Chassis Progress 12/09

Since the last update, the chassis has been completed, with only small mounts left to be added. The finished chassis came together just after Christmas, then suspension and engine mounts were added. The complete frame weighed in at 30kg, with mounts, an decrease of 8kg over last year.
The process of welding the chassis continued, with a number of different jigs being used:

With the frame complete, the suspension mounts had to be added. These were set at angles specified by the suspension team and welded to the frame.

And then engine mounts.

The next stage for us is to paint the chassis once the final mounting points are on, and then assemble the car

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2010 Car Specs

Emphasis this year has been placed on reducing the weight of the car from last year's 320kg. The bulk of this will be by stricter design.

Chassis

The chassis again is to be made as a steel spaceframe. The objective was to reduce weight by a half on last year. At the moment it is looking as though it will be about a 1/3rd reduction.

Electronics

We are again going with a DTA ECU, but this time using the smaller S60. We are also making use of National Instrument's Compact Rio controller. This will be used for supplying data to the steering wheel display, and other applications as needed.

Bodywork

The body will be designed to be as aerodynamic as possible. It will be constructed from a lightweight material.

Driver Controls

A different braking system will be implemented this year, incorporating 4 outboard discs, rather than the two outboard at the front and inboard at the rear that was used last year, as was possible the cause of some of the cars problems. A new clutch system is also to be installed, using hydraulics, as are used normally for brakes, after problems with cables stretching last year.

Power Train

After success with the Yamaha R6 last year, we will again be using this engine. More testing will take place, using tuned inlets, to try and gain more power from it. A manual gear shift will be used, after a few problems with the electronic one used previously, and for cost reasons.