RC Car from the video (engine included): bit.ly/46FJDPn Become a Tuning Pro: hpcdmy.co/dr4a Nitro Engine by itself: bit.ly/48YGCvb Find more engines: www.enginediy.com/?ref=d4a Extra 10% off code: d4a I earn a small commission if you purchase something from the link above Patreon: www.patreon.com/d4a Motivation: ruclips.net/channel/UCt3YSIPcvJsYbwGCDLNiIKA
@d4a The hobby needs your help. There is a petition ongoing in the EU that wants the 16% nitro limit to not be applied to nitro-rc-engines. If you do a quick google search "EFRA EU petition" you can find it. You would help the community a lot if you pin this petition in your comments. Thank you :)
@D4a , Would you be interested in visitng an NHRA race this November? I'm getting group tickets for the NHRA In In Out Finals on November 12, and conveniently, I have 2 seats available, and one just got occupied, so if you can make it to Southern California on that weekend, I can get you in to the final race of the year on the Sunday.
Fun fact, a hyper 7 offroad rc buggy has enough power to tow you behind it on a skateboard to a scary speed on concrete, don’t attempt it, skateboards shouldn’t go as fast as I did that fateful day. Lol
I have a OFNA ultra XL buggy with a upgraded .28 force engine that puts out 2.7 hp, revs to 38,000rpm and with a 2 speed transmission can do over 80mph OFNA is unfortunately out of business, but this buggy is over 20 years old but the motor is only like 10 years old but still runs great.
I run methanol in my dragster. I've gone faster since switching from gas to methanol than I ever did running gas. I've tried to explain this to many people and they simply don't understand. This is one of the best explanations of how this works that I've seen. Bravo!
Just want to update your info. Being a top fuel junkie. The 1000ft finish line rule change happened because NHRA did a study and found more than 95% of the engine failures and engine explosions happened in the last 320ft of a 1/4mile. After working with crew chiefs they found out the engines made the 1000ft easy but the engineers were hoping and praying it holds that last 320ft so they limited track length and dramatically limited eninge explosions. So many people have responded to my post with something about a death. But no one who responded has taken the time to do the research. Scott's death was the final death. Combined with multiple years of spectator deaths. Oil downs every race. Engines blowing every race. All this come to a head with scotts death it was NOT Scotts death that changed the rules. Not even close if Scott had been the only death or even one of the first 10 then there would have been no rule changes. Scoots death was the final death to open an investigation and find out why. The results came back that the engines were all or nearly all blowing up in the 320. By shutting down the engines at 1000ft both the engines are surviving and there is an extra distance to slow the car before track end. But if you watch the documentary they clearly lay out the investigation was prompted by the US government because of on track and spectator deaths. NHRA was facing the possibility of ending top fuel and funny car. .. There are years and years leading up to the investigation that lead to the rule change. Scotts death was just the last one and rhe one people know because things happen immediately after
That is true, though it was also speed and track shutdown lengths also had a role. It was the unfortunate death of Scott Kalitta that really sealed the deal with running at 1000ft. It was only a matter of time before the speeds we saw at 1/4 mile will be accomplished in 1000ft. There are still some purists out there that long for the 1/4 mile; I myself would like to see an experimental nitro class that can run at 1/4 mile but I admit that's wishful thinking.
And now, the cars are going faster in 1000 foot runs than the speeds they were doing in the 1320. Mike Salinas just hit a 300mph 1/8 mile run a few weeks ago
As someone who has gone to a local dragstrip many times (Summit Motorsports park) I can say that watching top fuel is an experience like exceptionally few others. That kind of power level can be felt in the ground, in your chest, shaking windows and stadiums. Only things that come close are the jet dragsters, which, well, you can guess why.
I was going to suggest that anyone who finds specific power of liquid burning engines interesting should attend an NHRA Top Fuel qualification or race some day. Its an experience you'll never forget and the cost of entry is small. If pit passes are still cheap (used to be $5) you can get up close as they check the engines and rebuild the clutches between runs.
For my automotive school we got pit passed and i got to meet ron caps and watch them do theyre rebuilds, got yo take back a ron capps tire off his funny car lol
My wife and I used to go to a few NHRA events each year. I have always said, experiencing a top fuel dragster or funny car is something everyone should experience at least once. It is a mind blowing display of immense power through almost every sense at the same time. The only I've ever seen that compares is sheer awesome display of power was an F-14 on the catapults in full afterburner at night.
@@DanielFrost79 … I mean if you have the time, money and fab skills to build a tube chassis or front half a car, relocate the firewall… etc etc… anything fits in anything
Have noticed this before but in 2:42 it shows the peak output at 35000rpm with practical top at 45000! That's insane for reciprocating engine even if the masses are miniscule.
Fun fact : O.S. Engines , a japanese RC engine manufacturer, makes .21 cubic inches (or 3,5cc) Nitro engines for 1/8th scale On-road competitions, top of the line is the OS Speed R2105 which has a total power output of over 2.8hp at 35.000rpm , but it revs close to 50k rpm . Legend has it reaches over 3.5hp with high nitro percentage at around 40k rpm, making it a 1000hp/litre engine effectively . Just INSANE! Edit: never mind, he actually says that .
I went to a NHRA event a month ago. The top fuel dragsters was the loudest thing ive ever heard as you would imagine. I was recording and the audio on my phone just cut out while they went and returned while they slowed. When they start going, or even just doing a burnout, the stadiums shake, you can fell it in your feet and chest its amazing. It was a amazing experience and would recommend to anyone! Love the video!
I used to drive these nitro-power RC cars and I was always impressed with how sturdy and powerful the engines were in them. They're a load of fun and I suggest any enginehead out there grab one.
@@DashzRight Yeah, you can get RC cars with brushless motors too, they've been around as long as I can remember. Despite electrics being generally cheaper, faster, lighter, cleaner, easier to run, and quieter nitro cars are still popular and continue to sell, because these are not competing markets in the hobby space. Nobody needs an RC car like they do a road car, so people get the RC cars they like, not the ones that are the most performant, and some people like being able to keep filling their gas tank instead of having to pack up and go home and wait for batteries to charge for 12 hours.
I am in my third year of an aerospace engineering degree and i have to say having watched ur videos throughout while gaining more knowledge about what youre saying has been a really cool experience. keep doing what you do man, you’ve inspired my enthusiasm for ice engineering and how much cool stuff there is to learn about in these things! ur the best
Do you think that the chemical equation...4 CH3NO2 + 5 O2 → 4 CO2 + 6 H2O + 4 NO should be considered while playing with toys? What does that last part (NO) stand for, in layman's terms?
Yeah, I am currently at the first year of Mechanical engineering and boy, right from the start, one of the doctors in the lead of the institute of engine vehicles has been teasing us that just when we will have to choose theme for our bachelor project, the university should start experimenting with hydrogen, and well, because of the current world situation, I can smell the potencial of propper hydrogen engines. All it takes is some money and effort! 😃
I love your videos. You dont beg people to subscribe, you dont have commercials, and you dont put amazon links to buy stuff. ONLY VALUABLE INFORMATIONS ! You are a top notch instructor. I subscribe right away. Wish you the best.
I can't believe I watched that lecture, But you did a great job. And you had no distracting background music so I can still enjoy my music and learn. Just good banter and tech, is all this guy needs. So I subscribed.
oh right, you're building a nitromethane/hydrogen peroxide engine. fun fact, if you really want some bragging rites, you can use your catalyst bed to decompose the hydrogen peroxide, use that to spin a pump, use that pump to pump both the peroxide and the nitromethane, or whatever you decide to use. vent the decomposed peroxide that was just spinning the turbine to power the power the pumps into the main chamber, probably use the nitromethane to cool the chamber and nozzle, running fuel rich of course, and boom, you get the bragging rights of building a regeneratively cooled, closed cycle engine. now, it's not staged combustion, but you get the advantages of a closed power cycle, but with a reaction that's much easier on the turbine. probably start the engine with an electric starter motor, but after that it should power itself. just keep hands on the throttle to make sure she doesn't run away on you. By using nitromethane, you get to carry less peroxide too if you put it on something that actually flies. Imagine the bragging rights of saying you flew a closed cycle liquid fueled rocket? it's a much simpler version but hey. The exact ratio of nitromethane to methanol you'd need to also run enough peroxide to power the pump though, that's an answer i do not have on hand currently, but one some experimentation and a blast shield could probably reach. uh, just, don't cheap out on the blast shield, because this will probably explode at least a couple times.
I used to be in an aerodesign team in college. Was quite familiar with these guys. Particularly the OS 61 FX, a little bigger than this one. We used to have a guy who was an absolute BEAST tuning and mantaining these guys. In the airport of the competition, we had an area where we could test the plane and run it's engine to make sure everything was alright when it came it's time to shine. All the other teams where wunning their engines like "waaaaaaaah". Then we turned ours on: "WAAAAAAAAAAAH". It was audibly angrier than the other team's, and they noticed. Mind you, we had strictly controlled engine specs. Most people used the same engine we did, because it was the most reliable and consistent of the 4 engines the competition allowed. The fuel was supplied by the competition, also the same everyone was using. Ours was just extremelly fine tuned. When the engine spun I looked at out engine techie's face. He had the widest shit-eating grin I ever saw in a mechanic. Other teams even gathered around to see that marvel. They even asked us what propeller we were using (same everyone did, also) "It's just our guy's tuning!". It really was. I know one of his secrets was polishing/cleaning the bore with a power drill and a cotton q-tip.
With a good "polishing compound" on the Q-tip one can even increase the displacement of the engine. That's some good tuning :D I all honesty, that's not what I think he was doing, just an idle thought.
