Improved Performance of the SAE Formula Vehicle through Oil System Conversion to Dry Sump

• Michael Cuzco
• Timothy Kuschel
• Kyle Larsen
• Koji Okutomi
• Michael Spiewak

Advisor: Jonathan Komperda

Sponsor: Tim Kuschel, UIC Motorsports

The standard oil management system used in most cars is the wet sump oil system. Wet sump oil management performs sufficiently for standard vehicles, but is detrimental in high performance vehicles like the Formula vehicle, where issues such as sloshing, oil starvation, and eventual engine failure are possible at high speeds. An alternative oil system is the dry sump oil system, where oil is stored in an external reservoir and is distributed throughout the system as needed. The Society of Automotive Engineers at the University of Illinois at Chicago is implementing the dry sump oil system for the Formula vehicle by creating a test bench apparatus. The dry sump oil system incorporates a modified fuel tank and an oil pan as two main components, with other components serving as connections for the system. The oil pan is welded from waterjet aluminum sheets and contains thin dimensions with pathing to allow for oil distribution to the pickups. Trials conducted demonstrates improved oil distribution at high speeds and reduced sloshing, which provides sufficient performance for eventual dry sump implementation in the Formula vehicle.

See supporting documentation in the team’s Box drive.