a couple rule clarifications on SE30

#1

I am building my newly acquired e30 (87 325is) to spec with the intent on entering the 09 season (I haven’t had a competition license in a number of years and want some DE’s as a refresher)

I had a few rule questions -

9.3.1.6.2. Engine oil filter may be substituted.

Can I run a firewall mounted oil filter?

8.9.1. A master electrical kill switch is required.

I have noticed a lot of people running external kill switches, is this mandatory? can I mount one on top of the drivers dash so it is accessible from outside of the car and for the driver?

9.3.1.3.2. Any fuel pump may be fitted.

Can I add an inline pump to my stock system? (leaving the stock pumps in place)

9.3.8.9. Suspension bushing material replacement is permitted.

Does this include the rear diff bushing?

That should be it, thanks!

Andrew

#2

arakele wrote:

I will just comment on this one. It would be more difficult to wire up a kill switch on the drivers side of the car, as the battery cable runs up the passenger side. A spot that I have mine mounted, is right above the harness bar on the passenger side, which is kind of accessible for the driver and from outside the car also…Easy to wire also…

#3

ahh true… good point! passenger side it is, I just happened to notice while browsing car pics a lot of folks do external kill switches.

#4

The reason for that external location is that it is super easy to put in and for safety to reach. There is a hole under the passenger wiper that is perfect fit, and the electrical junction for the IS (battery moved to the trunk) is right under there against the firewall. Rather than running a lot of battery cables into the interior, you just have about 6" give or take.

As to your other stuff - rule of thumb - it it’s not specifically allowed in the rules, it’s not legal. With that in mind…

No on the firewall oil filter - substituted means you can replace the filter with oem spec. There is no ability to relocate it.

Kill switch not mandatory external - just have to be somewhere where safety can reach it. Bonus if you can too.

You can’t add an additional fuel pump since there is no rule allowing fuel system modification such as what you’re describing. Your 87 has two pumps - an in tank and external one and the system works great for the most part (I have an 87 also). You only need to reliably push about 40psi.

Yes on the diff bushing

Good luck with your build.

#5

Age wrote:

[quote]As to your other stuff - rule of thumb - it it’s not specifically allowed in the rules, it’s not legal. With that in mind…

No on the firewall oil filter - substituted means you can replace the filter with oem spec. There is no ability to relocate it.

[/quote]

Some peoples interpretation of the rules differ slightly.

TXBDan wrote:

9.3.1.6.6. Oil coolers may be added or replaced, and their location within the bodywork is
unrestricted so long as they are not mounted within the driver/passenger
compartment.

You may want to contact Carter to get a ruling on this. Please share what you learn when you hear bck from him.

#6

Age wrote:

that would be replacement, not substituted… we will see what carter says.

I just don’t want to make the same mistake with the ITS car where I had to go back in and redo some things.

#7

Please do. I didn’t equate oil filter and oil cooler, and what is described seems more modification than substitution. There is nowhere in the rules that allows for relocation of the oil filter. I’m sure not the rules guy, apologies if I missed that post (I didn’t do a search to get the latest interpretation) but the question was asked I tried to help.

3.2. If the Regulations do not specifically permit a modification, it may not be made.

3.4. “Substituted” means that original OEM equivalent items may be used.

3.5. “Replaced” means that the item may be replaced with items meeting or exceeding OEM
specifications.

3.6. “Modified” means that the item may be replaced, machined, welded, or removed.

#8

OK, because I have nothing better to do at work I searched the forums. It seems there are two threads where this as come up, the relevant one is 2 years old in the context of adding an Accusump and SharkD said that Carter said it was considered part of the plumbing, and the 2006 rules would be updated. I didn’t find where Carter personally gave an interpretation and it looks like the rules were not updated, and Carter probably is the final say so.

Again, OP good luck with your build (and interpretation of the rules), Scott thanks for catching that. I’m going to stay the hell out of rules discussions :wink: FWIW, sounds like a good mod if it’s allowed - the filter is a PITA.

#9

thanks for the research, I tried looking earlier, but prolly didn’t use the correct terms.

it would make sense to allow it possibly in the future, but i can stick with stock without a problem!

#10

About the power cutoff switch…

You can mount it to the roll cage inside the car. Another spot it fits reasonably well is in the no-longer-used vent hole in the right side of the dash pad. However, I elected to do the external, base of the windshield mount. Aside from the relative ease of installation (though depending on the switch, internal clearance of the cowl is really tight) I think it’s a safer place to put it. If your car should wind up lying on it’s right side, safety personnel aren’t going to be able to reach it. With the cowl mount, even if the thing is on it’s roof you can still access it as it’s the one place the car won’t crush enough to damage it. Just a thought.