Can I squeeze in yet another AutoX Noob question??

Chris Landi · **Joined:** Mon Mar 08, 2004 6:31 pm **Posts:** 579

Hello folks,

I plan on running in the Laurenbug autocross as a NOV in AS. I added a ground loop to points around the engine. Does this move me out of AS? It's just a series of 4ga. wires, 8 in total, added to existing ground points.

Well, I guess I have another question. I'd been thinking about adding an APEXi CAI to my car to squeeze out a couple of more HP. I know this will knock me out of AS, but will that mod alone put me in a class where the allowable mod list is large therefore making my little mod not worth it from a competitive standpoint? I have a 2004 Subaru WRX STi.

Thanks, Chris

EDIT: The APEXi CAI is an open air filter along with the adapter. It does not throw the check-engine-light on the car.

Chris Brown · **Posted:** Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:23 pm

not sure about your questions, but i bet you could find the answers at one of these links:

http://moutons.org/sccasolo/index.html

http://www.scca-milwaukee.org/Solo/carclassing.html

of course, none of this is "official" as the only "official" source is the rulebook.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:32 pm

Ground wires are a gray area (and a waste of money, IMHO). If you tell me that you did it to make the car faster, then clearly it is a non-stock mod and you now get moved to A-street prepared or Street Modified 2 (where lots of mods are legal).

However...

If you tell me that you added the ground wires to enhance the sound of the stereo, then they fall under the comfort and convienience mods allowed in stock class.

The CAI will have the same classing effect as ground waires, except there is no gray area there.

Edit, for some reason I was thinking Boxter S, I need more sleep. Yes, STU and ESP are the classes for you, then Street mod, not ASP or SM2. My apologies.

Scott

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:41 pm

Chris Landi wrote:

Hello folks,

I plan on running in the Laurenbug autocross as a NOV in AS. I added a ground loop to points around the engine. Does this move me out of AS? It's just a series of 4ga. wires, 8 in total, added to existing ground points.

Well, I guess I have another question. I'd been thinking about adding an APEXi CAI to my car to squeeze out a couple of more HP. I know this will knock me out of AS, but will that mod alone put me in a class where the allowable mod list is large therefore making my little mod not worth it from a competitive standpoint? I have a 2004 Subaru WRX STi.

Thanks, Chris

EDIT: The APEXi CAI is an open air filter along with the adapter. It does not throw the check-engine-light on the car.

Why the ground loops? If it does not mention them in the rule book, then they aren't legal.

As for the air intake, that will move you to ESP or STU. The main difference, tires. ESP is allowed to run DOT R-Compound and STU is limited to tires with a treadwear rating of >= 140.

The local ESP class is a good class. Even running your street tires, it would provide you with a very good measuring stick and some good competition. Likewise with staying in AS.

You have stumbled across the chicken/egg question. Do I make modifications to my car for the street and not worry about where that puts me in AX or do I weigh my modifications in regards to the rule book.

My take, at the local level and running 8 events a year, have fun with your car. If you want to move up the competition ladder, then that is a whole other thread

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:53 pm

scottjohnson wrote:

Ground wires are a gray area (and a waste of money, IMHO). If you tell me that you did it to make the car faster, then clearly it is a non-stock mod and you now get moved to A-street prepared or Street Modified 2 (where lots of mods are legal).

However...

If you tell me that you added the ground wires to enhance the sound of the stereo, then they fall under the comfort and convienience mods allowed in stock class.

But if a competitor says they could enhance performance by aiding the boast controller or the ecu, then it is not a C&C.

Kevin Hoff · **Posted:** Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:55 pm

By the book your grounding mod puts you in ESP, SM, or I think STU (the new ST class). It's well known in the Subaru community that improving the engine grounds can quite often improve engine smoothness. Go to nasioc.com and search the forums for "Grounding Mod" and you'll find nearly 100 posts. It's definitely done as a performance modification and calling it a C&C stereo improvement is one of those "tortured interpretations" the rulebook talks about IMHO.

