Technical Bulletin--Header and Exhaust wrap--6-30-10

[Greg G.]

Technical Bulletin (6-30-10):

 

All Vehicles--Header and Exhaust wrap modification:

 

No-Points Modifications

62) Header and exhaust piping external wrapping

[MSP608]

Are sprays and coatings to be treated the same way?

[Greg G.]

From the wording above, I would say no. Wrapping and "coating" are not the same thing. If you want sprays and coatings to be considered for inclusion in the 2011 Rules, then please submit your request/suggestion by e-mail, and it will go through the rules revision process. One question that I would have would be how are we to determine that the headers/exhaust are still the OEM ones once they are "sprayed or coated"?

[MSP608]

I'm curious as to why it matters whether or not the headers/exhaust are still OEM with a coating on them. The coating serves the same purpose as a wrap, just happens to be a lot less easier to remove. But to answer your question, I'd definitely say no they're no longer OEM once you change them at all, whether that be a wrap or coating. 62) mentions nothing about them remaining OEM though. Well I've made my case, is this what I should submit for the rules change?

[TrackRat]

One question that I would have would be how are we to determine that the headers/exhaust are still the OEM ones once they are "sprayed or coated"?

 

I would say it has to do with how we determine spraying and coating to be. If the review team determines that there should be points for spraying and coating, then if someone sprays/coats the OEM, then they take the points. However, personally, if wrap is zero points then why should there be points for spraying/coating that does the same thing? Just my two cents.

[Greg G.]

I'm curious as to why it matters whether or not the headers/exhaust are still OEM with a coating on them. The coating serves the same purpose as a wrap, just happens to be a lot less easier to remove. But to answer your question, I'd definitely say no they're no longer OEM once you change them at all, whether that be a wrap or coating. 62) mentions nothing about them remaining OEM though. Well I've made my case, is this what I should submit for the rules change?

 

Sure, but you just made the argument that if you put a coating on the headers/exhaust, that you should take the points because they are no longer OEM.

[boomn29]

Technical Bulletin (6-30-10):

 

All Vehicles--Header and Exhaust wrap modification:

 

No-Points Modifications

62) Header and exhaust piping external wrapping

So something like DEI Reflect-A-Gold Heat Tape would be considered a coating currently and not a wrap?

 

Likewise, if we used a wrap or heat tape on anything OEM - is it no longer OEM?

[MSP608]

Sure, but you just made the argument that if you put a coating on the headers/exhaust, that you should take the points because they are no longer OEM.

The argument that I am making is that once you put something on a part, whether it be a semi-permanent spray/coating or simply cover it in a wrap, it is no longer OEM. Headers and exhausts don't come wrapped from the factory, so that's why you made 62). The whole purpose of 62) is to exempt people from taking modification points when the only thing they're doing to their OEM headers and exhausts is wrapping them, right?. The sprays/coatings serve the exact same purpose as the wrap, so I think they should be included with 62) or 62) shouldn't exist at all. If this doesn't make sense, please point out why.

[Greg G.]

Sure, but you just made the argument that if you put a coating on the headers/exhaust, that you should take the points because they are no longer OEM.

The argument that I am making is that once you put something on a part, whether it be a semi-permanent spray/coating or simply cover it in a wrap, it is no longer OEM. Headers and exhausts don't come wrapped from the factory, so that's why you made 62). The whole purpose of 62) is to exempt people from taking modification points when the only thing they're doing to their OEM headers and exhausts is wrapping them, right?. The sprays/coatings serve the exact same purpose as the wrap, so I think they should be included with 62) or 62) shouldn't exist at all. If this doesn't make sense, please point out why.

My point was that 62) allows the headers or exhaust to be wrapped ONLY. They cannot be aftermarket headers or exhaust that are wrapped without taking the points for headers and exhaust. If an inspector has a question about whether or not the wrapped headers and exhaust truly are OEM, the wrapping can be removed (at the track, during inspection). Once a permanent coating has been applied, how can we inspect for OEM headers or exhaust under the coating? 62) already will make inspection for OEM exhaust much more difficult.

[MSP608]

Gotcha. But what is there to inspect "under the coating?" All a coating is going to do is change the color of the header or exhaust (appearance wise). It's not like factory casting numbers, flanges, or anything to identify the piece as OEM would be removed or hidden. In my opinion a coated piece is going to be easier to inspect, and won't cost the owner the time/money of replacing his/her wrap that has to be taken off.

 

The header or exhaust is going to retain the same size and shape, so that's all the inspector should be looking for. If a change in color would throw off an inspector from identifying a piece as OEM then they shouldn't be the one inspecting. How does inspection work by the way? Is the inspector someone who knows the type of car being inspected, so they know what to look for?

[Greg G.]

The only guy out there that is going to know what an OEM exhaust on a Datsun 510, or a Fiat Spider, or Fiat X1-9, or Jenson-Healey, etc. is going to be the owner. The inspector may need to look for OEM markings on the part to determine if it is legal or not.

[mbuskuhl]

The argument that I am making is that once you put something on a part, whether it be a semi-permanent spray/coating or simply cover it in a wrap, it is no longer OEM. Headers and exhausts don't come wrapped from the factory, so that's why you made 62). The whole purpose of 62) is to exempt people from taking modification points when the only thing they're doing to their OEM headers and exhausts is wrapping them, right?. The sprays/coatings serve the exact same purpose as the wrap, so I think they should be included with 62) or 62) shouldn't exist at all.

 

^Agreed.

 

The free allowance for wraps should never have been done in the first place. Since it was done, coatings must be included now. Heck, coatings are safer than wraps anyways and safety should be priority one.

 

1. What about wrap coating spray http://www.truechoice.com/prodinfo.asp?number=DEI%20010301 ? Can you coat the wrap and still not take points?

 

2. Can you use ceramic engine paint like http://www.duplicolor.com/products/enginePaint/ and not take points? Is that a coating? What's to differentiate this from black bbq paint? Is bbq paint not a coating and subject to points?

 

You got a can of worms here with this rule. It should be retracted or opened up.

[MSP608]

The only guy out there that is going to know what an OEM exhaust on a Datsun 510, or a Fiat Spider, or Fiat X1-9, or Jenson-Healey, etc. is going to be the owner. The inspector may need to look for OEM markings on the part to determine if it is legal or not.

Aren't OEM markings usually stamped into the metal? Those wouldn't be covered up or filled in if the piece was sprayed. They'd still be readable, just a different color.

[MSP608]

So what's the deal? Should I email you what I've argued so far so you can discuss with the National Executives?

[Greg G.]

From the wording above, I would say no. Wrapping and "coating" are not the same thing. If you want sprays and coatings to be considered for inclusion in the 2011 Rules, then please submit your request/suggestion by e-mail, and it will go through the rules revision process. One question that I would have would be how are we to determine that the headers/exhaust are still the OEM ones once they are "sprayed or coated"?