F4i Engine changes

[Amoah-Kusi]

I have been seaarching the internet trying to find any major changes in the F4i engine, but keep getting the same bore, stroke, PGM F1 fuel managments sytem etc. I am trying to switch the team from Kawasuky to Honda. Does any know of any major changes in that engine from 2003-2006?

[Amoah-Kusi]

I have been seaarching the internet trying to find any major changes in the F4i engine, but keep getting the same bore, stroke, PGM F1 fuel managments sytem etc. I am trying to switch the team from Kawasuky to Honda. Does any know of any major changes in that engine from 2003-2006?

[BeaverGuy]

I don't have any direct knowledge of the F4i but from what I've found an F4i is the same regardless of year and has minimal differences from an F4.

I'm curious though as to why you think a switch to Honda should be made.

[Amoah-Kusi]

The switch must be made because the kawasaki engine that we are using is no longer in production and it's really hard to find spare parts, plus there is a local honda dealership down the street from the school so if we need anything we have everything at our disposal, plus 90% of all the teams are using Honda anyways

[BeaverGuy]

If you're using the '99-'02 ZX6R it isn't actually out of production. It was but the same engine is being used in the 2005+ ZZR600 which is an '02 ZX6R.

I understand the convienience of having the dealer locally, but you might want to check what they stock and how quickly they can get it. Most of the time they don't stock the critical items like pistons, gaskets, and bearings.

[Amoah-Kusi]

Ok i misunderstood why we are switching to Honda, we are trying to do a joint build with a team from Germany and they are using the Honda engine, so minus the body work the mechanics of the car are going to be the same. I was also wondering if you or Devon had any contacts to an engine dealer so I can get an F4i?

[kwancho]

A joint build? Interesting. Can you explain better how that's going to work out?

[BeaverGuy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Amoah-Kusi:
Ok i misunderstood why we are switching to Honda, we are trying to do a joint build with a team from Germany and they are using the Honda engine, so minus the body work the mechanics of the car are going to be the same. I was also wondering if you or Devon had any contacts to an engine dealer so I can get an F4i? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Who is this? I checked your profile and it says you're from Oregon State. Neither Devin or I actually bought a motor. We looked around but never did. The best bet is to look on Ebay or Craigslist but at this time, there aren't that many and they are expensive. I looked around on Ebay last week because I was a little interested in the cost of the motors at this time. I didn't find any Kawi motors, one f4i and 1 or 2 wr450s which were really expensive. You may also want to check with The Germans because I believe they are using a Yamaha R6 not an F4i. And as far as the 600cc sportbike motors, I wouldn't suggest ANY of the "new" motors as they are designed to make power well beyond what is feasible on the track or with a restrictor. And the F4i is at the cusp of what I would call "new."

As for doing a combined design I think it is a great idea but you will never be able to do it. As is there isn't any good data management system in place. Adding the complexity of trying to coordinate design accross the ocean without a central server to both groups will be impossible. Here where I work we have a central server and exchange data regularly with customers around the world, however it is a nightmare in trying to keep everything together in a cohesive format. There is also the issue of two different CAD packages being used, you guys will be using Pro/E or Solidworks while I believe The Germans use Catia.

I can't explain the logistics behind the joint design of the car, because I know nothing, but I can give a bit of history of where it is coming from. For the last two years, from shortly after spring break untilt the start of classes in the fall, Oregon State has hosted a pair of students from a German university. While here, these students have performed simulations and some analysis of the Baja and Formula cars. After the first pair went back to Germany they started a Formula team at their school. They are scheduled to take part in the upcoming Formula Student Germany competition. A combined design would likely be an extension of this partnership.

[Amoah-Kusi]

Yeah I am a Senior in Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University and there are some exchange students from Germany that are doing simulations and all that. I'm not the one making the decisions I'm just following orders and trying to have an interesting summer in Corvallis. As far as I know I think we are making a switch to Catia so that files can be easiy transfered between teams, but that's about as much as I know I just follow Dr. Paasch's orders. I need an engine though so I can start working

[BeaverGuy]

Amoah, check your PMs I'd like to continue talking about this but I think a private discussion is a better idea.