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Illustrated within this paper is Minnesota State University, Mankato Automotive Engineering Technology program's entry to the 2003 Clean Snowmobile Challenge held in Houghton, Michigan. Encompassed in this report are the criteria of performance, emissions, chassis, noise control, and results. Characterized in these criteria are the engine modifications and reasoning for the changes implemented. The 2003 Clean Snowmobile Challenge (CSC) allowed the MSU students to concentrate on a thorough comparison of a two-stroke cycle engine vs. a four-stroke cycle engine in the areas listed. Extensive modifications and tests were performed on these two engines in order to provide significant data for performance, emissions and noise.

This paper discusses the Minnesota State University, Mankato Automotive Engineering Technology program's entry to the 2002 Clean Snowmobile Challenge. Included in this report are the snowmobile model chosen for modification, engine choice, modifications applied, methods used, and modification results affecting performance, emission control, noise reduction, production cost, durability, fuel efficiency, safety, and rider comfort. The MSU Mavericks devoted their main focus for the Clean Snowmobile Challenge 2002 to the comparison of a two-stroke cycle engine to a four-stroke cycle engine. A direct fuel-injected two-stroke cycle engine and a turbo-charged four-stroke cycle engine were selected and were subjected to extensive modifications and testing procedures. Each engine was tested for emissions, noise, and performance; these test results were used to determine the final entry design.

A student team from Minnesota State University, Mankato's Automotive Engineering Technology program entered the Clean Snowmobile Challenge 2000. A 1998 Polaris Indy Trail was converted to indirect fuel injection running on a computer controlled closed loop fuel system. Also chassis, exhaust, and hood design modifications were made. The snowmobile was designed to compete in eight events. These events included acceleration, emissions, hill climb, cold start, noise, fuel economy/range, handling/driveability, and static display. The snowmobile modifications involved every aspect of the snowmobile with special emphasis on emissions and noise. Laboratory testing led to the final design. This paper details the modifications and test results.

A student team from Minnesota State University's Automotive Engineering Technology program entered the 1999 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge. A 1999 Chevrolet Silverado was converted to run on E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). The competition consisted of emission, fuel economy, cold-start, and performance evaluations. The vehicle conversion involved all engine systems, with special emphasis placed on cold-starting, driveability and performance. Laboratory testing led to the final design. The result was an integrated vehicle which successfully ran on E85, but whose use of the alternative fuel was totally transparent to the customer. This paper details the conversion and test results.

This paper presents the findings of a study that compared the fuel efficiency, power, emissions, engine wear and material compatability characteristics of automotive four-stroke cycle engines fueled by E95 (95 % ethyl alcohol and 5% lead free regular gasoline) and 87 pump octane number lead-free gasoline. A group of six senior Automotive Engineering Technology students, conducted the research over a one-year period. Two Mankato State University faculty served as directors for the project. The laboratory facilities at Mankato State University were used for vehicle modification and testing. Two identically equipped 1994 Geo Metros with 1.0 liter, three cylinder, throttle body fuel injected engines were used for this study. After a 6440 km (4000 mile) break-in period, to assure the cars performance characteristics were equal, one of the vehicles was converted to run on E95.