auto-x mod question

[Jay Kincannon]

What can I do to my car and still run stock class with my EX Coupe? Also, which class has less entries, stock or modified.

[TJ213]

13. STOCK CATEGORY
Cars running in Stock Category must have been series produced with
normal road touring equipment capable of being licensed for normal
road use in the United States, and normally sold and delivered
through the manufacturer’s retail sales outlets in the United States.
Car models not specifically listed in any Stock Category class must
have been produced, and must meet the above requirements and
been sold through normal U.S. dealerships, in quantities of at least
1,000 in a 12- month period in order to be eligible for the Stock
Category.

Except for modifications authorized below, Stock Category cars must
be run as specified by the factory with only standard equipment as
defined by these Rules. This requirement refers not just to individual
parts, but to combinations thereof which would have been ordered
together on a specific car. Any other modifications or equipment will
place the car in Street Touring, Street Prepared, Street Modified,
Prepared or Modified Categories as appropriate. Configurations
involving damaged parts (e.g., blown fuses) are not typically
authorized by the manufacturer and hence are not allowed.
Option package conversions may be performed between specific
vehicles of a particular make and model, but only between
configurations from within a particular model year. Such conversions
must be totally complete and the resultant car must meet all
requirements of this Section. Alternate parts listed in a factory parts
manual are not authorized unless their use is specifically referenced
in the factory service manual or in a service bulletin for the specific
model.

See Sections 3.8 and 8.3.1 for documentation requirements.
Alternate components which are normally expendable and considered
replacement parts (e.g., engine and wheel bearings, seals, gaskets,
filters, belts, bolts, bulbs, batteries, brake rotors, clutch discs,
pressure plates, suspension bushings, drivetrain mounts, etc.) may
be used provided they are essentially identical to the standard parts
(e.g. have the same type, size, hardness, weight, material etc.), are
used in the same location, and provide no performance benefit. The
allowance for use of such replacements does not include camshafts,
differential covers, or ring-and-pinion sets, nor does it authorize the
use of piston rings having different configurations (e.g. “Total Seal”)
from those of the original.

Hardware items (nuts, bolts, etc.) may be replaced by similar items
of unrestricted origin. Safety wire, threadlocker compounds, and
locking nuts are permitted. These allowances are strictly to allow
components to be replaced from alternate sources other than the
original manufacturer. They should not be construed as an
allowance to replace components with those which could be
considered a ‘higher performance’ alternative. Parts available as
replacements through the dealers parts department, the factory, or
any other source which do not meet standard part specifications
(e.g., hardness, size, etc.) are not legal in Stock Category, except
as specifically provided elsewhere in these rules.
Cars listed as eligible in and prepared to the current national
Showroom Stock Club Racing rules are permitted to compete in their
respective Solo Stock Classes. This does not include Showroom
Stock cars with installations of post-factory “performance packages”
otherwise known as “trunk kits”. Neither Showroom Stock nor Solo
Stock cars are permitted to interchange preparation rules.
Showroom Stock cars may use tires which are eligible under current
SS rules, even if they are not eligible in Stock.
Specific vehicle classiications are located in Appendix A of these
rules.

13.1 AUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS
If a modification is not specifically authorized in this or previous
sections of these Rules it is not allowed. It is not permitted to use
illegal parts even if they have been set to stock specifications.
Refer to Appendix F for past clarifications of these rules.

13.2 BODYWORK

A. Accessories, gauges, indicators, lights and other appearance,
comfort and convenience modifications which have no effect on
performance and/or handling and do not materially reduce the
weight of the car are permitted. This does not allow driver’s seat
substitutions, or the removal of “tow hooks”, a.k.a. “tie-down
loops”. Delayed shutdown devices such as the “Turbo Timer”,
which perform no function while the car is in motion, are permit-
ted. This does permit the installation of an additional mirror (e.g.
a “Wink”), but does not allow the removal of the original mirror.
“Grounding kits” specifically designed to support sound systems
are permitted but may serve no other purpose.

B. Hood straps or fasteners may be added.

C. Any fuel tank cap may be used.

D. Windshields may be folded (but not removed) provided the re-
quired mechanism is standard equipment.

E. Alternate steering wheels are allowed, provided the outside diam-
eter is not changed by more than one inch from the standard size.

Steering wheels with an integral airbag may not be changed.

F. Spare tires, tools and jacks may be removed. Any fastening
hardware and/or other pieces that can no longer be firmly secured
in the absence of the spare tire may be removed if necessary to
ensure compliance with 3.3.3.B.1.

