Quote:
Originally Posted by ERA Chas
3170,
Thanks for great fun facts. Do you know the original source for the data? I don't think Johnson, Prock or Coil chat about this stuff.
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ERA Chas,
No, I don't know the original source, I got it from a good friend who is an engine builder but not Top Fuel engines. I had the opportunity to talk with Austin Coil about these engines several years ago and he said that the ignitions were so powerful that they could fire in liquid Nitro methane, he also said that they free rev at 50,000 RPM per second. They were taking enormous amounts of computer data and could monitor the firing voltage on each plug on every firing revolution through out the run along with all the other standard stuff like wheel speed, engine rpm, manifold pressure,
oil pressure, fuel pressure, fuel flow, acceleration rates, chassis stress etc etc. They then use the data to get the right tune. It was very impressive, and indicated the depth of technical expertise in Drag Racing. They have to use all this data to adjust the air timers used to control the clutch and engine parameters which is very difficult since air timers are less than precise.