bit confused on washer bottle..

[Ron Earp]

T

Really what you are saying Ron is that you can modify any stock part that could perform an allowed function...and I just don't buy it.

Naw. What I'm really saying is that a washer bottle could work great as an oil catch can. Don't see that it needs any modification at all. Zip-tie the breather hose right over the washer bottle fluid opening. Now if you say that is illegal, well, then we've all got illegal cars because the rules don't state things like "yes, you can zip-tie your Tracmate cord to the heater hose" and what not.

Gary, don't have the CGR handy - does GCR 9.3.37 say the can must be metal? Seems I remember that the oil catch can had to be metal. That would eliminate washer bottles.

[Gary L]

Catch tank material is not specified... here's 9.3.37 in it's entirety:

Oil holding tanks and engine breathers, whether directly or indirectly ventilating the crankcase, and all transmission/transaxle breathers shall be equipped with oil catch tanks. Minimum catch tank capacity shall be one U.S. quart for the engine and transmission/transaxle. Oil holding tanks and oil filters may be mounted in the driver/passenger compartment. A metal bulkhead shall prevent exposure of the driver to oil spillage. Oil catch tanks shall vent into the engine compartment or outside the driver’s compartment. A crankcase vacuum breather that passes through the oil catch tank(s) to exhaust systems or vacuum devices that connect directly to exhaust systems is prohibited.

[planet6racing]

Washer bottle? Mine's gone! That was the happiest day so far this year when working on the race car. Well, that and realizing that I could move the battery to the rear of the car and complete remove the dashboard and everything else in there...

(note, I'm moving to FP)

One could argue that you are using the washer bottle for something other than it's original purpose, therefore it is against the IT rules.

[Ron Earp]

So does GCR 9.3.37 override the IT rules?

One could argue that you are using the washer bottle for something other than it's original purpose, therefore it is against the IT rules.

Well....the brake assembly is for slowing down the car. And the transmission is used for matching engine speed to road speed, allowing the car to travel at higher speeds and accelerate at a given road speed. Many times I like to use my engine and transmission, instead of my brakes, for slowing down my car. Am I using an item for something other than it's original purpose and in violation of the rules?

[Doc Bro]

My thoughts are that if we would modify the rules to allow the removal of the washer bottle no cars would see any performance gains, but many employers would get a little more out of their employees.

R

[Andy Bettencourt]

My thoughts are that if we would modify the rules to allow the removal of the washer bottle no cars would see any performance gains, but many employers would get a little more out of their employees.

R

Funny - but not true. Why? As has been beaten to death, the WB is poster child for 'what I don't need to build a racecar' or 'if it isn't performance or safety related, it should be able to be removed' arguement. The line in the sand is there. No compelling reasons to move it IMHO have been made to date. Glass windshield, glass hatches, headlights, horns, taillights, dashboards, heater cores...the list goes on and on.

Everyone has thier own definition of what is 'right for a racecar'.

[Andy Bettencourt]

Naw. What I'm really saying is that a washer bottle could work great as an oil catch can. Don't see that it needs any modification at all. Zip-tie the breather hose right over the washer bottle fluid opening.

Where is 'your' cap in this example? My point is that you need to modify the part in order to make it work. Attaching a legal item with zip ties, velcro, gold-plated zip screws - all legal...as long as they don't perform an illegal function at the same time.

I haven't seen a WB set-up where it's not capped or has 'access holes' in it. Yes, they make good catch cans (provided you don't melt them) but you still haven't proven that they would be legal. It's easy and convienent - and nobody would protest (IMHO), but still not legal IMHO.

I can't stress how much I know these things are petty, but re-read the OP's question.

[Ron Earp]

Where is 'your' cap in this example? My point is that you need to modify the part in order to make it work. Attaching a legal item with zip ties, velcro, gold-plated zip screws - all legal...as long as they don't perform an illegal function at the same time.

I figured I'd simply leave the cap attached but dangling off to the side.

I haven't seen a WB set-up where it's not capped or has 'access holes' in it. Yes, they make good catch cans (provided you don't melt them) but you still haven't proven that they would be legal.

Hell, it is all hypothetical for me anyhow.

Ron

[Andy Bettencourt]

I figured I'd simply leave the cap attached but dangling off to the side.





Hell, it is all hypothetical for me anyhow.

Ron

I like the example. The cap off is certainly within 'factory spec', even if open. I keep envisioning the ones I have seen where they are all hacked up and modded to accept the potential of a 300 degree dump. It's a fine line, but a line non-the-less.

I would call that a legal idea...just don't modify the stock part as many do.

On a side note, I don't run a breather - these motors have such little you can do to them, it it neccessary?

[tom91ita]

....On a side note, I don't run a breather - these motors have such little you can do to them, it it neccessary?

Andy, i am going to bend the thread a bit. i thought most of us ended up with open ended hoses when we ditched the emissions stuff off the car. instead of venting the valve cover back to the throttle body, i plugged the applicable holes at the TB and vented the valve cover to a 1 qt. quaker state catch bottle.

Dave, back to part of your original question, i keep meaning to install a catch can for the vent of my transmission since it is required per the GCR 9.3.37 (see Gary's post above). however, i don't ever recall anyone else having one either.

[DavidM]

What's a washer bottle? I have a pimpy radiator overflow with a pump.

[MMiskoe]

Well this does beg the question about the new wording in the ITCS that was brought in new for this year:

9.1.3.B Other than those specifically allowed by these rules, no component or part normally found on a stock example of a given vehicle may be disabled, altered, or removed.

So based on this, you can't use the washer bottle because it cannot be disabled.

But tell me this - how do you mount the new catch tank? Can't modify, alter or remove anything so how do you drill a hole in the fender well to mount it? Drilling a hole is modifying a stock part is it not?

Can't weld anything onto your stock tow hook to make it meet the 2" diameter requirement.

The list goes on forever. This new wording has struck me as an open door to protest anyone you don't like. I don't understand its need or purpose, I'm curious to hear other opinions.

Matt

[Ron Earp]

So based on this, you can't use the washer bottle because it cannot be disabled.

I'd disagree. The washer bottle I have shown will still be 100% functional and is not disabled. It'll still spray washer fluid, or a slurry of washer fluid and oil in the case of the oil catching washer bottle.

[Gary L]

9.1.3.B Other than those specifically allowed by these rules, no component or part normally found on a stock example of a given vehicle may be disabled, altered, or removed.

I'm thinking the part I've underlined (which has gone unchanged for years) does give you the leeway to drill a hole, or perform any other work that may be necessary to mount a catch can, or weld a tow loop, or whatever. To paraphrase another oft-quoted mantra... If it says you must, you sure as Hell can.