Why These Engines Only Last 3 Seconds

What do you know about Top Fuel Dragsters? Do you know that they make over 10,000 horsepower? Or that they use special nitromethane fuel that has to be pumped in using a 2.5in fuel line? Or that the supercharger requires over 800 horsepower just to run it at all?
How about how the engine needs to be completely torn down, inspected and rebuilt after every single run?
Why do Top Fuel Dragster engines only last for 3 seconds? And how do they manage to make the power that they do? Today I take a break from the Formula 1 content and dig into something I've always been fascinated with... The insane engineering of Top Fuel Dragsters.

Music:
soundridemusic - criminal tension
White Bat Audio - Home
White Bat Audio - gaia
ShadowBoxing - StreamBeats by Harris Heller
Yuzzi
White Bat Audio - The Drop

[rs]

Just standing nearby when they take of is insane, they literally start a short earthquake of around 2, 5. They are an assault on all your senses. Eyes burning from the exhaust-fumes, ears deafened by 150+ dB, and I’m sure you can taste the rubber after the burnout. Having seen them a few times, it never gets old. Great video :)

[joshuarosen]

I absolutely loved the stat that a top fuel dragster gets to 60MPH before the back wheels get to where the front wheels started. That's absolutely incredible.

[acerimmer]

If you've never seen Top Fuelers in person, then make it a bucket list item. There is zero way to replicate the experience. They suck in so much air your chest feels it, your arms feel it, your EYES feel it. The whole world shakes. The sound is deafening madness. No other form of motorsport can match the intensity of those 3-4 seconds. It's absolutely amazing.

[alexvelasco]

This video felt like a 9-minute drag race of information. Straight to the point, packed with facts and great visuals, no fluff. Subbed.

[CaptainHat]

Normie: why do these engines only last a few seconds?

Me, an engineer: how do these engines survive more than a second?

[mrkang]

NO idea why this was suggested to me, but dude is a great and clear presenter... you got a gift, kid. Hope your channel does well.

[WhitexFeatherx]

I took my son to our local raceway, and the smell and the vapors from the cars firing up had us both crying. It’s my favorite memory. He loves everything cars related!

[tonymayhew]

You did a great job of explaining a top fuel dragster, but there is nothing like sitting in the grandstands and hearing, smelling, and feeling two of these things hit the loud pedal at the same time with eleven thousand horsepower each! It's incredible! And I highly recommend everyone experience it at least once in a lifetime! 😋

[driver]

All these descriptions of the spectator of a top fuel experience are spot on. I like to think of it as an entire roll of firecrackers. Only the firecrackers are full sticks of dynamite. A big roll of dynamite sticks, going off at the same time. That burning roll of sticks of dynamite zooms by you at light speed. Only, all you hear, is the dynamite thunder going by for a split second of ear splitting earthquake, sensory overload. Ear drums melting out of your skull. With a grin that couldn’t be smashed off your face.

[LongRon]

Call me a top fuel engine because I also only last 3 seconds

[AZBMWS]

My dad took me to an NHRA Top Fuel race for my 14th birthday. It's truly something I'll never forget. An absolute marvel of power and engineering, it's something you simply have to experience for yourself in person. The entire planet felt like it was shaking.

[scotty]

I am 59 years old. When I was a kid, these engines were making 3000 horsepower. That was incredible in it's time.

[kosmotto]

I went to the drag races in FL It was the loudest. vibrating, bone moving take your breath away thing I ever felt. NOTHING you have ever done in life can prepare you for this feeling, NO one can tell you what is about to happen to you and your body

[LegitJerome]

I recently got the privilege of standing on the track with the teams when these things launched. Indescribable, one of the coolest experiences of my life.

[humblewisdom]

Had a friend years back who's dad was a funny car mechanic. The amount of used of parts laying around was staggering. I always got a kick out of looking at these huge pistons that were melted, or connecting rods that looked like pretzels. Great vid !

[peteacher]

A good commentary without dramatics and without silly obtrusive music.

[sekabkilorangedog]

Used to go to drag races constantly... then suffered a twenty year break... when i finally returned.... well i grinned for a month straight... simply fantastic !!!! Great video

[dyggiprahl]

I knew a guy that ran a top fuel bike. His vision of a perfectly tuned engine was one that exploded just as it crossed the line. Tough sport for sure;)

[markbrown]

There are three things/events I've experienced in my life that are beyond accurate description with words. This is one of them.
Make it a bucket list item to watch at least on NHRA launch in your lifetime. It's truly indescribable.

[AndyHack]

1:36 F1 engines up to 2003 were built to last about 450km, then they would lose power, in 2004 they had to last a whole race weekend and in 2005 two full race weekends which came in about 1500km+