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Sport_Pilot -> RE: Substitute nitromethane (12/2/2007 12:55:08 AM)
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quote:
The only drawback to using more nitro is that your engine will either melt or explode, with the explode event occurring more often than the melt event. This is not a complete explanation. The nitro dragsters explode and melt parts a lot, but it is not because it burns hotter. Explosions happen for many reasons, detonation, faulty pistons which fracture from the extreme pressure, backfires into the supercharger, blown headgaskets, excessive blow by and ignition of that fuel in the crankcase, and even excessively rich mixtures causing hydro lock. The NHRA has limited the mixture to 90% nitro from 100% by rule but this still happens a lot. The melting is usually caused by detonation from using too high of a ratio on the superchager, or the timing is too advanced. Sometimes a lean run caused by debris in the fuel system can also cause parts to melt. These engines have no cooling system, the nitro mixture is so rich it just doesn't need to be cooled. The fuel evaporation is enough to carry the heat away, that and the cooler temps of the extremely rich mixture. Most of these engines are aluminum block, heads, and pistons. So it doesn't take much to melt these parts. The very extreme pressures, torque, and power is the main reason nitro racing engines don't last but one run and require teardown between each run.
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