A team of students from the University at Buffalo (UB) designed and built a diesel snowmobile to compete in the SAE International Clean Snowmobile Challenge. This competition is an engineering and design event focused on reducing emissions and noise. Many teams used electric motors, but the UB team picked a diesel. Thanks to Hudon's Sled and Salvage in Barneveld, New York, the team received an '05 Polaris Fusion to mate with its 953cc Daihatsu three-cylinder turbodiesel. "The best part about this year was that everyone, after watching us the last two years, had assumed the snowmobile would be a slow-running machine once again," Jacob Ennis says. "However, when you fired her up and took off, they knew they were in for trouble." Already looking to next year, the team is interested in obtaining a Mercedes 799cc CDI three-cylinder turbodiesel. If it gets its hands on one of those, the competition won't stand a chance.
Clean Snowmobile Team 2008-2009
Team Leader - Gregory Verratti
Jacob Ennis/Jason Barrett
Eric Klaben/Timothy Smith
Joe Vargo/Chris Battaglia
Engine: Daihatsu 953cc three-cylinder turbodiesel
Type: Cast-iron block and cylinder head
Turbo: IHI VQ37 wastegated at 14 psi
Compression ratio: 24.8:1
Horsepower and Torque: 40 hp at 3,800 rpm and 68 lb-ft at 2,600 rpm
Dimensions of engine (LxWxH): 15.6 inches x 17.1 inches x 19.7 inches
Weight of engine: 159 pounds
Weight of snowmobile fueled: 712 pounds
Fuel economy: 35 mpg
Exhaust: Emitec catalyst and particulate matter filter using passive regeneration
Drivetrain: Belt-driven continuously variable transmission, including a Comet Industries drive clutch, TEAM Industries roller-driven secondary with custom spring, and a 1.95:1 final drive.
Competition Results For UB Team
First Place: Most Improved Team
Second Place: Most Practical Design
Second Place: Noise
Third Place: Emissions
Fourth Place: Best Design
Sixth Place: Best Performance
Sixth Place: MSRP $11,300
Sixth Place: Overall out of 15 teams
(It would have been Second, if the factory key switch hadn't broken.)
Cold-Start Test: Passed
 Making a slow-turning diesel...  Making a slow-turning diesel fit in a fast-spinning snowmobile drive system required many late-night wrenching sessions. In the end, they were able to obtain quick acceleration and a 55-mph top speed. |  When the team attempted to...  When the team attempted to mount the three-cylinder diesel, it found the stock brake hit the injection pump, the oil filter needed relocation, the accessory drive belt hit the bulkhead, and the flywheel needed to be resized. Since engineers are problem solvers by nature, they were able to make it all work. |  |