The Bugatti Build Project - a design exercise

[Wray Schelin]

Also needed before we cut the bucks is a proof of clearance at the front and rear for suspension travel. That can be done with Alex's file, it's possible Alex has done it already.

An AVI movie file can be made with SolidWorks showing the front wheels turning and the limits of the suspension travel.

If there is a clearance problem in the front or rear it will require changes in the sheetmetal.

Until these issues are double checked cutting bucks will be premature.

last time i checked, the tires didnt hit the fenders with the simple suspension i mocked up. The greater the caster, the less of a chance the tires will touch. I have also noticed that most bugatti have positive camber, so this also helps. The suspension i did is similar to what could be purchased for a hot rod, but i didnt think we had made a decision yet. The rear suspension will have no problems, unless you go exteme positive or negative camber (+/- 10 deg). I had planned to create an animation a while ago, but have not had any time to do so. I will do that next.

Also, I sent a 1:1 DWG to Wray, and i think he is going to create a full size print.

EDIT BELOW:

Another thought i had, befor we make bucks for headlights, the ones that are in the design are for concept only, i did not base the design from an existing headlight. The dia is 8in for the upper, and 4in for the lower.

Im currently working on an animation for the suspension range, but i can tell everyone right now, clearance will not be an issue.

Hard to show all the views in one animation, so instead, here are the limits of the suspension using the geometry i came up with.

[Wray Schelin]

Hi Alex,

Can you solve the conflict by projecting the front fenders forward some? Looks like if you add a few inches in length maybe it will clear. The change will be subtle.

the easy solution would be to reshape the wheel opening, and move the front tires back about an inch.

It also depends a lot on the suspension and offset used. if the spindle pivot point was centered on the tire, the clearance wouldnt be an issue.

[Boogiemanz1]

The bottom of a steep driveway always gets them compressed, especially if there is any kind of dip or bump. It would have to be a narrow driveway to have the steering to the lock though......................john

[HotRodKid]

Originally Posted by TheRodDoc

I don't think that the spindle needs quite 3 1/2" of travel up from the ride height. The springs for this type of car need to be on the stiffer side. also the situation the suspension is in in the drawing is almost never acomplished in real life. (full turn in and full up travel on the same side of car)

Even in a very hard turn the steering is not near the stop.

it depends on what point of view your taking, and how you want to design the car

if your taking a "street rodder" type view of the project, then a little bit of rubbing here / there is no big deal ... and if the car rides a bit rough, who cares ?

but if you want to build it the way a car company would, 3 1/2 inches of suspension compression is borderline on not enough, there should be minimum tire clearance in any position the tire can possibly wind up in, because in real life people manage to do amazing things .... like drive 20 miles to the stealership on a folded front suspension and shattered rim because "tow trucks cause damage"

[anders nørgaard]

Originally Posted by AxelRod

the easy solution would be to reshape the wheel opening, and move the front tires back about an inch.

It also depends a lot on the suspension and offset used. if the spindle pivot point was centered on the tire, the clearance wouldnt be an issue.

That's what I would do!

No.... but handling the car would :o :o :o

Richard wrote:
I don't think that the spindle needs quite 3 1/2" of travel up from the ride height. The springs for this type of car need to be on the stiffer side. also the situation the suspension is in in the drawing is almost never acomplished in real life. (full turn in and full up travel on the same side of car)

Even in a very hard turn the steering is not near the stop.

I aggree!!!!!

[Ron G]

Better give them some room. Not all tires of the same printed size are physically the same size. They vary in width and diameter from Mfg. to Mfg. let alone go up a size as a lot of us do. Be a bummer to do nothing but buy new tires and have them rub.
Ron

could go with a smaller tire... they are huge right now (IMO)....