Ameer Randolph
Funny Cars are a class of vehicle in the NHRA drag racing series. They are powered by supercharged and fuel-injected 500-inch engines and can reach speeds of over 330 mph. The amount of fuel consumed by these cars has been a topic of interest, with interactive displays at the NHRA Motorsports Museum simulating the amount of nitromethane injected into each cylinder. Today's Funny Cars burn a significant amount of fuel, with rates reaching up to 94 gallons per minute across all cylinders. The NHRA has rules in place regarding engine specifications, but teams have flexibility in choosing internal components, which can impact fuel consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Engine | 426 Hemi-based |
| Engine size | 500 cubic inches |
| Camshaft size | 54mm |
| Bore | 4.187" |
| Stroke | 4.500" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel | Nitromethane, methanol, and gasoline |
| Fuel flow rate | 88-94 gallons per minute |
| Horsepower | 10,000 |
| Top speed | 330 mph |
| Acceleration | 3.8 seconds over 1/4 mile |
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What You'll Learn
NHRA rules allow a 4.500 stroke and a 4.187 bore
The NHRA, or National Hot Rod Association, has specific rules and regulations for its drag racing events in the United States and Canada. The rules allow for a 4.500 stroke and a 4.187 bore in Top Fuel drag racing engines, which are based on a second-generation Chrysler RB Hemi. These engines are built exclusively from specialized parts and have a maximum displacement of 500 cubic inches (8.19L).
Top Fuel dragsters are capable of impressive speeds and performance, with some covering the dragstrip in less than 3.7 seconds and reaching speeds of over 330 mph. These powerful machines can burn up to 15 gallons of nitromethane fuel during a single run.
The NHRA has implemented rules to regulate fuel composition, mandating that the maximum concentration of nitromethane in a car's fuel be no more than 90%. This rule was introduced in 2000 but was temporarily reduced to 85% after a fatality in 2004. However, due to complaints about mechanical failures and costs, the rule was changed back to 90% in 2008.
Additionally, the NHRA has taken steps to prioritize safety by regulating rear tire pressure and prohibiting final drive ratios higher than 3.20 to limit top speed potential and reduce the level of danger.
The NHRA also has different classes of vehicles, such as Top Alcohol Funny Cars, which are restricted to using methanol fuel and have a three-speed transmission. These cars can reach speeds of over 270 mph and showcase a diverse range of engine combinations.
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A flow rate of 8 gallons per minute
The display showcases the fuel injection process during idle before introducing additional nozzles under wide-open throttle. This results in a total flow rate of 64 gallons per minute for all eight cylinders. It is important to note that modern Funny Cars have an even higher fuel consumption rate, burning anywhere between 88 and 94 gallons per minute.
The high flow rate of 8 gallons per minute per cylinder highlights the significant fuel requirements of these powerful vehicles. Top Fuel and Funny Cars are known for their impressive speed and acceleration capabilities, with Funny Cars capable of speeds exceeding 330 mph and running in the 3.8-second range.
The engines in these cars are based on the 426 Hemi, with a 4.500-inch stroke and a 4.187-inch bore. NHRA rules restrict the engine size to a maximum of 500 cubic inches, allowing teams flexibility in their engine design and component choices. The use of nitromethane fuel, with its higher power output potential, contributes to the impressive performance of these vehicles.
It is worth noting that while nitromethane provides a performance advantage, it is not the only fuel used in NHRA competitions. Top Alcohol Funny Cars, for example, are restricted to using methanol fuel, showcasing the variety of fuel types utilized within the sport.
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Top Fuel dragsters burn up to 15 gallons of nitromethane fuel per run
Top Fuel dragsters are considered the "kings of the sport" in NHRA drag racing. They are capable of speeds in excess of 330 mph and can cover a dragstrip in under 3.7 seconds. These speeds are made possible by the 11,000 horsepower produced by their supercharged and fuel-injected 500-cubic-inch engines. This incredible power output is due in part to the use of nitromethane fuel, which allows an engine to produce up to 2.4 times as much power as an engine burning gasoline. In fact, Top Fuel dragsters burn up to 15 gallons of nitromethane during a single run.
