Every project car begins with the same elements–money, time and a dream. But what is the number one cause of death for a project car? Poor planning.
To help your project car avoid the scrapyard or Facebook Marketplace, we are going to be taking a page from the book of FSAE students–aka the people extremely limited on both time and money but never a dream.
FSAE students have only one year to budget, design, manufacture, test and adjust a fully functioning formula-style vehicle before an international competition–all while being full-time students and, for some, working on the side. While teams have more hands on deck than the average user, their process can be transferred across any scope.
- Vehicle Needs and Organization
When looking for the perfect project car, the condition of the car and the work it needs usually top the list for most buyers. Why? Because these factors directly impact the cost and timeline of the project.
The first step of each FSAE season is figuring out what the team needs to achieve for success. This is broken down by subteam—like suspension, powertrain, electrical and so on. This structure not only helps keep everything organized but also shows which parts interact with each other and which can be worked on separately.
You can take a similar approach with your project car. How you organize the work is up to you, but breaking it down by vehicle system, like FSAE subteams, has proven to be the most effective. While a car’s needs are rarely as clear-cut as they seem, having a basic system in place helps you stay ready for the unexpected–because we all know those surprises are bound to happen.
- Part Evaluation and Inventory
We are all guilty of it–buying parts that we don’t need at that time and then sitting on them to the point we forget they exist. “Oh, this is a good deal, and I can use this if I ever do this project.” Well, now’s your chance to give that part you bought five years ago a purpose.
FSAE teams normally complete a part inventory at the end of each competition year or at the start of the next. This allows them to see what new things they need to order or create and what items they already have in stock.
From there, students examine those categories they created before and evaluate what parts are needed for the completion.
And no, you don’t have to look at every bolt and nut–unless you really want to.
Part List Example Spreadsheet
- Budget and Option Creation
Okay, you now know what you need and what you have. The next step? The thing everyone dreads dealing with, budgeting.
With FSAE, teams do not have unlimited money. While they do have some support from their universities, most teams depend heavily on sponsors or fundraising efforts. But that’s not all. A portion of the competition scrutinizes their budgeting efforts and how economically efficient they were with their vehicle construction. So exorbitant purchases aren’t that common.
We all know money is precious, so planning is crucial for your sanity and your wallet.
With that in mind, looking at multiple options of the same part is a must. At the same time, don’t just go with the cheapest option.
This step is the perfect moment to examine the pros and cons of various part options and select the perfect fit for your project’s needs. At the very end, add an extra expense space for surprise needs.
Systems Summary Example Spreadsheet
- Timeline
Everyone hopes to have their project car go as smoothly as possible and take the least amount of time. Sadly, that’s not typically the case. However, creating clear goals and timelines with your schedule in mind ensures that your project won’t end up in the land of the forgotten.
When developing a timeline, FSAE establishes key deadlines not only for entire systems but also for the individual projects that comprise them. For example, while the front suspension has a single overarching deadline, each of its 10 sub-projects is assigned a distinct deadline.
Miss a competition deadline? The domino effect puts the whole operation at risk on top of point deductions.
While deadlines can be a bit looser for most personal project cars, holding yourself accountable to those goals is still important.
But Paris, how do I keep track of all this?
Well, I’m glad you asked. For those who prefer something a bit more straight forward, Excel sheets are an amazing way to keep track of every step of your project. My personal favorite tool from my time with FSAE? Gantt charts. With them you can create start times, track progress, reach deadlines and determine what needs to be finished before something else can start. It is the ultimate guide to clear project management.
