Technical Paper
Design and optimization of the intake system of a Formula SAE race engine
2020-01-13
2019-36-0253
Several motorsport competitions impose restrictions on intake systems to limit maximum engine power. Since the restriction interferes with the efficiency of the intake system as a whole, it is necessary to study ways to minimize the negative effect of changes in engine performance. In practice, the regulation imposes restrictions to the inlet air which motivates the search for the minimum pressure loss in the restrictor while maintaining an equal volumetric efficiency between the cylinders. This way, it is necessary to tune the duct lengths and diameters, and plenum volume to obtain the maximum volumetric efficiency in the most required speeds. Formula SAE competition imposes an intake system restriction of 20 mm or 19 mm diameter (for gasoline or ethanol fueled engines, respectively). Thus, to reduce pressure loss in the imposed restriction orifice, a system with a convergent divergent duct forming a venturi tube was used.