The VIPER Engine and Drivetrain Lab is operated by the Old Dominion University Research Foundation in the VIR main paddock and has three major areas of focus. The facility is designed to support hands-on teaching of undergraduate and graduate Motorsports Engineering courses at ODU and the New College Institute, conduct engine and drivetrain research and operate as a commercial entity. The facility is optimally located in the main paddock area of Virginia International Raceway (VIR) which allows convenient access to the track and customer base.

Commercial

The Engine and Drivetrain Lab has three main areas of commercial concentration that complement the research and teaching aspects. These are engine diagnosis and performance testing, engine performance optimization (tuning) and vehicle data acquisition and analysis.

Engine and drivetrain diagnosis and performance testing:

• The lab is equipped with a highly accurate SuperFlow chassis dyno that is use to measure horsepower and torque at the wheels along with many additional parameters. For most tests a wideband oxygen sensor is used to quickly and accurately judge the fuel mixture in the car or motorcycle being tested.
• Additional sensors and data are added as needed to assist in diagnosis of engine and drivetrain issues. These include exhaust gas temperatures, oil/water temperatures, pressures including boost and many more.
• OBD I and II scanning, interpretation and logging is another service that allows and in-depth view of post 1996 car engine information and trouble areas. A data system can be quickly fitted to the car to gather and log real-time engine parameters on the track or the dyno.
• The information gathered can be graphed for rapid and accurate analysis of overall engine and drivetrain performance.

Engine optimization (tuning):

• Most modern cars are equipped with an engine control computer that controls every aspect of engine performance based on a set of factory maps loaded into the computer. Many cars can adjust to mild modifications such as intake and exhaust modifications but more major changes require ECU modifications to either allow safe operation or optimize performance.
• Carburetors require tuning to optimize based on type of fuel run, temperature and humidity readings and after each engine modification.
• Tuning of both EFI and carbureted vehicles for track or street use can be done best on a load absorbing dyno of the type the VIPER lab has. The facility has the hardware and software to tune correctly and safely.
• Tuning is a natural extension of the information gathered with initial baseline runs. This can range from simple carb jet changes to full ECU mapping.
• There are many different ECU's and vehicle configurations- please contact VIPER to discuss in more detail. Outside tuners of your choice are an option as well using our resources.

Data acquisition and analysis:

• Data acquisition is key to optimizing both vehicle and driver performance.
• The facility is equipped with both the latest equipment (Traqmate and AIM) and experienced personnel to either get the most out of your data or rent the equipment, installation and interpretation.
• Systems include wideband O2 and ecu logging or GPS-based overall vehicle performance.
• Camera systems can be added to allow camera overlay to the data.
• The staff is experienced in race car driving, driver coaching and professional level race team engineering and data analysis

Teaching

The facility is equipped with classroom space and a video conferencing system that allows it to be used as both a remote and in-person teaching facility. The emphasis is on hands-on application of theory in an actual track environment. Actual current race cars are used for teaching aids and are used for activities such as chassis dyno testing, data acquisition fitment and usage, car set-up examples and on-track testing for real-world data acquisition and interpretation.

The facility will be used by Old Dominion University's Motorsports Engineering graduate degree program, the New College Institutes' Motorsports Technology degree program and the Academy of Motorsports high-school program. Demonstrations and basic information are also incorporated into the Camp Motorsports program at VIR and occasionally as part of the many racing driver education programs (track days) at VIR.

Please contact us if you are interested in a tour or a group demonstration.

Research

The lab will be used as a research facility as part of its mission. Research is focused on improving engine and drivetrain performance and will allow undergraduate and graduate students a unique hands-on approach to what is traditionally more theoretical research. Examples of current or potential research projects include:

• Engine power correlation and contribution factors comparing engine dyno to chassis dyno
• Sensor design for and integration to chassis dyno
• Correlation between GPS-based and accelerometer-based data acquisition systems. Comparison of accuracy and features and benefits
• Bio-fuels characterization, exhaust characterization and engine performance and wear characteristics of bio-fuels
• Design and implementation of cost-effective fuel characterization for bio-diesel
• Development of automated driver and car comparison techniques to reduce the amount of time spent manually analyzing data
• Basic race fuel and lubricant research