Dragster Question

[intakexhaust]

One of the nicest most humble cool dude-
Bob Bode's Official Website

Before his pro career in drag racing, he was into flat bottom boat racing. Used to live near him and a good friend was his neighbor. Eye opener for me with the boats. Seeing how insane the circle boats are, (K Racing runabouts -Blown Alcohol) I would think he's slowed down by racing on the tarmac! LOL - (just joking Bob!)

[Hugh R]

Sand Man, when they take off two on a good run, the pressure wave that goes through you is unbelievable. 100X more than you could ever sense from the best home theater system.

They take off FAST, and then about 1/2 second into it the rear end locks up and its like when they jump to warp speed in Star Wars. GONE!!!

[sand_man]

I've all of a sudden become obsessed with this stuff.

So I can see on a pro top fuel dragster with the engine behind the driver, how the "direct drive" could work with such close proximity to the rear wheels. However, on a pro top fuel funny car, with the engine in front of the driver and the rear wheels further away, is there an actual drive line (shaft) turning the rear wheels, via rear end?

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Sand Man, when they take off two on a good run, the pressure wave that goes through you is unbelievable. 100X more than you could ever sense from the best home theater system.

They take off FAST, and then about 1/2 second into it the rear end locks up and its like when they jump to warp speed in Star Wars. GONE!!!

This is an understatement. You think after seeing the burnouts that you have a sense for how loud they are. You don't.

[sammyg2]

Yes, clutch behind the engine, solid ti driveshaft to differential (solid spool), to wheels. The drive shaft is enclosed in a safety spool.

[afterburn 549]

What / who's rear end is that?

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Yes, clutch behind the engine, solid ti driveshaft to differential (solid spool), to wheels. The drive shaft is enclosed in a safety spool.

That's insane. THESE CARS ARE INSANE!! How can you sit in one of these things (funny car) closed in, with an "engine" on your lap, a small gas tank full of explosive nuclear waste, and something even remotely resembling a drive shaft spinning under your azz????

[javadog]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

What / who's rear end is that?

Probably a Strange Engineeering rear end.

JR

[afterburn 549]

i need that part number..

[J P Stein]

I read some years back about one side of the exaust blowing off a funny car engine.
The other side blew the car off the track.

[sammyg2]

Yup. just loosing fire to one cylinder is enough to push the car sideways out of the groove.
i've heard the number 800# of force per cylinder exhaulst pipe mentioned.

EDIT: looks like that 800# number is for total exhaust downforce, not per cylinder.

Back in 84 I decided I was going drag boat racing.
With my usually enthusiastic ignorace of the classes, i built up a blown hemi that basically put me in a pro class. Very expensive, lots of safety regs.

I complained when I had to spend 2 grand on a whirl-away ratcheting prop shaft, even though it would keep the boat from corkscrewing if the engine siezed.
Then I complained about having to spend another grand to have a special stainless driveshaft tube made to keep the standard automotive driveshaft from cutting the boat in half (and me) if it failed. I already had a 1/4" thick aluminum tube!
That driveshaft was about 2 feet long and was spinning at engine speed, and was connected to a gearbox next to my leg.
the front U-joint was 6" from my hip holding back over 1000 hp.

I have allot more respect for safety rules now than I did when I was 24 and bullet-proof.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

i need that part number..

From the Strange catalog:

L7400........................$18,850

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by sand_man

That's insane. THESE CARS ARE INSANE!! How can you sit in one of these things (funny car) closed in, with an "engine" on your lap, a small gas tank full of explosive nuclear waste, and something even remotely resembling a drive shaft spinning under your azz????

Note that the rear end is under your rear end

[Mo_Gearhead]

In those earlier dragsters, where the driver straddled the rear-end ...after he climbed in, they just welded his balls to the pumpkin housing - as additional structure strength.

[sammyg2]

Don Garlits invented the rear engine dragster after the clutch in his front engine dragster exploded and cut his car (and his foot) in half.







This is what the cars looked like back then. You sat with the diff between your legs and under your knees.





And while we're on the subject of cast iron appendages .... hey what could go wrong?

[sand_man]

All forms of racing are risky...hell, life will kill ya. But to quote my 16 year old, "these things seem sketchy, Dad". I have to admit, these cars do seem unpredictable.

[sand_man]

I've never been into motorsports for the "blood" and hate the crashes and shunts. But I stumbled onto the crash that claimed Scott Kalitta and just felt sick.

And to the original poster, sorry this thread has been hi-jacked!

[afterburn 549]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

from the strange catalog:

L7400........................$18,850

thanx!

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

thanx!

Don't say i never got ya a deal ....

CHRISMAN 12 REAR SPOOL, GOOD USED, $250

CHRISMAN 12 INCH REAR, FRONT PINION SUPPORT W/COUPLER, USED $250

STRANGE 9 INCH TOPLOADER PINION SUPPORT W/BEARING, USED $200

NHRA NITRO FUNNY CAR PARTS For Sale


Ya i know it's only a few parts and not the whole deal, but yer blowing the fun!

[sammyg2]

Here ya go ,a strange 10 1/2 rear end and it comes with a 5.5 second car!

TAFC Funny Car, Very Complete Roller ++++ Mostly NEW

Precision Funny Car chassis just completely redone by Randy Parker and Rosh Carbon Fiber Impala. Set up has all the nice touches and best of the best, we only do things right! Car set up for TAFC. No expense spared!!

Car includes: (Note most everything is brand new)!
Strange 10.5 Rear with Carbon brakes
NEW Strange front spindles and carbon brakes
NEW American Racing Liners with Goodyear’s, mounted
NEW American Racing Front Wheels with Goodyear’s, mounted
NEW Fuel and oil tanks (heated oil tank)
NEW Management Box
Simpson Fresh Air system
CO2 bottle
NEW Safe Craft Fire Bottles
NEW Race-Pack Digital Dash
NEW Race-Pack V300 with all sensors
NEW Simpson Platinum Safety Harness
NEW Front and Rear Motor Plates (rear Chrome moly)
NEW Simpson Pro Drag Chutes, 2
NEW Trick Can and McKinney Pedal system
NEW Pro-Jacks with electric pump
NEW RCD Battery Pack and Cables
NEW RCD Starter
NEW Wheelie Bar
ALL NEW Tin
Body paint removed and ready for new or wrap

Much more goes with roller, also have clutch, NEW Lenco…


Big $ invested to do this right and virtually looks like a new chassis Will take best offer over $60,000.

TAFC Funny Car, Very Complete Roller ++ New For Sale