Questions about this come up often enough on this list that I figured I would post the answer from the rule book (got the SCCA National Solo 2001 Rules right in front of me.)
First off, we must all remember the fundamental rule of SCCA regarding vehicle modifications: If the rules don't say you can, you can't!
13. Stock Category
"...Except for modifications authorized below, Stock Category cars must be run as specified by the factory [not the dealer - JC] with only standard equipment defined by these Rules. This requirement refers not just to individual parts, but to combinations thereof which have been [or are required to be (option pakcages) - JC] together on a specific car..."
"...Option package conversions may be performed between specific vehicles of a particular make and model [if they are on the same line in Appendix A - Stock Category - JC] but only between configurations from within a particular model year. Such conversions must be totally complete and the resultant car must meet all requirements of this section."
Appendix A - Stock Class
Stock Class G
Ford
Contour SE, V6 (95+)
Contour SVT
Back to the question of whether we can swap individual parts from any other Contour onto an SVT (or vice versa) and still be legal in G Stock (or H Stock for the Ztec Contours).
The answer is NO, for two reasons:
1. Since the base, SE, and SVT are considered different option packages (or models) you have to swap everything from the donor car that makes it a base, SE, or SVT onto the recipient car and remove, from the recipient car everything that makes it different from the donor car.
2. The Contour SE and SVT are on different lines in the Appendix so swapping parts between them is not allowed. And the Ztec Contour is in a completely different class (H Stock) so, again, swapping parts is not allowed.
A third question comes up from time-to-time that goes something like this: "The factory specifies different components (springs, anti-roll bars, etc.) on vehicles based on the options on the vehicle, therefore I should be able to swap those components around."
Well, if you have documentation from the factory that specifies the option and component combinations, then feel free. Otherwise, you're protest bait and this exact issue has been sucessfully protested numerous times in the Pony car class (F Stock.)
Hope this clears things up.
