2009 Florida Tech Formula Team

Summary and Plan Presentation
September 10, 2008
Team  Organization

Team Lead
Kyle Meier

Drivetrain
Chassis Suspension and Braking Mert Candarli Driver Interface
Keith Reihl Jeff Grubesich Joachim Agou Earle Jackson
Kyle Meier Guido Carelli Joel Zahlan Sebastien Griveau
Talal Almoayed
Formula SAE Competition

ƒ Challenges students to design, build and 
compete small formula style race cars
ƒ Assume the car is being made for a design 
firm
ƒ Vehicles need to be very high performance
ƒ Cars are judged in static and dynamic events
ƒ Cars are expected to be designed and built 
with good engineering practice
Important Team Deadlines

ƒ Registration with FIT 
by September 12, 2008
ƒ Registration for FSAE 
Michigan begins 
October 6, 2008
ƒ Team members must 
be SAE Members in 
order to register for 
competition
Chassis Sub‐team

Clemson University Chassis Design

Keith Reihl
Kyle Meier
Chassis Sub‐team
ƒ Comply with all rules 
and specs for the 
chassis
ƒ Design for a chassis 
weight of 50 lbs.
ƒ Design for the 
minimum wheelbase 
of 60 in.
ƒ Obtain a torsional
rigidity greater than 
3000 lb/degree
Chassis Sub‐team

ƒ Design concept 
started to be 
modeled in 
Solidworks
ƒ Cockpit template, 
motor, 95 percentile 
male and wheels 
modeled
ƒ Dimensions of 
cockpit, leg tunnel 
given by FSAE rules
Chassis Sub‐team Plan

•Chassis modeling will be completed by

October 15, 2008
•Prototype of chassis will be completed by
October 26, 2008
•Building of the chassis will commence on
October 27, 2008
•Rolling Chassis will be expected on
December 1, 2008
Suspension Sub‐team

Cane Creek Shock Absorber

Jeff Grubesich
Guido Carelli
 Progress Summary
ƒ Engine size decided, weight and force calculations are viable
ƒ Opted for standard double A design
ƒ Push rod actuated coil‐overs
ƒ Variable dampers

Pictures from 2007 FIT REV car
Future Plans
ƒ Create Pro‐E model for suspension
ƒ Combine with chassis model
ƒ Static analysis on Ansys of full frame
ƒ Dynamic analysis on ADAMS
ƒ New Ansys analysis with dynamic loads
ƒ Build suspension arms
ƒ Purchase dampers
ƒ Install and perform 
extensive testing

Suspension Diagram
 Brakes & Tires

ƒ Choose wheel size
ƒ Standard disc brakes
ƒ Consider weight and price

Goodyear Dry Tires Goodyear Wet Tires Dynalite Single Floater

Caliper
DrivetrainSub‐team

Clemson University Drive Train Assembly

Mert Candarli
Jacob Allenbaugh
Joachim Agou
Joel Zahlan
Talal Almoayed
 Torsen T‐1 Traction Differential

ƒ The TORque SENsing T‐1 

Differential is ideally 
suited for rear, center, and 
all‐wheel drive 
applications.
ƒ Consists of internal 
gearing and washers to 
transfer power from the 
engine to the wheels

Torsen T-1 Differential

Torsen T‐1 Traction Differential
ƒ T‐1 can handle 5,200 N*m of 
sprocket (or ring gear) torque.
ƒ The Torsen differential is simply a 
torque multiplier that works 
through the use of friction 
generated by thrust forces from 
the internal gearing.
ƒ TBR or Torque Bias Ratio, 
represents the "locking effect" of 
the differential.
ƒ Indicated how much torque is sent 
to each wheel with more traction Torsen T-1 Differential
Engine Choices
ƒ Three options for the formula car
ƒ The smallest and lightest Honda CRf450x, one of the most popular motors in 
dirt bikes for the past 5 years.
ƒ The most powerful Yamaha F‐R6 or Honda600CBR, heavier than the rest 
ƒ Aprilia V‐Twin 550, very good power to weight ratio, but expensive and rare
ƒ We choose the 450cc engine due to its lightweight and ease of tuning
ƒ Turbocharging or supercharging of the motor is still undecided

Yamaha 600 Aprilia 550 Honda 450

HP 120 70 48.5

Weight 120 72 70
Yamaha R6
Engine Specs
ƒ 599cc
ƒ 4 cylinder
ƒ 16 Valve
ƒ Compressio: 
12:4:1
ƒ 120Bhp
ƒ Fuel Injected
ƒ Weight‐
120lb

Yamaha R6 Engine
Aprilla SXV 550
Engine Specs
ƒ 549cc V‐twin
ƒ 4 Valves
ƒ 12:1
ƒ Fuel Injection
ƒ 70Bhp
ƒ Weight‐72lb

Aprilia SXV 550 Engine

Honda CRF450x

Engine Specs
• 449cc
• Single Cylinder
• Compression: 
12:0:1
• 4 Valve
• Weight 70Ib
• 48.5Bhp
• 46.8Nm
• Carborator
Honda CRF450x Engine
Garrett GT12

•Garrett GT12 has ranges of:

•Horsepower: 50‐150Hp

•Displacement: 0.4L‐1.2L

•More power potential, but 
decreased fuel economy

•Tuning will become more 
difficult

•May not be efficient for a one  Garrett GT12 Turbo Assembly

cylinder engine
DrivetrainGantt Chart
Driver Interface Sub‐team

Wilwood Steering Rack [6]

Earle Jackson
Sebastien Griveau
Overview of Progress

•Research top teams

designs

•Reviewed the rulebook

• Scanned machine shop

for useful parts

• Created a rough list of Tilton Pedal Assembly

parts to buy/fabricate
Design Plan
ƒ Communicate with previous teams about 
past problems
ƒ Reuse as much as possible to keep costs 
down
ƒ Keep everything lightweight
ƒ Minimize cockpit clutter
ƒ Comply with all rules and regulations
Preliminary Thoughts
ƒ Steering components available on side‐mount 
car
ƒ Stock cluster for 600cc inexpensive and accurate
ƒ Motec engine management available in the 
machine shop
ƒ Seats, steering wheel, shifter can all be 
fabricated
ƒ Engine kill switch
What We’ll Need to Buy

ƒ Race gear (Helmet, Suit, 
Gloves, etc.)
ƒ Safety harnesses
ƒ Pedals (If not available  Racepak Digital Display
from side‐mount car)
ƒ Other gauges
Driver Interface Gantt Chart 
Questions?