NHRA top fuel

[bobtile]

They claim 10,000 horsepower. I know they don't have a dyno that will take close to that h.p. Anyone know the math to calciulate their claim?

 

[khryslerkid]

I understand that the last couple of years they have been useing a "strain" gauge on the output, drive shaft. Measures torque. Now that's to say that you are only gathering the torque info from the actual traction that you have to the track surface. Useing torque readings, they are able to calculate horse power.
Five years ago, or so, they were estimating 6,000 hp just by the speeds and times they were running.I think it was Connie Kalitta who came up with the idea of installing a "strain" gauge in the drive line to measure the torque output. Early readings were around 8,000 hp with upwards of 10,000 hp. depending of the amount of traction.
Just think, 500ci engine!

 

[MT_Mopar]

They claim 10,000 horsepower. I know they don't have a dyno that will take close to that h.p. Anyone know the math to calciulate their claim?

Hi Bob,

Not sure about how they calculate but a very interesting read with some cool pics of the Matco Tools 10,000Hp dragster:
http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ID/3099/Nerds-Eye-View--Inside-10000-horsepower.aspx

 

[bobtile]

Hi Bob,

Not sure about how they calculate but a very interesting read with some cool pics of the Matco Tools 10,000Hp dragster:
http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ID/3099/Nerds-Eye-View--Inside-10000-horsepower.aspx

That was pretty cool. Thanks for that.

 

[Budnicks]

Google, "How do they calculate the Horsepower on a Top Fuel Engines", lots of info, but basically it's a stress meter, they do it buy volumes of fuel burned & thermal energy produced also, the amount of heat & exhaust gasses produced is a factor, there's a formula somewhere, I don't remember where... Speed & ET, weight vs gearing/tire sizes etc... try this place they have about every conversion calculator... http//:www.wallaceracing.com/Calculators.htm