pwb@trw-unix.UUCP (Phillip W. Bonesteele) (09/11/83)
Since there's been discusion of the experience of BIG horsepower, I'd
thought I'd put in my two bits. The father of a close friend of mine
has built over the last ten years or so a modified Jeep that sports a
turbo'ed 309 ci V8 with a four barrel carb. This monster puts out ~500
horsepower with the help of three electric fuel pumps (one for cruising,
another kicks in at 5 pounds boost, and the third kicks in at 10 pounds
boost), plus water injection to fend off predetonation. The frame was
extended to accept the V8. Talk about snapping your neck!!
After many, many twisted drive shafts, twisted axles, broken engine mounts,
and blown transfer cases, he finally has the drive train balanced with the
use of 1 ton truck parts.
This beast is primarily used for (hobby) sand drag racing, during which it is
outfitted with 24" wide paddles in the rear and 21" paddles in the front. The
strategy used is to momentarily hit first, second, and third on the way to
fourth. I've been a passenger during a drag and it is heart stopping to say
the least to be stuck in the seat with entire frame wrenching from the torque,
seeing an indicated 85mph while still in the starting gate. The only (note
only) race it didn't win was a tie against a 2120cc blueprinted VW sandrail
sporting twin Webers and some very "enriched" fuel.
BTW, it is street legal and he uses it to commute occasionaly. Every once in
awhile he suprises a street rod who tries to pull along side and act cute.
I don't know what the gas consumption is on the road, but in the dunes it's
about three miles per gallon (Yes that's 3mpg).
Phil Bonesteele, TRW E&DS
{decvax,ucbvax}!trw-unix!pwb