Why don't airplanes use nitro at all if they are so powerful per weight? Hell... Imagine a hybrid nitro engine with that electric motor. The SPM177 from Helix Motors. Can drop a lot of the battery pack, and charge it quick with the right set up. Actually he doesn't go into nitros efficiency per gallon or liter. My question maybe flawed! Still having a lightweight generator would be amazing for a plane. Hybrid planes should already be a thing.
@@dianapennepacker6854hybrid only makes sense in aircraft, if takeoff power is significantly higher than cruise. In most aircraft, it isn't. Their power just goes down as altitude increases. An NA piston single will fly at 65% to 75% power at WOT (or close to it) and will only have RPM and mixture adjusted for economy and longevity. Same with turbines. They'll cruise close to one of the (long-term) operating limits of the engine. In the end, it's just better to have one engine and let it make peak rated power for short bursts (takeoff) and cruise at high economy and longevity settings. No extra motor or batteries needed. VTOL is different, there hybridisation may well make sense.
Top Fuel is something _everyone_ should experience once in their life, just the switch from alcohol (they cannot be started on 90% nitro, they just explode !) Is mind blowing. They burn 15 gallons or 57 liters for warm up, burn out, and 1 run .
My auto shop teacher in college went through all the math and showed us how the engine produces so much power in less than 1,000 revolutions total from start up to shut down. At least at the time, I'm not sure how long they run the engines now, but the general idea was that they run less than a minute.
You literally have some of the best engine videos on YT. We researched, informative, fun - everything I want. R/C cars, trucks, whatever are awesome. Thanks D4A!
RC enthusiast here. I was waiting on you to cover these little engines. Very well explained as always. I know aviation isn't exactly your area, but have you considered taking at look at aircraft radial engines? I'd love to hear your thorough explanation of those monsters. Cheers!
My parents took me to them a few times when I was a little kid with panic disorder. I never told my parents but I had terrible panic attacks several times a day and every time they took my brother and I to a drag race with funny cars I was in hell. Now I'm 35 and I'm good to go! I need to see when the next NHRA is in Vegas
I got track passes back in 2011 at Sunoco...pretty sure the proximity of 10 ft. to that much power shook my soul from my body when the tree lights turned green. It was the coolest feeling EVER
5:30 thats how a lot of people feel about rc cars, but once you actually drive and work on them then you realize how similar rc cars are to real cars, its amazing how much transfers over
this is by far the most automotive engineering information-worthy channel ive ever came across. you are incredible and deserve the best for sharing all that with us! wishing you all the best! thank you bro!
I'm just your average Joe (no super mechanic or anything), but wow watching your videos is amazing! Such good and fascinating explanations and examples!! It's always a pleasure watching your videos. 👍
There is a lot of hype here, but dude ignores how much fuel the vehicle carries and what that weighs in his calculations. Those figures provide a much different REALITY.
I agree. He's a very good teacher indeed. He's also rigorous and thorough enough in his preparation not to become sloppy in his presentation; which I imagine is a very easy line to step over in this medium where there is a tendency to want to "wing it". The breadth of material covered on this channel now is simply astonishing and all of it is done well.
@@ChristianRThomas ...What field is your experience in that qualifies you to claim this content is "thorough enough?" I can't imagine it is in chemistry, mechanical engineering, or automotive maintenance.
@@ChristianRThomas ...Go research what it takes to make Nitromethane, then decide if I have misspoken. Edit...then look up how many regulatory bodies list it as one of the most dangerous materials we humans have concocted, please.
Great fun, I did race RC 1/8th nitro on-road in the 2000's with engines similar to the 3.5cc engine you pointed out. The sound was something that set them apart as they rev very high 38000 ish rpm. We still race the same cars today (can-am style 1/8th) but sadly all electric due to the developing residential area near the track.
@@Harley32315-playse Concur on the smell; most of which was the smell of the lubricant but in the very early days you could also smell a touch of ether (perhaps pre-nitro days; I'm talking late 50's/early 60s). I used to race 3.5 OPS, tuned pipe, 40% nitro in model boats; fun times.
@@chuckgrenci6404 The ether smell is the best. I've only ever smelt it on Historic race days where the cars are allowed to run on their original fuels. It's intoxicating (probably literally). :)
I loved this video; exceedingly well presented and very factual. I race a 14-71 supercharged 100% methanol hemi in a 1045kg 1986 Mustang which is pretty fast. It's an absolutely huge thrill to drive but certainly nowhere near the thrill I can only imagine it would be to do in a Top Fuel car - and I never get tired watching them. You did a wonderful job, thanks and keep it up.
I've worked in the mechanical industry for over 20 years (big rigs)... I learned so many things in this short video I'd never known before! Great show!
What impresses me the most as a gear head ! The amount of power a piston engine can deliver on such an old design ! Especially on a normally aspirated gas engine ! These hobby engines are amazing for simplicity and peak power !
Simply Amazing...one very informative video. I have learned my trade back in the 70's and entered my car into street drags, my motorcycle into bike drag racing after doing all the performance tweaks of the era. I even had those little engines in my model planes,but never really looked at anything in this way. Thanks for teaching a retired old dog something new.
Damn, I really need to get a RC car again! These got me into tinkering as a kid, the best toy in the universe! Thousands of hours of entertainment plus learning all basics on mechnanics and electronics.
This was really interesting. Explained the basics of nitromethane along with the reasons why it is so effective. My husband who worked in engineering, sat there riveted to the screen like a kid in a sweet shop, paying great attention to the facts and figures, while nodding his head and going, 'Ah, I see.' For me it explained the differences between the fuels and why they work as they do. Thank you!!😄😄😄
Thank you so much for the kind words and support. I really appreciate it when someone transmits the viewing experience as it's something I never get to see.
I don't even know why RUclips recommended me your video, but this has been very informative and incredibly interesting to watch. Your way of presentation is very concise yet easy to follow and understand, even for someone who has never had any contact with engines and how they work - at all. Great video.
one thing to consider is the rpm of an engine is limited by its piston speed, and therefore stroke length. the small engines can achieve high rpm(45,000). There's probably some point at which it stops making sense to make the stroke longer, and instead just increase the piston diameter, and add more pistons. So a v12 with an oversquare design starts to become very attractive, then just add boost. cylinder coatings can help a lot too.
We seem to have pulled back from the oversquare route in the last 20-odd years. At one point it looked kind of endless that you just make the stroke shorter and shorter, get higher revs and more explosions per minute, so more power. I suspect other parameters have come into play, one of which must be piston area going up with the square of the radius and probably needing quite a bit more mass to get its strength back up. There are quite a few other pressures on the dimensions of these engines, but the new(ish) BMW B58 straight 6s are notably undersquare. They are less dependent on valve area than their predecessors, I suppose, packing is much more important and the blocks have to double up for diesels, but nonetheless the optimum seems to be moving in favour of longer strokes rather than shorter. I could be missing something, or have added up the factors incorrectly, but that's how it strikes me as an outside observer of both race engines and the "real world".
Oversquare works when you can transfer the entire potential energy of the fuel to the drivetrain. This will not work for larger engines that run at higher RPM. With a longer stroke, the spark can be varied to create power at a more comprehensive range of RPM. Atomized fuel ignites in a wave, and adding additional compression to an already burning fuel mixture can increase horsepower. So, with a long stroke, you get the benefit of low-end torque from a large displacement but high-end power from the more easily timed flame front. Other experiments with dual spark plugs have been conducted to bring back oversquare engines, but none have succeeded, sadly.
@@TheCompleteMentalwhy not just go the full distance and make it a jet engine…power to weight ratio higher than any top fuel engine and spins to minimum 60000 rpm
In the 80’s top fuel engines had their pistons and connecting rods swapped after every run. This was so they could x-ray them for cracks, they also lightly honed the cylinders. In that era they produced 3,500 to 4,500 hp. Quite thrilling to be standing between two of them leaving the starting line.
This may be my favorite video you've ever done. This is for many reasons, but primarily because I know way too many people who believe that fuel with a higher energy content absolutely must make more power in the engine. Let's not even get into the question of octane rating. Thank you thank you thank you! Keep up the excellent videos!!
To add to the fuels mentioned in the video, you can see the same trend if you keep going in the other direction too. Hydrogen has an energy content of 120 to 142MJ/kg depending on how you measure it, so about three times higher than gasoline. But it also has an air fuel ratio of 34:1, meaning that hydrogen engines are pretty wimpy compared to gasoline engines. The engine in Mazda's RX-8 Hydrogen RE for example makes 206hp running on gasoline but only 107hp running on hydrogen.
This is the first time I have seen your channel and wow. What an absolutely brilliant way you have structured this video. Fantastic. Very informative and very edible content. Thank you for making this video, I am very into drag racing and have always wondered the differences in the different fuel types, You have explained this perfectly and I feel like anybody could watch this video and easily understand the difference. If anybody ever has a "Explain like i'm 5" question I will send them to you! Thank you again brotha, Subscribed and like the video.
I'm a huge rocket fan. Thanks for the shuttle reference! Rocket engines live in a completely different universe. When you see a HP number for a staged combustion rocket engine, it's actually just how powerful the fuel pump is. The HP number is how much the turbine/s are generating while powering the fuel and oxidizer pumps. 71,000 horsepower is literally how much power the fuel pump on the RS-25 uses while it pumps around 5500 liters of fuel per second.
I was wondering where he got the power figures, since jet and rocket engines normally are rated in lbs of thrust(or Newton's). IIRC, the SSME is rather weak on thrust to weight. Kerolox rockets like the SpaceX Merlin and Rocketdyne F-1 have better thrust to weight ratios.
