How many horsepower does the average top-fuel dragster have?

Question

Would it be possible to take the average horsepower in a top-fuel dragster or alcohol funny car and triple it? If so, what would the speed come to in a quarter mile, and would the g-forces kill you?

Answer 1

A few years ago I was told that top-fuel dragsters make 3000+ horsepower, reading the article in the second link, doubles that. So to triple it you would be looking at around 18,000 horsepower.

As a rule of thumb you need to quadruple the horsepower to double the speed. So if a top-fuel can make 300 mph, tripling the horsepower would result in about 450mph, if you can get enough grip.

G-force is normally around 3 to 4g's during the run, so I would guess that would also be up by about 50%. Some fighter pilots can stand up to 9g and astronauts experience 8g when taking off, so it wouldn't kill you, but you may suffer from blacking out (Not good when you are steering the thing)

Hope this helps

Dave

Answer 2

claim 8k+ how they check is anybodies guess I think they are to point it must be calculated

Answer 3

3000+. Yes, I'm serious.

Answer 4

while the best dynos only read up to 5000 horse power they estimate real hp to be about  1000 horsepower per cylinder so your probably looking at 8000+ ponys

Answer 5

A top fuel car produces about 1000 hp per cylinder

so about 8000 hp

they are running 300 + mph in the quarter