G. Roll bars and roll cages may be added (See Appendix C). It is
strongly recommended that roll cages be constructed according to
Section 18 of the GCR, though they must be bolted (not welded)
into the automobile and be contained within the driver/passenger
compartment. Roll bars may be welded in. A roll cage has more
than four attachment points to the body or frame, or has bracing
both fore and aft of the main hoop.
H. Driver restraints as outlined in Section 3.3.1 are allowed. Seats
may not be cut to allow for the installation of alternate seat belts
or harnesses. Passive restraint systems may not be removed. A
horizontal “harness bar” may be used as part of the installation
hardware for allowed driver restraints. It may serve no other
purpose (e.g., structural enhancement).

I. Cars may add one rear trailer hitch. The resulting weight addition
is allowed. The hitch may serve no other purpose. Factory tie
downs may be removed to facilitate hitch installation.

J. Tow bar brackets may be installed but may serve no other pur-
pose.

K. Any item that cannot be held permanently in place by factory-
installed fasteners may be removed.

13.3 TIRES
Any tire which is OE on a car eligible for Stock Category may be used.
Non-OE tires must meet the following requirements to be eligible for
use in Stock category:

A. The tire must not appear on the following list, which may be
altered at any time by the SEB upon notification of membership.
No tire models are currently listed.

B. No tire models will be approved for competition during the rest of
the year after April 30 of each calendar year. Each eligible tire
model must meet all requirements of Section 13.3 by April 30,
and must continue to meet them thereafter. A tire model will
normally be determined by the designation in the Tire Guide.
However, any of the following changes or similar changes (as
determined by the SEB) will also be considered to represent a
new model for eligibility purposes, even if the designation does
not change: change of tread pattern at either full or partial tread
depth; characterization by the manufacturer or distributor of a tire
as “new” after April 30.

A tire model which was previously allowed by these rules contin-
ues to be legal until specifically disallowed. This follows years of
precedence on eligibility for discontinued tire models.
If a manufacturer reintroduces a tire model which was previously
discontinued, that tire will be considered a new model. There-
fore, it will have to meet the rules specified in SR Section 13.3
including the April 30 introduction date.

C. The model of tire must be listed in a current or previous two
years of the Tire Guide and Tread Design Guide, or otherwise be
approved by the SEB. The tire model must have Department of
Transportation approval.

D. Within each tire model, the sizes which are available must be
equally available to all competitors. Tire model variations differ-
ing from standard specification, delivered only on a limited basis,
or only to selected competitors, may not be used.

E. No racing tire or recap (on any casing) may be used.

F. Each tire model must be sold in at least four rim diameters, with
a total of at least six sizes.

G. Tire must fit the allowable wheels and fender wells without modi-
fication.

H. Each tire must have non-zero measurable tread depth (i.e., points
where it is possible to obtain positive measurement values) as
described in Section 3.3.D. Tires may not have cord visible at
any time during competition.

13.4 WHEELS
Any type wheel may be used provided it complies with the following:
it is the same width and diameter as standard, and as installed
(including wheel spacers if applicable) it does not have an offset
more than +/- 0.25 inch from a standard wheel for the car. The
resultant change in track dimensions is allowed.
Wheel spacers are permitted, provided the resultant combination
complies with the offset requirements of this section. Wheel studs,
lug nuts, and/or bolt length may be changed.
Vehicles equipped with rims having metric specifications may use
alternate rims as determined by using the following procedure:

Diameter: converting the metric measurement to inches and using
the nearest smaller inch diameter rim.

Width: converting the metric measurement to inches and using
the nearest smaller 1/2-inch width rim. Offset and track must
66
still comply with the requirements of this section.

13.5 SHOCK ABSORBERS
A. The make of shock absorbers may be substituted providing that
the number, type (e.g., tube, lever, etc.), system of attachment
and attachment points are not altered, except as noted below.
The interchange of gas and hydraulic shocks absorbers is permit-
ted. The following restrictions apply:

1. No more than two separate external shock damping adjust-
ment controls. This permits the use of shocks which originally
came with more than two external adjustments, which have
been converted to double-adjustables, only if the additional
adjustment controls have been permanently disabled (e.g. via
welding, epoxying, grinding off). Gas pressure adjustment is
not considered a damping adjustment.

2. Suspension geometry and alignment capability, not including
ride height, may not be altered by the substitution of alternate
shock absorbers.

3. Adjustable spring perches are allowed, but the spring load-
bearing surface must be in the same location relative to the
shock mounting points as on the standard part. Shims may be
used to achieve compliance.

