TT Class for my 99 Mustang Cobra

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:15 pm

I have several things I need to do in order to be prepared for Time Trials, but I am confused on which class my 99 Mustang Cobra actually fits.

From reading the classing thread in the Autocross section (http://www.thscc.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=8844) and from reading the SCCA classing rules (http://cms.scca.com/documents/Club%20Ru ... 009GCR.pdf), I think the car may fit in the Improved Touring class. However, I am not sure... I get lost sometimes trying to read all of the rules. Here are the specs on the car:

New naturally aspirated setup (no longer supercharged):
- Aluminum 4.6 block bored .020 over
- Mahle flat top pistons (somewhere around 10.1 compression)
- Manley rods
- polished Cobra crank
- Canton Road Race pan
- Canton windage tray
- FMS Hi-Volume oil pump
- HM oil pump drive gears
- ARP head and main studs
- ported & polished stock heads w/ competition valve job
- Comp DOHC Stage 2 cams; 234/232 @ .050 .475/.450 lift
- Comp behive valve springs
- FRPP 30lb injectors
- JLT CAI (aftermarket cold air intake)
- breather can for valve covers (PCV system removed, vents to catch can)

- ProMotion Powertrain built T-45 w/ 26 spline hardened input shaft, TKO output shaft and carbon fiber syncros (stock transmission rations still intact)
- ProMotion 26 spline custom clutch
- custom SPEC pressure plate
- FMS Cobra flywheel
- STEEDA clutch quadrant w/ firewall adjuster
- LFP radiator

- 95 model return style gas tank (as opposed to the stock returnless sytem)
- Aeromotive Y-blocks and filters
- Aeromotive Fuel Pump Controller
- Aeromotive regulator
- -6 & -8 stainless lines
- two Walbro 255lph external fuel pumps
- STEEDA fuel rails
- BBK Twin 62mm throttle body
- C&L housing w/ 03 Cobra MAF

- JBA equal-length ceramic coated shorties
- Magnaflow catted X pipe
- Flowmaster catback

- SCT chip in the stock ECU
- Auto Meter Phantom boost gauge monitoring vacuum level (leftover from the blower setups)
- Auto Meter fuel pressure gauge

- Maximum Motorsports Castor/Camber plates
- full-length subframe connectors
- 4-pt G-Load k-member brace
- IRS cradle poly bushings
- H&R Race springs (lowered and stiffer)
- Bilstein shocks and struts
- 03 Cobra 31 spline differential w/ FMS/Motive 3.55 gear (stock 99s have IRS with 28 spline, this car is upgraded with an 03 Cobra IRS to have the 31 spline setup)
- 03 Cobra halfshafts
- Paul’s HP IRS brace
- Paul’s HP driveshaft loop
- Bruce's delrin and aluminum IRS bushing kit (stock IRS mounting bushings are rubber)
- Tilton pump and B&M differential cooler

- Midcontinent front brake duct kit
- Brembo rotors (blanks)
- Carbotech XP10 front and XP8 rear (I have XP12 and XP10s when those wear out)

- AC compressor, condensor, drier and lines deleted
- rear seat removed (can be reinstalled if needed)

- 03 Cobra hood with vents and blanket removed for heat extraction (I still have the 99 hood)

- 03 Cobra 17x9 rims with 275/40/17 Hoosier slicks
- 99 Cobra 17x8 rims with 245/45/17 street tires

One thing that caught my eye when reading the Improved Touring regulations is that traction control has to be disabled (and/or remove three wheel sensors). Mine is still installed, but I can disable it with the factory switch on the dash. In fact, it is the first thing I do whenever I crank the car (I can't stand it).

I also noted that on some of the lower classes, the aluminum and delrin bushings I have for the IRS mounts are not allowed since the factory bushings are rubber. I am not going to change these back to rubber as the Cobra IRS's are prone to overheating and melting the rubber bushings (eg, last February at VIR).

So, what does everyone think? Which class? Is the above list going to put me in the ranks of some of the faster drivers?

Thanks,

Kevin

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:04 pm

The V8 Mustang's are not listed in IT.

Plus
These are NOT legal for IT
- Mahle flat top pistons (somewhere around 10.1 compression)
- Manley rods
- Comp DOHC Stage 2 cams; 234/232 @ .050 .475/.450 lift
- ProMotion Powertrain built T-45 w/ 26 spline hardened input shaft, TKO output shaft and carbon fiber syncros (stock transmission rations still intact)

This may or may not be legal for IT (porting is limited)
- ported & polished stock heads w/ competition valve job

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:28 pm

With the Subframe connectors, internal engine work, and quite a few other items it looks like you may be in SPO.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:40 pm

Marty Howard wrote:

With the Subframe connectors, internal engine work, and quite a few other items it looks like you may be in SPO.

