Quote:
Originally Posted by afterburn 549
Ok, thanx for all the info!
I thought they would have to run a truly low geared ratio with tall tires and that high RPM
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Remember that the clutch on a top fuel car slips at a predetermined rate at launch, so the engine goes to around 6500 rpm instantly even though the rear tires are only spinning about 12% faster than the front depending on track conditions. The engine continues to rev up for a second or so, then the clutch locks up at around 250 mph and pulls the motor down a little, then it's darn near one to one from the rest of the track.
But the whole time the power is on, the rear tires are spining faster than the fronts.
If they were going the same speed under powe, they'd likely experience wheel hop and violent vibration as the tire coiled and uncoiled.
If the tire slip is too great, the rear tires will go up in smoke big time.
The magic amount of slip varies from track to track but it's usually between 10 and 20% tire slip.
LOL, 320 mph through the lights, 6000# of down force from the wing, parachutes are starting to come out, and the back tires are still leaving two lines from spinning.
Hit of the throttle tire coil:
At the lights just getting out of the throttle:
Spooled up just right:
