M-P-G during quarter mile runs ?

[joels_vega]

(planning ahead for fuel cell/gas tank size, and fuel quantity, etc.).

What would you guys say would be the average M-P-G during a quarter mile run? [guessing 1 gallon per burnout/run/return]
(Contestant will be a: '72 Vega, 383-stroker/~425 horsepower (nitrous shot of about 200), powerglide, 4:10 rear, about 2600 pounds; going for ~ 9.5 sec. quarter mile [to help mankind]; want to run as little fuel as possible to save on weight).

Thanks

* Guy at a Mustang website has figured out weight/horsepower/etc to get 9.5 seconds in quarter mile.
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/5 ... h-9-a.html

"In a proper car, to run a 9.5 ET is the following.

2600 pounds: 599 hp
2800 pounds: 645 hp
3000 pounds: 692 hp
3200 pounds: 738 hp
3400 pounds: 784 hp
3600 pounds: 830 hp
3800 pounds: 876 hp
4000 pounds: 922 hp

Many think to run low ETs means everything is under the hood but that's not the case. Good to see you doing things the right way with the suspension and cage because all that power won't be of any use if you go up in tire smoke.

Chances are you won't get there with a stock block, start working towards a Dart or Man O War block. Obviously a large stroker will make getting those numbers easier.

Edit: power info from FordMuscle.
__________________
AFM Site Administrator"

[Fasterthansome]

I would be more concerned with where the weight is. A vega stripped of weight is going to be nose heavy a 10 gallon cell in the back full of fuel will help more than it hurts.
I have a chevy II that runs better ET's with 150 lbs of ballast added to the trunk than it does without.

[chevy art]

thats why i run 2 batteries in the rear of my 67 nova(one on each side near tires). car hooks great and is consistent as can be art

[joels_vega]

Thanks for the feedback guys

1) Ok................so rear weight (via fuel or batteries, etc) on a nose-heavy '72 Vega, is helpful for traction. Thanks for that, but it seems that every 100 pounds of extra weight also costs about .10 seconds of e.t. on the 1/4 mile -- traction as already established.

2) For planning, what would be the average M--P--G during a 1/4 mile burnout/run/return ?? (Vega hatchback, 2600#, 383-stroker w/ carb, wet [fuel & Smurf gas] nitrous kit, powerglide, ford 9" with 4:10, 14X10 (60's) street tires...maybe slicks, batt. relocated).

3) Also, isnt the gearing in a 2-speed powerglide helpful in severely reducing rear wheel spin .... so that extra weight in back isn't necessary?

4) Maybe some Vega racers can give some advice (rear-end ratio, car weight, # gal. fuel carried, fuel tank size, tire size etc.) that has worked for them.

5) Finally, in a "2600" pound car........is that the weight of the car only or with the driver included ???

Thanks, Joel

[opeltwinturbo]

You shouldn't use more than ONE gallon of gas per run. You would be very safe installing a 3 or 4 gallon fuel cell in the trunk. From experience I use about one gallon per pass which consists of a pro stock style burnout (through the lights), backing up, staging, putting the car on the limiter (6,950 RPM at launch) then make the pass. My car weighs #2,700 with driver, makes 1,200 HP, and runs 7.50's at 185. I use VP C16. I have 4:10 gear, a Rossler power glide with 1:80 1st gear, 32X14X15 D4 Eagles. Now saying all of that, there is no magical formula. The driver needs to have a consistent routine each pass, and the car needs to also run consistent. Just make sure that you refuel after every pass. Nothing more embarrassing than running out of fuel at the starting line. Regarding weight distribution, it is critical. There are hundreds of books out there dedicated to this subject. Batteries, ballast, fuel cells all make for a properly balanced car. Which, by the way, is not equal weight on all four corners. You didn't mention 3-link, four link, or stock suspension. Wheel spin can be controlled by launch RPM, tire pressure, tire size, 1st gear ratio, rear end ratio (spool, posi, locker), torque converter stall speed, and the timers on your nitrous system. Once you get the right combination, you should be able to make that consistent routine pass. Good luck.