SCCA Street Touring R

the only question I have is ... why no love for the 350z/370z..?

It has plenty of competition in it's stock class. I think they should let the modern Zed into STU though to run with the RX-8's.

Buzz Killington wrote: the NC isn't going to get past 155-160whp w/ the ST/S cat rule in place

High flow cats for in-header use are now available... http://www.car-sound.com/02product/universal/500spun.asp

Bisimoto-style spaghetti headers + Magnaflow 50000 series catalyst = win.

P71 wrote: It has plenty of competition in it's stock class. I think they should let the modern Zed into STU though to run with the RX-8's.

Rx-8s are in STX now. they had no shot in STU (see above, "AWD+turbo" trumpage). they should be a good match for the WRXs, though.

the Z would be a good fit in STU, IMO. so are the 135 and the old Supra Turbo, but no one seems to want to sink that kind of bread into an experiment when it's so easy to build a boost buggy.

i think the Supra could be an awesome car for the class (that is, as soon as someone manages to find an unmolested one and shells out $40,000 for it).

Now that the final rules are out---any LSD, wheels up to 9", tires up to 255 mm---do you guys want to offer any more informed speculation on which cars will be most competitive?

I'm looking to acquire a 2006-2008 NC to be a daily driver and to run in this class.

being a rather big fan of Lotus in general, I'm sort of sad to see that you can't run an Elise in STR. I'm certainly not the SCCA, nor have I been making class rules for a long time, but I can't work out why putting a minimum weight (maybe about 2000 pounds dry, make stuff lighter than that add ballast) and a maximum horsepower (say, 300hp at the wheels), leaving methods of making that power a bit more open, and not outright excluding any cars wouldn't work. unless the Elise handles night-and-day better than anything else eligible currently, I don't really see the problem letting it run if it meets all of the other stipulations of the class. could someone a bit more experienced than I shed some light on the exclusion of anything made my Colin Chapman's most famous brand?

P71 wrote: In STU 400 Torques trumps all. I know because I won STU at my region's last AX with a bone-stock GTO beating out a modded STi (who ran last season so he's been doing it as long as I have).

Sounds like a drivers issue there...did you win the class, or just beat one modded STi?

I'm a "decent" but hardly "great" autocrosser, and in my 2nd event with the WRX (stock except sways and 225 RE01R's), with only 1 event ever driving an AWD or turbo car, I soundly trounced a moderately-modified GTO that I've seen out at events for years (so I know he can drive).

Unless the course is full of long runouts, I can't see a GTO beating out STis and Evos in STU on a regular basis.....I used to beat 1 or 2 of them at each event running STU in my modded MAXIMA. There are truly some sad, sad drivers out there in STis and Evos. If they're in your region, you're lucky SOB!

on a side note, it sucks to be in STU with my 09 WRX.....2.5L displacement does not make this car comparable to a STi or Evo in any way shape or form. They should be in STX with the other WRXs where they'd be competitive (more power, but longer wheelbase)

In reply to Slyp_Dawg:

I'd assume so. I've read on another forum (I can't find it, my Google-fu is weak today) that the Porsche Boxster was D.Q.'ed from STR because, with an LSD, it would trounce all of the other cars in the class.

In reply to skeeler:

My best guess as to what cars will be competitive are the NB and NC Miatas, the 911, and the S2000. Note that I've only attended 10 auto-x events in the past 4 years, so YMMV.

In reply to Slyp_Dawg:

Really?

Lets see, setting a 2000lb minimum weight is pointless because only the Elise (and maybe the MR-S) could make that weight under current ST_ rules. Being the lightest it'll maximize grip out of the street tires and it'll have the best power/weight ratio in the class.

Unless you're trying to make a Spec Lotus class allowing small, super lightweight car that'll out accelerate, out corner, and probably out brake anything else in the class is probably a really bad idea.

SCCA has a long history of either not allowing Lotus' to compete, or severely handicapping them to the point where they would be uncompetitive - with the exception of the Elise in Stock, and the original Elan and Europa Twin cam in Street Prepared.

I just want to know how to fit 255's on my 96 Miata?

jj wrote: Back in the day, cats for STS had to be 50 state legal. Is that not the case anymore?

