2016 Formula SAE Exhaust Manifold

During previous years, UTSA has had difficulties in meeting sound requirements with single cylinder engines. I was tasked to create an exhaust that met sound requirements while minimizing back-pressure. I used Helmholtz resonator theory as a way to target the engine’s fundamental frequencies. Once the resonators were designed, I imported them into 1-Dimensional Gas Dynamic Software (Ricardo Wave) to measure estimated sound level. I created a prototype exhaust to verify the analytical results of the software. Once validated, our team manufactured the exhaust which met the stringent sound requirements of the Formula SAE competition.

Top Left — Initial SolidWorks concept of exhaust using two Helmholtz resonators and a straight-through muffler. Top Right — Proof of concept design for testing the attenuation and precision of Helmholtz resonators. Bottom Left — 2016 UTSA Formula SAE car which finished 30th at competition in Lincoln, Nebraska. Bottom Right — 2016 exhaust manifold housing three Helmholtz resonators and two straight-through mufflers. This exhaust design met the sound requirements at competition.