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The exhaust fumes from this dragster made me start crying! what kind of fuel is it burning?

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 10:50 pm
by SHARKBITEATTACK
What kind of fuel is this thing burning and why does the guy keep squirting fluid into the carbs and giving the driver signals?

https://youtu.be/rxElxTTHGpI?t=1m18s

Re: The exhaust fumes from this dragster made me start crying! what kind of fuel is it burning?

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 10:53 pm
by In-Tech
It switched from alcohol to nitro.

Re: The exhaust fumes from this dragster made me start crying! what kind of fuel is it burning?

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 10:08 am
by Dave Koehler
No carbs. It is mechanical fuel injection.
It is started with alcohol from the bottle and a tank.
When it is warm enough it is switched over to NITRO!
That's when you see the flames and stink.
When the nitro is shutoff the crew chief takes the bottle with alcohol to keep it running for a few seconds to clear out any left over nitro.

The first guy has the whole band leader show down to a science.

Ain't nitro great? Are you addicted yet?
Stink and thunder, yeah baby!

Re: The exhaust fumes from this dragster made me start crying! what kind of fuel is it burning?

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 10:40 am
by Zmechanic
Dave Koehler wrote: Fri Nov 10, 2017 10:08 am
The first guy has the whole band leader show down to a science.
Hahaha, I thought the same thing! Didn't know you need an orchestra conductor to run a race car. Learn something everyday. :lol:

Re: The exhaust fumes from this dragster made me start crying! what kind of fuel is it burning?

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 10:42 am
by Dave Koehler
Sharkbite,
These display cars you saw there are old cars that can no longer go down the track for safety reasons.
They are called Cackle Cars. Hopefully the reason why is obvious.
They help keep the history of diggers and nitro alive for newcomers and old.
Impressive? yes
BUT
You REALLY need to attend the next NHRA race at the Vegas Motorplex. April 6-8, 2018
Go to the pits and stand behind one of the modern Top Fuel or Funny cars during their warm up routine.
The visual/audio difference between a 1500 HP pop and cackle and 10K HP modern car is staggering.
Be prepared for a sensory overload.

Re: The exhaust fumes from this dragster made me start crying! what kind of fuel is it burning?

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 11:28 am
by RevTheory
I'll never forget the first time I saw them switch from alcohol to nitro :shock:

Re: The exhaust fumes from this dragster made me start crying! what kind of fuel is it burning?

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 11:13 pm
by hoodeng
I have never seen these before!! we never had a maestro ,, those signals !!

What is the signal for? " it's ventilating it's guts! Run!! "

Running the motor down on the bottle i hope does not delete a blow down.

I still couldn't make myself be in front [or directly behind for that matter] of anything running through its routine ,,no way ! i don't care what kind of drive it has.

Cheers.

Re: The exhaust fumes from this dragster made me start crying! what kind of fuel is it burning?

Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2017 9:57 am
by Dave Koehler
The driveline is disconnected in those during shows like this......usually.
Since the first one didn't lurch when whacked I believe this to be true in this case
If not they could/would still drive right up and over those jersey barriers.
Those are likely a trust but verify thing.

Signal translation.
Bring the Rs up a touch.
Whack it
That's enough. Step off the pedal
Shut down

Driver could have done that on his/her own but the signals added to the show.

Re: The exhaust fumes from this dragster made me start crying! what kind of fuel is it burning?

Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2017 10:34 am
by Dave Koehler
I had a girlfriend once ask me as we left a stage play how I liked it.
She got all bent out of shape when I said it was OK.
She expected me to go on and on how great it was. (should have seen it coming)
It was just that.... OK... not world class. She should have chosen a better play.
I finally said Listen up, I have driven nitro cars and stood between 2 top fuel cars at the Hit.
Not much compares. (A space shuttle launch perhaps. It's on my Walter Mitty bucket list.)
Blank look.
She didn't last long.
As a test, I learned to take all subsequent candidates to any Fuel race and get close to the starting line.

Re: The exhaust fumes from this dragster made me start crying! what kind of fuel is it burning?

Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2017 11:35 am
by In-Tech
LOL Dave,
Reminds me...One time years ago I took the gf and her gf to the drags at Sonoma, I took them down next to the start line(VIP Pit passes when I worked at Mallory/Erson) just as fuel cars were starting, they were going nuts especially as they went from alky to fuel. What I would have given for a cell phone camera back in the day as I was watching them trying to talk to each other(ya know, yacking)...they both hit the ground and one even pissed herself when the green came on and they weren't looking. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: The exhaust fumes from this dragster made me start crying! what kind of fuel is it burning?

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 7:46 pm
by stealth
Awesomeness...