So how long can a race engine run for?
Discussion
Sorry to show my ignorance here, but how long can an engine without a cooling system run for? It always astounds me how long the fuel cars, etc. have the engine running for- they're already warmed up too, aren't they?
Do these engines run coolant in the blocks for heat transfer or what (I know some race cars run a cooling system)?
As a mechanic I'm almost embarrased to ask these kinds of questions, but if you guys can't answer them then who can?
Do these engines run coolant in the blocks for heat transfer or what (I know some race cars run a cooling system)?
As a mechanic I'm almost embarrased to ask these kinds of questions, but if you guys can't answer them then who can?
So you're running a production iron block with coolant passages but with no coolant in the block?
Don't you get localised heat build up at the top of the cylinders that hurts performance?
Surely having the block filled with coolant (even if it's not circulating) would produce a more even heat transfer and therefore more linear rates of expansion for the engine components?
Don't you get localised heat build up at the top of the cylinders that hurts performance?
Surely having the block filled with coolant (even if it's not circulating) would produce a more even heat transfer and therefore more linear rates of expansion for the engine components?
Edited by BB-Q on Thursday 23 August 17:21
Some do, but then always a chance it getting under a slick.
Our block is a Keith Black block, but we chose to run it with the water jackets as in the event (hope never) that a rod exits the block it does less damage and is easier to repair.
My old rover was run dry, as long as your sensible its fine, sounds silly but you hear the engine get too hot.
Our block is a Keith Black block, but we chose to run it with the water jackets as in the event (hope never) that a rod exits the block it does less damage and is easier to repair.
My old rover was run dry, as long as your sensible its fine, sounds silly but you hear the engine get too hot.
Edited by BennettRacing on Thursday 23 August 17:21
So how would a drag racer cope with a VMAX run over a measured mile? Could the engines run for four times as long as they currently do without grenading themselves? Would the car peak at 1/4mile and then 'cruise' the remaining 3/4 miles or would it continue to build speed to- who knows what terminal speed!!
Edited by cerbagriff on Thursday 23 August 20:27
cerbagriff said:
So how would a drag racer cope with a VMAX run over a measured mile? Could the engines run for four times as long as they currently do without grenading themselves? Would the car peak at 1/4mile and then 'cruise' the remaining 3/4 miles or would it continue to build speed to- who knows what terminal speed!!
I can't see a fuel engine lasting much more than 6 or 7 seconds without tipping a fair bit of alky in, but I'll be very interested to hear what those who know have to say on the subject.Edited by cerbagriff on Thursday 23 August 20:27
Nitro-besty said:
The rev limiters would need to be removed, since 8400rpm will be your lot otherwise....
Then again, you don't really want to be doing much more then 8400rpm with a modern fuel engine...But yes, you couldn't take a current fuel or methanol dragster and expect it to run over much more than 1320ft. It should certainly be possible to design and build a car suited to run longer distances, but so much is tailored to the quarter mile that you'd need to be nearly starting from scratch. Even in the lower classes, few cars will run well over longer distances without changes to gearing etc.
GreenV8S said:
BennettRacing said:
we chose to run it with the water jackets as in the event (hope never) that a rod exits the block it does less damage and is easier to repair.
I'd have thought that was pretty terminal (I mean, for the engine), how does a dry water jacket help?BennettRacing said:
GreenV8S said:
BennettRacing said:
we chose to run it with the water jackets as in the event (hope never) that a rod exits the block it does less damage and is easier to repair.
I'd have thought that was pretty terminal (I mean, for the engine), how does a dry water jacket help?Are you saying you'd have a repair patch welded to the block and a liner put in?! Wouldn't another block be cheaper?
As you've probably gathered, I have no idea what race engine components cost- unless they're for a Volvo redblock.
BB-Q said:
BennettRacing said:
GreenV8S said:
BennettRacing said:
we chose to run it with the water jackets as in the event (hope never) that a rod exits the block it does less damage and is easier to repair.
I'd have thought that was pretty terminal (I mean, for the engine), how does a dry water jacket help?Are you saying you'd have a repair patch welded to the block and a liner put in?! Wouldn't another block be cheaper?
As you've probably gathered, I have no idea what race engine components cost- unless they're for a Volvo redblock.
And yeah would be alot cheaper to repair block than new one.
Our old iron block was standard as you can get, will filled it with our own special mix and used it for 12 years, run numerous 7.3 and 7.2 runs on it and never had any grief, until we started running 7.1's and 7.0's on it, it began to crack, only hairline cracks but its day was done.
While that's a lot of money, it's actually less than I was guessing!
While I'm not in any way in the market for any V8, I've been taking advantage of the weak dollar for the last year or two for custom made stuff for my volvo engine.
For example, Eagle (well, custom made in the same foundry for someone else) rods £50 each, custom spec CP forged pistons £350 a set. Same stuff over here would cost a fortune.
While I'm not in any way in the market for any V8, I've been taking advantage of the weak dollar for the last year or two for custom made stuff for my volvo engine.
For example, Eagle (well, custom made in the same foundry for someone else) rods £50 each, custom spec CP forged pistons £350 a set. Same stuff over here would cost a fortune.
Nitro-besty said:
The better financed teams will change parts purely because the budget is there (even if there's still life in the bits n pieces).
Hi Nitro-Besty !This reminds me of an announcement heard on the Hockenheim PA
when I was spectator, must have been early 90s :
"Would the fans that bought souvenir race pistons from one of our "Pro" Teams
bring them back to the team, please, money will be returned !"
Caused quite a laugh on the grandstand, but worked,
as one of the teams had damaged the newly fitted parts beyond recovery,
and as they were still in the race, needed the "junk" to make the next round !
Cheers, and good luck with your front engine fueler,
Benni
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