Now if I was running in AS against you I wouldn't protest. That doesn't mean that someone else won't though.

--Kevin H.

Chris Landi · **Joined:** Mon Mar 08, 2004 6:31 pm **Posts:** 579

Kevin Hoff wrote:

By the book your grounding mod puts you in ESP, SM, or I think STU (the new ST class). It's well known in the Subaru community that improving the engine grounds can quite often improve engine smoothness. Go to nasioc.com and search the forums for "Grounding Mod" and you'll find nearly 100 posts. It's definitely done as a performance modification and calling it a C&C stereo improvement is one of those "tortured interpretations" the rulebook talks about IMHO.

Now if I was running in AS against you I wouldn't protest. That doesn't mean that someone else won't though.

--Kevin H.

I was thinking performance when I added the grounding kit. Plus, I don't have a stereo in the car. I've kept it out so that I can try to learn from the engine/tire sounds without being tempted to block them out with music.
I'll move myself out of AS and into the appropriate category. Glad I checked..I'd hate to start out with controversy!

I also don't mind starting out in a more competitive category. Hopefully the competition will pull me up the learning curve that much quicker.

Thanks for all the responses.

Chris

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Mar 11, 2004 1:23 pm

jimpastorius wrote:

The local ESP class is a good class. Even running your street tires, it would provide you with a very good measuring stick and some good competition.

<whining mode on>

You definitely can't run in ESP. Any car with over 260 HP is just not allowed. I'm sure it says so in the THSCC rule book. Just look in the "Ryan, Art, Vincent, and Randy don't wanna get our ass kicked by a 300 HP AWD car" section. Go play with kids your own size (like Dan Ecclecstone) in AS.

<whining mode off>

<Aaron B & Kevin A mode on>

Bring it dude, bring all you got. We ain't skeered of no nubie with 300HP. We'll have you runnin' wid yer tail 'tween yer legs back to AS.

<Aaron B & Kevin A mode off>

Seriously man, the intake will move you to ESP. C'mon and join us we're really a good bunch of guys who'll help you all we can. Right guys? :wink:

Chris Landi · **Joined:** Mon Mar 08, 2004 6:31 pm **Posts:** 579

Uh-oh, are there any Novices in the ESP class? :wink:

I'll bring it on with my CAI AND my fancy motocross helmet (DOT and SNELL approved).

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Mar 11, 2004 2:13 pm

Chris Landi wrote:

Uh-oh, are there any Novices in the ESP class? :wink:

<crickets chirping>

Nope, you'll be the only one AFAIK. Besides we need more competition in the class. Beating Randy in his Mustang GT with 10.5" wide rear wheels and Kumho race rubber will just be too easy for the rest of us.
:bs:

Mike Johnson · **Joined:** Fri Sep 05, 2003 8:13 am **Posts:** 36

My wife and I both ran in ESP when we were still classified in NOV. It wasn't that bad. Well, except the fact that I would have had a NOV trophy with an STX pax.

Oh, and a friend of mine (was at the novice school, burgandy Eclipse GS-T) will be novice in ESP. Maybe he'll speak up. He is a member.

-Mike

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Mar 11, 2004 2:35 pm

Fresh meat...I like. :welcome:

Now all we need is to get that pesky modified hood to close. :roll:

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Mar 11, 2004 3:03 pm

jimpastorius wrote:

the boast controller

Jim was having a rare Mark V. moment apparently. I know a few people who could use one of those, but not on a car.

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Vincent Keene wrote:

Fresh meat...I like. :welcome:

Now all we need is to get that pesky modified hood to close. :roll:

BFH it.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Mar 11, 2004 3:31 pm

Wes Eargle wrote:

Vincent Keene wrote:

Fresh meat...I like. :welcome:

Now all we need is to get that pesky modified hood to close. :roll:

BFH it.

Hopefully it won't come to the BFH, but if that's what it takes to get that car to LB next weekend... :brow:

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