18 Drag Racing Tips
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
18 Drag Racing Tips I put this list together for my specific combo. Thought it might help someone else.
Lots of guys are looking for success at the dragstrip. A powerful run with a good E.T. is often a result of a bunch of small changes (a cumulative effect) rather than one or two big expenditures.
18 Drag Racing Tips
WEIGHT
1. Horsepower to weight ratio is paramount – directly correlates to trap speed.
2. The car needs to be as light as possible, this includes ALL components (exhaust, interior, driver), lightening your reciprocating weight has a greater positive effect (wheels, brakes, driveshaft).
3. For good weight transfer, weight needs to be removed from the front.
4. Weight (like battery)can be added as far to the rear as possible.
AIR/FUEL
5. Engine needs adequate fuel volume under hard acceleration.
6. Engine needs correct fuel pressure under hard acceleration.
7. Gas tank must be vented for air in, proportional to the volume of fuel exiting.
8. Intake air: ample supply
9. Intake air: cooler is denser
10. An exhaust system can significantly change the way an engine behaves, some backpressure can be beneficial.
11. Don’t overlook the scavenging effects of a properly tuned exhaust system.
TRACTION
12. Make sure your Posi or Trak Lock is working, we have all seen one-wheel-peel race cars!
13. Rear suspension geometry can make or break a quarter mile car’s 60 foot and E.T.
14. Sticky tires are a must.
OTHER
15. Torque, not horsepower launches the car.
16. Seek to limit drag: can be on engine (accessories/fan), can be on axles (tires), can be aerodynamic drag.
17. Engines need to run cool – the cooler the better for carbureted n/a motors.
18. Ignition system must have clean 13 volt power with good amperage.
Lots of guys are looking for success at the dragstrip. A powerful run with a good E.T. is often a result of a bunch of small changes (a cumulative effect) rather than one or two big expenditures.
18 Drag Racing Tips
WEIGHT
1. Horsepower to weight ratio is paramount – directly correlates to trap speed.
2. The car needs to be as light as possible, this includes ALL components (exhaust, interior, driver), lightening your reciprocating weight has a greater positive effect (wheels, brakes, driveshaft).
3. For good weight transfer, weight needs to be removed from the front.
4. Weight (like battery)can be added as far to the rear as possible.
AIR/FUEL
5. Engine needs adequate fuel volume under hard acceleration.
6. Engine needs correct fuel pressure under hard acceleration.
7. Gas tank must be vented for air in, proportional to the volume of fuel exiting.
8. Intake air: ample supply
9. Intake air: cooler is denser
10. An exhaust system can significantly change the way an engine behaves, some backpressure can be beneficial.
11. Don’t overlook the scavenging effects of a properly tuned exhaust system.
TRACTION
12. Make sure your Posi or Trak Lock is working, we have all seen one-wheel-peel race cars!
13. Rear suspension geometry can make or break a quarter mile car’s 60 foot and E.T.
14. Sticky tires are a must.
OTHER
15. Torque, not horsepower launches the car.
16. Seek to limit drag: can be on engine (accessories/fan), can be on axles (tires), can be aerodynamic drag.
17. Engines need to run cool – the cooler the better for carbureted n/a motors.
18. Ignition system must have clean 13 volt power with good amperage.
