Engine Placement

[Adam D. Bell]

What thought process do most teams go through when attempting package the engine and drive train?


Note: We will using the spaceframe concept.

[Travis Garrison]

I would say the proper strategy would be something like:

-establish some guess at target weight distribution, track, wheel base etc...
-guesstimate the driver & engine location required
-see what kind of suspension points you can fit without eliminating the driver and the engine
-play with engine mounting, driver position, drivetrain placement and rough chassis layout

-iterate

The big issues to keep in mind with the engine are probably weight distribution, engine access (can you change the plugs? access your side covers? check your oil level? change your oil? how long will an engine swap take?) followed by things like are you going to catch your driver on fire? where will your radiator and fuel tank go? Will either of those catch on fire?

With the drivetrain the problems I've run into include things like CV angularity, sufficient chain wrap, and leaving room for pushrods / pull rods without having to resort to stupid amounts of offset..

Hope this helps...I'm sure others have plenty to add...

-Travis Garrison
U of Washington FSAE '05
Western Washington FSAE '04

[drivetrainUW-Platt]

-see what kind of suspension points you can fit without eliminating the driver and the engine

ya know, if you eliminated those components you could cut hella weight outa the equation

[Travis Garrison]

Eliminating the driver in particular would also save the team a LOT of whining..."I can't fit" "I'm hitting my elbows on ____" "your spilling gas on me" "The seat is melting out from under me" .....babies.

-Travis Garrison
U of Washington FSAE

[Denny Trimble]

hehehe... Don't forget "I need ballast to keep up with Denny"

[Dr Claw]

We get the "i turn the car on and hit the starter whenever i get in" from our big guys. It's like one fluid motion; somehow their knees are just that coordinated when they are lowering themselves into the seat.

[Adam D. Bell]

Thanks for the advice. I have one more question. How much progress do you think most teams have made on there frame designs thus far?

[MikeWaggoner at UW]

Eliminating the driver....

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/07/science/07roach.html

[drivetrainUW-Platt]

good god, please don't start that pigeon bull agian....