These are the 2009 ST and STS catyltic converter rules. These will apply to STR:

SCCA Solo National Rulebook 2009 said: E. Catalytic Converters ST, STS: Catalytic converters may be replaced by aftermarket units. Replacements must: 1) Be certified for use in that vehicle application by the manufacturer or reconditioner, 2) Bear correct EPA-mandated labeling, 3) Be of the OE quantity and type (i.e. oxidation, three-way, etc.) and 4) Be used in the same location(s) as the OE converter(s). This does allow for high performance replacements, provided they meet all restrictions herein. F. The engine management system parameters and operation may be modified only via the methods listed below. Any and all modifications must meet or exceed the applicable EPA tailpipe emissions standards for the year, make, and model of the car. These allowances also apply to forced induction cars, except that no changes to standard boost levels, intercoolers, or boost controls are permitted. Boost changes indirectly resulting from allowed modifications are permissible, but directly altering or modifying the boost or turbo controls, either mechanically or electronically, is strictly prohibited. 1. Reprogrammed ECU (via hardware and/or software) may be used in the standard housing. Traction control parameters may not be altered. Altered engine controllers may not alter boost levels in forced induction engines. 2. Electronic components may be installed in-line between an engine’s sensors and ECU. These components may alter the signal coming from the sensor in order to affect the ECU’s operation of engine management system. Example: fuel controllers that modify the signal coming from an airflow sensor. 3. Fuel pressure regulators may be replaced in lieu of electronic alterations to the fuel system. It is not permitted to electronically modify the fuel system AND replace a fuel pressure regulator. 4. Ignition timing may be set at any point on factory adjustable distributor ignition systems. 5. VTEC controllers and other devices may be used which alter the timing of factory standard electronic variable valve timing systems. 6. All ST vehicles must comply with the EPA tailpipe emissions test requirements as a minimum.

Hope that answers your question.

No.6.... if your state doesn't do a tailpipe emissions test...???

EPA is a federal agency, I don't think it has a tailpipe emissions test requirement. Which means #6 is therefore typically ignored.

irish44j wrote:

P71 wrote: In STU 400 Torques trumps all. I know because I won STU at my region's last AX with a bone-stock GTO beating out a modded STi (who ran last season so he's been doing it as long as I have).

Sounds like a drivers issue there...did you win the class, or just beat one modded STi? I'm a "decent" but hardly "great" autocrosser, and in my 2nd event with the WRX (stock except sways and 225 RE01R's), with only 1 event ever driving an AWD or turbo car, I soundly trounced a moderately-modified GTO that I've seen out at events for years (so I know he can drive). Unless the course is full of long runouts, I can't see a GTO beating out STis and Evos in STU on a regular basis.....I used to beat 1 or 2 of them at each event running STU in my modded MAXIMA. There are truly some sad, sad drivers out there in STis and Evos. If they're in your region, you're lucky SOB!

Won the class which included the STi. BTW, John Russell (the GTO's owner) went on to win the Oregon Region Season Championship in STU with that GTO beating out STi's, 2 E36 M3's, and a few others. I doubt our region or class is "sub-par" since James Paulson won Nationals in STU in 07 and Tom Kotzian won SS this season by over 2 seconds... It's a tough region with good drivers. I will admit we favor "faster" courses, especially at the National Tour Packwood site.

Back on topic on STR, the official rules hit in the new GCR in 2 days and I'm building my RX-7 up for it. I can't figure out how to get a wheel that will fit a 255 without costing an arm or a leg, but I think my lightweight and gearing could be an advantage.

In reply to P71:

No used rims on CL?

I've decided to stay in E Stock for one more year. The GXL is too heavy with the sunroof and power-everything, plus I'm still not that good at auto-x and it will be a challenge to fit two aftermarket precats onto a Racing Beat header (2 precats + 1 maincat = FTL).

If I come across an S4 Sport model (lighter, no sunroof, no LSD, power nothing) or an S5 GTUs model (heavier but stiffer and more powerful, VLSD, super rare), I'll reconsider. I'd swap all my performance upgrades from the GXL, an Rtek programmable ECU, and a clutch-type LSD housing into the new car.

It's a 12A 1st Gen, so the wheels are 4x110. I already have 14's so I can run 195 Azenis, but to get up to 245-255 I need custom 17's which won't fit. I'd like to get a 225 on a 15. I'm swapping in a clutch-type LSD from a GSL-SE into mine for STR. I already have the full exhaust w/ RB header.