Working on a DSM Auto-X FAQ

[Tanro]

Well I am working on a Auto-X Faq. I have download a lot of PDFs from the SCCA Site and been sorting through them to see what useful information I can post up from them. Its very dry reading and what I have so far is just a rough guide. I will be updating the guide at least twice a week however. Might break it off into more than one guide at some point.

What is Autocross?
Autocross is a test of Driver's Skill and car handling characteristics. It generally takes place on an open parking lot or inactive air strip. A course is laid out with traffic cones. Points are deducted for hitting cones.

What kind of car can I take to Auto-X?
Nearly any car that is not prone to rollover (Trucks SUVs Vans), not on the banned list (high performance sports cars). Your car just needs to safe and mechanically sound. It is a good idea to start the sport with a Stock or Close to stock car and mod it as your skill increases.


Okay so what do I need to have on race day.
Your Valid Driver's License. A helmet (loaner helmets may be available), Cooler with non alcholic beverages (water or sports drink is a good idea) Sunblock, Folding chair, good attitude.

What kind of exhuast can I run?

Well that depends on your class. It starts at cat back systems and goes up from there. Your car must have a muffler and not be deemed excessivly loud. The muffler must exit behind the driver's seat.

What kind of fuel can I run?

Any grade pump gas, E85 is acceptable. Beyond that I am still researching.

What are the Classes?

Stock
Factory Spec cars that have small number of allowances.

Stock Allowed Mods:
Removal of Spare tire and Tools
Front Anti Roll bars
Suspension/Wheel Alignment using standard adjustments
High-Performance DOT tires (R-compounds)
Shocks/Struts (2 way external adjustable max)
Competition-type seat belts (required for convertible, t-top, targa top)
Brake Pads/Shoes
Air Filter Element (throw-away part)
Cat Back Exhaust
Wheels with 1/4" diameter width and offset of standard
Rollcage/Bar
Gauges/Indicator lights
Turbo Timers
Ground kits (for aftermarket stereo equipment)
Hood Pins may be added
89-91 DSMs may use SS Braided Clutch and Brake lines(I dunno wtf is goin with this maybe age and you need to replace lines anyways?)
Any Spark Plug, Spark Plug wire, or Coil as long as it is of OEM replacement style
Engines Maybe Be bored up to .020 over
No Balancing of Rotating parts
No Port matching
Oil Catch cans allowed (cannot alter PCV system)
Reverse Lockouts
Electronic Traction control maybe overriden but not removed of disabled with another device.

Street Touring:
Geared Towards cars with Bolts such as headers, cat back exhaust, pre throttle intake upgrades, lowering springs,

Allowed Mods :
All of Stock Mods plus the following
No LSD except standard viscous-types
Pedal Kits and interior trim
Front Race Seats (min weight 25lbs)
Rub strips, emblems and mud flaps removed
Body/Aero Kits, Spoilers Allowed
Tires up to 225mm wide, UTQG treadwear 140 min
Wheels up to 7.5 inches wide, any diameter/offset
Shocks/Struts
Drilled/Slotted rotors (std size) and braided DOT Brake lines
Anti Roll Bars front and rear
Suspension Bushing (non metallic)
Camber kits, plates, or bolts
Traction bars, torue arms, panhard rods
Strut Bars, 2-point only
Battery Relocation
Air filter systems up to throttle body or compressor inlet
Headers, Emission Compliant
ECU Mods / Piggy Back systems
Shifter Kits
Accesory drive pulleys
Motor Mounts (non metallic

STX: Thats Us (420a included):

Street touring and Stock mods
Tires up to 265 MM Wide 2wd / 245mm wide (AWD)
Wheels up 9in wide (2wd)/ 8 in (AWD) Any diameter/offset
LSD allowed (including aftermarket) 2wd cars
High Flow cat
Big Brake kits
(Evo, Audi S4, BMW m3 and m5, WRX STI not allowed)

Street Prepared

Allowed Mods:
Everything from Stock Category and the additional to follow.
AC can removed.
Factory Rubstrips, Emblems, and Mudflaps Can be removed
Strut Bars (Front and Rear)
Race Seats
Race Harness/restraint System (Removal of Stock Permitted)
Steering Wheel (Not Required to have Airbag or Horn)
Spoilers / Splitters Allowed
Pedal Covers
Fuel Allowed (must be within 20% of original size)
OE Radio/Speakers Removal Allowed (Holes Must be filled if visible)
Any Size Wheel / Tire Permitted.
ABS Can be disabled but not removed.
Brake Booster can be removed or substituted.
Any rotor can be used as long as it of a ferrous metal
Bolt on Drum to Disc Brake conversion is allowed.
Brake Calipers can be replaced with equal or high piston count calipers
Fuel Injection System Unrestricted
Intake Manifold can Be changed or swapped.
Intercooler Can be swapped. (Cannot the front bumper to fit a FMIC sorry) (Supra SMIC is also a no go)
Electronic Fuel Cuts can be changed.
Boost Controller can Be added.
Air cleaners can be changed or removed.
Emissions Can be removed or modified
Water only injection is allowed (No Water/Meth)
Fuel Line / Fuel Pump Upgrades allowed
Motor mounts can be upgraded
Lightweight Flywheel, Aftermarket clutch and Pressure Plate allowed.
LSD Allowed
Rotating assembly can be balanced but not lightened.
Intake/Exhaust can be Port Matched.
Maximum of .010 inches can be milled on head.
Adjustable Cam Gears allowed



Modified.
Most likely unless your gonna be the Brent Rau of Auto-x your car will not fall into this catergory.

