Rule 7.3.2

[white_2kgt]

7.3.2 All cars must have OEM front and rear shock towers in the same location as stock. AI cars must

utilize the OEM rear shock towers for rear shock attachment. Attachment of camber or caster adjusting

devices is unrestricted. AIX cars must have OEM shock towers in place and resemble the factory build,

but attachment points are free. The shock towers may be modified to facilitate suspension component

fitment (i.e. SLA, etc) but must retain the general shape, structure and location as stock.

 

7.12.2 AI cars must utilize upper rear OEM shock/strut attachment points.

 

Is this legal in AI?

[pederb]

Yes, it's concidered a camber caster plate style mounting.

[b_tone]

Yes, it's concidered a camber caster plate style mounting.

 

Would this type of reinforcement of the rear shock tower be considered legal?

 

 

Doing this does not move the mount, nor does it raise the actual attachment point like the MM peice does, it merely strengthens the stock shock tower.

 

I'd like to get an actual ruling and a tech bulletin written on this so that there can be no confusion later.

 

Thanks.

 

bpt

 

Another view:

[V8cobra99]

JWL needs to comment on this also.

If dimensionally it is the same, as you said, same hieght and position, I will vote it is legal in AI.

PS... looks like some nice work....

 

Andy

[b_tone]

JWL needs to comment on this also.

If dimensionally it is the same, as you said, same hieght and position, I will vote it is legal in AI.

PS... looks like some nice work....

 

Andy

 

Does the position really matter? The MM mounts raise the top mount of the shock allowing more jounce travel on a lowered car. Does it matter if the fabricated mount does the same thing?

 

Compliment Wes Dunkel on that work, it's his car not mine. I was simply using it as a photographic example.

[V8cobra99]

The key point to this is, "All cars must have OEM front and rear shock towers in the same location as stock. AI cars must

utilize the OEM rear shock towers for rear shock attachment."

By definition, the OEM towers appear to be cut out and replaced with better material, but if they are dimensionally the same, I am saying it appears to be the same thing. The MM product is a Add-on item to the stock OEM shock tower, as Peder noted. IT does not modify or cut out the OEM tower. Techically, I am not 100% sure how the MM add-on item works and if the OEM tower gets modified in any way ?? If it does, that might be a gray-area. IF not, then this car in question might have to re-install the OEM towers back in......

 

Andy

[white_2kgt]

Techically, I am not 100% sure how the MM add-on item works and if the OEM tower gets modified in any way ?? If it does, that might be a gray-area. IF not, then this car in question might have to re-install the OEM towers back in......

 

Andy

 

To install the MM piece you have to drill 4 holes in the top of the shock tower and open up the shock mounting hole a bit. The location where the shock bolts is the same, just raised an inch or so.

 

The car I posted is my broken one. I'm building up a new one and wanted to make sure this is legal before I ream out the shock tower, again.

[b_tone]

The key point to this is, "All cars must have OEM front and rear shock towers in the same location as stock. AI cars must

utilize the OEM rear shock towers for rear shock attachment."

By definition, the OEM towers appear to be cut out and replaced with better material, but if they are dimensionally the same, I am saying it appears to be the same thing. The MM product is a Add-on item to the stock OEM shock tower, as Peder noted. IT does not modify or cut out the OEM tower. Techically, I am not 100% sure how the MM add-on item works and if the OEM tower gets modified in any way ?? If it does, that might be a gray-area. IF not, then this car in question might have to re-install the OEM towers back in......

 

Andy

 

You have to drill 4 holes in the OEM tower to attach the MM upper shock mount, and you have to slightly open up the center hole to allow the damper rod to protrude through the OEM mount to access the MM mount.

 

It effectively raises the upper attachment point to allow a lowered car to use more jounce travel. Some people will debate what this gains a racer, but regardless of what gains it gives, the mount with the MM peice is raised.

 

Would it be legal to simply add to the stock mount and raise that upper mount?

 

This instruction manual from MM clearly states in the 4th bullet point that the mount is raised by 3/4", how can one be legal and one not?

 

I don't see the difference really. Again, this is a very very gray area in the rules that needs to be addressed by the rules makers.[/url]

[white_2kgt]

I don't see the difference really. Again, this is a very very gray area in the rules that needs to be addressed by the rules makers.[/url]

 

Agreed, with whom does one speak to get this cleared up?

[ST#97]

I don't see the difference really. Again, this is a very very gray area in the rules that needs to be addressed by the rules makers.[/url]

 

Agreed, with whom does one speak to get this cleared up?

 

Well, given that 90% of the cars running coil overs probably have this MM product on their car....and MM being a large series sponsor....I think it will be cleared as legal. We have already been through this in our region and I believe there was an official ruling....would have been atleast 1.5 years ago when Jeff Brooks acquired an MM AI car off ebay...the towers were modified and used the MM mount....the stock towers had to go back in....but the MM mounts were able to be kept.

[b_tone]

I don't see the difference really. Again, this is a very very gray area in the rules that needs to be addressed by the rules makers.[/url]

 

Agreed, with whom does one speak to get this cleared up?