Rocket engine power is thrust multiplied by specific impulse and divided by two. 2.279 MN of vacuum thrust multiplied by 4.436 km/s of vacuum specific impulse and divided by 2 = 5.055 GW (or 6 778 628 HP) of power. More then 2133 HP/kg.
@@edwinball985 Rocketdyne's RS-25's werent designed with maximum output at the front of the design, they were designed for efficiency, re-usability and power combined. This is why they used hydrogen for the fuel not kerolox. Its way more efficient and its a lighter fuel and it also doesnt coke the engine making it better for re-usability. They were also a highly reliable engine with only 1 failure in 135 flights on the shuttle and they are now being used on the SLS. They may look like an inferior engine if only power is considered, but they are a great engine with high chamber pressure that did exactly what they were designed to do.
The fuel pump on a rocket is actually called a turbo pump and the turbo pump is really everything when designing a liquid fuel rocket engine. Those things are pretty ridiculous on a good size rocket engine.
Fun fact. Two side by side Top Fuel engines are so *violently loud* that they register on the seismograph in the University of Florida's Department of Geological Sciences (which is almost 9 miles [14.5 KM] from Gainesville Raceway). Top Fuel driver 'Clay Millican' channel has the best TF Team racing videos IMO. He's really down to earth and the team's last few weeks has been nothing short of crazy (catastrophic engine failure and TWO bent chassis). BIG EXPLOSION (title) shows several behind the scenes things including the engine after the KaBOOM and sitting in the trailer/lounge with Jim O (crew chief) talking about their qualifying runs.
I bring 2-3 newbies to NHRA events every year. Getting to watch people go from surprised/panicked/amazed/laughing is such a treat. You can't describe the sensation you feel in the stands.
Well done sir. I ran Blown fuel flat boats in late 70's early 80's when SDBA outawed the class. We ran 1:1 fueling with 41°timing. Remember we were only allowed 1 magneto, and 1 fuel pump. Yes we killed alot of fuel pumps
Absolutely fascinating. 😎👍🏻 I had no idea that nitromethane actually had a lower calorific value than standard petroleum until today. Every day is indeed a school day😎👌🏻
Almost every "usual" liquid that burns, has lower energy content than oil products. Regular pump-fuels have energy in order: diesel, petrol (gas), ethanol/E85. That's why fuel consumption is in that same order, though diesel engines are more efficient by design.
@@PH_78Is kerosene/paraffin in between petrol and alcohol blends in terms of stored energy? Of course E85 is mostly a biofuel not derived from petroleum like the rest.
In all of the magazines, I’ve read throughout the 80s 90s up till now trying to learn about cars as a hobby. I have never once had it put so well as to what you have explained.
A Great Video. Explained clearly and succinctly. Just enough physics and chemistry to make sense. I've never seen a video about engines on this channel that wasn't A+++. You have a knack for explaining function and providing information about engines. Your practical knowledge is unmatched. Your passion is obvious. Thanks. 😎👍🏻
I could be wrong, and forgive me in advance if I am because I'm not a very keen "jet guy", but I think there are some turboshaft/turboprop engines out there that output some pretty insane power to weight ratios like the Allison T56 turboprop (4.52 kW/kg), and venerable tiny little Allison 250 series turboshaft (3.765 kW/kg) - Those figures are from Wikipedia so take them with extreme caution and a lot of salt, and ask AgentJZ of Jet City Turbines! He'd be the #1 go-to for realistic figures and would know 1,000 times more than I could
@@KnowledgePerformance7 GM was almost ready to launch turboshaft cars and trucks in the 60s, but couldn't get them to meet emissions. Apparently they were pretty damn smooth to drive too.
From the all important fuel efficiency standpoint turbines don't do terribly well, at least in ground vehicles. They like to run at high power and high altitude to get best fuel efficiency. It would be interesting to see the math on a small turbine used to power a range extender for an EV as the small size relative to power would be a big plus.
@@Surestick88 not completely true, maybe smaller ones but large industrial scale turbine generators are some of the most, if not the most efficient ice:s (regarding altitude)
@@Surestick88 this is 100% spot on; gas turbines get optimal consumption running at 100% capacity (100% speed/load) and that's why they were never suitable for ground vehicles but can't be beat in the air, or in stationary applications like power generation or pumps where they can run at 100% power all of the time - running at 100%, from how I understand it, it's crucial for their compression ratios the higher compression you get from the compressor the higher the efficiency of the gas turbine engine. Don't quote me on this coz reliable numbers are hard to find but I think the latest Rolls-Royce Trent engines are pushing into the range of 50:1 compression ratios, insane!
Nitro engines are awesome. I have a RC model of a GT40 with a Kyosho race engine and a 2 speed gearbox. Its been clocked by a speed-gun at 73mph. Mad !.
As usual - very interesting and well explained. Even if one already knows about the subject, you listen anyway as everything is so well explained. Congratulations and keep up the excellent work. 👍👍
The other effect of Nitrous Oxyde (NOS is the commercial name of this) is the sudden drop in temperature when it's released. So it "densifies" the air coming in the cylinder and it acts as a form of "chemical supercharger". Nobody speaks about this effect, but it is present.
This is a 2 stroke fan neighborhood. Everyone was on the balconies applauding and cheering it's just that my camera ran out of battery before I could record it.
To make it more extreme: Your weigh in included the engine mounts, the clutch and the exhaust manifold. I think at least the first two are usually not included when talking about an engines power to weight ratio... I once saw the fuel injectors of a top fuelers in operation, releasing fuel into the intake. It looked more like a waterfall than an air/fuel mixture.
Which can happen in case of a misfire, which is instantly fatal as one misfire means that the spark plugs will be immersed in nitromethane the next stroke meaning no ignition so the head will be blown off and the rod and crankshaft are at risk too. @@static7985
I can easily imagine an engine like those used in a bigger drone, because it's light, crazy powerful, and there nobody would care about service life nor about emission levels. Really cool tech, thank you
Definition of Horse POWER One top fuel dragster 8.1 litre Hemi engine makes more horsepower than the first 4 rows of stock cars at the Daytona 500. Under full throttle, a dragster engine consumes 5.7 litres of nitro methane per second; a fully loaded 747 consumes jet fuel at the same rate with 25% less energy being produced. A stock Dodge Hemi V8 engine cannot produce enough power to drive the dragster's supercharger. With 85,000 litres per minute of air being rammed in by the supercharger on overdrive, the fuel mixture is compressed into a near-solid form before ignition. Cylinders run on the verge of hydraulic lock at full throttle. At the stoichiometric (stoichiometry: methodology and technology by which quantities of reactants and products in chemical reactions are determined) 1.7:1 air/fuel mixture of nitro methane, the flame front temperature measures 4,000 deg C. Nitro methane burns yellow. The spectacular white flame seen above the stacks at night is raw burning hydrogen, dissociated from atmospheric water vapour by the searing exhaust gases. Dual magnetos supply 44 amps to each spark plug. This is the output of an arc welder in each cylinder. Spark plug electrodes are totally consumed during a pass. After halfway, the engine is dieseling from compression, plus the glow of exhaust valves at 800 deg C. The engine can only be shut down by cutting the fuel flow. If spark momentarily fails early in the run, unburned nitro builds up in the affected cylinders and then explodes with sufficient force to blow cylinder heads off the block in pieces or split the block in half. In order to exceed 530 kph in 4.5 seconds, dragsters must accelerate an average of over 4G's. In order to reach 515 kph (well before half-track), the launch acceleration approaches 8G's. Dragsters reach over 480 kilometres per hour before you have completed reading this sentence. Top fuel engines turn approximately 540 revolutions from light to light! Including the burnout, the engine must only survive 900 revolutions under load. The redline is actually quite high at 9,500 rpm. Assuming all the equipment is paid off, the crew worked for free, and for once NOTHING BLOWS UP, each run costs an estimate $1,000.00 per second. The current top fuel dragster elapsed time record is 4.441 seconds for the quarter mile (402.3m) (10/05/03, Tony Schumacher). The top speed record is 533 km/h (333mph) as measured over the last 20m of the run (09/28/03 Doug Kalitta). Putting all of this into perspective: You are driving the average $140,000 Lingenfelter "twin-turbo" powered Corvette Z06. Over a kilometre up the road, a top fuel dragster is staged and ready to launch down a quarter mile (402.3m) strip as you pass. You have the advantage of a flying start. You run the 'Vette hard up through the gears and blast across the starting line and pass the dragster at an honest 320 kph. The "tree" goes green for both of you at that moment. The dragster launches and starts after you. You keep your foot down hard, but you hear an incredibly brutal whine that sears your eardrums and within 3 seconds, the dragster catches and passes you. He beats you to the finish line, a quarter mile away from where you just passed him. Think about it, from a standing start, the dragster had spotted you 320 kph and not only caught, but nearly blasted you off the road when he passed you within a mere 402.3 metre long race course. ... and that my friend, is ACCELERATION!
@@truthsRsung I’d say that’s a fairly minor detail, something that could be easily rectified. Someone’s ability to teach is way more complicated than that and many people/teachers spend a lifetime trying and failing to do so
@@truthsRsung you're putting words in my mouth to make yourself feel like you're right. I can tell from your two posts that you'd make an awful teacher, and probably an awful student too. Blaming everyone but yourself is never a good move
@@truthsRsung and before you start a bitch fight, why don't you just put your money where your mouth is and re-calculate all of his findings and prove how the lessons taught in this video are null and void to the point it "wasn't worth teaching". I look forward to your response
@@truthsRsung as I thought; your head is so far up your own arse it’s going up a second time. Once again you’ve changed the goalposts to fit your own narrative so you can feel good about yourself. The learning objectives that were embedded into this entertaining video were clearly met; given the wide and varied audience, the content was delivered very effectively, particularly due to the excellent pace and choice of language. Perhaps you could redeem yourself by proving how much of an impact the fuel tanks would have and why that impact makes this video so poor? Or even better, why don’t you do your own video and publish it for some feedback? I’d be more than happy to write a lesson observation report for you
When people at work ask me what does iron do in blood I say its like nitrous, it transports air; when people at my hobby ask what does nitrous do for your car I say it's like the iron in your blood This is why they never ask me anything ever again
i know its a fair way off track, but would you consider doing an episode on the ssme. they are crazy powerful and interesting. the size of the pumps and speed they run are huge
Back in the 90's I ran my rc's on 35% nitro, but could get 50%. I never realized how much power I was playing with. I see why it has been restricted in some places.
