32 replies to this topic

[Jeff Bailey]

Is it ok to paint or powdercoat some of the engine parts on a spec miata ? I would like to paint the block and powdercoat the valve cover on a new engine build.

Not trying anything sneaky, just aesthetically pleasing...

[davew]

technically, not legal, but everybody does it

[CruzanTom]

At Palm Beach during the post-race Tech, Jim Creighton told me my intake should not have paint on it. Theoretically, someone could put on an insulating paint and gain a possible advantage. In reality, my paint is thin gray spray. Looking under other hoods, I see a lot of paint.   I guess everyone wants their engine "pretty."

[Jeff Bailey]

Thanks Dave.....

[Jeff Bailey]

I like my stuff to look good...may just glass bead all the aluminum and paint the block since it came painted from the factory.

[FTodaro]

At Palm Beach during the post-race Tech, Jim Creighton told me my intake should not have paint on it. Theoretically, someone could put on an insulating paint and gain a possible advantage. In reality, my paint is thin gray spray. Looking under other hoods, I see a lot of paint.   I guess everyone wants their engine "pretty."

I am protesting you at the next race.

[Bench Racer]

Jeff, if you want to play by the rules the following is under SCCA, C. Authoried Modifications. "If the factory manual or these rules provide only a partial specification or no specification at all, the Mazda parts may not be modified beyond what is allowed in these rules.Compliance of such parts will be determined by comparison to new parts delivered by Mazda."

[CruzanTom]

I am protesting you at the next race.

 

Too late, the engine is coming out this month. I want to be legal   - I hate dealing with lawyers.  Except lawyers like you who share beer 

[davew]

I found this:

 

k. Intake Manifold

1. The intake manifold must be stock Mazda parts, without

any material added or removed. No coating is permitted on

the exterior or interior of the manifold.

[JRagaglia]

Jeff,Jeff,Jeff,

 

Remind me at our next event to take that can opener away from you. It is too dangerous for you and you may get hurt!

 

 

You should probably work on that loose nut we discussed.

 

Jack

[Jeff Bailey]

Jack jack jack...

No need to use a can opener on my can of worms....it's a pop top.

P.S. do you want to come by my shop and glass bead your pretty blue intake ? LOL !

[Jeff Bailey]

Found this...but it specifies internal parts.

The application and/or use of any painting, coating, plating, or impregnating substance (i.e. anti-friction, thermal barrier, oil shedding coatings, chrome, anodizing, etc.) to any internal engine surface, transmission, differential, internal or external surfaces of the exhaust manifold or down-tube, is prohibited

[Bench Racer]

Jeff, within the Spec Miata rule set it is understood, if there is not a rule that specifies you can do something, then you can't do that something. Therefore if you can not find a rule that specifies you can coat/paint cover your intake manifold, leave it in it's OEM condition. Clean it, you bet you can clean it.

Most of all Have Fun

[Jeff Bailey]

Bench racer, agreed about the intake....I like the clean bare aluminum parts anyway.

[Jeff Bailey]

Bench racer, agreed about the intake....I like the clean bare aluminum parts anyway.

[Johnny D]

Most of all Have Fun

 

Sounded like he was going to "Have Fun" painting until you started quoting all this stuff.

J~

[Glenn Davis]

Lots of different valve cover colors.  Don't know that I've seen an intake in any other form than bare metal.

[FTodaro]

Too late, the engine is coming out this month. I want to be legal   - I hate dealing with lawyers.  Except lawyers like you who share beer 

For the record I would never do a weenie protest. I know what the rule says but a coat of paint for beauty would have no performance benefit, a coating to insulate or to make the inside smooth is a different story, but just about every motor builder is painting there valve covers, and how can you let that happen and protest a painted intake. 

 

we are not allowed to bump draft either under the rules and that is a lot more of a performance enhancer than painting engine parts. 

[CruzanTom]

For the record I would never do a weenie protest. I know what the rule says but a coat of paint for beauty would have no performance benefit, a coating to insulate or to make the inside smooth is a different story, but just about every motor builder is painting there valve covers, and how can you let that happen and protest a painted intake. 

 

we are not allowed to bump draft either under the rules and that is a lot more of a performance enhancer than painting engine parts. 

 

Frank, I know you wouldn't do that. My note was in fun. My engine refresh has nothing to do with intake paint but a long year of racing, including a few times over 7000 rpm  . 

 

However, Jim Creighton called over all of the other Tech officials and showed them my intake and told them it was illegal. That's how I found out - I turned around and saw 6-8 Tech officials huddled under my hood. Jim did say that if I had finished in top 3 (I was about 10 positions off the podium  ) then he would have DQ'd me. So the possibility exists that an official might call someone on a painted part.

[Brian Linn]

if there is not a rule that specifies you can do something, then you can't do that something. .... Clean it, you bet you can clean it.
 

So do the rules specify that you can clean it?