It is a drag racing term, meaning no boosting, basically the "natural" motor power Different regions may classify it differently, but fuel is limited in FIA events to have less than a percentage (can't remember exactly, but 2% comes to mind) of oxygenated content Nitromethane is a liquid form (at normal temps) of Nitros Oxide (NO2). It is the stuff the put in "Top Fuel" dragsters.. but they use the NO2 on top of it. The key thing is the Oxygen and Nitrogen are attached to Methanol to make it a liquid, and the oxygen makes the bigger bang
Its a strong motor, no doubt ... apart its 2269 cc and if on normal pump fuel ( 98 - 100 octane ) it will probably deliver ca 300 hp I only wonder how much of that power is a result of the fuel being used...it must centainly be a large percentage.... Its running on Methanol with Nitromethane , it has a big cooling effect and allow far more ignition advance...apart its only ca 10 seconds under full load.... all in all ...its big numbers in dragracing... but infact its comparing apples with bananas.... In circuit racing or rally or even hillclimb, these are running on normal pump fuel ( 95 -98-102) or even 102 racefuel, you cant run that agressive engine ( ecu) mapping as the engine is far longer under full load conditions and would run itself into destruction due detonation within a very short period of time... Typical drag race Methanol fuels https://vpracingfuels.com/product-category/fuels/racing-fuels/automotive/ https://vpracingfuels.com/product-category/fuels/racing-fuels/automotive/M1 https://vpracingfuels.com/product/m5/
Nitromethane gives 2.3x the amount of energy compared to petrol for a given quantity of oxygen. It is a fuel in the same way as petrol is a fuel. You need to burn a large volume however so very big pumps and injectors are needed. Burns cool like methanol so good for charge density. NItrous Oxide is an oxygen provider as is not a fuel itself per se.
Just to add, nitro-methane is the fuel stuff I use to power my RC car engines. N2O typically chemical supercharging.
Look in to Toluene (or methylbenzene) based fuels, used by F1 teams in the early 80's. Eye watering expensive, dangerous and poisonous BUT got 1300>1500bhp out of a 1500cc turbo power plant!! Ok, so these were developed for the turbo units, but I bet it would have worked just as well in N/A...of course it was banned, as eventually happens with all developments in F1. Even more interestingly it was only rated at 102 octane, using the prescribed tests of the day, so conformed with the regulations!! Clever stuff. Interesting reading if you have half an hour to spare.
Got a book about the F1 Turbo Era that goes into this in quite a lot of detail. Very interesting reading.
The funniest thing I find when discussing high Octane rated fuel with friends is how few realise how the higher the number, the LESS "explosive" the fuel gets.
That's very interesting! Sounds like it helps the car to pack a decent punch! I think I'll look more into this when I get home, it sounds very interesting
All the Honda All Motor racers in the US run VP V1 Methanol in their K27 Engines running 16.0 :1 compression 440whp http://www.4pistonracing.com/k24-480-2-7l-complete-engine
By far the most unstable leathal fuel ever used...Hydrazine http://www.dragzine.com/news/flashback-friday-the-story-of-the-leathal-fuel-called-hydrazine/
Talking of 9a's my old girl CFJ has just been rebuilt over the summer. It's running pretty strong compression now 'still' on Kjet but it now needs stand alone ignition for a proper set up.to take advantage of the build. Still going strong and we (Retro Resus) have done a full and proper restoration on the engine and bay new battery tray complete engine bay restore and many new bits for the next 10 years. It is twenty years of ownership this year for those that know me and the car!! I've got a played with MK7R as my daily which is just silly!
