Originally Posted By: Exhaustgases
And if all that torque was used the thing would blow up. So they are lucky for all the losses, and that some of that stress is lost in tire slippage and a light weight vehicle. The size of parts used likely could not sustain the stress if all that power was put to the road and had to move some major weight. Yes there is tractor pulling, but the wheels are not locked to the ground.
They do occasionally blow up.
But the peak torque figure measured in the driveline on any pass occurs when the clutch is 1:1, and the tires are gripping the track. At that point, every bit of that torque is being used. Additionally, the Dragster effectively weighs far more when it's traveling at 330+mph, due to the downforce generated by the wings, and the exhaust itself, than it does when weighed statically on a scale.
It is very hard on parts. That's why the engine is rebuilt and the clutch replaced after every pass. Everything else is also on a strict inspection and replacement schedule.
And if all that torque was used the thing would blow up. So they are lucky for all the losses, and that some of that stress is lost in tire slippage and a light weight vehicle. The size of parts used likely could not sustain the stress if all that power was put to the road and had to move some major weight. Yes there is tractor pulling, but the wheels are not locked to the ground.
They do occasionally blow up.
But the peak torque figure measured in the driveline on any pass occurs when the clutch is 1:1, and the tires are gripping the track. At that point, every bit of that torque is being used. Additionally, the Dragster effectively weighs far more when it's traveling at 330+mph, due to the downforce generated by the wings, and the exhaust itself, than it does when weighed statically on a scale.
It is very hard on parts. That's why the engine is rebuilt and the clutch replaced after every pass. Everything else is also on a strict inspection and replacement schedule.