I didn’t realize how restricted it was in other places. My local hardware store has 50% nitro on the shelves, and there’s a local racing place that sells 99.9% for about $90/gal.
I was blissfully unaware that this was the sort of power available, too. He's now got me wondering if I can dribble some nitromethane into the float chambers of my Lotus Esprit 2.2L engine. That would give it a bit more pep! 😂🤣😂
16% is too low (you must run engine too rich to prevent overheating), lower optimum is around 20%, and you can run up to 60% in most engines easily (I run rc aeroplane engine on 60% all day and cars usualy on 35% but when i run out of 35% i sometime used 60% and have no problems).
Argumen about weight is baseless. It has nothing to with efficiency fuel or technology it only have to do with longevity. As Osamu Goto (he designed all winning Honda RA168E engine) once in interview said whet is ideal formula 1 engine, it is engine that will first cross finish line and imidiatly disintegrates, eve meter it run after that it means something have more strenght and weight that it need to have. Modern formula engine need to last over 2000km only in races or over 30 hours compared to top fuel engine that last less then 10 seconds.
Great video, as always. Where did you get the numbers for the SSME? Calculating HP for rockets is a bit weird, as the power varies with speed. In a vacuum at 6000m/s, the SSMEs are producing ~2,184 kN, giving a power figure of ~17.5 Million hp
The number used from that paper is for the fuel turbopump alone, not the resulting thrust or including the oxidizer pump. The power to weight ratio produced by the thrust is 879 HP/lbs, but that "horsepower" is just a static conversion from kW and doesn't really have anything to do with torque.
To be fair, a two-stroke engine should be weighed with its expansion chamber. It is responsible for achieving optimal power output from the engine. The same goes for forced induction, nitrous oxide, and any other power adder.
I'll admit it, i totally came because of my curiosity for the fast and furious movies. I'm really happy that the video included information about that, even though it wasn't the main topic, and it was a good complement. Thanks so much for another fantastic video!
The basic fact is that hp per liter is not adimensional, but unfortunately is size-dependant. Bigger engines will always have lower hp per liter than smaller ones. Better adimensional factors are hp per pistons surface [w/m^2] and mean piston velocity [m/s]. If you calculate these for various sized engines, from vessels to model engines you'll get much uniform values.
Even better when Formula 1 used what basically was a 4 cylinder 2 litre turbocharged BMW M10 engine that during qualification could have over 1000hp and that was a long time ago. That engine did not run on 95Ron octane fuel! And the guys mixing up the fuel they ran have most likely died from cancer long time ago..
I was waiting for you to get to Top Fuel dragsters and you did not disappoint! The gleam in your eye as you talked about the specs of these machines put a big smile on my face. Everyone who loves cars and engines should do themselves a favor and go to a top fuel event sometime in their lives because it is an unbelievable experience. The amount of power you feel, hear and see is awesome, and the throttle response is staggering. You think a two stroke weed eater can rev quickly? Ha! It ain't got NOTHING on a top fuel dragster! Here's a fun (short) video of a guy going to see his first drag race. It's hilarious: ruclips.net/video/CpbTq1O4XPs/видео.htmlsi=ozqQlHnuDY7OB_Vb (About 1:30 long)
You should be a teacher. Your way of explaining is absolutely fantastic. I've been working with car repair and small engines for fourty years and never needed to know what you tell us about nitromethane. I had a vague picture of it in my head, no I understand how it works. Even though I don't need this in my profession it's always inspirational to learn something new. Thank you !
I learned so much from this video! Your analysis of all aspects from chemical attributes to AFR and thermals. Putting it into perspective with all the different types of cars / engines. Thank you!!
Topfuel is approximately 1465 hp/liter. One note is that the 500 cubic inch topfuel engine uses a roots blower to achieve 12000hp. Also, they get rebuilt after each pass. Edit: LOL! Wrote this comment before watching the whole video. :)
I loved growing up in my part of California. We had LACR Dragstrip not far away and Edwards AFB/Lockheed right around the corner. We could hear the top fuel runs from our house miles and miles away and the SR71 blowing through the sound barrier all the time. = ) And as someone said in another post, there is nothing like being at a top fuel run and feeling every cylinder firing in your chest.
RC Car from the video (engine included): bit.ly/46FJDPn
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Wow! Very impressive video. Fully of excellent explanations & statistic. Well done!
@d4a The hobby needs your help. There is a petition ongoing in the EU that wants the 16% nitro limit to not be applied to nitro-rc-engines. If you do a quick google search "EFRA EU petition" you can find it. You would help the community a lot if you pin this petition in your comments. Thank you :)
could you run a small amount of nitro methane with a small 2 stroke engine in a car and still make power and have good fuel and air efficiency?
Can u explain you math please
@D4a , Would you be interested in visitng an NHRA race this November?
I'm getting group tickets for the NHRA In In Out Finals on November 12, and conveniently, I have 2 seats available, and one just got occupied, so if you can make it to Southern California on that weekend, I can get you in to the final race of the year on the Sunday.
Fun fact, a hyper 7 offroad rc buggy has enough power to tow you behind it on a skateboard to a scary speed on concrete, don’t attempt it, skateboards shouldn’t go as fast as I did that fateful day. Lol
Dude, LEGEND 😎
Did that with my bike, too... ;)
I have a OFNA ultra XL buggy with a upgraded .28 force engine that puts out 2.7 hp, revs to 38,000rpm and with a 2 speed transmission can do over 80mph
OFNA is unfortunately out of business, but this buggy is over 20 years old but the motor is only like 10 years old but still runs great.
Fun fact, @35 mph the speed wobble of the trucks becomes terminal velocity on concrete, asphalt is much better.
Get a longboard, preferably something with a deep concave. You can take those bastards above 50
I run methanol in my dragster. I've gone faster since switching from gas to methanol than I ever did running gas. I've tried to explain this to many people and they simply don't understand. This is one of the best explanations of how this works that I've seen. Bravo!
Do you mix castor 927 maxima 2 stroke oil or is your dragster oil injected?
12:40 He says dragsters can be extremely affordable...🤣wtf
Compared to formula 1? There are more than 10 drag racing teams, right?
Oil injected??? I run straight methanol. No need for oil in the fuel.@@jlo13800
they can....depending on the build....@@manbunmyname5866
Just want to update your info. Being a top fuel junkie. The 1000ft finish line rule change happened because NHRA did a study and found more than 95% of the engine failures and engine explosions happened in the last 320ft of a 1/4mile. After working with crew chiefs they found out the engines made the 1000ft easy but the engineers were hoping and praying it holds that last 320ft so they limited track length and dramatically limited eninge explosions.
So many people have responded to my post with something about a death. But no one who responded has taken the time to do the research. Scott's death was the final death. Combined with multiple years of spectator deaths. Oil downs every race. Engines blowing every race. All this come to a head with scotts death it was NOT Scotts death that changed the rules. Not even close if Scott had been the only death or even one of the first 10 then there would have been no rule changes. Scoots death was the final death to open an investigation and find out why. The results came back that the engines were all or nearly all blowing up in the 320. By shutting down the engines at 1000ft both the engines are surviving and there is an extra distance to slow the car before track end. But if you watch the documentary they clearly lay out the investigation was prompted by the US government because of on track and spectator deaths. NHRA was facing the possibility of ending top fuel and funny car. ..
There are years and years leading up to the investigation that lead to the rule change. Scotts death was just the last one and rhe one people know because things happen immediately after
Well that's no fun. 😛
That is true, though it was also speed and track shutdown lengths also had a role. It was the unfortunate death of Scott Kalitta that really sealed the deal with running at 1000ft. It was only a matter of time before the speeds we saw at 1/4 mile will be accomplished in 1000ft. There are still some purists out there that long for the 1/4 mile; I myself would like to see an experimental nitro class that can run at 1/4 mile but I admit that's wishful thinking.
And now, the cars are going faster in 1000 foot runs than the speeds they were doing in the 1320.
Mike Salinas just hit a 300mph 1/8 mile run a few weeks ago
No that's because somebody died in an accident so nhra changed the rules so they could stop in time
@@aerodynamicist4 Say what? o.O
You are wrong about NOS, if Yakuzas shoot at your car it will explode it in green flames according to the first Fast and Furious movie.
😂
The sarcasm is real
F&F is an awesome documentary
Right after you've changed into 67th gear
Lmao those were NOT Yakuzas(japanese organized mafia)....they were just rich Chinese kids who owned legit businesses
As someone who has gone to a local dragstrip many times (Summit Motorsports park) I can say that watching top fuel is an experience like exceptionally few others. That kind of power level can be felt in the ground, in your chest, shaking windows and stadiums. Only things that come close are the jet dragsters, which, well, you can guess why.
I was going to suggest that anyone who finds specific power of liquid burning engines interesting should attend an NHRA Top Fuel qualification or race some day. Its an experience you'll never forget and the cost of entry is small. If pit passes are still cheap (used to be $5) you can get up close as they check the engines and rebuild the clutches between runs.
