Arctic Cat

Clean Snowmobile Piggyback

Background:

The object of the Piggyback group is to build a robust and well tested piggyback associated with the existing stock engine control unit (ECU) on a 2003 Arctic Cat four stroke 660 cc snowmobile engine.  This piggyback is used to improve control of emissions after the addition of a catalyst.  One of the goals in this project is to minimize the HC and NOx emissions for a total minimum percentage of emissions required for the greatest amount of design points.  (CO emissions are also considered in the test, but are weighted less than the HC and NOx emissions levels). 

Note: the project has been revised to use a new ECU instead of a piggyback.

Milestones (revised 9-17-06)

  • Check fluids and run sled: September 8th, 2006
  • Ensure gas is available and exhaust emissions tester is operational: September 15th, 2006
  • Resolved problem with battery power in sled: September 15th, 2006
  • Demonstrate ability to cool sled on dyno: September 15th, 2006
  • Dyno test sled with piggyback, verify integrity of engine, dyno results plotted: September 21th, 2006
  • If a cooling problem exists provide diagnostic tree associated with source of problem, tree should include, exhaust back pressure, cooling system flow rate, water temperature sensors and appropriate use of exhaust gas temperature sensors.: September 26, 2006
  • Order demo board Mega Squirt II after verification of ability to control sled, sign off from Yamaha team required: September 26th, 2006
  • First web page goes live with introductory page and menu on left. Page must include resumes, individual photos and milestones: October 12, 2006, 2 pm.
  • Dummy test board set up with Mega Squirt and ability to replicate Yamaha and Arctic Cat engines October 17, 2006
  • Demonstrate the ability to change the program on FM unit: October 24, 2006
  • Wiring redesigned and installed on Arctic cat that allows Mega Squirt to be disconnected using industry or race quality connectors and moved between demo board and snowmobile.  Wiring should be fail safe and unable to be connected in a manner that will result in damage to unit or sensors: November 7, 2006
  • Milestone review: November 7th , 2006
  • ECU installed in Arctic Cat with prototype brackets and complete drawing package race ready bracket designs: November 14, 2006
  • ECU installed and operating engine on dyno, needs not run well!: November 21 , 2006
  • Retest snowmobile on dyno for emissions and fine tune performance.  Program at least four curves that show the effect of piggyback on emissions: November 28 , 2006
  • Draft Midterm Report: December 5th , 2006
  • Order second ECU for programming back up: December 7, 2006
  • Connectors installed to make ECU changeover possible and demonstrate a less than 10 minute ECU change: January 26th , 2007
  • Attend and present snowmobile at least two events, (for example Caribou Winter Carnival/Snowmobile Festival was Feb. 16-26 in 2006 and the International Snowmobile Festival was February 3-5 in 2006). Demo must include exhaust emissions analyzer and drive by test with sound level meter with a fully operational snowmobile. (March 1st , 2006)
  • Lab Cleanup: Maine Day, May 2nd , 2007
  • Open House -- Review of Projects, May 3rd , 2007
Draft Milestones:

Revised milestones, 9-12-06 -- not approved

  • Check fluids and run sled: September 8th, 2006
  • Ensure gas is available and exhaust emissions tester is operational: September 15th, 2006
  • Resolved problem with battery power in sled: September 15th, 2006
  • Dyno sled for comparison: September 15th, 2006
  • Emission test: September 15th, 2006
  • test old piggy back system: September 15th, 2006
  • Verify integrity of engine: September 18th, 2006
  • Determine whether to use piggy back, or upgrade to the Mega Squirt: September 20th, 2006
  • Research mega squirt system: September 20th, 2006
  • Determine cost and order system: September 25th, 2006
  • First web page goes live with introductory page and menu on left. Page must include resumes, individual photos and milestones: October 12, 2006, 2 pm.
  • Consolidate wiring: October 13th, 2006
  • Submit complete drawing package for piggyback enclosure with dimensions, materials and parts list: October 19th , 2006
  • install system for FM: November 1st, 2006
  • initial programming of system: November 7th , 2006
  • Milestone review: November 7th , 2006
  • test the new system: November 7th , 2006
  • Demonstrate the ability to change the program on FM unit: November 14th  , 2006
  • Retest snowmobile on dyno for emissions and fine tune performance.  Program at least four curves that show the effect of piggyback on emissions: November 17th , 2006
  • If cooling problem still exists, determine source of problem and remedy
    determine optimal catalytic converter based on size, weight, air flow, and emissions control performance: November 17th, 2006
  • Draft Midterm Report: December 5th , 2006
  • Second FM unit up and programmable: January 26th , 2007
  • Attend and present snowmobile at least two events, (for example Caribou Winter Carnival/Snowmobile Festival was Feb. 16-26 in 2006 and the International Snowmobile Festival was February 3-5 in 2006). Demo must include exhaust emissions analyzer and drive by test with sound level meter with a fully operational snowmobile. (March 1st , 2006)
  • Lab Cleanup: Maine Day, May 2nd , 2007
  • Open House -- Review of Projects, May 3rd , 2007

Initial Draft Milestones

  • Proposal for modified milestones and initial deliverables: September 15, 2006
  • Ensure gas is available and exhaust emissions tester is operational: September 19, 2006
  • Verify integrity of engine, test with water and coolant problems resolved: September 26, 2006
  • Exhaust gas test of existing system complete: October 3, 2006
  • First web page goes live with introductory page and menu on left.  Page must include resumes, individual photos and milestones: October 12, 2006, 2 pm.
  • Submit complete drawing package for piggyback enclosure with dimensions, materials and parts list: October 19, 2006
  • Demonstrate the ability to change the program on existing piggyback unit: October 21, 2006
  • Milestone review: November 7, 2006
  • Second Piggyback unit up and programmable: November 21, 2006
  • Optimization of emissions using piggyback, program at least four curves that show the effect of piggyback on emissions: November 28, 2006.
  • Draft Midterm Report: December 5, 2006
  • Attend and present snowmobile at at least two events, (for example Caribou Winter Carnival/Snowmobile Festival was Feb. 16-26 in 2006 and the International Snowmobile Festival was February 3-5 in 2006).  Demo must include exhaust emissions analyzer and drive by test with sound level meter with a fully operational snowmobile. (March 1, 2006)
  • Lab Cleanup: Maine Day, May 2, 2007
  • Open House -- Review of Projects, May 3, 2007

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