Nitromethane has a much lower energy density than gasoline or methanol, but it is capable of producing significantly more power. NHRA regulations limit the composition of the fuel to a maximum of 90% nitromethane, with the remainder mostly being methanol. This mixture is not mandatory, and less nitromethane can be used if desired.
The use of nitromethane in NHRA drag racing has a long history. In 1958, the NHRA banned nitro in all categories, but independent drag strips continued to offer venues for fuel racers. In the 1965 season, about six nitro-fuelled early funny cars faced fuel dragsters. In 1971, Don Garlits introduced the Swamp Rat XIV, a rear-engined Top Fuel dragster that was the first of its kind to achieve success, winning the 1971 NHRA Winternationals.
Today, Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars continue to thrill fans with their incredible speeds and performance. The NHRA rules allow for a lot of flexibility in engine design, with teams generally being able to build the engine how they want and use whatever components they choose. This has led to constant innovation and ever-increasing speeds in the world of NHRA drag racing.
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Top Alcohol Funny Cars are restricted to using methanol fuel
The NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) sanctions races for a variety of drag racing classes, including Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Alcohol Dragster, and Top Alcohol Funny Car.
The engines in Top Alcohol Funny Cars are based on the 426 Hemi, with a 4.500" stroke and a 4.187" bore. NHRA rules limit the engine size to a maximum of 500 cubic inches, and camshafts can be no larger than 54mm. Teams have flexibility in the internal components they use, often utilizing aluminum connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, and different compression ratios and ring packages.
The use of methanol fuel in Top Alcohol Funny Cars is a departure from the traditional nitromethane fuel used in nitro-burning Funny Cars. Methanol offers a higher energy density compared to nitromethane, resulting in increased power output.
In summary, Top Alcohol Funny Cars in NHRA drag racing are restricted to using methanol fuel, which contributes to their impressive performance capabilities while allowing for flexibility in engine design and component choices.
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NHRA regulations limit the composition of the fuel to a maximum of 90% nitromethane
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has a range of regulations in place regarding the specifications of Funny Cars. One such regulation limits the composition of the fuel used in these cars to a maximum of 90% nitromethane, with the remaining 10% being largely methanol. This mixture, however, is not mandatory, and teams may use fuel with a lower percentage of nitromethane if they prefer.
Nitromethane has a significantly lower energy density than gasoline or methanol. Despite this, an engine burning nitromethane can produce up to 2.4 times as much power as an engine burning gasoline. This regulation was introduced in 2015, and it is an important one to consider when thinking about how much fuel a Funny Car uses.
Funny Cars are known for their impressive speed and acceleration. They can run in the 3.8-second range and reach speeds of over 330 mph. They are powered by supercharged and fuel-injected 500-inch engines, similar to those found in Top Fuel dragsters. The NHRA rules dictate that the engine size can be no more than 500 cubic inches, and camshafts can only be up to 54mm. Teams have a lot of freedom when it comes to internal components, and they can generally build and modify the engine as they see fit.
The amount of fuel consumed by a Funny Car can vary, but it is typically quite high. Today's Funny Cars can burn anywhere from 88 to 94 gallons per minute (GPM). This is a significant increase from the flow rate of 8 GPM per cylinder (64 GPM for all eight cylinders) demonstrated by the NHRA Motorsports Museum's interactive display, which simulates the amount of nitromethane injected into each cylinder.
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Frequently asked questions
NHRA Funny Cars burn anywhere from 88-94 gallons per minute.
NHRA Funny Cars use nitromethane fuel.
The NHRA limits the composition of the fuel to a maximum of 90% nitromethane.
The flow rate of fuel in an NHRA Funny Car is 8 gallons per minute per cylinder, or 64 gallons per minute for all eight cylinders.
NHRA Funny Cars have 10,000 horsepower.
