clairification of F-Stock rules

[vonirkinshtine]

Ok, so, the SCCA mothership says that tires and swaybars are fair game while still being able to retain FS classification. My question is, define "stock". Does that mean unmodified parts from a specific year, make, model, and trim level? What about unmodified parts off the same year, make, and model, but a different trim level? The reason I ask is because there are about 6 different suspension configurations for a 1999 Crown Victoria (LX, LXS, HPP, P70, P71), and between all those configurations I could probably assemble a configuration that would actually work better than what I'm running now. The parts themselves would be as they came from the factory but would not belong to the correct trim level car.

I'm just looking for an official ruling. Thanks.

[C4Shane]

Well, for an official ruling you would need to contact Doug Gill at SCCA. But, I would advise you to download the rulebook and carefully read the rules for stock classes. Generally speaking it means just that - you cannot change, modify, remove, or add a rear sway bar - if the car is of a specific trim level, then all options (inc. suspension) for that trim level must be maintained. As an example - if the car was available with/without AC (very few are today) then if you have one without AC, you cannot add the bigger alternator/radiator/heavier front springs, etc. from one that had AC.

Quite simply the SCCA rulebook is built on the premise that "if it doesn't say you can, you can't". Another good source of feedback is the SCCAforum.com. They have an excellent thread on rules. Generally it isn't too confusing to figure out stock classes, but some of the lines between the STX/U/S/etc and other classes can get a bit blurry.

In general though, I think if you read the rules carefully you will find that the mods you can make will include tires, shocks, front sway bar, and brake pads for stock classes.

In the words of the immortal Dark Lord of the Blue Propeller ~ "I hope this helps".

[lancer360]

My understanding as stock class was explained to me is that if you want to run a part from a different stock package, then you have to add/remove everything from that package level. For example, on a base Elise if you want to add the factory coil overs, then you also have to add the oil coolers and the rear track brace as these all came with that package. In short you change one thing from a different stock package, you must change everything for that package. I think you are ok though if that individual component was available separately from the factory, ie like limited slip differential on a pickup is often a stand alone option.

[Warp3]

From the 2007 rules...stock section, 3rd paragraph:

"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."

So to do a "trim-level conversion" there are two main requirements:
- The car must have been available in that exact trim for your car's model year (so you can't convert a 1999 Crown Vic into a trim level that wasn't available from the factory for 1999 Crown Vic models).
- The resulting conversion must be 100% complete. Anything that is different between the two trim levels (that isn't already legal to change in stock class) must be changed. Comes with different seats? Have to swap them. Comes with a different dash? Have to swap it. Different diff? Have to swap it.

Also to clarify only the FRONT swaybar is changable in stock, not the rear.

[vonirkinshtine]

Ok, that makes sence. It's not exactly the answer I was hoping for, but it makes sence.

[markt]

Ahh, Grasshopper, to understand the SCCA rulebook you must first know the sound of a one wing butterfly....clapping...hhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm