<VV> Corvair Drag Racing (2nd Attempt)

[Bryan Blackwell]

On Aug 5, 2008, at 9:31 PM, "" <asuter at buckeye-express.com>  
<asuter at buckeye-express.com> wrote:

> I had a thought... (scary, I know)
> After reading some interesting articles online and in an issue of  
> Hot Rod Magazine about Volkswagen Bug drag racers, it occurred to  
> me that I'd never seen a 'Vair making anywhere near the power that  
> these VW guys are. There are videos all over YouTube, too. This  
> stuff is crazy! 500, 600, 700 horsepower from 2600cc (and smaller)  
> fours!
> What gives? They're working with powertrains eerily similar to ours  
> and they're down 2 cylinders, you know? Some of these fellas are  
> doing with a stock crankcase, even (and they're surviving!). Is it  
> our lack of aftermarket support that hinders us? Granted, these  
> guys are playing with lighter cars, but shouldn't we be able to  
> hang with them? Or is it just that nobody is trying it yet?

None of the above - there are indeed a number of Corvair drag engines  
that have been run, the most powerful ones I've heard of are by Ray  
Clayton.  Be aware that there is a big difference between what you  
can do with an engine depending on the venue:

  - Street engine on pump gas
  - Road race engine on racing gas
  - Drag engine on alcohol

The alcohol engines run a *lot* cooler, and for a short period of  
time can make some enormous HP numbers.  Most of the engines we  
commonly hear about are in either street or road race cars.  It might  
be interesting for someone with access to pump E85 to build an engine  
to take advantage of it.  I know Paul Fox is using it in his street  
car and has been happy with the results.

--Bryan

Bryan Blackwell bryan at skiblack.com
http://autoxer.skiblack.com/
   Corvairs: '61 Lakewood, '64 Greenbrier, '65 Corsa, '66 Corsa
   '69 Road Runner, '97 Ford F-150, '99 Neon R/T
"Why do something if you're not going to obsess about it?"