@@BrianStDenis-pj1tq
Top fuel dragsters are insane
The fact they weld themselves together after each pull just boggles my mind
For my automotive school we got pit passed and i got to meet ron caps and watch them do theyre rebuilds, got yo take back a ron capps tire off his funny car lol
My wife and I used to go to a few NHRA events each year. I have always said, experiencing a top fuel dragster or funny car is something everyone should experience at least once. It is a mind blowing display of immense power through almost every sense at the same time. The only I've ever seen that compares is sheer awesome display of power was an F-14 on the catapults in full afterburner at night.
That whole body vibration feeling is wild. The raw power of the engines is pretty much awe inducing
Will definitely fit in a miata
The hot wheels one?
@@d4aThat reminds me of scene in Ant-man XD
It makes about the same horsepower as a stock Miata feels
Fun fact... i'm subbing to a channel that is on the way to fit a V10 into a Miata.
Everything is possible.
@@DanielFrost79 … I mean if you have the time, money and fab skills to build a tube chassis or front half a car, relocate the firewall… etc etc… anything fits in anything
Have noticed this before but in 2:42 it shows the peak output at 35000rpm with practical top at 45000! That's insane for reciprocating engine even if the masses are miniscule.
That is the issue with making the engines bigger
@@wobblysauceFormula 1 engines have 20.000 RPM and idle at 5000-6000. City cars peak at 5000-6000 LOL
@@wobblysauce Had to give you a like on that. You get severely limited on rpm when you go up in size.
I know some people use nitro car engines for rc airplanes because of the rpm
@@leaaba2965 yeah, since electric motors need a battery
Fun fact : O.S. Engines , a japanese RC engine manufacturer, makes .21 cubic inches (or 3,5cc) Nitro engines for 1/8th scale On-road competitions, top of the line is the OS Speed R2105 which has a total power output of over 2.8hp at 35.000rpm , but it revs close to 50k rpm . Legend has it reaches over 3.5hp with high nitro percentage at around 40k rpm, making it a 1000hp/litre engine effectively . Just INSANE!
Edit:
never mind, he actually says that .
I think it's a common hopup engine for hpi savage 1/8 scale nitro trucks too :D
Most of them also idle in the 6000rpm to 8000rpm range and the clutch doesn’t even engage until about 12000rpm.
You can get almost 4 hp out of that thing with 60% nitro, make sure you use synthetic castor oil with that.
The power is all about the fuel which literally puts oxygen into the combustion chamber.
@@teagreen2220 these engines use 20% castor oil. With the high fuel slow that’s A LOT of oil.
I already knew about nitromethane, but stayed regardless for the entire thing just because your way of presenting is very entertaining
I went to a NHRA event a month ago. The top fuel dragsters was the loudest thing ive ever heard as you would imagine. I was recording and the audio on my phone just cut out while they went and returned while they slowed. When they start going, or even just doing a burnout, the stadiums shake, you can fell it in your feet and chest its amazing. It was a amazing experience and would recommend to anyone! Love the video!
I used to drive these nitro-power RC cars and I was always impressed with how sturdy and powerful the engines were in them. They're a load of fun and I suggest any enginehead out there grab one.
Get one before California makes them illegal in the whole country.
any modern brushless motor will outperform these nitro engines in every way.
@@DashzRight K
@@DashzRight Yeah, you can get RC cars with brushless motors too, they've been around as long as I can remember. Despite electrics being generally cheaper, faster, lighter, cleaner, easier to run, and quieter nitro cars are still popular and continue to sell, because these are not competing markets in the hobby space. Nobody needs an RC car like they do a road car, so people get the RC cars they like, not the ones that are the most performant, and some people like being able to keep filling their gas tank instead of having to pack up and go home and wait for batteries to charge for 12 hours.
@@DashzRightThey are still fun, I've had both electric and gas and for me gas was always my favorite.
I am in my third year of an aerospace engineering degree and i have to say having watched ur videos throughout while gaining more knowledge about what youre saying has been a really cool experience. keep doing what you do man, you’ve inspired my enthusiasm for ice engineering and how much cool stuff there is to learn about in these things! ur the best
Great choice of degree. Everyone goes into automotive and there is way more competition and lower pay. Far more money in aerospace 😎
Do you think that the chemical equation...4 CH3NO2 + 5 O2 → 4 CO2 + 6 H2O + 4 NO should be considered while playing with toys?
What does that last part (NO) stand for, in layman's terms?
I think its Nitrogen Oxide not sure tho@@truthsRsung
Yeah, I am currently at the first year of Mechanical engineering and boy, right from the start, one of the doctors in the lead of the institute of engine vehicles has been teasing us that just when we will have to choose theme for our bachelor project, the university should start experimenting with hydrogen, and well, because of the current world situation, I can smell the potencial of propper hydrogen engines. All it takes is some money and effort! 😃
@@truthsRsung nitric oxide
*I LOVE THE NEW BACKGROUND* I like stable things to look at, they don't distract me or hype my brian too much.
Oh the poor brian
@@HerrZenkisomething something Family Guy
@@HerrZenki If you had my brain you would truly know the meaning of "Oh the poor brian" 😀
ADHD Autistic + Brain damage.
You have your own Brian? Isn't that...illegal?
Brian? He was just in my mouth 12 seconds ago.
Brian? He allowed a jyzz bomb to explode in my mouth.
Brian? I ain’t tryin. I’ll just suqq it off.
I love your videos. You dont beg people to subscribe, you dont have commercials, and you dont put amazon links to buy stuff. ONLY VALUABLE INFORMATIONS ! You are a top notch instructor. I subscribe right away. Wish you the best.
I can't believe I watched that lecture, But you did a great job. And you had no distracting background music so I can still enjoy my music and learn. Just good banter and tech, is all this guy needs. So I subscribed.
More like a grek friend showing you something cool. But the accuracy is insane.
This video got me really excited !
oh right, you're building a nitromethane/hydrogen peroxide engine. fun fact, if you really want some bragging rites, you can use your catalyst bed to decompose the hydrogen peroxide, use that to spin a pump, use that pump to pump both the peroxide and the nitromethane, or whatever you decide to use. vent the decomposed peroxide that was just spinning the turbine to power the power the pumps into the main chamber, probably use the nitromethane to cool the chamber and nozzle, running fuel rich of course, and boom, you get the bragging rights of building a regeneratively cooled, closed cycle engine.
now, it's not staged combustion, but you get the advantages of a closed power cycle, but with a reaction that's much easier on the turbine. probably start the engine with an electric starter motor, but after that it should power itself. just keep hands on the throttle to make sure she doesn't run away on you. By using nitromethane, you get to carry less peroxide too if you put it on something that actually flies. Imagine the bragging rights of saying you flew a closed cycle liquid fueled rocket? it's a much simpler version but hey.
The exact ratio of nitromethane to methanol you'd need to also run enough peroxide to power the pump though, that's an answer i do not have on hand currently, but one some experimentation and a blast shield could probably reach. uh, just, don't cheap out on the blast shield, because this will probably explode at least a couple times.
I used to be in an aerodesign team in college. Was quite familiar with these guys. Particularly the OS 61 FX, a little bigger than this one.
We used to have a guy who was an absolute BEAST tuning and mantaining these guys. In the airport of the competition, we had an area where we could test the plane and run it's engine to make sure everything was alright when it came it's time to shine. All the other teams where wunning their engines like "waaaaaaaah". Then we turned ours on: "WAAAAAAAAAAAH". It was audibly angrier than the other team's, and they noticed. Mind you, we had strictly controlled engine specs. Most people used the same engine we did, because it was the most reliable and consistent of the 4 engines the competition allowed. The fuel was supplied by the competition, also the same everyone was using. Ours was just extremelly fine tuned. When the engine spun I looked at out engine techie's face. He had the widest shit-eating grin I ever saw in a mechanic. Other teams even gathered around to see that marvel. They even asked us what propeller we were using (same everyone did, also) "It's just our guy's tuning!". It really was.
I know one of his secrets was polishing/cleaning the bore with a power drill and a cotton q-tip.
less friction = more available power
Sae aero? I still have 2 of the 61fx's from my team back in 2011. We deffinitely never thought of tearing it apart and polishing it.
With a good "polishing compound" on the Q-tip one can even increase the displacement of the engine. That's some good tuning :D
I all honesty, that's not what I think he was doing, just an idle thought.
Why don't airplanes use nitro at all if they are so powerful per weight?
Hell... Imagine a hybrid nitro engine with that electric motor. The SPM177 from Helix Motors. Can drop a lot of the battery pack, and charge it quick with the right set up.
Actually he doesn't go into nitros efficiency per gallon or liter. My question maybe flawed!
Still having a lightweight generator would be amazing for a plane. Hybrid planes should already be a thing.
@@dianapennepacker6854hybrid only makes sense in aircraft, if takeoff power is significantly higher than cruise.
In most aircraft, it isn't. Their power just goes down as altitude increases. An NA piston single will fly at 65% to 75% power at WOT (or close to it) and will only have RPM and mixture adjusted for economy and longevity.
Same with turbines. They'll cruise close to one of the (long-term) operating limits of the engine.
In the end, it's just better to have one engine and let it make peak rated power for short bursts (takeoff) and cruise at high economy and longevity settings.
No extra motor or batteries needed.
VTOL is different, there hybridisation may well make sense.
Top Fuel is something _everyone_ should experience once in their life, just the switch from alcohol (they cannot be started on 90% nitro, they just explode !) Is mind blowing. They burn 15 gallons or 57 liters for warm up, burn out, and 1 run .
