Formula SAE

[8695Beaters]

Anyone else on an FSAE team?

The University of Delaware team just got our car running (it drove under its own power for the first time today). We are using a Yamaha 1-cylinder engine for power. Tomorrow we dyno. When we are done tuning, we are planning to be making around 60 horsepower N/A. In a car that weighs under 400 pounds, that will be friggin fast.

Most of this car was hand built by UD students. The frame was all cut and TIG welded by us. The suspension was all cut, welded, designed, and maschined by us and will be aligned by us. We machined the brake rotors and spur gear ourselves. We even machined the differential housing ourselves (which saves about 12 pounds). We did all the wiring (thank you Doug!!!). The only thing we didn't build was the engine. We bought that. But the intake was built on campus, the exhaust system was fabbed by us, and so are all the coolant, oiling, and fuel systems. Design for this car began in June and construction began in January. This is what a bunch of college kids can achieve in four months when we jam. Look for us in Cali in June!!! Hopefully we will make a few autocross races before then to shake down the car.

More updates as they come.

[SiGirl]

Where in Fontana, which raceway

[8695Beaters]

Fontana Speedway in California. The same place NASCAR and Indy Car race.

[SiGirl]

There are just so many speedways in that area of cali. Nascar has been to other speedways in southern califonia, they just had a little race at the Irwindale Speedway which is only about 30 min away from fontana

[SiGirl]

well we will have to go see you guys when you come. Do you know when in June you will be here?

[PrimeTimeV6]

Thats a pretty cool Go-Cart. With 60hp that thing is about twice as fast as a Honda 450R! that is really awesome. What CC engine is that?

[8695Beaters]

It's a Yamaha 450YFZ or something like that. The motor in the car is from a drag ATV, so it's been bored out to 520CC. We fuel injected it too (they only build them carbeurated).

It went on the dyno yesterday and we broke it...again. I wasn't there, so I don't know what broke. I'll probably find out this afternoon.

[8695Beaters]

Ok, apparently the water pump was leaking and began to leak into the oil. This overheated the clutch and it fried. So we had to drain all the fluids, replace the clutch, and replace the water pump. I guess that's what we get for running a used drag motor.

We finally drove the car today. I was in a rush, so I didn't get a chance to drive it yet (and upper classmen get first pick). Next time it's out I will take some video. The SOB is really loud. You can hear it behind buildings at idle. But the turning radius is tiny!!! It can do a u-turn around a parked car and just barely touch the car. Once we get it tuned, we will begin flogging it. We are also working on the carbon fiber nosecone. More updates later!

[PrimeTimeV6]

520 cc? Thats a big jump. It sounds like it would be a stroked 450. That is one monster of a motor and it should run like a scalded dog. Too bad you guys aren't near south Louisiana. Cause I would love to run that thing against my 4 wheeler.

[8695Beaters]

We'd win. At least on road.

The dyno date is next week. I hope we don't break down again so I can give out some real numbers.