Pre-sealed motors?

I learned something interesting this weekend that I was never aware of...that under the watchful eye of someone official from SCCA you can assemble a motor and then have it sealed. By doing this if you are ever pulled into impound, any tech involving opening up the motor you are given a pass. BUT, if you do well at the Runoffs you will be torn down just like everyone else.

So here are my questions...

1. Is this procedure public knowledge and is it documented so all can read about the process?

2. What exactly do they measure and check as the motor is assembled? 

3. What is the cost associated with this and is it available to all?

4. What is an appropriate amount to bribe an official.

WTF you talking about Ron? Most everyone on this site says it's impossible to seal motors, shocks, anything.

I learned something interesting this weekend that I was never aware of...that under the watchful eye of someone official from SCCA you can assemble a motor and then have it sealed. By doing this if you are ever pulled into impound, any tech involving opening up the motor you are given a pass. BUT, if you do well at the Runoffs you will be torn down just like everyone else.
 
So here are my questions...

Wanna buy some PRIME beachfront property?

I guess it is still April?

Ok...to be specific...the motor was built by Jesse Prather under the watchful eye of some SCCA official. SCCA put Tamper proof seals on the motor. 

This car was on the podium and pulled into Tech. One of the first things checked was to camera down inside the plug hole to look for correct pistons. When John Bauer walked up to this car he said "Oh, you are sealed" and moved on to the next car. After race 2 top 5 heads were pulled and 6th had to remove transmission. This car was 2nd and did not have to pull the head.

So, I will ask again, anyone have details of this program/procedure?

Nothing to hide here.  Most of you know I don't claim to be a Spec Miata engine builder however Tristan and his team came to me a couple of years ago to build them some engines.  The Collechio's (sp) are great people at TC Design so I agreed.  This new engine was being built as Rick Harris was coming on to tech at SCCA.  John Bauer and Rick came to my shop which is about 3 miles from SCCA and inspected the entire engine on the bench completely taken apart.  They checked EVERYTHING.  John was using it as a learning lesson for Rick.  They then watched me completely assemble the engine and then sealed it.  Simple deal.  

I'm not sure if they will travel to do this for other builders or if this was a one off deal, you'd have to call them and ask.  Yes it cost my customer extra initially however they did not have to pull the head last weekend so it's probably a wash or a savings. 

I learned something interesting this weekend that I was never aware of...that under the watchful eye of someone official from SCCA you can assemble a motor and then have it sealed. By doing this if you are ever pulled into impound, any tech involving opening up the motor you are given a pass. BUT, if you do well at the Runoffs you will be torn down just like everyone else.

 

So here are my questions...

 

1. Is this procedure public knowledge and is it documented so all can read about the process?

2. What exactly do they measure and check as the motor is assembled? 

3. What is the cost associated with this and is it available to all?

I had the same thing done in 2015 and it was spoken about here.. so yes.. I would think this is known. Sealing an engine in that environment not the best idea.  ALl that buys you is they dont look at the head again, it seams tech has gotten good about not pulling the same people for heads as they were in 15.. so not sure this is even worth doing at this time. 

All they are guranteeing with seal is head.. if it goes back together and compression is wrong, you get no pass. 

it costs nothing if tech is there..

Nothing to hide here.  Most of you know I don't claim to be a Spec Miata engine builder however Tristan and his team came to me a couple of years ago to build them some engines.  The Collechio's (sp) are great people at TC Design so I agreed.  This new engine was being built as Rick Harris was coming on to tech at SCCA.  John Bauer and Rick came to my shop which is about 3 miles from SCCA and inspected the entire engine on the bench completely taken apart.  They checked EVERYTHING.  John was using it as a learning lesson for Rick.  They then watched me completely assemble the engine and then sealed it.  Simple deal.  

 

I'm not sure if they will travel to do this for other builders or if this was a one off deal, you'd have to call them and ask.  Yes it cost my customer extra initially however they did not have to pull the head last weekend so it's probably a wash or a savings. 

They will come to your shop. I asked in 15 and thought about doing all of mine in the off season for 16. We never got as far a firm price. But basically it was expenses to get them here and time.  Jesse is fortunate in this regard as as he is in Topeka. If I lived there, I would ask that they seal every one. 

Jim 

Yep this was talked about with SCCA but was never "officially" implemented for SM....no real benefit and the logistics of sealing 100+ motors made it not feasible.

Thanks all for the info! I do remember now Jim talk about sealing your motor...but again that was at the track. It sounds like maybe this is just a one off...but technically available should anyone desire.

but technically available should anyone desire.

Thanks all for the info! I do remember now Jim talk about sealing your motor...but again that was at the track. It sounds like maybe this is just a one off...but technically available should anyone desire.

Ron

I believe it is.. But the costs would be paid by the competitor which may be cost prohibitive. 

FYI

I don't see anything in the GCR which discusses or recognizes the sealing of components in Spec Miata. 

I recall brief discussions a few years ago about the benefits of sealed engines in SM but the sheer number of cars then running with unsealed engines and the large number of engine builders made implementation problematical.  I don't believe there was a formal proposal (there may have been a couple of letters to the CRB).  I would expect that any engine sealing proposal would need to cover all engines and all builders.

Terry

So...if this isn't in the rules Terry, are you saying this was wrong?

So...if this isn't in the rules Terry, are you saying this was wrong?

Ron

I'm not familiar with your specific example / observation so I can't really comment - it may have been an informal, one-time situation as Jesse mentioned.

What I said is that I see no method in the current rule book to seal SM engines at the build site or accept 'sealed' engines as compliant at the races.

Terry

I got mine sealed at the runoffs a couple of years ago. They put marks and seals on it and whenever inspected since I've never had to to take it apart.  Unfortunately I had to repair leaky valves prior to Indy and removed the seals to do so... If ever given the chance to reassemble with a seal at the track, I'd do it.