What Exhaust Do You Have ?

#1

As I’ve lead several of you into the Spec E30 series, there is a bit of resposibility that I have in cases where a rules change would financally effect you. Minimized as the rules committe would make it,in the Atlanta area we’ve all been down to see Roger at S&S Muffler and we know the price of exhaust is $150 plus the inconvenience factor.We’ve all got the same set-up. We’re being told that it will have to change.

So, just a quick poll of Southeast racers. What are you running?

I’ve got 3 cars with the two-pipe/two glasspack design.

Others?

Regards, Robert Patton

#2

Not sure if Craig, myself, and TJ are included in that S&S mix, but we have the downtown setup. 2 glasspacks, etc.

#3

Robert, you know this discussion doesn’t matter. Two pipes here, going to have 1 next year.

#4

Skeen, I know exactly what you mean.You also know how I feel on this topic.It is a darned shame that we’re not given due consideration. Let the rules committe hear it loud and clear, this is not smart.

However, within the Southeast it does matter. Example: within the MA region I believe that the spec Miata guys have chose to run a less expensive/different tire than is specified nationally. So, as long as the racers in MA agree to agree…I think you get the picture.

The 944 guys are looking to run Toyos within the Southeast. What a great cost saving idea for them. Can they all agree?

Should it come down to it, does a national spec trump the regional director? We pay our money to race within NASA Southeast.If you venture elsewhere you need to play by their rules. Kind of similar to rules about enforcement about car damage. We’ve seen the SE get less tolerant of bent metal as last year transpired.

And, you know I really hate to see this kind of a dinking match.

Regards, Robert Patton

Six pipes here, and I’ll have six next year,too.I’ll gladly agree to build future car(s) with one.

#5

I’ve got the typical S&S 2 pipes into 2 glasspack setup. Just bought it too, to replace the one that was ripped off in August. Change just for changes sake doesn’t excite me.

#6

I have what most of you have… 2 pipes, no cat and 2 glasspacks in the stock muffler location :frowning:

#7

2 pipes, no cats, 2 glasspacks here also; with pretty much no desire or intention to change for next season (unless I pull a Chuck). Can anyone say "Grandfather Clause"? I have no problem going to the new exhaust if I was in the process of building (or re-building)the car, but not after I have alrady had the system fabricated. It’s not just the financial issue, it is a time / convenience issue.

#8

Thus far:11-0

Thank you for weighing-in with your input.

Does anyone want to discuss 14x6.5 basketweave wheels?

Aside from these (glaring to me)areas, I’ll give Carter his due credit, it is a great series.

Please continue with your thoughts/numbers.

Regards, Robert Patton

#9

I have no idea what I have, but it is all coming down this winter. I will replace it with whatever is fastest…

:stuck_out_tongue:

#10

I have the new spec exhaust setup on my car. Initially, there was a 3" straight pipe that provided NO backpressure. The new system was actually recommended by my exhaust guy (who races round track stuff) before the new rule came out. I feel like I have a torque advantage now, so you will never get a protest from me if you want to run 2 pipes…Rock On.:wink:

BTW: it cost me $120 and 1hr to get installed.

#11

Thanks, Travis. Should Carter provide details of how the exhaust increases power, there may well be no conflict among the other 8 (remember I’ve got 3)thus far that have weighed-in. Who doesn’t want more power? Regardless, put me into the number 3 category.It will not be changed.

Regardless of the numbers, my data says it is a needless change. And, once the HP and Torque maximums are known who cares how you get to the specified numbers. This arguement has been presented.

This post will not change the rule. Yet, depending on racer input it may allow us to continue in the Southeast based on what the participants want to do. It is a slippery slope…

Regards, Robert Patton

#12

My car is just about done and this is what I built.

9.3.4.1.3. A muffler, which shall (3.1) be commercially available, is required and shall (3.1) be located in the original (3.3) muffler location at the rear of the car.
9.3.4.1.4. A single or twin tube system may (3.1) be used.
9.3.4.1.4.1. Single tubes shall not (3.1) have an inside diameter larger than 2.5 inches.

If the pipe size is going to be 2.25 then I am going to have to do it again.:frowning:

#13

Greg,it is very unfortunate that it is going to happen in this manner.

Travis will not protest your finish, neither will I.

The rules reminder you posted puts further fuel on the fire. Seems we’ve been racing this way since 2004.