OR SM2

Go give Kevin Butler hell

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:46 pm

Cross chassis connectors are not allowed in SM2

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:01 pm

Marty Howard wrote:

Cross chassis connectors are not allowed in SM2

Hmmmmmmm

not all SFC's are cross connected but I would "guess" Kevin's are.

Da rules:

E. Longitudinal (fore-aft) subframe connectors (“SFCs”) are permitted
with the following restrictions:
1. They must only connect previously unconnected boxed frame
rails on unibody vehicles.
2. Each SFC must attach at no more than three points on the
unibody (e.g. front, rear, and one point in between such as a
seat mount brace or rocker box brace).
3. SFCs must be bolted or welded, but welding must be to the
OE subframe stampings, not to the floor pan in between.
4. No cutting of OE subframes or floorpan stampings is permitted.
Drilling is permitted for mounting bolts only.
5. No cross-car/lateral/triangulated connections directly between
the driver’s side and passenger’s side SFCs are permitted.
Connections to OE components such as tunnel braces or
closure panels via bolts are allowed and count as the third
point of attachment. No alteration to the OE components is
permitted.
6. SFCs may not be used to attach other components (including
but not limited to torque arm front mounts or driveshaft
loops) and may serve no other purpose.
F. The driver and front passenger seats may be replaced,

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:23 pm

Thanks for the input everyone. See my confusion! I guess this is what happens when someone tries to adapt a hot street car that used to be drag raced all over the place into a road course class.

I must have missed the exclusion of V8s for IT.

On the subframe topic, my full length subs are not cross connected to each other, but my G-force 4pt brace does span across the rear of the k-member.

Keep the comments coming. :toast:

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:35 pm

Well, just the engine stuff takes you out of Improved Touring. But the car isn't classed in IT anyway, so it was never a factor. There are people trying to get the V8 Mustangs and Camaros classed, but nothing official yet.

Kevin Harvey wrote:

I must have missed the exclusion of V8s for IT.

As far as I know, there's only one car with 8 cylinders that's classed in IT - the Triumph TR8.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:00 pm

Kevin Harvey wrote:

On the subframe topic, my full length subs are not cross connected to each other, but my G-force 4pt brace does span across the rear of the k-member.

Keep the comments coming. :toast:

Got a picture of this? So far, that could be the only thing that could keep you from Street Mod

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:22 pm

Looking at the list, here are the items that might move you from SM to SPO:

4-pt G-Load k-member brace
Maximum Motorsports Castor/Camber plates
Paul’s HP IRS brace
Paul’s HP driveshaft loop
Midcontinent front brake duct kit
Bruce's delrin and aluminum IRS bushing kit

Everything else is just fine for SM.

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:28 pm

Ryan Holton wrote:

Got a picture of this? So far, that could be the only thing that could keep you from Street Mod

Mine looks looks like the second one.

Four-Point Braces
* The front of the MM brace mounts to the bottom of the K-member. The rearward points of the brace mount at the K-Member-to-chassis mounting points.
* The MM K-Member Brace's design includes a structural steel web. This splits the suspension loads. Part of the load goes into the unibody at the rearward K-member to chassis mounting points, and part goes straight across the K-member to the opposite side.
* The mounting bolts for the brace attach through a structural tube. Unlike commonly used flat tabs, the suspension loads pass into the MM brace without deflecting the mounts.
* Note: 4-Point braces will not clear long-tube headers. MMKB2-2 will clear most long-tube headers.

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:29 pm

Marty Howard wrote:

Looking at the list, here are the items that might move you from SM to SPO:

4-pt G-Load k-member brace
Maximum Motorsports Castor/Camber plates
Paul’s HP IRS brace
Paul’s HP driveshaft loop
Midcontinent front brake duct kit
Bruce's delrin and aluminum IRS bushing kit

Everything else is just fine for SM.

So who is the "determing authority" for the club as far as where a car gets classed?

Kevin

George Bright · **Posted:** Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:47 pm

Per SCCA regulations.
4.6 RESPONSIBILITY FOR CAR CLASSIFICATION
The driver is responsible for the correct determination of the car’s
class/category. If in doubt as to classification or concerning the
conformity of the car or its equipment to the rules governing the
class, he may submit a Request for Clarification to the Protest
Committee, which will determine the matter under the procedures
of Section 8. It is the driver’s responsibility to assure the proper
number is on the car prior to competing.

Usually other club members will help you with classification. If there is a dispute then it would be handled by a protest commitee.

That should make it clear as mud.

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:09 pm

There was a reason why I liked drag racing...... good lord.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:31 am

Kevin Harvey wrote:

There was a reason why I liked drag racing...... good lord.

just a simple FYI for your next car Kevin; the less info you provide to the general public, the easier classing your car will become.

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TT Class for my 99 Mustang Cobra

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