[sm08_jb]

Hi all. I am new to CFD. I have a degree in Industrial Design and seen CFD used in the formula one world so I know of CFD and it capabilities. It has always been interesting to me but I have never really done anything with it. However I now need it.

I race enduro lay down go karts on road racing circuits. The karts have full body work and at Mid Ohio average over 90 mph and hits speeds over 120mph on the straights. Aerodynamics are very important but it is hard to try new stuff because it is just me making the body work and track time is very limited.

Because of my ID knowledge I have built the kart and various body work designs in CAD (rhino 3d). Now I would like to use these CAD models to do CFD analysis of COD and downforce.

My question to everyone is, is there a good software for me to use for not much money. Or is their a trial software I could use to get these numbers. I have used next limit's realflow for water simulation which should give me at least an idea of how to use CFD software. I looked into Next limit's x-flow but can't find much info on how to test it. Or is this crazy to think I could jump into CFD at all because it is so much more complex than using other CAD or simulation programs. In that case...

If I can provide CAD files of my kart would someone be willing to drop in my models and give my data on the different bodies. If so please contact me with what I would need to provide and how much you would charge. Thanks for everyones time.