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I ha this conversation on Facebook today and wanted to see how you all feel about it. It's about engine swaps in SM.
The rulebook says this:
(emphasis mine)
But, we know that there are 3-rotor RX7s running SSM at the national level. The 20B was never offered in an RX-7, only the Cosmo ... obviously a different model.
So, I looked on p 66 to see how the SCCA defines "model."
That's pretty clear. A Cosmo isn't an RX-7.
So, the basic understanding of engine swaps in SM is that any engine from that manufacturer, or from a manufacturer within a joint venture (DSM, etc) can be used. To me it seems pretty clear that the rule says it has to be an engine offered in that specific model.
The easy example is from a DSM. My interpretation says that you can only use the engines available in the NA or turbo models of the Eclipse, Talon or Laser in those cars. But, if you have an Eclipse, you can use the Laser engine, etc.
The other interpretation is that if you have an Eclipse you can use a big block from a classic Challenger.
The much more likely scenario is that you could use an RB25/26 or V8 from the Titan, etc. in a 240. The 20B in an RX-7 or Miata.
It seems to me that logically the "all engines from manufacturer" interpretation makes sense. But, the rule clearly doesn't say that IMO. I think it needs to be rewritten to remove all mentions of "model" if this is truly the spirit of the rule.
The rulebook says this:
"D. Drivetrain and related components (induction, ignition, fuel systems,
etc.) are unrestricted except for the following limitations:
1. Engine block (or housings of rotary engines) must be a production
unit manufactured and badged the same as the original standard
or optional engine for that model. Badges that exist as marketing
aliases for the manufacturer will be recognized as equivalents.
Swaps involving makes related only at a corporate level are not recognized
as equivalents. Models produced as a joint venture between
manufacturers may utilize any engine from any partner in the joint
venture, provided that an engine from the desired manufacturer
was a factory option in that particular model (e.g., Eagle Talon, available
originally with either a Mitsubishi or Chrysler engine, may use
any motor from Chrysler or Mitsubishi). This allows engine blocks
manufactured as production units for sale in other countries such as
Japan or Germany."
etc.) are unrestricted except for the following limitations:
1. Engine block (or housings of rotary engines) must be a production
unit manufactured and badged the same as the original standard
or optional engine for that model. Badges that exist as marketing
aliases for the manufacturer will be recognized as equivalents.
Swaps involving makes related only at a corporate level are not recognized
as equivalents. Models produced as a joint venture between
manufacturers may utilize any engine from any partner in the joint
venture, provided that an engine from the desired manufacturer
was a factory option in that particular model (e.g., Eagle Talon, available
originally with either a Mitsubishi or Chrysler engine, may use
any motor from Chrysler or Mitsubishi). This allows engine blocks
manufactured as production units for sale in other countries such as
Japan or Germany."
But, we know that there are 3-rotor RX7s running SSM at the national level. The 20B was never offered in an RX-7, only the Cosmo ... obviously a different model.
So, I looked on p 66 to see how the SCCA defines "model."
"Model
A group of cars of a given make which have virtually identical bodies and
chassis but are readily distinguished from other models of the same make
by virtue of a major difference in body appearance and/or chassis design.
The names by which the manufacturer designates these groups have no
bearing on this definition even though two (2) groups may be designated
identically"
A group of cars of a given make which have virtually identical bodies and
chassis but are readily distinguished from other models of the same make
by virtue of a major difference in body appearance and/or chassis design.
The names by which the manufacturer designates these groups have no
bearing on this definition even though two (2) groups may be designated
identically"
So, the basic understanding of engine swaps in SM is that any engine from that manufacturer, or from a manufacturer within a joint venture (DSM, etc) can be used. To me it seems pretty clear that the rule says it has to be an engine offered in that specific model.
The easy example is from a DSM. My interpretation says that you can only use the engines available in the NA or turbo models of the Eclipse, Talon or Laser in those cars. But, if you have an Eclipse, you can use the Laser engine, etc.
The other interpretation is that if you have an Eclipse you can use a big block from a classic Challenger.
The much more likely scenario is that you could use an RB25/26 or V8 from the Titan, etc. in a 240. The 20B in an RX-7 or Miata.
It seems to me that logically the "all engines from manufacturer" interpretation makes sense. But, the rule clearly doesn't say that IMO. I think it needs to be rewritten to remove all mentions of "model" if this is truly the spirit of the rule.
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