Hi all,

I'm having a little trouble figuring out what class I should be running in with my bimmer. Granted, I usually co-drive the MINI or 944 with dad, but this car was too much fun at the pointless event not to bring it out again. I initially thought I'd be running in DSP, but upon closer inspection of the SCCA rulebook, I'm not so sure I was classed correctly.

The car is a 1991 BMW 325i. The modifications in question are larger brakes and rotors from a '99 M3, and camber plates with alignment settings outside of stock specs. Everything is bolt on, no cutting/welding/anything special. I'm on 235/40ZR17 street tires at the moment, if that makes a difference.

There are what seem to be conflicting statements in the rulebook, such as (regarding the street prepared classes):

Equipment and/or specifications may be exchanged between different years and models of a vehicle if ( a ) the item is standard on the year/model from which it was taken, and ( b ) the years/ models are listed on the same line of Appendix A (Street Prepared Classes). (Obviously, the M3 is NOT on the same line as my little E30).

Then later, Alternate brake rotors are permitted, subject to the following restrictions ... Rotor dimensions (diameter and thickness) must be equal to or greater than standard parts. and Brake calipers may be replaced, provided the number of pistons is equal to or greater than the original number of pistons.

Also...

On all forms of suspension, camber/caster adjustment within factory specifications may be achieved by the use of shims or eccentric bushings. The intent of this allowance is to permit cars to be restored to within factory-allowed specification ranges, not to provide an additional method beyond those permitted in Section 15.8 to obtain alignment settings beyond the factory specifications.

Then later, Camber kits, also known as camber compensators, may be installed and Alignment outside the factory specifications is allowed.

That stuff confuses me. Can anyone tell me what class I should be running in? DSP? DP? SM?

Thanks,
-Travis

To my knowledge, you'd be in DSP. As far as the brakes, as of 2009, you're allow to run larger rotors. Nothing specifies that you cannot borrow from another vehicle, as most brake upgrades are aftermarket anyways.

As far as the suspension bits...you should be OK. I don't think any of the quicker SP cars are running factory alignment specs.

I'm sure someone with some more SCCA experience will chime in here soon.

Yeah, DSP for sure (nice car BTW).

With the brakes the second paragraph you quoted that specifically talks about brakes supercedes the general update/backdate rule. Provided the M3 brakes bolt on, and you didn't change the spindle, then they are legal.

The part about alignments is quite confusing. All I can tell you for sure is that alignments that are out of factory spec are pretty standard. As long as you don't use any illegal parts to do it you can run whatever alignment you want. It seems to contradict itself but I'm sure there is a reason they worded it that way. I'll look around to see if I can find an explanation.

Thanks for the replies.

Re-reading the alignment bits, I think what they mean is that shims and eccentric bushings are only allowed to get things back to stock. The other paragraph would indicate that proper camber plates and such can be used to alter your alignment specs to whatever you want.

Another question, because I'm curious. How do engine swaps work for classing? Does it immediately bump you to 'modified', regardless of engine sizing and origin?

Depends on who made the engine you're swapping in. If its from the same manufacturer as the car (like a BMW engine into a BMW car) then you can go to Street Modified. No restrictions on engine size but the bigger the engine the more the car has to weigh using this formula:



If the engine is from a different manufactuer than the car then you'll likely go to X Prepared. Again there is a minimum weight you have to make depending on engine size and drivetrain layout:




Only if the car is radically modified will you end up in a "Modified" class.

Great info, thanks Jason!