mak
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 posted on 16/8/05 at 09:44 PM |
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Testing at Bruntingthorpe
We took out our uni car today for a bit of "testing" at bruntingthorpe proving ground. Awsome fun, not the most progressive engine 7000revs,
8000revs, Whoosh!!! The acceleration is shocking once the boost kicks in, which makes it a tricky drive around the small circuit we were using. Was
awsome fun,
Until the turbo sump cracked causing alot of smoke, and destroying the turbo insulation kit!!
More photo's in my gallery.
PS: if anyone knows the kart-style circuit at bruntingthorpe proving ground is 28.85seconds fast? Because that was my fastest lap (Driving on the
ragged edge!)
 
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andylancaster3000
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| posted on 16/8/05 at 10:07 PM |
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Can't answer your question, but what uni you at?
Can't wait until uni next year (if i get in!)
Andy
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mak
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 posted on 16/8/05 at 10:20 PM |
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I'm at Coventry Uni, studying for a Motorsport degree. I was part of a team of 12 students who built this car from scratch, we have a set budget
from the uni, we also managed a few sponsors, and the odd favour from companies.
Beware though if you ever do Formula Student it takes up alot of hours, and if its organised badly, you can end up doing silly hours for 2 weeks
before the event like we did!!!
Anyway good luck with getting in uni, its a great experience.
 
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Winston Todge
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| posted on 16/8/05 at 10:41 PM |
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Looks like a fantastic FS car Mak! I went to Exeter University and we only got to the drafting stage of entry due to lack of time and funds...
You're so right about the timing thing though. Exeter wouldn't give us any help in terms of time, money or space and it couldn't
count towards our degrees...
I'd love to know how you go though! Do many teams turbo their 600cc motors! I suppose it's the best way around power restrictions
using the specified choke in the inlet. Just force more air in!
Have you popped it on a dyno by any chance and how did you generate fuelling maps and ignition curves for the turbo install? Trial and error or did
you have a starting point?
Chris
P.S. Does the choke restrictor have to go on the outside of the turbo (ie. suck through it)? Or can you blow through it?
[Edited on 16-8-05 by Winston Todge]
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mak
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 posted on 16/8/05 at 10:59 PM |
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So many questions to answer!!
Its a real shame your uni did'nt give you backing, the event is a real promo boost for universities who come out with good cars.
The car has been raced, we missed first couple of events, but did endurance, unfortunately the steering wheel had worked itself loose and fell off
with half, yes HALF a lap to go! Turned out the nylocks hadn't been changed.
I think we were the only turbo install, and there was one supercharger install that looked quite smart, I belive it ran directly off the crank.
I don't think we'll turbo again, as we had no low end torque before the turbo kicked in (due the the neccessary compression reduction with
a turbo install) We may supercharge.
We had last years cars map to start with on the dyno, and spent 3 days on it. I took a bit of a back seat on that part so don't know details of
how it was done, I think it was just adjusted and tweeked until the engine gave the optimum power curve.
You can blow through the restrictor, we worked out the best place to have it was right beside the turbo, which is tucked away behind the seat and fuel
tank. The scrutineers still told us to take it appart so they could check it!!
By the way the turbo is less than 2 inches away from the fuel tank, this was a big concern when I was designing the tank, but I think I was the only
one concerned about that, maybe because I built it?!
Are you in the motorsport/kit-car industry now then Chris?
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peanutjb
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| posted on 17/8/05 at 07:28 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mak
I think we were the only turbo install, and there was one supercharger install that looked quite smart, I belive it ran directly off the crank.
I don't think we'll turbo again, as we had no low end torque before the turbo kicked in (due the the neccessary compression reduction with
a turbo install) We may supercharge.
That was the university of bath car. We turbocharged it last year and they found it completely undriveable. This years car was blisteringly quick
(3.97s 75m sprint, and handles well too!). Next year they're going back to N/A and hopefully i'll be involved in the build in preperation
for we its my turn to design it!
Nice car by the way, spotted it on the day as one of my favourites. Why did you miss a couple of events.
Peter
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mak
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| posted on 17/8/05 at 10:15 AM |
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Ah it was baths car, yeah that supercharger looked really well done.
Glad you liked our car, I think our bodywork let the car down alot.
We missed the flying lap, and another, because we had a problem with the throttle linkage. The crazy thing is, the first time we ever drove the car
was for the brake test!!
Turbo's are good, but not for such a small circuit.
We want to look into composites next year
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peanutjb
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| posted on 17/8/05 at 10:59 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mak
Ah it was baths car, yeah that supercharger looked really well done.
Glad you liked our car, I think our bodywork let the car down alot.
We missed the flying lap, and another, because we had a problem with the throttle linkage. The crazy thing is, the first time we ever drove the car
was for the brake test!!
Turbo's are good, but not for such a small circuit.
We want to look into composites next year
Composites are definately the way to go. This years car used carbon fibre sandwich board for the whole chassis, but that lead to some tolerancing
issues at the back and i'll just say it was very tight around the engine. Next years will have carbon fibre up the front, with aluminium
spaceframe around the engine acting as a load bearing member. Should be quick. Did you spot the teams with the moulded carbon fibre bodywork!!
Peter
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