Make Engine Solo Class Street Touring Street Prepped

Eagle Talon I4 16v non-turbo H Stock HS F Street Prep
Eagle Talon Turbo AWD I4 Turbo D Stock DS E Street Prep
Eafle Talon Turbo FWD I4 Turbo G Stock GS E Street Prep

Mitsu Eclip I4 16v non-turbo H Stock HS F Street Prep
Mitsu Eclip Turbo AWD I4 Turbo D Stock DS E Street Prep
Mitsu Eclip Turbo FWD I4 Turbo G Stock GS E Street Prep

Mitsu Galant I4 2.4L 16v H Stock HS D Street Prep
Mitsu Galant 89-93 Non Turbo H Stock HS D Street Prep
Mitsu GVR4 I4 Turbo G Stock GS D Street Prep

If anyone knows where the Galant GSX falls I would love the info.
I assume the Laser Falls in the same brackets as Eclipse or Talon
I assume the I4 16v Non turbo is the 420a
If anyone knows where the 1.8 Non turbo would fall great info as well
Not sure where the Spyders Fall yet either. and my formatting did not work for this table. If anyone knows how to post a table on the forum please let me know of I will make one in jpeg format.

2010 SCCA Rulebook

 

[saechao04]

Thank you for all the useful information, I've been looking into maybe auto-x sometime this year.

 

[Tanro]

Your welcome. I will be updating this as frequently as I can force myself to read through these rule books. They are very technical and dry reading.

I am planning on doing at least 1 more because the RallyX Is a bit different as far as what kind of setup you can use.

 

[knochgoon24]

Be aware that it's very easy to find yourself in Street Modified. If you don't want in that class, be very careful and really read the rules.

Notice that a non-stock turbo puts you in Street Modified. 2g's must stay with the T-25. Even a 14b will bump you classes.

 

[saechao04]

yeah, I'm a cheater, I have the t28! jk. I just want to do it for the experience and to improve my driving skills. It would be sad to do poorly in a lower class than I'm really at so no cheating for me.

 

[krusty_9]

You have "Prepared" and "Street Prepared" confused. DSMs can run in E street prepared with all the bolt-ons, tuning, suspension mods, and r-comps. Just can not have an upgraded turbo, headstuds, or aftermarket BOV. Prepared, which I believe we would be C Prepared (not sure on this) would allow the built engine, gutted, etc.

 

[Tanro]

I am going straight from the rule books I found on various SCCA Websites.

I think I am gonna try and get away with a T-28. Some of these rules just piss me off. No head studs? What the #### is up with that shit?

Its like saying screw you dsm guy you can't have a reliable car and compete in AutoX go to hell because we dont like you. That and the whole I can do the 6 bolt swap until I get all the way to Street Modified.

The engine won't actually be any fast. Just reliable.

 

[skatershawn]

one question i had about all of this is:
How do they know you don't have some parts?
like the head studs for example?
i have pistons and rods and that would put me in a class im totally not ready for!
I rebuilt my car with the strip in mind cause my family, but my passion is autox so ive been looking into it, and yes some of these rules are hard to understand!

My car is BASICLY stock, i have a few bolt ons, which is one class, but then the internals shoot me up the ladder!! Its not really much of a performance upgrade!

Can one of you autox'ers go a little deeper into detail about some of these rules for us newbies!! (To AutoX)

 

[knochgoon24]

Unless they'd pull apart your engine, they wouldn't know. It's the honor system for local events. Some of the techs know more than you think.

 

[Tanro]

I do know that locally then can put you in a lower class based of expierance and don't have to follow the classing rules to a T. However at National or Regional Events it would be a bit different.

The Inspection team may look over your vehicle on site but he most likley wont be telling you pull your valve cover off. This is a learning expierance for me as I have never competed before (as in whole season) I just ran a few events in a near completly stock DOHC Saturn. 1 event in my Talon.

Also don't tell them its a DL Turbo if they ask. Just say it is a TSi

 

[icekilla126]

great a 16g put me in street modified. i consider it an OEM upgrade . Its like they designed the rules with us in mind.

 

[skatershawn]

well its hard to not tell them its a TSi when i want to keep the DL badges!!
MAN i didn't even think about that... mines a DL w/ 4g63t swap... ahh boy!!

 

[Dallas J]

I am going straight from the rule books I found on various SCCA Websites.

Then read it again, STREET Prepared does not allow the modifications you listed, thats just plain ol' Prepared.

As far as motor swaps go, IIRC you can't do non-oem motors in any of the prepared classes. Over-bore is limited to 0.060 (I think that's what it was) and stroke must remain stock.

Actually, I think you have the motor requirements for SM and prepared mixed. SM allows any motor as long as its from the same manufacturer.

 

[everbruin]

street touring ecu mod is limited to fuel/timing only.
yeah your sm/sp/prepared info is mixed up.
ps take a look at this sticky so as not to reinvent the wheel =)
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/roa...ting-guides-autox-classes-need-your-help.html

 

[Tanro]

That Sticky is out of date. I am going by 2010 Rulebooks gonna look over them again for the second time and see if i can sort out this inconsistency you guys are telling me of.

 

[krusty_9]

You sure you're using this link?
SCCA - Sports Car Club of America

 

[Tanro]

yeah would you like screen shots of the rule book?

Edit:

Link to the rulebook I have in my first post now

 

[ACM]

Quick clarifications - ABS can be completely removed because it was optional on 2Gs, possibly not the GSX, but definitely the Talon. Also, the A/C can be completely removed (including the cooling matrix in the heater duct) as this was also optional on Talons; you can use the non A/C duct, part # MB898997 if I remember correctly.

Charles