Design and Development of a Turbocharged Flexible Fuel Engine for Motorcycle Street Use

Presenter Information

Derek Kvenvold, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Brent Bennett, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 201

Start Date

5-4-2010 1:00 PM

End Date

5-4-2010 3:00 PM

Student's Major

Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

Craig Evers

Mentor's Department

Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

This project is the designing, building, and testing of a turbocharged motorcycle engine that will be flex fuel compatible. The project started with a 1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100 naturally aspirated motorcycle. A turbocharged induction setup has been designed and built for this motorcycle, in addition to a custom fuel injection system. The project goal is to maintain reasonable gas mileage while doubling the horsepower measured at the rear wheel, without sacrificing motorcycle reliability and rideability. The machine will be capable of running either gasoline or ethanol. Several modifications are required for the longevity of the engine. Factors such as ignition timing and static and dynamic compression of the engine all must be altered. Research was required in the use of alcohol based fuels. The decision was made to use ethanol as our primary fuel source, due to its higher resistance to detonation, its cooling properties when atomized in the air stream, and also to demonstrate the viability of a renewable resource as a primary fuel in motor sports. An additional requirement is exceptional responsiveness to driver input. This presentation explains the goals, applied automotive research, modifications required to achieve project goals, and results of these changes as they affect performance, responsiveness, etc.