How long does a Top Fuel engine run?

How long does a Top Fuel engine run?

Top Fuel dragsters are the quickest accelerating racing cars in the world and the fastest sanctioned category of drag racing, with the fastest competitors reaching speeds of 335 miles per hour (539 km/h) and finishing the 1,000 foot (305 m) runs in 3.62 seconds.

What happens to a Top Fuel dragster engine?

After the run, the engine is dieseling from compression plus the glow of exhaust valves at 1400 degrees F. The engine can only be shut down by running the car out of fuel. There is no way to cut off the fuel; the engine stops only when it blows or the tank runs dry.

What engines do dragsters use?

Powered by a supercharged and fuel-injected 500-cubic-inch adaptation of the famed Chrysler Hemi engine, Top Fuel dragsters can burn up to 15 gallons of nitromethane fuel during a single run.

Why do Top Fuel engines explode?

If a Top Fuel car’s engine is not running properly and unburned fuel builds up in the engine, it can explode with a force strong enough to crack the engine’s head or block. The engines and components are under so much pressure that all of the connections need to be inspected and repaired on a regular basis.

How much HP is a Top Fuel dragster?

A Top Fuel Dragster—distinguished by a supercharged, custom-built, 500-cubic-inch engine—boasts 11,000 horsepower and burns nitromethane. By contrast, a Top Alcohol Dragster’s output is about approximately 4,000 hp. Most alcohol dragsters burn methanol, although a few burn ethanol.

Why do top fuel dragsters use blowers?

Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars both use setback-style blowers to help distribute the air better into the volatile engines. The transmission behind the motor, no matter the blower type, must be able to handle the level of power the motor is putting out.

Can dragsters turn?

In order to exceed 300 mph in 4.5 seconds, dragsters must accelerate at an average of more than 4 g’s. A Top Fuel dragster reaches more than 300 mph before you have completed reading this sentence. With a redline that can be as high as 9500 rpm, Top Fuel engines turn approximately 540 revolutions from light to light.

How much does a Top Fuel dragster engine cost?

The cost of a complete top fuel dragster engine is in the $58,000 range depending on options. The engine will be stripped down to the bare block after every run and be rebuilt in a span of 40 minutes.

How many amps does it take to start a dragster?

At full throttle the cylinders are on the verge of hydraulic lock. That is where the ignition comes into play. Modern top fuel dragsters run two magnetos. The output of each magneto is 44 amps to each cylinder. That is about the same amperage as an arc welder.

How big is the wheelbase of a dragster?

The wheelbase of a modern top fuel dragster is 300 inches. There is about 250 feet of chrome moly tubing in the chassis which remains unpainted due to the constant need to repair cracks. There are 58 Bead Lock bolts used to retain each rear tire to the wheel. Tire pressures are set between 6.5 and 7.5 psi.

How much down force does a car engine generate?

The downward thrust made by the exhaust gases escaping the headers generates 800 pounds of that down force. Pretty sneaky, eh? All of the ignition and related functions are controlled by computer and are programmed at the starting line using a laptop computer (see photo at right).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sEi5NbUFLU