oem equivalent maintenance items?

#1

Is it permitted to use oem equivalent replacements for things such as distributor rotor and cap, water pump, etc? I’ve been through the rules, and don’t see any specific allowance for oem equiv items. And when I say “oem equivalent”, I mean generic parts from pelican parts, autozone, etc.

The way I read the rules, it would not be legal, but that seems a little overboard.

The specific line that suggests that it would not be legal is:

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

Since that is defined and used commonly, it would suggest that parts not specifically listed have to be OEM. For instance:

“9.3.1.3.1. Fuel filters may be substituted.”

So I can use a fuel filter from pelican parts. Cool. But what about other common maintenance items, such as the ones listed?

I can’t imagine it is actually illegal to use an oem equivalent water pump or rotor, but since I don’t see it in the rules, I figure I’ll ask.

#2

Don’t worry about it. If the maintenance item shares the same design as OEM it will be fine.

In the phrase “OEM equivalent” you seem to be focusing on “OEM” when you might as well focus instead of “equivalent”.

Your interpretation of “it would suggest that parts not specifically listed have to be OEM.” is wrong. No one is going to bother attempting to find BMW branded spark plugs, wires, distributors, etc.

#3

The thing that makes the rules confusing are lines like these:

Why even spell these things out if general maintenance items can all be substituted? I’m not worried about it. I’m just using to racing with the SCCA, so I’m familiar with how they do things. I just want to make sure I understand how the NASA rulebooks work too.

FWIW, the Spec E30 rules ROCK :slight_smile:

#4

I was thinking the same question recently also. I never questioned it when ordering from bimmerparts or IE or Bav, but I’ve been ordering from rock auto lately and they have about 10 different brands of injectors and ignition coils and there probably isn’t much leeway when it comes to injectors.

#5

[quote=“JustinHoMi” post=65352]The thing that makes the rules confusing are lines like these:

Why even spell these things out if general maintenance items can all be substituted? I’m not worried about it.[/quote]
Because if the rules said “All general maintenance items can be substituted” someone would see how far they could push into the ambiguity of the rule and start talking about installing an S54 engine. He’d say “engine replacement qualifies as general maintenance, why else would it be the first chapter of Bentley? It’s an OEM replacement since it’s a BMW engine. Lots of people end up having to replace their engine, it’s not unusual at all. Therefore it’s ‘general maintenance.’”

Less ambiguity in the rules is good.

#6

[quote=“JustinHoMi” post=65352]The thing that makes the rules confusing are lines like these:

Why even spell these things out if general maintenance items can all be substituted? I’m not worried about it. I’m just using to racing with the SCCA, so I’m familiar with how they do things. I just want to make sure I understand how the NASA rulebooks work too.

FWIW, the Spec E30 rules ROCK :)[/quote]

Because if it doesn’t say you can, you can’t!

#7

I completely agree. But doesn’t it increase ambiguity to have unwritten rules that suggest that certain additional things are legal (such as cap, rotor, water pump, etc)? It makes it easy to assume that other “common” E30 modifications are legal. Didn’t someone show up to nationals last year with a chipped ECU? That is an extreme case, I know.

That said, I think the bold part below puts all other questions to rest:

[quote]1.3. Only modifications specifically authorized are allowed; and competitive adjustments are not
allowed. Other than the modifications specifically allowed in these Rules, every part of the
car must remain as it came from the factory. [/quote]

So, an aftermarket water pump w/ metal propeller is OK, since it doesn’t give a competitive advantage. Then again, it would have a competitive advantage in an enduro :wink: Sorry, I’m done! What has the SCCA done to me??

#8

[quote=“cosm3os” post=65358][quote=“JustinHoMi” post=65352]The thing that makes the rules confusing are lines like these:

Why even spell these things out if general maintenance items can all be substituted? I’m not worried about it. I’m just using to racing with the SCCA, so I’m familiar with how they do things. I just want to make sure I understand how the NASA rulebooks work too.

FWIW, the Spec E30 rules ROCK :)[/quote]

Because if it doesn’t say you can, you can’t![/quote]

+1’ing myself. Your logic is that if it tells me I can do belts, filters, etc, it can be interpreted to mean I can do other maintenance items. No, it means you can substitute belts and filters.

#9

I guess you haven’t tried to get the Spec Exhaust yet. :silly: