Originally, a CO2 strategy with a paddle shift tank was considered for this turbocharged rear-wheel-drive rally car build, but ultimately rejected. Prior experience with a paddle shift system in a previous, wrecked vehicle led to abandoning the idea. Previous rally cars, being turbocharged and front-wheel-drive, required precise boost control to minimize wheel spin. This experience informs the current build’s approach.
This car, with its relatively standard setup aside from the turbocharger and manifold, is expected to handle power delivery effectively in most situations. A pneumatic boost control system should suffice. Airflow management has been addressed by incorporating a large transmission tunnel for heat extraction.
The vehicle features an R5 style bonnet with vents, including a central vent. This unusual configuration is part of the Proto car kit. The plan is to utilize the middle scoop to direct airflow past the turbocharger and wastegate, pending confirmation of permitted bonnet openings in the regulations.
For measuring engine bay and other low-temperature area temperatures, thermocouples are being considered. This will facilitate testing different venting configurations and monitoring temperature variations in various locations. The potential benefits of an electronic boost controller (E-gate) are acknowledged, but deemed potentially unnecessary for this application.