My auto shop teacher in college went through all the math and showed us how the engine produces so much power in less than 1,000 revolutions total from start up to shut down. At least at the time, I'm not sure how long they run the engines now, but the general idea was that they run less than a minute.
You literally have some of the best engine videos on YT. We researched, informative, fun - everything I want. R/C cars, trucks, whatever are awesome. Thanks D4A!
The best description of engines and fuels I’ve seen. Brilliant. Thank you!
RC enthusiast here. I was waiting on you to cover these little engines. Very well explained as always. I know aviation isn't exactly your area, but have you considered taking at look at aircraft radial engines? I'd love to hear your thorough explanation of those monsters. Cheers!
Displacement. That's what aero engines have. The specific outputs aren't anything special.
A top-fuel event is something every human should go to if the opportunity is there. Nothing can prepare you for it.
or even if you haven't been to one in a few years... couldn't believe how visceral these things are, even compared to the '80's !
You should have seen F1 live when they had the 22k rpm 2.4 V8 engines. Even louder but less vibration in your body.
My parents took me to them a few times when I was a little kid with panic disorder. I never told my parents but I had terrible panic attacks several times a day and every time they took my brother and I to a drag race with funny cars I was in hell.
Now I'm 35 and I'm good to go! I need to see when the next NHRA is in Vegas
I got track passes back in 2011 at Sunoco...pretty sure the proximity of 10 ft. to that much power shook my soul from my body when the tree lights turned green. It was the coolest feeling EVER
@@Al_Gore_Rhythmn Next week :)
5:30 thats how a lot of people feel about rc cars, but once you actually drive and work on them then you realize how similar rc cars are to real cars, its amazing how much transfers over
this is by far the most automotive engineering information-worthy channel ive ever came across. you are incredible and deserve the best for sharing all that with us! wishing you all the best! thank you bro!
Really you are one of the best “ online “ teachers of mechanics . Keep doing what you are doing, don’t be tempted by some learning institution 👍🏻🙏🏻
I'm just your average Joe (no super mechanic or anything), but wow watching your videos is amazing! Such good and fascinating explanations and examples!! It's always a pleasure watching your videos. 👍
Least I forget ! You do an absolutely fantastic job explaining the technical aspects and at the same time entertaining ! 👍👍
There is a lot of hype here, but dude ignores how much fuel the vehicle carries and what that weighs in his calculations.
Those figures provide a much different REALITY.
I agree. He's a very good teacher indeed. He's also rigorous and thorough enough in his preparation not to become sloppy in his presentation; which I imagine is a very easy line to step over in this medium where there is a tendency to want to "wing it". The breadth of material covered on this channel now is simply astonishing and all of it is done well.
@@ChristianRThomas ...What field is your experience in that qualifies you to claim this content is "thorough enough?"
I can't imagine it is in chemistry, mechanical engineering, or automotive maintenance.
@@truthsRsung You are mostly wrong. Strike out Chemistry and replace the last with Vehicle Dynamics.
@@ChristianRThomas ...Go research what it takes to make Nitromethane, then decide if I have misspoken.
Edit...then look up how many regulatory bodies list it as one of the most dangerous materials we humans have concocted, please.
Great fun, I did race RC 1/8th nitro on-road in the 2000's with engines similar to the 3.5cc engine you pointed out. The sound was something that set them apart as they rev very high 38000 ish rpm. We still race the same cars today (can-am style 1/8th) but sadly all electric due to the developing residential area near the track.
And the exhaust smelled so good. Loved indoor nitro racing
@@Harley32315-playse Concur on the smell; most of which was the smell of the lubricant but in the very early days you could also smell a touch of ether (perhaps pre-nitro days; I'm talking late 50's/early 60s). I used to race 3.5 OPS, tuned pipe, 40% nitro in model boats; fun times.
@@chuckgrenci6404 The ether smell is the best. I've only ever smelt it on Historic race days where the cars are allowed to run on their original fuels. It's intoxicating (probably literally). :)
I loved this video; exceedingly well presented and very factual. I race a 14-71 supercharged 100% methanol hemi in a 1045kg 1986 Mustang which is pretty fast. It's an absolutely huge thrill to drive but certainly nowhere near the thrill I can only imagine it would be to do in a Top Fuel car - and I never get tired watching them. You did a wonderful job, thanks and keep it up.
thats a pretty huge supercharger lol and on meth WOW
I've worked in the mechanical industry for over 20 years (big rigs)... I learned so many things in this short video I'd never known before!
Great show!
What impresses me the most as a gear head ! The amount of power a piston engine can deliver on such an old design !
Especially on a normally aspirated gas engine !
These hobby engines are amazing for simplicity and peak power !
Don't forget fun! These things offer so many smiles per gallon.
What isn't impressive is how much fuel, and the weight of that fuel, it takes to get the job done.
@@adrianzmajla4844...It takes WAY more gallons to get those smiles, which turns your math on it's head.
Use yours next time.
Simply Amazing...one very informative video. I have learned my trade back in the 70's and entered my car into street drags, my motorcycle into bike drag racing after doing all the performance tweaks of the era. I even had those little engines in my model planes,but never really looked at anything in this way. Thanks for teaching a retired old dog something new.
Damn, I really need to get a RC car again! These got me into tinkering as a kid, the best toy in the universe! Thousands of hours of entertainment plus learning all basics on mechnanics and electronics.
Just ran that equation @ 0:40 for my motorcycle, which doesn't have what peole would call a big engine, and its only a third of that little guy, wow.
This was really interesting. Explained the basics of nitromethane along with the reasons why it is so effective.
My husband who worked in engineering, sat there riveted to the screen like a kid in a sweet shop, paying great attention to the facts and figures, while nodding his head and going, 'Ah, I see.'
For me it explained the differences between the fuels and why they work as they do.
Thank you!!😄😄😄
Thank you so much for the kind words and support. I really appreciate it when someone transmits the viewing experience as it's something I never get to see.
If you slow down the video of the engine running, you can hear on each stroke "MO POWA BBY"
😂😂😂
So a James Pumphrey orchestra 😂
@@d4a...That is exactly what my eyes look like when the exhaust spews Nitric Acid into them.
🤯
Top fuel dragsters... nitro methane.. monster trucks? Nitro methane
I don't even know why RUclips recommended me your video, but this has been very informative and incredibly interesting to watch. Your way of presentation is very concise yet easy to follow and understand, even for someone who has never had any contact with engines and how they work - at all. Great video.
one thing to consider is the rpm of an engine is limited by its piston speed, and therefore stroke length. the small engines can achieve high rpm(45,000). There's probably some point at which it stops making sense to make the stroke longer, and instead just increase the piston diameter, and add more pistons. So a v12 with an oversquare design starts to become very attractive, then just add boost. cylinder coatings can help a lot too.
We seem to have pulled back from the oversquare route in the last 20-odd years. At one point it looked kind of endless that you just make the stroke shorter and shorter, get higher revs and more explosions per minute, so more power. I suspect other parameters have come into play, one of which must be piston area going up with the square of the radius and probably needing quite a bit more mass to get its strength back up. There are quite a few other pressures on the dimensions of these engines, but the new(ish) BMW B58 straight 6s are notably undersquare. They are less dependent on valve area than their predecessors, I suppose, packing is much more important and the blocks have to double up for diesels, but nonetheless the optimum seems to be moving in favour of longer strokes rather than shorter. I could be missing something, or have added up the factors incorrectly, but that's how it strikes me as an outside observer of both race engines and the "real world".
Oversquare works when you can transfer the entire potential energy of the fuel to the drivetrain. This will not work for larger engines that run at higher RPM. With a longer stroke, the spark can be varied to create power at a more comprehensive range of RPM. Atomized fuel ignites in a wave, and adding additional compression to an already burning fuel mixture can increase horsepower. So, with a long stroke, you get the benefit of low-end torque from a large displacement but high-end power from the more easily timed flame front. Other experiments with dual spark plugs have been conducted to bring back oversquare engines, but none have succeeded, sadly.
Hell, just make it a radial
@@TheCompleteMentalwhy not just go the full distance and make it a jet engine…power to weight ratio higher than any top fuel engine and spins to minimum 60000 rpm
@@swee78 yeah a detonation turbine engine, for late night drives
Congrats on reaching 1M subs
Thid video was a great ride. I knew some infos before the video but man, I was surprised at multiple points! This was very high quality!
In the 80’s top fuel engines had their pistons and connecting rods swapped after every run. This was so they could x-ray them for cracks, they also lightly honed the cylinders. In that era they produced 3,500 to 4,500 hp. Quite thrilling to be standing between two of them leaving the starting line.
It's pretty impressive to be anywhere near one when it hits full power!!!! standing between 2 would be ear shattering
@@Bristolcentaurus It felt like I was coming off the ground.
Superb! You always make engines both fun, AND at the same time, make sense.
And yeah, drag cars and their engines, are just insane 😂
This may be my favorite video you've ever done. This is for many reasons, but primarily because I know way too many people who believe that fuel with a higher energy content absolutely must make more power in the engine. Let's not even get into the question of octane rating. Thank you thank you thank you! Keep up the excellent videos!!
I think this is also my favorite video he's done. I didn't understand what nitromethane so useful in small motors. I learned a lot in this video.
To add to the fuels mentioned in the video, you can see the same trend if you keep going in the other direction too.
Hydrogen has an energy content of 120 to 142MJ/kg depending on how you measure it, so about three times higher than gasoline.
But it also has an air fuel ratio of 34:1, meaning that hydrogen engines are pretty wimpy compared to gasoline engines.
The engine in Mazda's RX-8 Hydrogen RE for example makes 206hp running on gasoline but only 107hp running on hydrogen.
