Part Requirements
For the scratch
builder, probably one of the most time-consuming aspects of race car
design is determining the correct part and finding a good, reliable
source for it. For the builder of an existing class car, the job is
somewhat simpler as other racers in that class can recommend parts and
sources.
Either way, the
job of determining part requirements is pretty much the same. The first
step is to list the parts required for your car which demand space,
carry a weight penalty, or are absolutely required (either by rules
or personal design). This covers pretty much everything in the car!
Keeping a list of
parts along with the potential sources and models that fit the application,
you can build up a series of choices, from which you can optimize for
the best package.
Click here to see
the parts checklist . It is limited
to the larger, common items, and in your research you will probably
come across things which are not on this list.
Depending on your
goals or vision for the car, you will pick potential models of parts
which conform to that vision. ie. If you are building for low cost,
potential models will be geared toward low cost. If a particular part
is not available, then fabrication may be the only alternative. It certainly
costs more than a mass produced part, but the results are very in tune
with your needs.
Also, you will probably
encounter a situation in where in order to gain the advantages of a
particular part, you must use the rest of the parts from the same manufacturer
or donor car (up to a point). For instance, to use a particular bolt
pattern wheel, you must have a hub that matches, suitable disc rotors,
proper spindle, and suitable bearings. All these parts work in an assembly,
and in the end require you to take the perfect part with the less than
perfect, unless each part is optimized already.
The end result of
all the research and communicating, will be a short list of parts that,
when used in the right combination with others, will produce superior
results. Prior to design, you will need to determine which part combos
work in this superior way.
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