I wish I would have thought of that grandfather idea for all racers that did it by the book. Oh, wait, I did think of that idea and vigorusly presented it at Barber.

Skeen says this one is a losing battle.

I’m stubborn.

Ain’t this fun.

Regards, Robert Patton

#14

I will only protest those cars that finish in front of me. The rest of you can keep your exhausts.

Oh wait, everyone finishes in front of me!

#15

The Pink Panther has a twin exhaust - two glaspacks, etc.

Also, EVERY E30 that I have bought so far has come w/14x6.5 basket weaves! I have a BUNCH of them! If we can have 15x7 wheels…why not 14x6.5?

#16

Its funny…I don’t care enough to let it bother me either way. Maybe that is because I am not a front runner and it is not very likely that my exhaust setup is going to make a difference anyway. I also seriously doubt that anyone would protest me for coming in 10th place with a single 2.5 inch pipe with a single 3 inch round Magnaflow resonator.

#17

I might, Ken. . . :stuck_out_tongue:

I have the Patton Special. It cost Dave White $200 last year to buy me a legal exhaust.

Hey Dave. . . . .wanna borrow the car for MA races? :silly:

I don’t plan on changing. I also don’t plan on racing ANY mid atlantic races. I was considering VIR, but now that my car is illegal. . .

#18

Yo, Ken you’re safe. Travis has already relented.It may not bother you, but it would be safe to say that it bothers me a great deal.

As a business owner,I understand the role of the benevolent dictator. I don’t understand …Well, I don’t understand.

JP, I’m with you.

Hang on, we might let you bring out those performance-enhancing basketweaves, too.

Robert Patton

#19

Too late for the baskets, my brother already raided the garage and put them on his Honda. Its much faster now that is has 14X6.5 vs 14X6 wheels.

#20

jim Pantas wrote:

[quote]The Pink Panther has a twin exhaust - two glaspacks, etc.

Also, EVERY E30 that I have bought so far has come w/14x6.5 basket weaves! I have a BUNCH of them! If we can have 15x7 wheels…why not 14x6.5?[/quote]

Jim,

You are asking one of the age old questions of the Spec E30 rules.

In the past, when this question was asked… The reply had always been "something something blah blah… rules are rules but at least they are stable"

It used to chap my @ss. But then one day Carter made this post…

Carter wrote: (1 year and 1 month ago)

[quote]A few comments, as we get ready for good racing tomorrow, as we had today at Mid Ohio…

No one on the track today even thought about chips.

No one on the track today even thought about whether he has plastic bumpers or aluminum bumpers.

No one on the track today even thought that he really misses his basketweaves.

If you are building a car, don’t make any change to the car, unless it is specifically stated in the rules. If you’re not sure about whether you can make a modification, look for it in the rules. If it’s not there, don’t do it.

Yes, we know that answering the same questions over and over and over is a part of the deal. And bringing up a question that has been discussed several times doesn’t make you a bad person, but some frustration will come out.

The rules are not perfect but they are stable, which is good for everyone.

Those of us who have been racing for many years (and some who are new) know how voting on rules only makes things more complicated and expensive.

The reason the rear light area covers are required is that it keeps things simple. If they can be removed, the air intake area will get very different and can increase costs as drivers try different things to try to get an advantage.

At the track today, no one wished they could have removed their rear light covers.

Once you build your car and come racing, the car is less and less important and the racing becomes the main focus. As I told the guys at GRM last night, it’s not about the cars, it’s about the racing.

Tim Suddard introduced himself to me at supper last night (I knew who he was) and told me that he was proofing the Spec E30 article, while on the plane the day before. While we were discussing this, Rennie from Redline BMW called to tell Tim that he has a perfect donor car for Spec E30. Tim was happy to announce their newest project car to me.

So we’ll have at least two cars in Florida. And I’ll probably go to Florida next year to race with them.

Wish us luck tomorrow as we race for the national championship.

Carter[/quote]

It was this post (see above) that made me feel Spec E30 was the right series for me.

"The rules are not perfect but they are stable, which is good for everyone."

Recent events reinforce that this statment has never be more true. The Lack of stability in the rules is proving to be very BAD for everyone indeed. :frowning:

I want the stability back!

It was always said that tweeking the rules would turn into a slippery slope. And now we’ve gone from tweaking the exhaust rules… twice… to now opening up a debate on the air intake and front spoilers.

:S