The Splinter Wooden Supercar

We aren't really all about mission statements around here; too often, they are phoney and superfluous. That said, here is ours. We are building a high-performance, mid-engined supercar from wood composites as a graduate project at North Carolina State University.

Wood will be used whereever possible, including the chassis, body, and large percentages of the suspension components and wheels. The car has a target weight of 2500lbs and a power goal of over 600 horsepower. We aren't trying to sell anything; we aren't trying to save the world, and we aren't advocating that everyone should drive a wooden car.

This project is a scholastic endeavour in which are simply trying to explore materials, learn, teach, share ideas, and stimulate creativity. This section details who we are and what we are doing. We hope you enjoy checking out what we are working on.

DIMENSIONS
Projected Curb Weight 2500lb
Wheelbase 105.0in
Length 174.5in
Width 82.0in
Front Track 70.0in
Rear Track 69.0in
Height 42.0in
Ground Clearance 3.5in

LAYOUT
Mid-engine, rear-drive
CHASSIS
Laminated wood veneer Monocoque
BRAKES
F 14.0in drilled, slotted, vented rotors with 6 piston calipers R 12.0in drilled, slotted, vented rotors
WHEELS
3 piece- forged rims, laminated wood center section
F 19in X 10in
R 20in X 13in
TIRES
Michelin Pilot Sport 2
F 265/35ZR19
R 335/30ZR20 STEERING
Sweet Mfg Integrated Servo 12:1 Rack and Pinion

FRONT SUSPENSION
Unequal length upper and lower laminated wood A-arms
Transversely mounted laminated wood leaf spring
Adjustable remote reservoir tube shocks
Laminated wood anti-roll bar
REAR SUSPENSION
Laminatesd wood trailing arms
Transversely mounted laminated wood leaf spring

ENGINE
Aluminum block and heads
32V DOHC reverse-flow cylinder heads
4.6L displacement
Twin Roots-type superchargers
4 air-to-water intercoolers
Projected 600 bhp
DRIVETRAIN
6 speed manual transaxle
Getrag limited-slip differential