My main project at the moment, a collaborative effort with my friends and fellow engineers:
The “Kart”
Originally a go kart, an exercise in maximizing scope creep on a senior design requirement. The Kart is a single seater, open wheel hybrid race car similar to a F1000 spec car, with slightly more weight, and a lot more power.
It features all around double wishbone inboard mounted shock non planar bell crank pushrod suspension.
A 300 horsepower EFI converted (soon to be) bored, turbocharged, two stage injected, intercooled, 1100CC motorcycle engine out of a ZZR1100. This engine is combined via chain drive direct to output shaft with a 37kW Motenergy BLDC and two Kia EV batteries to create a bespoke F1(ish) engine at home for low cost and ultra high performance!
And a fully custom designed and fabricate(ing) 4130 alloy space frame chassis designed to effectively handle up to 3G downforce loads in full cornering, at a curb weight of just under 1200lbs, wet and with a 185lb passenger.
The Kart makes use of as many widely available cheap components as possible, almost all second hand.
- NA/NB Mazda Miata uprights front and rear, with accompanying brake kits and 15×9, 4x100mm wheels
- BMW 330CI Differential (LSD install capable)
- Porche 914 Steering rack
- Panigale V4S rear shocks, one per corner
- BMW 330CI driveshaft components
- Unfortunately combination CV axles
- Miata knuckle side ball joints
- KIA EV batteries (400A 25V)
So far I am well over a thousand hours in to the project, but there is much to be done still. It should be on the road some time this fall! A big thanks to my team members for their help and expertise.