A 1-D theoretical performance analysis and optimisation of a bespoke formula student V-Twin engine
This paper examines the engine intended to power a SAE Formula Student car for the Oxford Brookes Racing Formula Student Team. The engine is an amalgamation of multiple students’ research work over a number of years. Therefore, this projects main aim was validation of the engine setup and specifications resulting from previous work, and to find any potential theoretical optimisations that can be implemented before the engine is run for real on a Dynamometer. The work analyses the engine's power performance and component design, as well as exploring the major parameters involved in race-engine design and development. The analysis was carried out via a 1-D simulation model constructed in GT-Suite. This was combined with combustion and dynamics models constructed in Excel, in addition to component and manifold analysis in SolidWorks and CATIA. The objectives of the work were – - Construct a combustion and dynamics model in Excel to analyse the current engine setup. - Identify areas of the engine design for improvement - Validate the previous GT-Power model and construct a new GT-Power model based on the latest version of the GT-Suite software. - Validate the findings in the Excel models using the GT-Power model. - Analyse the current engine performance using all the models. - Propose new hardware for the engine if needed. The bespoke V-Twin engine development showed a 97-98 Brake Horse Power (BHP) theoretical Performance limit. However, the starting engine performance was 70 BHP and the power output was found to be unstable and unpredictable. The analyses of the internal components found that they were optimal for the power performance expected from the engine, with the exception that the current design of the intake and exhaust manifolds were found to limit performance, with the intake plenum found to be too small. The valve timing was also found to limit the power performance, with the timing requiring changing in order to optimise performance. The validation, and the optimising recommended in this project, indicate that the engine’s theoretical power performance could be improved from 70 BHP to 90 BHP. The engine with the improvements recommended in this project can now be mounted on a Dynamometer and the final stages of the engine’s development can be completed in order to approve it for racing.
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