Bill,
I mentioned aerodynamics more than once. However for acceleration (to about
80mph) it is the power to weight ratio that counts.
The vague formula is 10 pounds weight requires 1 lbft (of torque) to
accelerate it.
With speed the amount of power (bhp) required to push the car through the air
gets progressivly higher as the speed of the vehicle increases. This is why
there are lots of 105, 110,etc Spridgets but few that do 115, 120, 125 mph.
You are right that once you get over 100mph it is easier and cheaper to get a
Spridget to go quicker by using aerodynamic modifications than power tuning
(except an engine swap or forced induction) the engine.
Daniel1312
In a message dated 24/09/00 16:34:30 GMT Daylight Time, pythias@pacifier.com
writes:
<< Hello listers..
what everyone seems to be missing in the general
discussion about top speed, engine horsepower,
gearing, OD, etc.... not ONE has mentioned..
aerodynamics.... ... if i recall correclty.. the
general formula is that it takes 10 hp to go 1 mph
faster... .... can't remember exactly where this kicks
in tho... somewhere about say 80?.... .. that
explains why a lower geared car can sometimes go
faster than the higher geared car.... if one is really
interested in TOP SPEED..
flare in the headlights.... remove the bumpers... take
off the mirrors... the windshield wipers... etc etc
etc... smooth down.... .. .. .hey.. now we are talking
about .. Lakesters?.... HERB, remember THOSE... and
the DROP TANK cars?.. made from the drop tanks from
the WWII aircraft?.....
i guess my point is.. ... smoothing the body, removing
the windshied... etc etc.. is much more cost effective
at a TOP SPEED run... than trying to get that last
little.. nth of horsepower out of the engine!
Sunday, September 24, 2000, 5:17:20 AM, you wrote:
GW> Top speed in my 1500 midget is higher when I am in o/drive, as the
GW> engine does pull well enough to use the xtra gear, but then as I have
GW> said the engine is mildly tuned. What really governs top speed is
GW> what the thing sounds like, and my 1500 midget certainly dosn't like
GW> the revs as much as my 1275, so I back off sooner when it tells me to.
GW> Actually I rarely go over 90 in any car - even the padded cell,
GW> although that is good for 132mph - allegedly!
GW> I just value my licence too highly!
GW> Guy
--
Best regards,
Bill >>
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