4. The fully extended length must be within plus or minus one
inch of the dimension of the standard part.

5. Electronically controlled shocks may not be used on vehicles
not originally equipped with such units. Vehicles originally
equipped with electronically controlled shocks may use the
standard parts or non-electronically controlled alternative
shocks subject to all the requirements of 13.5. Non-standard
electronically controlled shocks are not allowed.

B. The mounting hardware shall be of the original type. The use of
any shock absorber bushing material, including metal, is permit-
ted. Pressed or bonded bushings may be removed from standard
parts to facilitate the use of alternate bushings which fit in the
original location without alterations to the part. This does not
permit the use of an offset shock bushing. A shock absorber
bushing may be implemented as a spherical bearing. The bushing
attaching the end of a strut to the body or frame on a strut type
suspension is a suspension bushing, not a shock bushing.

C. To facilitate the installation of commonly available aftermarket
shock absorbers, struts, or strut inserts whose shaft size is larger
than the center hole of an upper shock mount assembly, that hole
may be enlarged by the minimum necessary to accommodate the
shock shaft size, provided the following restrictions are met: (1)
the enlarged hole must remain concentric with the original con-
figuration; (2) the enlargement of the hole does not require modi-
fication of a bearing (as opposed to a washer, sleeve, or plate);
(3) neither the hole enlargement nor the location of the shock
shaft changes any alignment parameter. Provided these con-
straints are met, this permits enlarging of the center hole in an
upper shock mount with an integrated rubber bushing, where the
bushing is integral to the mount and bonded to the plate and the
mount is provided by the OEM as an assembly. This includes
drilling out and/or removal of the metal sleeve.

A bonded shock bushing/plate assembly is considered a shock
mount assembly and not a bushing. It may not be replaced with
an aftermarket performance part. It is not permissible to replace
the bonded bushing material.

D. A suspension bump stop is considered to be performing the func-
tion of a spring. Therefore, the compressed length of the shock at
the initial point of contact with the bump stop may not be in-
creased from the standard part, although the bump stop may be
shortened for the purpose of installing non-standard shocks. Bump
stops installed externally and concentric with the shaft of a shock
may be drilled out to fit a larger diameter shock shaft. Bump
stops may be substituted for the purposes of installing non-stan-
dard shocks.

E. A hole may be added through the bodywork to route the line from
the reservoir to the shock absorber body. Such holes may serve
no other purpose.

F. A hole may be added to an interior body panel to provide access
to the adjustment mechanism on an allowed adjustable shock
absorber. The hole may serve no other purpose, and may not be
added through either the exterior bodywork or a strut bar. Interior
panels are defined to be those pieces which cover the interior of
the vehicle and are accessible from inside the vehicle. They do
not include structural panels, such as wheel wells or inner fend-
ers, which may also be accessible from inside the car but which
actually form part of the body of the vehicle.

13.6 BRAKES
A. The make and material of brake linings may be changed.

B. Substitution of clutch and brake hydraulic lines with solid metal or
braided metal is allowed on all cars manufactured before model
year 1992.

C. Alternate brake bleeder fittings such as “Speedbleeders” are
permitted. They may serve no other purpose.

13.7 ANTI-ROLL (SWAY) BARS
A. For front anti-roll (sway) bars:
1. Substitution, addition or removal of any front anti-roll bars is
permitted.

2. Substitution, addition or removal of anti-roll bars may serve no
other purpose than that of an anti-roll bar.

3. The use of any bushing material is permitted.

4. No modification to the body, frame or other components to
accommodate anti-roll bar addition or substitution is allowed,
except for the drilling of holes for mounting bolts. Non-stan-
dard lateral members which connect between the brackets for
the bar are not permitted.

B. Rear anti-roll (sway) bars may not be removed, replaced, or
modified in any way.

13.8 SUSPENSION
A. Standard, as defined herein, suspension springs must be used.
They may not be cut, shortened or collapsed. Cars with swing
axle suspension may be lowered sufficiently to achieve no more
than two degrees of negative camber at rest, and may use a
camber compensator. Spring perches may not vary from the OE
shape within the working part of the perch.

B. Both the front and rear suspension may be adjusted through their
designed range of adjustment by use of factory adjustment ar-
rangements or by taking advantage of inherent manufacturing
tolerances. This encompasses both alignment and ride height
parameters, if such adjustments are provided by the stock com-
ponents and specified by the factory as normal methods of adjust-
ment. However, no suspension part may be modified for the
purpose of adjustment unless such modification is specifically
authorized by the factory shop manual for non-competition pur-
poses.

C. Suspension bushings, including but not limited to those which
carry the weight of the vehicle and determine ride height, may
not be replaced with bushings of a different material or dimen-
sion.

D. Replacement control arms for vehicles having integral bushing/
arm assemblies must be standard factory parts as per Sections
12.4 and 13.0.

