Suspension and Drivetrain Design Considerations
Purpose
Assembled double-wishbone
suspension and chain drive
Suspension - Reduce shock load on frame and maintain stability
Drivetrain - Transfer power from the engine to the tires
Primary Considerations
- Travel - Longer travel increases the ability to absorb bumbs but also takes up limited space. A soft suspension may lead to excessive body roll.
- Stability - Stability includes keeping the wheels in contact with the ground to maintain control and reducing body roll to improve handling. It is affected by the shock stiffness and the suspension geometry.
- Toe and Camber - Toe-in setups (where the steering tires point slightly inward) improve\ the stability while toe-out increases the stearing response. Camber, the vertical angle of the tires, can help compensate for body roll during cornering.
- Transmission - Many engines used in Formula SAE come with an integrated transmission. If the number of gears or the drive ratio is not ideal, it must be modified to improve performance. Drive ratios typically emphasize acceleration over top-end speed.
- Drive type - Chain and belt drives are the most common choices. Belts help protect the transmission from shock, but chains have more efficient power transfer.