Some thoughts.
1. Improved Touring is not Showroom Stock and we should not try and make it that. The name alone suggests that changes are expected. Otherwise just open Showroom Stock up to unlimited years and run them. Windshield washer bottles and horns etc. are not performance items that we should be concerned with in IT. I cannot ever remember being beat by a bottle or horn. (Yes, mine are still there, but I think that it is stupid.)
2. I would think that Improved Touring should be parallel to what the import street modifiers are doing now. Not too many are modifing the older cars anymore.
3. It would help all IT racers if the rules would allow modifications that would make it cheaper and safer for all of us. Remember number 1.
4. VVT is all in at race speeds so the variable part is a moot point. The cam is fixed timing at whatever lift and duration it is at high rpms. No one would set their computer to lower the lift and timing for racing. At race speeds, vvt doesn't matter, you are not using it anyway.
5. Timing and mixture is variable on older cars as well as the computer cars. Weber carbs can be adjusted for proper mixture at all rpm ranges using the four different mixture adjusting circuits built into them.
6. An engine is an air pump whose effeciency is tied to the volume of air that can be pumped through the intake and exhaust ports. Intakes, valves, and cams are left stock according to IT rules, so the only thing that ignition timing and mixture will do is let the engine operate effeciently within those limitations. There is no power boost (above 100%) to be gained with timing and mixture, only the ability to maximize the specific engines power (up to 100%) given the limitations of the stock engine air flow componants.
7. Let's finaly let the rumor die that modifying your ECU is equal to a turbo. Spending a lot of money might get your ECU car up to where the carb guys can get with simple factory available adjustments, effeciency wise, but it is a longer, more complicated, trip.
8. Modern engines with the ECUs would still kick butt on the older engine designs if we converted all of them to carbs and standard ignition because the new engine's internal design is more effecient with multiple valves, higher compression, more powerful cam timing. They are just better air pumps.
Sorry guys, park your MGs, their day is passed. If you enjoy them, fine, run them, just don't expect them to keep up with a modern car design.
