IPCHILE

PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILE

CALCULATION FOR MOTORCYCLE CARBURETORS

To calculate the optimal size of the diffuser a carburetor to be used in an engine

naturally aspirated monocylinder we must consider 2 fundamental aspects:

1) The entry speed into the diffuser must be 90m/s to obtain a homogeneous and vaporized
mixture so that combustion takes place as completely as possible.
2) The flow rate of the air-fuel mixture that is drawn in by the engine must be the same as
that supplied (or passed through) by the diffuser in the carburetor.

THAT SAID, THE EQUATION THAT GOVERNS THE DIFFUSER SECTION IS GIVEN BY:

Diffuser diameter (d) = (√Cu x (N/1000)) *0.8 = mm, where:

• d=Diffuser diameter in mm.

• Cu=Unit displacement in cm³
• N= RPM in thousands (or RPM divided by 1000)
• And finally the constant 0.8; which indicates the performance of the carburetor for an
approximately ideal mixture.

EX: FOR A 4-STROKE SINGLE CYLINDER ENGINE

Cylinder diameter (D) = 78mm = 7.8cm = 0.078m

Piston stroke (C) = 52.2mm = 5.22cm = 0.0522m
No.rpm (N) = 8700 rpm (rated speed)

Cu = ((π * D²) /4) * C... (π * (7.8²)cm */4) * 5.22cm = 249.3cm³

d = (√249.3cm³ x (8700/1000)) *0.8 = 37.2mm

AND FOR THE CALCULATION OF THE SUPPLY:

Main jet diameter=d * (0.05) = mm

Low jet diameter = main jet * (0.35) = mm

FOR EXAMPLE, 37.2mm DIFFUSER

Main jet = 37.2mm x (0.05) = 1.86mm .

Low jet = 1.86mm x (0.35) = 0.65mm

Note : This is the mathematical calculation used for a standard monocylinder engine, the values can
be modified up or down with tests on the dynamometric bench or a road test depending on the
power obtained or engine response respectively.
To check the appropriate (optimal) diameter, the speeds of the piston and diffuser must be
calculated and multiplied by their respective areas to obtain the flow rate sucked in by the motor,
and the flow rate supplied by the diffuser at atmospheric pressure, which are given by the
equation :

WHERE: For Q in the diffuser:

Q = V diffuser * diffuser area
Q = flow rate (mm³/sec)
A = area (mm²) For Q in the cylinder:
V = speed (mm/sec) Q = V piston * cylinder
area
• The units of length and area must be the same (m or cm or mm)

WHERE THE AREA IS GIVEN BY:

A = (π * D²)/4; for the cylinder; and A = (π * d²)/4; for the diffuser

FOR EXAMPLE

A cylinder = (π *(7.8²) cm)/4 = 47.75cm²

A diffuser = (π * (3.72²) cm/ 4 = 10.86cm²

AND THE SPEEDS OF THE PISTON AND DIFFUSER:

V piston = (C * N)/30 = m/sec; where:

C = piston stroke
N = no. of rpm
30 = constant

V diffuser = (V piston * D²)/d² = m/sec; where:

D = cylinder diameter d = diffuser diameter

FOR EXAMPLE

V piston = (5.22cm * 8700rpm)/30 = 1513 cm/s

V diffuser = (1513cm/s * (7.8²)cm)/(3.72²)cm = 6651.84 cm/s

NOTE: The speeds expressed here are in cm/s, it is worth mentioning that they can be expressed
in any other unit of measurement as long as the diameter is worked in a single unit of
measurement.
If the carburetor diameter is optimal, then the cylinder and diffuser flow rates should be equal.

FOR THE EXAMPLE WE CHECK

Q cylinder = 47.75cm² * 1513cm/s = 72245.75cm³/s

Q diffuser = 10.86cm² * 6651.84cm/s = 7238.98cm³/s

OBS: As seen, the flow rates are approximately equal, the variation is due to the use of decimals

Finally, you must find the number of rpm at rated speed (maximum power), which will coincide
with a speed in the diffuser of 90m/s; speed at which the vaporization of the air-fuel mixture allows
optimal combustion.

THIS IS GIVEN BY THE EQUATION:

N = (30 * 90 * d²)/C * D² = RPM; where 30 = constant

90 = optimal speed of mixture homogenization (m/s) d = diameter of the diffuser (mm)
D = cylinder diameter (mm)
C = piston stroke (meters)

FOR EXAMPLE

N = 30 * 90m/s * (37.2²)mm / 0.0522m * (78²)mm = 11764 rpm

Note: for the result of a number of rpm different from that delivered by the manufacturer (at rated
speed) it indicates that the power curve or the maximum power value for the engine in question
has the possibility of improvement; because the value delivered by the manufacturer corresponds
to an effective power value that considers performance losses due to heat transfer, friction and
volumetric performance.