A few Caterham 7 dimensions needed

[Prospero]

Hi all,

I'm a student at UWE doing a project on double wishbone suspension. I figured I'd model the R500's front suspension.

Initially, I only need a few dimensions so that I can work out some of the forces at play...

Here's the info I need - and approximations will do! Caterham, by the way, have simply ignored me. I tried them first.

Wheel diameter (front & rear, over tyre) --->
Wheel width (front & rear, over tyre) --->
Wheel width (front & rear, at the hub) --->
Suspension travel (front & rear, total) --->

Please help if you can!

Anthony

[mickrick]

Hello, not sure if I understand your question 100%, but I think it's tyre section, and width you want?
The R500 uses Avon CR500 tyres. 175/55 R13 front on 6 X 13 rims, and 205/55 R13 rear on 8 X 13 rims.
Earlier cars used ACB10's I think, and 6 1/2 and 8 1/2 inch rims.
Tire section you will find in this link

http://www.avonracing.com/road_legal_page.aspx

Can't help with suspension travel or track dimensions unfortunately.
Hopefully someone else will come along with those.

Good luck with your project.

[Seven Smiles]

If you want a lot of detailed dimensions they're all in the rFactor Caterham data files. All you have to do is work out how to extract them! Don't dismiss this as "just a game", a lot of work goes into accurately simulating the suspension. A lot of the many Caterham variants are included though the author wasn't interested in simulating live rear axles as well as de Dion

ETA: CarFactory and the Suspension Editor may be of interest too.

Edited by Seven Smiles on Wednesday 28th July 11:41

[Prospero]

Wow, thanks to all.

Especially the rFactor stuff. I've just downloaded the relevant R500 file (.hdv) and opened it in Suspension Editor. Took just 20 mins to get it all up and going.

Do you happen to know if this represents the suspension geometry at rest, or at full downward travel, because the arms seem to be in the depressed position?

And are the R500's lower arms fixed to the longitudinal centre-line as looks to be the case here?

Many thanks,

Anthony

Edited by Prospero on Wednesday 28th July 19:08

Edited by Prospero on Wednesday 28th July 22:48

[Prospero]

One more thing...

When somebody says, "175/55 R13" to describe a wheel/tyre, I understand that's a 13 inch rim (R), but what do the other figures mean? It seems like a 'standard' perhaps?

Cheers,

Anthony

[pikeyboy]

Prospero said:

One more thing...

When somebody says, "175/55 R13" to describe a wheel/tyre, I understand that's a 13 inch rim (R), but what do the other figures mean? It seems like a 'standard' perhaps?

Cheers,

Anthony

175 is the tyre width, 55 is the aspect ratio (height of the side wall) and 13 the rim diameter. hope this helps

Edited by pikeyboy on Wednesday 28th July 23:10

[Incorrigible]

pikeyboy said:

Prospero said:

One more thing...

When somebody says, "175/55 R13" to describe a wheel/tyre, I understand that's a 13 inch rim (R), but what do the other figures mean? It seems like a 'standard' perhaps?

Cheers,

Anthony

175 is the tyre width, 55 is the aspect ratio (height of the side wall) and 13 the rim diameter. hope this helps

Edited by pikeyboy on Wednesday 28th July 23:10

the 55 is a ratio, the percentage of the width so a 150/50 will be 75 high

And the lower wishbone pick up points aren't on the centre line do google search for Caterham chassis

[Incorrigible]

Done it for you

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47...

[nigelpugh7]

Incorrigible said:

Done it for you

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47...

Yep, but that's a CSR not an R500, which I think is what he asked for.

Nige,

Edited by nigelpugh7 on Thursday 29th July 17:06

Edited by nigelpugh7 on Thursday 29th July 17:06

[Prospero]

Thanks to all for being SO helpful! Excellent!

Just found something REALLY good. It's a FULL 3D CAD model of a Caterham 7 on Google's 3D Warehouse site. Here's the link (I think a lot of people may like this). It can be converted to other 3D formats within Google's SketchUp modelling program.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/cldetails?m...

Many thanks chaps,

Anthony

Edited by Prospero on Thursday 29th July 19:10

[MKnight702]

Prospero said:

One more thing...

When somebody says, "175/55 R13" to describe a wheel/tyre, I understand that's a 13 inch rim (R), but what do the other figures mean? It seems like a 'standard' perhaps?

Cheers,

Anthony

It's quite simply a stupid mix of 3 different measurements in 3 different formats. 175, type width in mm / 55 height of tyre wall as a % of width ie 55% * 175mm = 96.25mm / 13 wheel rim diameter in inches.

Whoever came up with it was either a madman or a genius, not sure which.

[Prospero]

Hi Guys,

I need one more dimension!

The front suspension wishbone arms (welded steel tubes) - what's the outer diameter?

Also the inner diameter would be great!

Thanks,

Anthony