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How you can transform a stock Mustang GT into a 10-second dragstrip monster

NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor Kevin McKenna wanted a car that was capable of 10-second elapsed times on the dragstrip and would be an effective weekly bracket racer, but it also needed to be suitable for daily driving. Was that too much to ask? Apparently not.
21 Apr 2020
Kevin McKenna, NHRA National Dragster Senior Editor
Racing Technology
We wanted a car that was capable of 10-second elapsed times, that was consistent enough to be an effective weekly bracket racer but also suitable for daily driving. Is that too much to ask? Apparently not. 9
Many of us still romanticize about the so-called “good old days” of hot rodding in the 1960s and ’70s when vintage muscle cars ruled America’s dragstrips and streets. But the truth is, those days still exist, and in many ways, things are better than…
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Grinding it Out: Tips to finding the best cam for your application

It’s often said the camshaft is the brain of the engine because it dictates the opening and closing of the valves, thus controlling the flow of air/fuel mixture to the cylinders. That’s the simple explanation, but there’s more to the story.
20 Apr 2020
Evan J. Smith, National Dragster Contributor
Racing Technology
The proper camshaft can lead to wheels-up, winning performance. 14
It’s often said the camshaft is the brain of the engine, but do you know why? It’s because the cam dictates the opening and closing of the valves, thus controlling the flow of air/fuel mixture to the cylinders. That’s the simple answer, but there’s…
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Drag Racing Vs.COVID-19: Buffalo Turbine offers its track-drying technology for large-scale disinfection

Long before we’d ever heard the term COVID-19, NHRA partners were poised to fight it with tremendous engineering and manufacturing capabilities
16 Apr 2020
David Kennedy
News, Racing Technology
Buffalo Turbine Spraying United States Capitol
Buffalo Turbine, the official track blower of NHRA, is a critical part of our track-preparation process. Its technology cleans and dries quarter-mile surfaces for racing’s quickest cars. But the same technology used to direct massive amounts of air…
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Drag Racing Vs.COVID-19: Toyota’s rapid-prototyping facilities helping hospitals

Long before we’d ever heard the term COVID-19, NHRA partners were poised to fight it with tremendous engineering and manufacturing capabilities
16 Apr 2020
David Kennedy
News, Racing Technology
3
Literally overnight, we saw additive-manufacturing labs (3D printing shops) that make drag racing parts, shift those capacities into making face shield…
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Tech Specs: Inside the supercharged Ford Cobra Jet Mustang

We’re taking a deep dive into the factory muscle cars, engineered in Detroit, and campaigned by NHRA Sportsman racers in the SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown
13 Apr 2020
David Kennedy
Racing Technology
2019 Ford Cobra Jet Mustang
Of the Big Three, Ford has been in this arena the longest. It’s the only Detroit automaker that’s continuously produced a ponycar from ’64 ½ to ’20. It launched its Cobra Jet Mustang drag car (based on the Ford FR500C Grand Am road race car) a year…
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Tech Specs: Inside the supercharged Chevrolet COPO Camaro

We’re taking a deep dive into the factory muscle cars, engineered in Detroit, and campaigned by NHRA Sportsman racers in the SAMTech.edu NHRA Factory Stock Showdown
13 Apr 2020
David Kennedy
Racing Technology
2020 Chevrolet COPO Camaro for NHRA Factory Stock
The muscle car gods were smiling down on NHRA drag racers when Ford, Dodge, and Chevy began offering supercharged ponycars from the factory. It started when GM reimagined its historic ZL1 engine code as a performance package for the fifth-generation…
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VIDEO: How much nitro does a Top Fueler or Funny Car guzzle on a run?

Nitromethane by the bucketful fuels today’s 11,000-horsepower NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car engines. Here’s what it looks like.
13 Apr 2020
Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor
Racing Technology
Nitro
The NHRA Motorsports Museum includes an interactive display that simulates the massive amount of nitromethane that pours into each cylinder of a Top Fuel or Funny Car engine. The first seconds of the display show the amount of fuel being…
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NHRA Expertise: Make AN hoses—the easy way

Eight steps to make AN hoses in your garage, at the track, or at the shop
13 Apr 2020
David Kennedy
Racing Technology
How to make AN Lines in Eight Steps
One the fundamentals of building a drag car is plumbing. Fuel, oil, coolant, and hydraulic systems all need reliable and serviceable connections. In our world, that means AN fittings—an open-source fluid-transfer technology that dates back to World…
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Piping for Power: How to choose the best headers for your combination

Maximizing exhaust flow is a key element in obtaining peak performance from any high-performance engine. Before you buy your next set of headers, collectors, and/or mufflers, you'll need to understand a lot of factors, and we're here to help.
22 Mar 2020
Evan J. Smith, National Dragster Contributor
Racing Technology
29
Maximizing exhaust flow is a key element in obtaining peak performance from any high-performance engine. Whether it’s a 400-hp factory muscle car on 93 octane or a Top Fueler burning nitro, a properly designed set of headers will create optimum…
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Survive the Drive: Having the right tie-downs is key to keeping your race car secure

Having the right tie-downs and knowledge is key to keeping your race car secure inside the trailer on your way to, and from, your next race.
22 Sep 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
Racing Technology
Tie-downs
You head straight to the garage or shop every day after work. Late night after late night. Countless hours ensuring your dragster is prepped and ready for a pass that will take only seconds. Your i’s are dotted, and your t’s are crossed. Now imagine…
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Why you need an aftermarket harmonic balancer

Found at the front of the engine attached to the snout of the crankshaft, harmonic dampers are used to quell the harmonics of the crankshaft and are vital parts of your hot rod.
12 Aug 2019
Evan J. Smith, National Dragster Contributor
Racing Technology
Race Tech
A common part found on all high-performance engines is a harmonic damper (or harmonic balancer, as they are often called). Found at the front of the engine attached to the snout of the crankshaft, harmonic dampers are used to quell the harmonics of…
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How superchargers can take your race car to the next level

Evan J. Smith takes you behind the history of supercharging in drag racing and how you can best apply it to your vehicle.
12 May 2019
Evan J. Smith, National Dragster Contributor
Racing Technology
Blower Driver Services
Supercharging has long been a favorite of drag racers who recognize that Mother Nature alone cannot supply ample airflow to the cylinders. You’ll find superchargers in a variety of classes within NHRA, and of course, today, they are regularly used…
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How to pick valve springs for your race car

Valve springs are the unsung heroes of horsepower. Evan Smith dives into the basics of the parts that control the valve train in the latest Racing Technology column.
10 May 2019
Evan J. Smith, National Dragster Contributor
Racing Technology
Valve Springs
It could be said that valve springs are the unsung heroes of horsepower. Tasked with a critical job of controlling the valve train, valve springs operate in a harsh environment. They are rapidly cycled while being subject to great force, friction,…
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