why everyone is up in arms over wheels escapes me; there's no objectively verifiable rule in the GCR outlawing "compliant cleverness"!! if people want something REAL to complain about, they have to look no farther than the now compliant +0.005" OD forged pistons. prior to approval I vocally (but unfortunately politely) recommended the pistons not be approved to no avail. like so many of the recent rule changes in FF approved by the CRB / BOD, I feel even stronger that the +0.005" OD pistons are a PURE PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT masquerading as a cost reduction having now seen/held one!!
how many members of the CRB and BOD examined drawings of the pistons before approving the rule change making them compliant?
how many members of the CRB and BOD examined one of the pistons before approving the rule change making them compliant?
how many members of the CRB and BOD examined a photograph of one of the pistons before approving the rule change making them compliant?
how many members of the CRB and BOD examined dyno data from an engine first with the 3.189" OD forged pistons and then with the +0.005" OD pistons before approving the rule change making them compliant?
how many members of the CRB and BOD examined dyno data from a second National Engine builder from an engine first with the 3.189" OD forged pistons and then with the +0.005" OD pistons before approving the rule change making them compliant?
how many members of the CRB and BOD have an elementary understanding of the internal workings of a highly restricted racing engine??
below are pictures of three of the four generations of approved FF pistons: +0.030" OD
Hepolites for the Cortina; a cast 3.189" OD piston obsoletd by the approval of the 3.189" OD forged piston; and one of the new +0.005" OD forged pistons. all of my 3.189" OD forged pistons are in engines; I naively believed the sales talk about their approval being motivated by lower cost for the racer from longer useable life..............
given the existing rule on NO modifications to the exterior of FF pistons, anyone not enraged by the OBVIOUS performance features incorporated in the piston needs to spend some time at the websites of piston makers (CP, J&E, Wiseco, .....). is anyone guessing the CRB/BOD just thought the extra grooves at the top and the gas trap between the top and 2nd ring were just "lightening features" and "lightening to approved minimum is authorized"? ....or just looked cool / trick?? not having tested a set yet, I'm guessing based on previous work the pistons are good for at least 2 HPc assuming top-of-the-line commercial compression rings professionally prepared and installed (ie: gap <0.015"). people making their own rings will do even better as the pistons fix a problem the GCR prevents fixing compliantly.
people who do not require objectively verifiable data to make decisions shouldn't be making decisions! people who do not know when, where, or how to get qualified objective advise shouldn't be making decisions!! people who do not know who to trust on what subject(s) shouldn't be making decisions!!! people without a clue on the subject matter being discussed shouldn't be making decisions!!! people who think their job is representing the interests of suppliers shouldn't be making decisions for the membership!!!! given the Club's decisions making process (or lack there of), it is not an accident that these pistons have the same effect on my nose as the 2-liter aluminum head adventure. and like in that self inflicted mess, the majority again will be forced to spend money to remain competitive!
Art
artesmith@earthlink.net