11/8/2010
This month a large focus was the team budget. A lot of time was spent emailing and calling different organizations for sponsorship opportunities. We confirmed sponsorships with Wilson Cycles and Dynojet Research.

The responsibilities have been split up as follows:
Steve - CVT research, tuning of engine and CVT, idler shaft, primary output shaft, and gearing
Andrew - Exhaust, differential, axles, and differential supports
Austin - Intake, axle joints, output shaft & housing
Electrical will be done by the whole team.

We decided that the 2007-2010 Honda CBR600RR engine was the best choice and we were able to order two engines by our deadline. They will be in the second week of November. We obtained the engines through Wilson Cycles.

A phone call to Olav Aaen, author of the Clutch Tuning Handbook, resulted in some valuable information and suggestions not only clutch selection but gearing as well. We have decided to run a Polaris/Comet clutch setup. If the budget permits, Aaen Performance’s modified Comet clutch (The 4-Star Roller) will be used.

Solidworks models of the intake manifold, exhaust manifold, rear sprocket, front sprockets, and engine were completed. These are all subject to change based on the Frame and Suspension dimensions.

We weighed the mufflers that are available to us and decided that the amount of weight we would save by purchasing a muffler wasn’t worth the money at this point. If there is money left in the budget when all of the critical parts have been purchased this decision will be reassessed.

Plans for November:
We plan on ordering the CVT components this month and finishing hand calculations on the axles in order to get them to J.H. Benedict before Christmas time. Once the engines are in we will tear one down to have the head flow bench tested and weigh it without the transmission parts in it. We will also determine its center of gravity. Plans for an engine stand will be completed and fabrication will begin by the end of the month.

10/26/2010
Team 15 is the 2011 FSAE powertrain team and is in charge of designing and manufacturing a powertrain that will comply to 2011 FSAE regulations. The requirements set forth by our Advisor are that we use a CVT (continuously variable transmission) and are competetive in this years competition. After extensive research we have decided that our car will be powered by a Honda CBR600RR engine and tuned using DynoJet's Power Commander V.

This year the Team is composed of:
Steve Brodkin (Team Captain)
Andrew Lyle
Austin Falconer