Projects rebuilding after the crash

There is no such thing as a small detail when it comes to nitro cars. Here is a good example. Nostalgia nitro dragsters and funny cars may go around the same mph yet they are very different. A dragster runs a smaller spec tire. To get the mph they need to be competitive the engine has to turn at least 10,200 rpms. The smaller tire makes it impossible to run a two speed trans. It's too much gear reduction and too violent on the launch. Therefore the late model 426 based engine has not been successful so far. It cant turn the rpm needed. The 392 based hemi is the go to engine for the extra rpm.
The funnies have bigger tires. They use that to get the high mph. The tires allow them to use a two speed trans. The late model 426 is the go to engine for the funnies because running a lower rpm wont hurt them do to the two speed.
Both classes use the same pump; mag; blower; and blower over drive. Yet they they take advantage of a tire rule to accomplish the same thing.
Its little things like this that fascinate me about running nitro. The learning never ends. When your at the track spend a little time in the pits. Its fascinating watching what's going on. The more time you spend there the more it will all make sense.

 

That is wild. It really is a whole different animal, an angry and volatile animal. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain the tech to us

 

Cool thanks for following along. Let's hear from some other nitro guys out there.

 

I know I'd like to be one.

 

Tread lightly salty. It's a slippery slope to ruin. Many a racer has been found strung out naked and broke in a gutter begging for the another nitro fix. Just waiting for the needle to hit the vein were the nitro puts them in a happy place once again.

 

See..... that's the part I was bore for.
And Jackson has it too.

 

Maybe you guys should pool your parts and money together and run a nitro car.

 

Now that's an idea, I would have to keep it at my house, he lives too close to the track.

 

Brian the cars sounds good can't wait to see it run out of curiosity what percentage are you running in it and james maybe we need to start shopping in dumpsters near Brian's house lol seems like all the needed parts are up there lol


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All last year it was 80 percent.

 

Dumb question....what is the typical air fuel ratio on 80%? I know it’s richer than on gas. Also why the need to roll the engine backwards?


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I'll take a wild guess and say you had to go to 50th and State streets for the starter at the NAPA warehouse.

 

good question. after the engine is shut off the fuel that's left in the lines can leak past the check balls in the nozzles. the fuel runs into the combustion chamber. nitro can explode if compressed or heated. the engine can fire even if the mag is unplugged. if too much enters a cylinder and the engine is rolled over clockwise it could fire. seeing that its not a controlled explosion big damage can occur. I have seen starters ripped off blocks. cylinders lifted off the deck ripping the studs out. push rods ejected out through the valve covers etc. a few years back a head came off hitting a crew man in the chest. another time one flew off and it went through the side of a trailer. rolling back a nitro engine is a very serious safety concern for everyone remotely near these cars.the crew has to have the disciple to make sure this gets done every time all the time. by rolling the engine over counter clockwise on a hemi the piston will push any fuel out the exhaust port. that's why you always see a crew guy rolling the engine over backwards before its started. other engines need to have the plugs pulled first do to the placement of their valves. im not sure what the air fuel ratio is.

 

most of the area warehouses are along 43rd st just north of linoln. they look like regular stores they are just very large.

 

Thanks Brian, that makes perfect sense. I had read somewhere else that the big cars were somewhere around 1:1 or even .5:1 but cant remember where I saw that or how accurate it is.

 

Eleven. Add Poland to the list. Following the thread silently from the beginning. Just can't say very much, as i am not very familiar with nitro. Well, after your willingness to share knowledge, a little bit more familiar with it .

 

Dzięki wrogowi za tobą!

 

The flyer for the race at George Ray's. This is the event we will be doing fire burnouts. This is going to be alot of fun.

 

that show is going to be off the hook!

 

Yes it is. We hope to see you and Dave's dragster there.

 

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up - Brian contacted me about the possibility of displaying his fuel coupe at the 2019 Vintage Torque Fest car show in Dubuque Iowa (the show is on Friday May 3rd and Saturday May 4th at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds this year). Not only did Brian want to display the car but he also wants to start the car up on nitro during the show! This was all Brian's idea and it took me an almost perfect reaction time of .001 to say Hell Yes! Vintage Torque Fest raises awareness for kids with congenital heart disease and donates the show's profits to these families to help with expenses not covered by their insurance. Brian is a Cardiac Invasive Specialist when he is not drag racing his coupe and he wants to do this to help spread the word about heart issues. Brian will have his coupe at the 2019 Vintage Torque Fest in the main show parking lot on both Friday and Saturday. He also plans on starting the car on nitro periodically during the show (depending on the weather). So come to the show and stop by Brian’s trailer to say hi and stick around to hear the mighty nitro Hemi cackle and help us raise money for these kids. And thank you Brian for offering to do this to help the kids.

 

It's my pleasure to be part of the show. The families of the kids are hit hard financially. It's hard to work when your child is sick in the hospital. The money raised goes to families in need. There is a live auction that takes place on Saturday. The items are all donated. Every year they get tables full of great items. At the end of the show a family that was chosen to be helped out is presented a check right there on the stage. There isn't a dry eye on the grounds as they tell about their struggles during this difficult time. If you are able come out to the show it's big with alot of cars; vendors; bands and swap meet. There is a burnout pit if you like crazy action.
Weather permitting we plan go go to the local drag strip on Sunday for some full throttle hits in the coupe.

 

I will see you there. I will be handing the keys of this little hot rod to some lucky winner on Saturday.

 

Running this car gets expensive so I try to save money any chance I can. Combining trips for supplies helps. On the way to the car show in Hilton head I set up a few stops. First stop was indy for a drum of nitro at roomans shop. He was very helpful in making the pick up work. I knew I wouldn't make Schumacher's shop by the time they closed. Roo picked up the nitro then met me at his shop after hours when I came through. I pumped some jugs full in the back of his truck to lighten the drum. There is no way two guys are lifting a barrel of nitro. This saved me 300 dollars in shipping costs. Next up was the Lucas oil warehouse in elk view west Virginia for a drum of 70 wt race oil. Joe runs a Lucas ware house when he is not driving the Lucas trailer to NHRA events. This saved not only the 300 in shipping but I got the oil at 3.12 a quart. I still have some Lucas oil connections. It sells in the store for 6.75 a quart. Paying cash for a drum saved another700 dollars. So now I'm stocked up for a while. I'm sure I will need another drum of nitro by July. Without my friends roo and Joe racing would be much harder and more expensive .

 

Near elk view west Virginia. My kind of town.

 

Nitro made in China?

 

Any of the "special" nitro safety precautions in effect when traveling ?

 

Hi Racerx.You know what they say."A penny saved is a penny taxed".
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe,
Leo

 

We have the nitro in dot legal jugs. Everything is strapped in tight. Home land security wants a cable run through all the handles with a lock.

 

A few pics from the show. I will have alot more on the Hilton head car show thread. Lots of kids played in the car. I was surprised to see the car on bottles of hot sauce.