 

Well, given that 90% of the cars running coil overs probably have this MM product on their car....and MM being a large series sponsor....I think it will be cleared as legal. We have already been through this in our region and I believe there was an official ruling....would have been atleast 1.5 years ago when Jeff Brooks acquired an MM AI car off ebay...the towers were modified and used the MM mount....the stock towers had to go back in....but the MM mounts were able to be kept.

 

Since AI is a national series a regional ruling doesn't mean much to me. I would like to see a Technical Bulletin such as the ones that are on the top of this forum issued for this. If it's legal to move the top mount upwards by 3/4" or 1" using the MM stuff I would like to see a ruling allowing everyone to modify the shock mount to move it upward by the same amount regardless of top mount used.

 

Do you understand what I am saying?

 

EDIT: Secondly, can I simply reinforce the OEM tower with plate steel like the original picture i posted? It would be easy to determine if the OEM tower was still being there by looking up from the bottom of the car. If this was allowed the tower would be a much stronger peice to mount a main hoop support to. Is that clear?

[nape]

I'd also like to see this cleared up.

 

Moving the attachment point up 3/4" would be a lot easier (and probably cheaper) then having the shocks shortened.

[b_tone]

I'd also like to see this cleared up.

 

Moving the attachment point up 3/4" would be a lot easier (and probably cheaper) then having the shocks shortened.

 

You mean the MM stuff won't bolt right on to your F-body?

 

I had not even thought of the F-bodies with respect to this....it would seem that this can of worms just got a bit larger

 

 

bpt

[nape]

You mean the MM stuff won't bolt right on to your F-body?

 

bpt

 

Not quite, I wish it would though, I'd like to have a chance at some of the contingency money you Musturd guys are eligible for

 

I'll go back to the shadows though so you Ford guys don't have a GM product infringing on your discussion

[RichardP]

Moving the attachment point up 3/4" would be a lot easier (and probably cheaper) then having the shocks shortened.

 

 

The shock mounting point on the axle is fully open to modification. No need to shorten the shocks.

 

 

Richard P.

[ST#97]

 

Since AI is a national series a regional ruling doesn't mean much to me. I would like to see a Technical Bulletin such as the ones that are on the top of this forum issued for this. If it's legal to move the top mount upwards by 3/4" or 1" using the MM stuff I would like to see a ruling allowing everyone to modify the shock mount to move it upward by the same amount regardless of top mount used.

 

Do you understand what I am saying?

 

It was my understanding (which could be wrong) that JWL was the one that made this decision for our region. ALL of our technical questions get passed to national for clarification and consistancy across AI as a whole......if that process was used, then National has already reviewed this.....and their decision was the stock steel had to remain as was from the factory.....and you could reinforce it as you see fit??? but don't take my word for it.

[b_tone]

 

Since AI is a national series a regional ruling doesn't mean much to me. I would like to see a Technical Bulletin such as the ones that are on the top of this forum issued for this. If it's legal to move the top mount upwards by 3/4" or 1" using the MM stuff I would like to see a ruling allowing everyone to modify the shock mount to move it upward by the same amount regardless of top mount used.

 

Do you understand what I am saying?

 

It was my understanding (which could be wrong) that JWL was the one that made this decision for our region. ALL of our technical questions get passed to national for clarification and consistancy across AI as a whole......if that process was used, then National has already reviewed this.....and their decision was the stock steel had to remain as was from the factory.....and you could reinforce it as you see fit??? but don't take my word for it.

 

I'll wait until there is something in writing posted nationally until I burn any metal as I have been down that route of being told it was legal to find out it was not quite as cut and dry as that....

 

John, any thoughts on what you see or do you need any clarification?

[chicane23]

We do have a car in our region with a very similar mod, actually an Ex-MM car that was white and on Ebay for some time. The rear shock mount was raised and boxed

 

I believe it was deemed as legal and is currently running in AI-Texas.

[sfoltz]

I'd also like to hear the ruling on this as the car I have has this done already. No cutting or moving of the tower, just boxed the outside of it.

 

 

 

 

[b_tone]

We do have a car in our region with a very similar mod, actually an Ex-MM car that was white and on Ebay for some time. The rear shock mount was raised and boxed

 

I believe it was deemed as legal and is currently running in AI-Texas.

 

Thanks for the input, but I was hoping to hear from the more influential John Lindsey.....

[racercosmo]

If you would llike an official non ruling, I have seen the rear shock mounts pull away from the wheel tub, so reinforcement of that area should be allowed.

[chicane23]

Thanks for the input, but I was hoping to hear from the more influential John Lindsey.....

 

Really, so I don't count...man I thought there was love in the world.

[ST#97]

I believe it was deemed as legal and is currently running in AI-Texas.

 

Jeff had to cut that out and put stock shock towers in the car...

[V8cobra99]

JWL will give his input on this.... I sent him an email update about this.....

 

Andy

[donovan]

I can take photos of both my right and left, they are both pulling away and need to be repaired or strengthened.

 

David Donovan

Texas AI #7