This is the first time I have seen your channel and wow. What an absolutely brilliant way you have structured this video. Fantastic. Very informative and very edible content. Thank you for making this video, I am very into drag racing and have always wondered the differences in the different fuel types, You have explained this perfectly and I feel like anybody could watch this video and easily understand the difference. If anybody ever has a "Explain like i'm 5" question I will send them to you! Thank you again brotha, Subscribed and like the video.
And hes wrong on several counts,so don't get too excited.
I'm a huge rocket fan. Thanks for the shuttle reference! Rocket engines live in a completely different universe.
When you see a HP number for a staged combustion rocket engine, it's actually just how powerful the fuel pump is. The HP number is how much the turbine/s are generating while powering the fuel and oxidizer pumps. 71,000 horsepower is literally how much power the fuel pump on the RS-25 uses while it pumps around 5500 liters of fuel per second.
I was wondering where he got the power figures, since jet and rocket engines normally are rated in lbs of thrust(or Newton's). IIRC, the SSME is rather weak on thrust to weight. Kerolox rockets like the SpaceX Merlin and Rocketdyne F-1 have better thrust to weight ratios.
Rocket engine power is thrust multiplied by specific impulse and divided by two. 2.279 MN of vacuum thrust multiplied by 4.436 km/s of vacuum specific impulse and divided by 2 = 5.055 GW (or 6 778 628 HP) of power. More then 2133 HP/kg.
@@edwinball985 Rocketdyne's RS-25's werent designed with maximum output at the front of the design, they were designed for efficiency, re-usability and power combined. This is why they used hydrogen for the fuel not kerolox. Its way more efficient and its a lighter fuel and it also doesnt coke the engine making it better for re-usability. They were also a highly reliable engine with only 1 failure in 135 flights on the shuttle and they are now being used on the SLS. They may look like an inferior engine if only power is considered, but they are a great engine with high chamber pressure that did exactly what they were designed to do.
The fuel pump on a rocket is actually called a turbo pump and the turbo pump is really everything when designing a liquid fuel rocket engine. Those things are pretty ridiculous on a good size rocket engine.
@@truthsRsung The RC model engine was weighted without a fuel tank. How much fuel should one include?
Cannot stop listening to this.
Explained on a level anyone can understand. ❤❤❤
One of your best releases yet my friend !! Loads of facts and fun stuff 👍😎
Fun fact. Two side by side Top Fuel engines are so *violently loud* that they register on the seismograph in the University of Florida's Department of Geological Sciences (which is almost 9 miles [14.5 KM] from Gainesville Raceway).
Top Fuel driver 'Clay Millican' channel has the best TF Team racing videos IMO. He's really down to earth and the team's last few weeks has been nothing short of crazy (catastrophic engine failure and TWO bent chassis). BIG EXPLOSION (title) shows several behind the scenes things including the engine after the KaBOOM and sitting in the trailer/lounge with Jim O (crew chief) talking about their qualifying runs.
I bring 2-3 newbies to NHRA events every year. Getting to watch people go from surprised/panicked/amazed/laughing is such a treat. You can't describe the sensation you feel in the stands.
Excellent job. Even knowing all of this stuff intimately already, it was a treat. Your thoroughness is thoroughly appreciated. Thanks for your work.
Well done sir. I ran Blown fuel flat boats in late 70's early 80's when SDBA outawed the class. We ran 1:1 fueling with 41°timing. Remember we were only allowed 1 magneto, and 1 fuel pump. Yes we killed alot of fuel pumps
That’s lunacy
Fire hose fuel pump!?
Absolutely fascinating. 😎👍🏻
I had no idea that nitromethane actually had a lower calorific value than standard petroleum until today.
Every day is indeed a school day😎👌🏻
Almost every "usual" liquid that burns, has lower energy content than oil products. Regular pump-fuels have energy in order: diesel, petrol (gas), ethanol/E85. That's why fuel consumption is in that same order, though diesel engines are more efficient by design.
@@PH_78Is kerosene/paraffin in between petrol and alcohol blends in terms of stored energy? Of course E85 is mostly a biofuel not derived from petroleum like the rest.
@@boilerhousegarage Check Wikipedia page "Energy density".
In all of the magazines, I’ve read throughout the 80s 90s up till now trying to learn about cars as a hobby. I have never once had it put so well as to what you have explained.
A Great Video. Explained clearly and succinctly. Just enough physics and chemistry to make sense.
I've never seen a video about engines on this channel that wasn't A+++.
You have a knack for explaining function and providing information about engines.
Your practical knowledge is unmatched. Your passion is obvious. Thanks. 😎👍🏻
Thank you!!
In the first half of the video with the comparisons to F1, I kept saying "What about Top Fuel??!!" I shouldnt have worried. Thank you for this.
I could be wrong, and forgive me in advance if I am because I'm not a very keen "jet guy", but I think there are some turboshaft/turboprop engines out there that output some pretty insane power to weight ratios like the Allison T56 turboprop (4.52 kW/kg), and venerable tiny little Allison 250 series turboshaft (3.765 kW/kg) - Those figures are from Wikipedia so take them with extreme caution and a lot of salt, and ask AgentJZ of Jet City Turbines! He'd be the #1 go-to for realistic figures and would know 1,000 times more than I could
Turbines easily win that battle, and it's why they are used on aircraft and briefly in ultra high power train engines
@@KnowledgePerformance7 GM was almost ready to launch turboshaft cars and trucks in the 60s, but couldn't get them to meet emissions. Apparently they were pretty damn smooth to drive too.
From the all important fuel efficiency standpoint turbines don't do terribly well, at least in ground vehicles. They like to run at high power and high altitude to get best fuel efficiency.
It would be interesting to see the math on a small turbine used to power a range extender for an EV as the small size relative to power would be a big plus.
@@Surestick88 not completely true, maybe smaller ones but large industrial scale turbine generators are some of the most, if not the most efficient ice:s (regarding altitude)
@@Surestick88 this is 100% spot on; gas turbines get optimal consumption running at 100% capacity (100% speed/load) and that's why they were never suitable for ground vehicles but can't be beat in the air, or in stationary applications like power generation or pumps where they can run at 100% power all of the time - running at 100%, from how I understand it, it's crucial for their compression ratios the higher compression you get from the compressor the higher the efficiency of the gas turbine engine. Don't quote me on this coz reliable numbers are hard to find but I think the latest Rolls-Royce Trent engines are pushing into the range of 50:1 compression ratios, insane!
Thank you for the great video! Really liked your clear and calm style of explaining. Very enjoyable to watch and listen!
Great video!!!!!!! I'm a nitro RC person and finally now understand why these small engines produce so much power.
Nitro engines are awesome. I have a RC model of a GT40 with a Kyosho race engine and a 2 speed gearbox. Its been clocked by a speed-gun at 73mph. Mad !.
As usual - very interesting and well explained. Even if one already knows about the subject, you listen anyway as everything is so well explained. Congratulations and keep up the excellent work. 👍👍
The other effect of Nitrous Oxyde (NOS is the commercial name of this) is the sudden drop in temperature when it's released. So it "densifies" the air coming in the cylinder and it acts as a form of "chemical supercharger". Nobody speaks about this effect, but it is present.
I think most people educated on nitrous oxide sulfate know about both the oxidizing and temperature aspects.
But this is nitromethane, not NOS
Also, it's stored as a liquid, so it carries even more oxygen, if it vaporises in the combustion chamber and not in the intake.
NOS was indeed discussed/compared towards the end of the video!@@smnkm4ehfer
Your neighbours must love you, razzing that car around outside the flats... :-)
This is a 2 stroke fan neighborhood. Everyone was on the balconies applauding and cheering it's just that my camera ran out of battery before I could record it.
@@d4a They didn't cheer only *after* you stopped? ;)
Yeah right :-D@@d4a
They booed when I stopped. Mexican wave as I drove along the buildings. You should've seen it.
Dang. I learned a lot in this video. You were answering my questions when I was watching and thinking of them! Thank you
Came into my feed. Caught my attention, watched it all, learned a bunch. Outstanding presenter skills 👍
To make it more extreme: Your weigh in included the engine mounts, the clutch and the exhaust manifold. I think at least the first two are usually not included when talking about an engines power to weight ratio...
I once saw the fuel injectors of a top fuelers in operation, releasing fuel into the intake. It looked more like a waterfall than an air/fuel mixture.
It's so much fuel, that the engines are dangerously close to water locking.
Which can happen in case of a misfire, which is instantly fatal as one misfire means that the spark plugs will be immersed in nitromethane the next stroke meaning no ignition so the head will be blown off and the rod and crankshaft are at risk too. @@static7985
I always watch your videos as they really break it down to the simplest of terms but I must say @ 10:37 That slow-motion top fueller launch is insane!
Another fantastic video! You do a very good job of explaining the technology behind engines. Thank you!
I can easily imagine an engine like those used in a bigger drone, because it's light, crazy powerful, and there nobody would care about service life nor about emission levels. Really cool tech, thank you
as a mechanic I ask you: why haven´t found your channel earlier??? you are amazing mister ;-) thank you soo much.
Quite a fact-filled video. Super knowledge booster about ICE. Kudos...keep it up! Thank you!
Definition of Horse POWER
One top fuel dragster 8.1 litre Hemi engine makes more horsepower than the first 4 rows of stock cars at the Daytona 500.
Under full throttle, a dragster engine consumes 5.7 litres of nitro methane per second; a fully loaded 747 consumes jet fuel at the same rate with 25% less energy being produced.
A stock Dodge Hemi V8 engine cannot produce enough power to drive the dragster's supercharger.
With 85,000 litres per minute of air being rammed in by the supercharger on overdrive, the fuel mixture is compressed into a near-solid form before ignition.
