Toluene and % Nitro

[Spud Miller]

 Well, I'm not saying lots of luck hasn't been involved

 Also, I haven't been doing 6.80's for that many passes. The last 8 seasons have mostly been 6.90-7.20 runs at 198ish. That's one reason I'm going to do some proactive replacement this winter. It's just a matter of time before something fatigues and fails and that would wipe me out for quite a while. My rods and pistons are fancy stuff (BME and Ross) but that's it...the crank is a Scat.

 New crank, new roller lifters, have the rods resized, wrist-pins, rings, bearings...run it another 8 years, right? 
 
 Spud

[ricardo1967]

Spud, that's great to hear that the One Hot Chili Pepper Front Engine Dragster has been busy in action. I followed your write-up from the beginning since you started restoring the car in 2000. I kept reading it over and over, drooling while watching those small videos (GoPro was not dreamed yet). Superb job Spud!

[Larry Gocha]

Spud what kind of compression do you run?

[Spud Miller]

 Static compression ratio is 11.2:1.

 Spud

[Zooman]

I'm in awe Spud. What you have done with the OHCP is remarkable.
I've only done some 15 passes with my digger (half those were 1/2 track) and the engine has been rebuilt 4 times! Maybe I'm doing this all wrong lol.

Currently running a 468 donovan, 110 pump, your SM5 (8 amp), and 3.7 gears. 8000 RPM 

I've been thinking about your success........maybe a 2.90 gear to get the revs down further, and a bigger pump to make up for the lower pump speed (my 110 enderlie now has a blank main and 180 psi), and install a Supermag +.

I'm carrying an extra 200 lbs weight over your digger, but that shouldnt hurt too much.

Cheers mate
Graham

[Curly1]

I have a question Why do you mix that with Nitro ?

How does that effect the percentage? Or better question how do you get exactly percentage you want when you add Toluene?

[Spud Miller]

 Toluene has a slightly higher SG (specific gravity) than methanol and much lower than nitro.

 To keep it easy, I generally mix my nitro batch up and add a quart to a 5 gallon jug (about 4% by volume). The percentage and SG drops very slightly about like if you added a quart of methanol. When you're real concerned with percentage, I would keep track of the SG before and after the toluene addition. That difference will remain pretty much a constant because the SG of methanol and toluene don't change drastically like nitro does.  If you test or make changes to your percentage later, just figure that difference in and you'll be very close.

 Spud

[Curly1]

Thank you for the information. I run the 5.00 NE 2 class and use a few percent of Nitro to run right where I want it to. Even .5 or 1% makes a difference. I usually do not need over 4% so mix is critical.

[Curly1]

 Thanks Jon.

 It runs consistent low 6.80's @ 200 in the heat. Same plugs all weekend. All iron 392" small Chevy. Stack injected, Enderle 990 pump, 63 degrees, 2.91 rear gear (not a typo), powerglide. Weighs 1700 lbs at the starting line and spools up to 6800 RPM at the finish line. Haven't had the heads off in 6 years. Rings and bearings are now on their 8th and final season. Planning to go through it and put a new crank in it this winter.

 Spud

That is truly impressive and great durability.

[Curly1]

Spud, I did try the Toluene 1 quart to 5 gallons of 20% mix and it worked very good.  Thank you,

[masracingtd1167]

Spud, I did try the Toluene 1 quart to 5 gallons of 20% mix and it worked very good.  Thank you,

      Bruce Did you pick up much with the 20 percent ?

[Curly1]

Spud, I did try the Toluene 1 quart to 5 gallons of 20% mix and it worked very good.  Thank you,

      Bruce Did you pick up much with the 20 percent ?

I just tried it on the dyno, before it would not even make a pull with 20% Nitro, Added the Toluene and it made a good clean pull and picked up about 65 HP and lots of torque. Normally I just run a few percent as needed to fine tune it to run the 5.00 but nice to know I can run up to 20% now if needed.

[KeithDyer]

When we ran Ed Hill's BFH drag boat (World Record Holder several times over . . . ), we would run 9 oz of Methanol and 9 oz of Benzine in a 5 gal jug of 100%.   

Big told Ed to do the Benzine deal . . . . 

I know . . , super carcinogen these days, back then also, I guess!!! 

Can't even buy it now.

Always by volume (broke the floater . . . ) but the fuel check beaker was where the 9 oz came from.

Also . . . , here is the chemical proof of what does what in Nitro (courtesy Bob Higginson - Surfers Face Book Page.

[masracingtd1167]

Spud, I did try the Toluene 1 quart to 5 gallons of 20% mix and it worked very good.  Thank you,

      Bruce Did you pick up much with the 20 percent ?

I just tried it on the dyno, before it would not even make a pull with 20% Nitro, Added the Toluene and it made a good clean pull and picked up about 65 HP and lots of torque. Normally I just run a few percent as needed to fine tune it to run the 5.00 but nice to know I can run up to 20% now if needed.

        That's very impresive did you change your timing at all or jet ?

[Curly1]

Spud, I did try the Toluene 1 quart to 5 gallons of 20% mix and it worked very good.  Thank you,

      Bruce Did you pick up much with the 20 percent ?

I just tried it on the dyno, before it would not even make a pull with 20% Nitro, Added the Toluene and it made a good clean pull and picked up about 65 HP and lots of torque. Normally I just run a few percent as needed to fine tune it to run the 5.00 but nice to know I can run up to 20% now if needed.

        That's very impresive did you change your timing at all or jet ?

The numbers looked good one the Dyno. Moved timing up from 28* to 34* and it would not run. We fattened it up some and it did worse. At 20% with the Toluene it like same tune up as pure Methanol on my motor. Your mileage may vary.