On Wed, 27 Jan 1999, Jay Mitchell wrote:
> I can buy some very stiff motor mounts and suspension bushings,
> larger intake manifolds, different intake camshaft, and several other
> go-faster parts for my VW (Jetta GLI 16V) that are made buy VW and have
> VW part numbers on them.
I'll admit, I hadn't thought of this...but then, I haven't owned a VW
since my Rabbit blew up in the middle of I-40, many moons ago.... Let's
tighten the definition further: if you can find it in the factory parts
book listed as a stock replacement part, does that make it a de facto
factory specification? CHuck (you've looked at more Honda parts books
than I)?
Seriously, not all factory parts are installed by the factory. Buy a
U.S.-spec car overseas, and often the DOT and EPA-mandated equipment isn't
installed at the factory -- it's put on at dockside. Some emissions
control parts used to be commonly installed at a dealer prep facility
after delivery to the U.S. My old '84 Prelude shop manual (the factory
one) has specs for both steel and alloy wheels -- and the *factory* sales
literature also listed them as an option. When I was shopping for one
back then, though, they all seemed to come off the boat with steel wheels
and the dealer installed the alloys, probably to keep from ruining the
wheels on the trip across.
> This Honda wheel width issue is a bit of a sore subject for me. Cars are
> classed based on their potential with FACTORY-supplied equipment. In
> past years, I've protested one Honda outright for running with VW (6"
> wide) rims...
Doesn't apply to this arguement -- VW wheels are obviously not Honda
factory parts!
> ...and kicked in money for a Nationals protest of two Hondas
> running 5.5s. They're NOT legal, they've been protested and disqualified
> numerous times, and they DO make a competitive difference.
If those Hondas weren't offered with 5.5" wheels, then they deserved it.
That doesn't seem to be the arguement here either.
> Every bit of this discussion is quite clearly addressed in the rules.
If so, then reasonable people wouldn't be asking questions. I've never
met Jamie Ridenour in person (although he's named well), but his question
doesn't strike me as an excuse for cheating -- but rather to clarify the
status of an optional part. You've never seen rules misinterpreted?
> Read 'em. And, better yet, FOLLOW 'em.
Did. Do. And don't imply otherwise.
Jamie
'92 Prelude Si (two sets of factory stock wheels)
http://www.mindspring.com/~jsculerati/sdr
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