Cylinders run on the verge of hydraulic lock at full throttle.
At the stoichiometric (stoichiometry: methodology and technology by which quantities of reactants and products in chemical reactions are determined) 1.7:1 air/fuel mixture of nitro methane, the flame front temperature measures 4,000 deg C.
Nitro methane burns yellow. The spectacular white flame seen above the stacks at night is raw burning hydrogen, dissociated from atmospheric water vapour by the searing exhaust gases.
Dual magnetos supply 44 amps to each spark plug. This is the output of an arc welder in each cylinder.
Spark plug electrodes are totally consumed during a pass. After halfway, the engine is dieseling from compression, plus the glow of exhaust valves at 800 deg C. The engine can only be shut down by cutting the fuel flow.
If spark momentarily fails early in the run, unburned nitro builds up in the affected cylinders and then explodes with sufficient force to blow cylinder heads off the block in pieces or split the block in half.
In order to exceed 530 kph in 4.5 seconds, dragsters must accelerate an average of over 4G's. In order to reach 515 kph (well before half-track), the launch acceleration approaches 8G's.
Dragsters reach over 480 kilometres per hour before you have completed reading this sentence.
Top fuel engines turn approximately 540 revolutions from light to light! Including the burnout, the engine must only survive 900 revolutions under load.
The redline is actually quite high at 9,500 rpm.
Assuming all the equipment is paid off, the crew worked for free, and for once NOTHING BLOWS UP, each run costs an estimate $1,000.00 per second.
The current top fuel dragster elapsed time record is 4.441 seconds for the quarter mile (402.3m) (10/05/03, Tony Schumacher). The top speed record is 533 km/h (333mph) as measured over the last 20m of the run (09/28/03 Doug Kalitta).
Putting all of this into perspective:
You are driving the average $140,000 Lingenfelter "twin-turbo" powered Corvette Z06. Over a kilometre up the road, a top fuel dragster is staged and ready to launch down a quarter mile (402.3m) strip as you pass. You have the advantage of a flying start. You run the 'Vette hard up through the gears and blast across the starting line and pass the dragster at an honest 320 kph. The "tree" goes green for both of you at that moment.
The dragster launches and starts after you. You keep your foot down hard, but you hear an incredibly brutal whine that sears your eardrums and within 3 seconds, the dragster catches and passes you. He beats you to the finish line, a quarter mile away from where you just passed him.
Think about it, from a standing start, the dragster had spotted you 320 kph and not only caught, but nearly blasted you off the road when he passed you within a mere 402.3 metre long race course.
... and that my friend, is ACCELERATION!
As a teacher I have to say you do a fantastic job of explaining difficult topics in an interesting and accessible way 🙌
@@truthsRsung I’d say that’s a fairly minor detail, something that could be easily rectified. Someone’s ability to teach is way more complicated than that and many people/teachers spend a lifetime trying and failing to do so
@truthsRsung who cares, boomer. Eat your bran muffin and go to bed
@@truthsRsung you're putting words in my mouth to make yourself feel like you're right. I can tell from your two posts that you'd make an awful teacher, and probably an awful student too. Blaming everyone but yourself is never a good move
@@truthsRsung and before you start a bitch fight, why don't you just put your money where your mouth is and re-calculate all of his findings and prove how the lessons taught in this video are null and void to the point it "wasn't worth teaching". I look forward to your response
@@truthsRsung as I thought; your head is so far up your own arse it’s going up a second time. Once again you’ve changed the goalposts to fit your own narrative so you can feel good about yourself. The learning objectives that were embedded into this entertaining video were clearly met; given the wide and varied audience, the content was delivered very effectively, particularly due to the excellent pace and choice of language.
Perhaps you could redeem yourself by proving how much of an impact the fuel tanks would have and why that impact makes this video so poor? Or even better, why don’t you do your own video and publish it for some feedback? I’d be more than happy to write a lesson observation report for you
beautiful description! anyone who hasn't experienced a top fuel car in person should seek it out. there is absolutely nothing like it!
When people at work ask me what does iron do in blood I say its like nitrous, it transports air; when people at my hobby ask what does nitrous do for your car I say it's like the iron in your blood
This is why they never ask me anything ever again
i know its a fair way off track, but would you consider doing an episode on the ssme. they are crazy powerful and interesting. the size of the pumps and speed they run are huge
Thank you for your really well researched videos
Back in the 90's I ran my rc's on 35% nitro, but could get 50%. I never realized how much power I was playing with. I see why it has been restricted in some places.
It's restricted because nitromethane is an explosive. It's incredibly insensitive but it's not difficult to sensitize it.
I didn’t realize how restricted it was in other places. My local hardware store has 50% nitro on the shelves, and there’s a local racing place that sells 99.9% for about $90/gal.
I was blissfully unaware that this was the sort of power available, too. He's now got me wondering if I can dribble some nitromethane into the float chambers of my Lotus Esprit 2.2L engine. That would give it a bit more pep! 😂🤣😂
16% is too low (you must run engine too rich to prevent overheating), lower optimum is around 20%, and you can run up to 60% in most engines easily (I run rc aeroplane engine on 60% all day and cars usualy on 35% but when i run out of 35% i sometime used 60% and have no problems).
Argumen about weight is baseless. It has nothing to with efficiency fuel or technology it only have to do with longevity. As Osamu Goto (he designed all winning Honda RA168E engine) once in interview said whet is ideal formula 1 engine, it is engine that will first cross finish line and imidiatly disintegrates, eve meter it run after that it means something have more strenght and weight that it need to have.
Modern formula engine need to last over 2000km only in races or over 30 hours compared to top fuel engine that last less then 10 seconds.
That was allot of info packages pretty well. I wasn’t expecting that. Impressive
Your ability to explain things in a way that is interesting is astonishingly good.
Love you videos. Very informative
Great video, as always. Where did you get the numbers for the SSME? Calculating HP for rockets is a bit weird, as the power varies with speed. In a vacuum at 6000m/s, the SSMEs are producing ~2,184 kN, giving a power figure of ~17.5 Million hp
ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090004620
The number used from that paper is for the fuel turbopump alone, not the resulting thrust or including the oxidizer pump. The power to weight ratio produced by the thrust is 879 HP/lbs, but that "horsepower" is just a static conversion from kW and doesn't really have anything to do with torque.
To be fair, a two-stroke engine should be weighed with its expansion chamber. It is responsible for achieving optimal power output from the engine. The same goes for forced induction, nitrous oxide, and any other power adder.
Thank you. A 2 stroke is a turd without its pipe.
If there's a video more packed with useful information somewhere... I've never seen it. Bravo.
I'll admit it, i totally came because of my curiosity for the fast and furious movies. I'm really happy that the video included information about that, even though it wasn't the main topic, and it was a good complement. Thanks so much for another fantastic video!
The basic fact is that hp per liter is not adimensional, but unfortunately is size-dependant. Bigger engines will always have lower hp per liter than smaller ones. Better adimensional factors are hp per pistons surface [w/m^2] and mean piston velocity [m/s]. If you calculate these for various sized engines, from vessels to model engines you'll get much uniform values.
The older NA f1 engines made 930hp and weighed 90kg. Those were good times...
Even better when Formula 1 used what basically was a 4 cylinder 2 litre turbocharged BMW M10 engine that during qualification could have over 1000hp and that was a long time ago. That engine did not run on 95Ron octane fuel! And the guys mixing up the fuel they ran have most likely died from cancer long time ago..
I was waiting for you to get to Top Fuel dragsters and you did not disappoint! The gleam in your eye as you talked about the specs of these machines put a big smile on my face. Everyone who loves cars and engines should do themselves a favor and go to a top fuel event sometime in their lives because it is an unbelievable experience. The amount of power you feel, hear and see is awesome, and the throttle response is staggering. You think a two stroke weed eater can rev quickly? Ha! It ain't got NOTHING on a top fuel dragster!
Here's a fun (short) video of a guy going to see his first drag race. It's hilarious: ruclips.net/video/CpbTq1O4XPs/видео.htmlsi=ozqQlHnuDY7OB_Vb (About 1:30 long)
The memories I have of nitro rc cars as a kid are the best. Makes me want one again
One of the best explanations of top fuel that I've seen. Good job.
Just speak to one top fuel drag racing team owner and you will be schooled on how extremely expensive drag racing is
It's relative
Lmao! That is the angriest sounding bumble bee on four wheels I've ever seen!
Nitromethane killed Crash Bandicoot.
4:50 here i am, watching a video about engines, reminiscing on the days i played RC Cars 2003 after school
You should be a teacher. Your way of explaining is absolutely fantastic. I've been working with car repair and small engines for fourty years and never needed to know what you tell us about nitromethane. I had a vague picture of it in my head, no I understand how it works. Even though I don't need this in my profession it's always inspirational to learn something new. Thank you !
I learned so much from this video! Your analysis of all aspects from chemical attributes to AFR and thermals. Putting it into perspective with all the different types of cars / engines. Thank you!!
Topfuel is approximately 1465 hp/liter. One note is that the 500 cubic inch topfuel engine uses a roots blower to achieve 12000hp. Also, they get rebuilt after each pass.
Edit: LOL! Wrote this comment before watching the whole video. :)
Don Garlits approved
I loved growing up in my part of California. We had LACR Dragstrip not far away and Edwards AFB/Lockheed right around the corner. We could hear the top fuel runs from our house miles and miles away and the SR71 blowing through the sound barrier all the time. = ) And as someone said in another post, there is nothing like being at a top fuel run and feeling every cylinder firing in your chest.
I would like to thank the presenter for an extremely good way of providing a both educational and entertaining video. Thanks again! Well done!