Why do drag cars use alcohol?
Most race car drivers prefer fuel that is methanol- or ethanol-based, and the reason is simple, really. Overall, alcohol-based fuel has a high octane rating which increases fuel efficiency. Methanol burns cleaner and cooler, is less flammable, and less expensive than gasoline. … They adjust their air to fuel ratio.
What alcohol is used in drag racing?
Alcohols like methyl alcohol (methanol) and ethyl alcohol (ethanol) are often used in race fuels. Sometimes they are a small part of the fuel and sometimes they are a primary component of the fuel. Methanol is commonly used “straight” – that’s why it’s called racing alcohol by many.
Is Top Alcohol the same as Top Fuel?
Top Alcohol Dragsters may look like Top Fuelers, but they have significant differences. Whereas Top Fuelers use supercharged, nitro-burning engines, Top Alcohol Dragsters may use a supercharged methanol-burning engine or an injected nitromethane combination.
How much does a Top Alcohol Dragster cost?
The total finished cost of a Top Fuel dragster is estimated at $500,000. Some notable drivers competing in this category are Darren Morgan, Andrew Cowin, Phil Lamattina, Damian Harris, Wayne Newbey, Martin Stamatis and Phil Read and various drivers representing Santo Rapisarda.
Which burns hotter alcohol or gasoline?
Some people have reported engines overheating when ethanol blends are used, suggesting that ethanol burns “hotter.” This is a bit mysterious since ethanol contains less energy per unit volume than gasoline, and the flame temperature of ethanol is more than 40°C cooler than gasoline.
Can you run a engine on alcohol?
Almost any gasoline-powered engine can be made to run well on alcohol. Only minor and inexpensive modifications to the engine are required. Anyone with reasonable, mechanical skill and common handtools can make the modifications once they’ve learned the procedure.
What is the fastest 1/4 mile time ever recorded?
Worlds Fastest 1/4 mile ever on dragstrip 3.58 secs @ 386 mph (621.61 km/h)
What is the fastest drag car in the world?
In 2016, the FireForce 3 Jet Car became the fastest drag racing vehicle in the world. It could reach 1/4 mile in 5.79 seconds at 336 mph.
What fuel do funny cars use?
The fuel mixture is usually 85–90% nitromethane (nitro, “fuel”) and 10–15% methanol (alcohol, “alky”).
How much does a gallon of nitromethane cost?
Nitromethane used to power the engines of NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars costs about $16 US per gallon!
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.
Are Funny cars faster than dragsters?
Funny cars feature carbon-fiber bodies over a conventional chassis and resemble production cars. Top Fuel dragsters generally have the same horsepower as Funny cars, but are faster because they are lighter with narrow bodies. Funny cars and Top Fuel dragsters are straight-line quarter-mile racers.
What is the fastest quarter mile Top Fuel?
Quarter mile times
| Vehicle | Elapsed time |
|---|---|
| Top Fuel Dragster | ET: 4.443 sec @ ~335.32 mph (539.65 km/h) |
| Speed: 4.485 sec@ ~338.35 mph (544.52 km/h) | |
| Top Fuel Dragster (1000 foot) | ET: 3.701 sec @ ~328.78 mph (529.12 km/h) |
| Speed: 3.802 sec @ ~332.18 mph (534.59 km/h) |
How long does a Top Fuel dragster engine last?
The life of an engine of this sort is typically 11–12 runs in a dragster it is completely replaced, but after each of those passes it will be torn down and rebuilt.
How much horsepower does a Top Alcohol Funny Car have?
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.