The Cal-look Lounge

Cal-look/High Performance => Pure racing => Topic started by: Johnnie on July 14, 2017, 22:29:01 pm



Title: Formula vee on the drag strip
Post by: Johnnie on July 14, 2017, 22:29:01 pm
Has anyone ever put a decent power engine in a formula vee and run it o the drag strip?
We're planning on putting a 160 + bhp motor in one just to see what times it will run.
Running drag tyres car weight is 370kg + driver 85kg  should be fun.[attachment=1]


Title: Re: Formula vee on the drag strip
Post by: Garrick Clark on July 15, 2017, 12:24:44 pm
Yeah, you don't see them running down the strip very often. With the low weight and aerodynamic shape its got to be quick hasn't it.


Title: Re: Formula vee on the drag strip
Post by: Joel Mohr on July 25, 2017, 17:14:11 pm
Not designed for drag racing, it sits too low to transfer the weight to the rear tires....


Title: Re: Formula vee on the drag strip
Post by: Iryanu on July 25, 2017, 20:02:05 pm
Not designed for drag racing, it sits too low to transfer the weight to the rear tires....

What weight?  ;D

Seriously though, I'd be interested to hear why this is deemed too low, when it's essentially the same sort of layout as a top fueller or a rear engine rail?

Looking to be educated here. I'd put some big wide slicks on it, not much need for weight transfer when you have 12" wide sticky things on there surely?

Run it, I'm intrigued!


Title: Re: Formula vee on the drag strip
Post by: Joel Mohr on July 25, 2017, 20:33:53 pm
The geometry is completely different...and the amount of power required to "rotate" the car is a major consideration. Sure, big tires will help, but, softening up the rear shocks/spring rate will give it a chance....


Title: Re: Formula vee on the drag strip
Post by: Johnnie on July 26, 2017, 00:04:44 am
We're building a 2110 cc engine for it at the moment with well ported heads 42x37 valves twin 44s and a decent race cam.  Running 26/8.5/15 drag slicks a Jamar gear linkage so we can actually get Gears. Then  Run it on the 1/4 mile if it's crap we'll stick the original engine back in and let someone go vee racing.


Title: Re: Formula vee on the drag strip
Post by: dannyboy on July 26, 2017, 19:09:23 pm
I'm pretty sure alan had a go with an  old 1300sp v car at pod a while back i think it ran 13s but traction was the issue .im pretty sure with a big motor and some messing about it wont have a problem going pretty fast?


Title: Re: Formula vee on the drag strip
Post by: modnrod on July 27, 2017, 00:17:22 am
I don't see many hard-tail Altereds having an issue with traction, so there are ways and means I guess to overcome traction.

It's all power-to-weight, and they weigh nothing.

Might be a bit boring running flat 11s without any attitude though.
 :D


Title: Re: Formula vee on the drag strip
Post by: Johnnie on July 27, 2017, 09:53:41 am
We'll have to give it some attitude if it runs well.  It's only a project while I'm gathering parts to finish " bugeyed " and it's got lots of attitude 😁.


Title: Re: Formula vee on the drag strip
Post by: Roman on August 01, 2017, 09:05:33 am
There was a Formula Vee that tried the strip at Bug Run in Sweden 20-25 or so years ago. It had very big problems with flexing chassis and wheel hop.
It was just a N/A engine so it was not brutal power.