21 replies to this topic

[Ali_G]

Just wondering but has anyone tried building a CVT gearbox for a racing car. I'm guessing that modern designs mightn't be able to handle the high levels of torque from racing cars.

Any idea how much it would take off a lap time ?

[Wolf]

Yes, DAF built several junior formula cars (F3 or FJ, ISTR they even bought a Brabham chassis and installed one in it) with CVT, and also Williams in IIANM '94 (or thereabouts) experimented with it, and even built a car with it... I thuink that should give You enough to do a search here and in TNF for more info, pics, &c. HTH

[amardeep]

Williams (in their Renault days) were developing one, but rules changes outlawed it. A quick search finds this : http://forums.autosp...?threadid=89561

[Ali_G]

Thanks guys.



That Williams sounded terrible.

[DesWeller]

The screenshot at the top of the KERS thread elsewhere appears to show a torotrak type IVT.

Des

[murpia]

Originally posted by DesWeller
The screenshot at the top of the KERS thread elsewhere appears to show a torotrak type IVT.

Des

One designed for 60kW only...

Regards, Ian

[Greg Locock]

One of my very first jobs ever was to drive a Triumph fitted with the Perbury (direct ancestor of the Torotrak) gearbox out of the workshop into the carpark to make room for something useful. 1978, I think. (That's funny, thinking about it I didn't have a car license til much later, perhaps it was 81)

Still completely useless, for cars, 30 years later.

[cheapracer]

Originally posted by Ali_G
Thanks guys.



That Williams sounded terrible.

F500 racers in the US use CVT, basically snowmobiles on wheels.

There is a couple of in car videos to give the same impression, it just aint racing without the appropriate engine sound interuptions! Maybe the FIA knew this.

[zac510]

Originally posted by Greg Locock
One of my very first jobs ever was to drive a Triumph fitted with the Perbury (direct ancestor of the Torotrak) gearbox out of the workshop into the carpark to make room for something useful. 1978, I think. (That's funny, thinking about it I didn't have a car license til much later, perhaps it was 81)

Still completely useless, for cars, 30 years later.

Is that the fault of the internal combustion engine? Might it be suited to a turbo diesel engine better, or to something with a different pedal:throttle strategy now that we have that electronic stuff (if you know what I mean)?

[Greg Locock]

Nah.

The basic idea is a dog. All the torque is transmitted by friction between the steel discs and the steel driveplate. Lubrication is a big issue, as is fatigue, due to the enormous end-pressure required.

It can be made to work - I've seen the idea used in a 1930s variable drive for an electric motor, but that unit was larger than the Perbury, for a 1 hp motor.

[cheapracer]

Of interest

http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

[jb_128]

Oh my. And I thought the sound of the Le Mans Audi was bad for motorsports.

[F1flagger]

Originally posted by cheapracer


F500 racers in the US use CVT, basically snowmobiles on wheels.

There is a couple of in car videos to give the same impression, it just aint racing without the appropriate engine sound interuptions! Maybe the FIA knew this.

The steady drone is such a boring sound! I drove one at an autocross and enjoyed it... even though I consider them "shiftless bastards".

[cheapracer]

Originally posted by F1flagger

The steady drone is such a boring sound! I drove one at an autocross and enjoyed it... even though I consider them "shiftless bastards".

Did you know those 'shiftless bastards' are faster than FF!

[Moon Tricky]

It's time for people to start embracing the technology! Racing or otherwise. We're too traditional, stuck in our ways. Noise be damned, I want continuous maximum torque from standing start to full speed, without breaks for gear changes.

And I may get it too, if things go well. I'll hopefully be securing a deal soon to get funding to develop the one I invented.

[cheapracer]

Originally posted by Moon Tricky


And I may get it too, if things go well. I'll hopefully be securing a deal soon to get funding to develop the one I invented.

I know some people over here if I didnt mention it before (I think I did).

I have alloy casting, CNC and gear making at my disposal. In danger of advertising, that goes for anything else as well Folks.

[Moon Tricky]

I'll bear that in mind, thanks... only it's money I'm short of at the moment. And how much would it cost to ship a gearbox from China to Scotland?

Anyone want to invest in a CVT?

Oh and I've got a new sort of differential in the offering as well.

[Bill Sherwood]

Originally posted by cheapracer

I have alloy casting, CNC and gear making at my disposal. In danger of advertising, that goes for anything else as well Folks.

Ah, my new best friend.
So where are you again ... ?

[cheapracer]

Originally posted by Bill Sherwood


Ah, my new best friend.
So where are you again ... ?

I'm just behind you, errr 2 hours to be exact (ex Brisbane)

And did I mention CV's/shafts and a fibreglass company?

I do have a PM.

[bobqzzi]

The Subaru Justy and Nissan Murano both used CVTs

[Melbourne Park]

Originally posted by bobqzzi
The Subaru Justy and Nissan Murano both used CVTs

Lots of road cars do. Audi & Mercedes also do in some of their road cars. .

[PeterH]

Hi

Just read your question re: CVT transmission.

I run a f500 with CVT in Hill Climb & Sprints, Rotax 600cc with 135 hp in car with total weight 320kg.

If you go to the Forum on www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk, select technical section you can see an article I wrote about CVT and its benifits!!

Still learning to drive the system but does 1st 64ft in 2.2secs and can manage 35 seconds up Shelsley. With a good driver it would hold its own against any similar gearbox'd car.

Lots to learn about it yet.