New chassis project

[pauljones]

Hi gentlemen,

I'm coming to the end of an HND in mechanical engineering and for my project I've thought about a redesign of the chassis. Sounds a fun idea so I'm asking for a few ideas of what needs a rethink. Now it probably will never get further than a design stage,all I need to produce is a CAD file and basic presentation.

So any ideas from the shop floor?

I'm thinking,elan with LS7 and 6 Speed box.....

[trw99]

Made of carbon fibre.
Boxed in central section.
Integrated side impact protection, perhaps including the cabin floor.
Integrated rollover protection using the windscreen surround.

But then again, what's wrong with the original design?

Tim

[gherlt]

>But then again, what's wrong with the original design?
... you said it ... side protection, rollover protection ...
and I would add:
jack up points at each side, would make life a bit easier
easier access to differential, gearbox,
for sure others will add other details...

[pauljones]

Ive looked at a TVR chassis, I have a spyder chassis spare too. Was thinking of a round tube ally space frame with adjustable wide base wishbone suspension. The engine bay big enough to hold a modern multi valve v8 such as an LS420 Lexus. The braking would be suitably up rated also. The rear may well utilise a LSD and lets say coming from the same source as the rest of the drive train.

This sounds like it is a kit car using a modern manufacture as a donar, this isn't what's intended but does make a bit of sense, but let's not forget what's under an Excel...!! My dads anyway.

Any input will be looked at and if I can then I will incorporate it into the design,but please remember it is only for a design project and probably may never see light of day.

[rgh0]

Rather than a full redesign how about make a model of the original chassis and do a finite element stress analysis of it under typical driving loads and then modify it to reduce stresses in the highly loaded areas and remove weight in the lightly loaded areas.

cheers
Rohan

[ardee_selby]

Rather than a full redesign how about make a model of the original chassis and do a finite element stress analysis of it under typical driving loads and then modify it to reduce stresses in the highly loaded areas and remove weight in the lightly loaded areas.

cheers
Rohan

Excellent suggestion!

I'd really like to see the results of such an analysis.

(Presumably the fibreglass "stiffener" would have to be catered for...so maybe a second analysis for the thinner Sprint shells? )

Cheers - Richard