Table of Contents
- 1 How much downforce does the exhaust on a top fuel dragster have?
- 2 How much does a engine cost in a top fuel dragster?
- 3 Why do top fuel dragsters not use turbos?
- 4 What is nitromethane made from?
- 5 Why do they call them funny cars?
- 6 How many horsepower does a Top Fuel drag car have?
- 7 What makes a Top Fuel engine so good?
How much downforce does the exhaust on a top fuel dragster have?
Top Fuel racing Additionally, the burnout applies a layer of fresh rubber to the track surface, which greatly improves traction during launch. At maximum throttle and RPM, the exhaust gases escaping from a dragster’s open headers produce about 900–1,100 pounds-force (4.0–4.9 kN) of downforce.
How much does a engine cost in a top fuel dragster?
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. The engine will be torn down and rebuilt 184 times in a year if the car makes it to the finals at every race.
Why do top fuel dragsters not use turbos?
The only reason they are not running turbos is the rule restriction. The rules keep trying to limit top speed. A turbo nitro engine would definitely make more power available. The exhaust gases from nitro carry much more energy than other fuels which is a giant advantage.
How much does a funny car dragster cost?
Today, fielding a Funny Car team can cost between US$2.6 and US$3 million. A single carbon fiber body can cost US$70,000. Nitro Funny Car racing in 2020 has become a one-team, one-manufacturer monopoly….Most NHRA Funny Car wins.
| Driver | Wins |
|---|---|
| John Force | 154 |
| Ron Capps | 67 |
| Robert Hight | 53 |
| Tony Pedregon | 43 |
How do Top Fuel dragsters make so much power?
Top Fuel cars get their power from custom engines that are 500 cubic inches and boast superchargers, making them capable of around 8,000-horsepower. These engines can’t burn regular gasoline, or even race gas. They need nitromethane, a special kind of fuel, which is how these cars got the Top Fuel name.
What is nitromethane made from?
Nitromethane is produced industrially by combining propane and nitric acid in the gas phase at 350–450 °C (662–842 °F). This exothermic reaction produces the four industrially significant nitroalkanes: nitromethane, nitroethane, 1-nitropropane, and 2-nitropropane.
Why do they call them funny cars?
The term for the Super Stock cars dates back to the 1960s, and the original Funny Car is said to go back to 1964. The short and surprisingly simple answer is—literally—someone back in the early 1960s looked at the odd design of a basic Super Stock car with its altered wheelbase and said, “That looks funny.”
How many horsepower does a Top Fuel drag car have?
He packed up his tools and did his best Tony Schumacher impression by stomping the pedal down and blasting straight to Brownsburg. These Top Fuel engines make 11,000 horses and power the fastest-accelerating drag cars in the world.
How much downforce does a fuel dragster generate?
Here is a sneaky trick… 12,000 pounds is the amount of downforce generated by the rear wing of a top fuel dragster at 325 mph. The downward thrust made by the exhaust gases escaping the headers generates 800 pounds of that down force.
How much does a dragster fuel tank hold?
The fuel tank holds 17 gallons of fuel. A 55-gallon drum of nitromethane today costs about $900. The cost of a complete top fuel dragster engine is in the $58,000 range depending on options.
What makes a Top Fuel engine so good?
Once inside, the billet steel crank and camshaft are no less imposing. A key attribute for a Top Fuel engine, as Davin points, was the use of oversized studs as opposed to longer bolts. Why? Because when you tear down a hot engine, studs mitigate thread damage after multiple disassemblies compared to bolts.