and everything after the cats (midpipe, can), but must leave the stock cats in place. Did i mention that you can't touch the stock cats? ;]

I mention it so much 'cause i wanted to do the MRT as well. There is an allowance in STX for replacement of cats with high performance models, i think. Someone here knows more about that, z3coupe maybe?

[edit: left out words here there]

[Blindeye_03]

Originally posted by jeddy


AFAIK, headers have been legal since last year or before (my brother was in STS last year as well, and had headers).
Anyway, headers are legal for replacement in STS, but not cats. You cannot touch the cats in STS, period. It's not just that you have to have some, you must leave the stock cats in place. So, you can replace everything between the cylinder block and the cats (headers), and everything after the cats (midpipe, can), but must leave the stock cats in place. Did i mention that you can't touch the stock cats? ;]

I mention it so much 'cause i wanted to do the MRT as well. There is an allowance in STX for replacement of cats with high performance models, i think. Someone here knows more about that, z3coupe maybe?

[edit: left out words here there]

So, what if you welded two subaru OE cats onto the MRT header and midpipe?

This is one thing about sts that bothers me. Its not like a highflow will give THAT much more power over stock cats.

Im guessing that Borla headers will bolt up to the OE cats.

thanks,
-justin

[Crosser]

Headers have been allowed in STS since its creation. If you placed the cats EXACTLY in their stock location you could get away with it in STS. And yes, the Borla header bolt up to the OEM cat.

[Blindeye_03]

Originally posted by Crosser
Headers have been allowed in STS since its creation. If you placed the cats EXACTLY in their stock location you could get away with it in STS. And yes, the Borla header bolt up to the OEM cat.

The MRT are equal length and beautiful . I guess I might go to SM. BAH. I dont understand SCCA.

STX is alot like STS.

STX allows mods to the cats, whereas STS doesnt. Does this make sense? Or am I the confused one?

-justin

[jeddy]

Originally posted by Blindeye_03


So, what if you welded two subaru OE cats onto the MRT header and midpipe?

This is one thing about sts that bothers me. Its not like a highflow will give THAT much more power over stock cats.

Another thing i wanted to do. =]

I know it sounds crappy, but "them's the rules", so we live with em until they change. There are a lot of mods that "don't give that much more power" that are still not legal: removing hood vent/scoop plates is a good example.

I'm actually at the point where i've stopped thinking about buying stuff, because i'd have to compromise to stay in STS. Since i'm not ready to move to SM yet, and i'm really happy with how my car handles and performs right now (and it's competitive as it is), i just decided to stop buying and stay in STS.