E. If authorized by the manufacturer, the use of shims, special bolts,
removal of material to enlarge mounting holes, and similar meth-
ods are allowed and the resulting alignment settings are permitted
even if outside the normal specification or range of specifications
recommended by the manufacturer. If enlarging mounting holes
is specifically authorized but no material removal limits are speci-
fied, material removal is restricted to the amount necessary to
achieve the maximum factory alignment specification.

13.9 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A. The make of spark plugs, points, ignition coil and high tension
wires is unrestricted including spark plug wires having an in-line
capacitor.

B. On cars made prior to January 1, 1968, any ignition system
using a standard distributor without modification may be used.

C. Ignition settings may not be adjusted outside factory specifica-
tions.

D. No changes are permitted to electronic engine management sys-
tems or their programming.

13.10 ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN
A. The engine air filter element may be removed or replaced. A
replacement element which is taller than standard may not be
used to hold the air cleaner cover open. No other components of
the air induction system may be removed, replaced or modified.

B. Engines may be rebored to the manufacturer’s first standard
overbore, not to exceed 0.020". Sleeving is allowed to repair to
the standard bore. Only OE-type standard or first overbore pis-
tons of the same configuration and of the same or greater
weights are permitted. No interchange between cast and forged
pistons is allowed.

C. Rotating and reciprocating parts may not be balanced.

D. Port matching is not allowed.

E. Any part of the exhaust system beyond (downstream from) the
header/manifold or catalytic converter, if so equipped, may be
substituted provided the system meets the requirements of 3.5.
Stainless steel heat exchangers are permitted only if the physical
dimensions and configuration remain unchanged.
Modifications of any type, including additions to or removal of,
the catalytic converters, thermal reactors, or any other pollution
control devices in the exhaust system are not allowed and the
system must be operable. Replacement catalytic converters must
be OE if the vehicle has not exceeded the five-year/50,000 mile
warranty period as mandated by the EPA. Converters must be of
the same type and size and used in the same location as the
original equipment converter(s). This does not allow for a high
performance unit. If the vehicle has exceeded the five-year/
50,000 mile warranty period, replacement catalytic converters
must be OE-type as per Section 13.
Exhaust hangers which are bolted or welded on the car are con-
sidered part of the body and may not be changed or removed.

F. Any oil filter may be added if not originally equipped. Canister-
type oil filters may be replaced with a spin-on type filter using a
minimum amount of hardware and connecting lines.

G. The installation of water expansion tanks is allowed. The instal-
lation of oil catch tanks is allowed provided the PCV system is
not altered.

H. A scattershield may be added. This does not permit bell housing
substitutions.

I. Thermostats may be added or substituted. A thermostat is a
device which controls the passage of water.

J. Silicone replacement hoses are permitted as alternate compo-
nents, provided they meet the requirements of Section 13.0 with
regard to size, shape, location, and performance equivalence.
Replacement induction system air intake hoses must also match
the standard part in stiffness, contour, and internal wall texture.

K. A device for locking out reverse gear may be used.

L. Limited-slip differential, transmission and differential ratios, clutch
mechanisms and carburetion, fuel injection or supercharger induc-
tion systems must be standard as herein defined.

M.Any oil or grease, including synthetic, is permitted.

N. Valve seats and guides in older engines originally designed for
leaded fuel may be only substituted with alternate components if
the dimensions are the same as those of the standard compo-
nents.

O. Electronic traction and/or stability control systems may be turned
off or disabled, as long as this does not require connection to an
external system, removal of any part, or the substitution or modi-
fication of any part.

[TJ213]

that was a long post, basically:

lighter wheels, but not wider
better DOT approved tires (treadwear must be greater than 150 I think)
front ASB
removing spare tire / jack
increasing tire air pressure
lightweight helmet

[Jay Kincannon]

WOW ! It will take me a while to take all that in. I know I will not be in the stock class for sure. So I guess it does not matter about the number of cars in your class. THANKS ! ! !

[TJ213]

I'd suggest going here:
SCCA Rules

That rulebook has all the info you will ever need, if you get stuck feel free to post questions here.

[Blurry]

Originally Posted by TJ213

that was a long post, basically:

lighter wheels, but not wider
better DOT approved tires (treadwear must be greater than 150 I think)
front ASB
removing spare tire / jack
increasing tire air pressure
lightweight helmet

treadwear is 140 or above and they can be wider i.e. on the Si 225 vs. 215 no larger then 225 if they fit...aftermarket shocks but not springs. Don't forget a good quality oil (AMSOIL, Royal Purple) a synthetic...