Endeavors succeed or fail because of the people involved. Many great products and companies have come and gone because of weak personnel and lack of support. Advanced Engine Research’s track support teams are one of the more important components of their winning record over the years. They provide assistance in a number of areas including engine installation, engine checks, at-track electronic programing, and immediate problem solving. Track support is the final link in the partnership between AER and their customers. The on- site engineers are there to maximize the on-track performance of the engine. All variables including driver preferences, track conditions, altitude, weather, fuel, and regulation dictates, are taken into account. Good track support people are an amalgam of many qualities: engineer, electronic expert, analytically adept, hands-on mechanical ability, and well attuned to driver’s communications. Like a good race engineer, they excel in translating a driver’s input into optimized engine performance. The people of AER are passionate about racing and the engines they create. In an ideal world, they would get paid by the hour as they are the first to arrive and the last to leave.
One thing that has separated Advanced Engine Research from its inception is its marriage of mechanics and electronics. It was founded with an electronics arm that gives them the advantage to develop more sophisticated engines with the electronics necessary to maximize performance, efficiency and longevity. Its in-house sister company, Life Racing, provides engine, chassis, and gearbox control electronics for all of AER’s engines that have run over the years in over a dozen race series in sports car, endurance, and open wheel racing series. Life Racing has extensive experience with knock-limited, intake restricted turbocharged engines. They are known for their ECU’s, PDUs, sensors, gearshift systems, wiring harnesses, and bespoke electronic designs. Whether it be direct injection, paddle shift systems, drive by wire, intelligent power distribution, electronic fusing, or high reliability systems, AER and Life Racing are able to provide solutions for the most demanding competitive environments.
Engine Assembly and Testing
The engine builders of Advanced Engine Research have experience in building engines for F1, GP3, the American Le Mans Series, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, European Le Mans Series, World Rally Championship, GP Motorcycles, and British Touring Car along with a number of OEM projects. Their knowledge ranges from two cylinders to twelve cylinders and most everything in between. While much of an engine’s gestation occurs today on a computer screen, the art of engine building depends on hands on expertise and AER prides itself on their in-house craftsmen. All engines go through a number of different levels of testing. At the early stages of development, individual components are rig tested, followed by single cylinder models which are further analyzed. When an engine has been assembled, it is sent to one of AER’s dynos for run-in and testing. Transient test cycles are also used for durability testing and AER has models of various tracks and for a 24 hour engine, there is a target of a minimum of 36 hours of running.
With the latest in CNC milling machines and lathes, the on-site prototype machine shop provides comprehensive quality control and quick turnaround times and delivery. AER has an established base of Formula One and aerospace suppliers that they have built up over the years: trusted vendors that have proven their core focus on quality, reliability and the ability to work to deadlines.
Design and Analysis
Advanced Engine Research has experience in a wide variety of engine designs having developed winning power plants for a number of high-profile international race car series in sports car, prototype racing, rallying, touring car and open wheel racing. They have worked on a number of development projects with OEM manufacturers and are known for their work on turbo-charged gasoline direct injection engines with advanced electronic controls. From clean-sheet design to production based race engines, AER has a proven history. CATIA V5 is used for all component design work. Finite Element Analysis ensures that durability is built in. 1D modeling is utilized for performance development and Computational Fluid Dynamics is employed for optimum gas and fluid flow in combustion chambers and ports. AER balances and strengthens their technology with experience. The combining of hands on experience and practical knowledge, with the latest design tools and methodology produces a winning combination.