How much BHP do I need for 200 MPH

[beemergb]

Hi there , a question for all you speed specialists ! How much BHP do I need to run a lakester Belly tanker like Bobby Greens type ride ,but with a V8 , to make a  200 mph pass ?? You have done the math ! I would love to get the answer ! Hope you can help Zurferjoe

[manta22]

Zurferjoe;

To calculate that you will need numbers for both drag coefficient (Cd) and frontal area (square feet).

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[Dynoroom]

Experience has shown me that ~550-600 hp/crank will push belly tank over 200 mph @ Bonneville. Depending on tank type & tire size.  

After reading the thoughts below and rethinking the history the 550 hp number pushed the car like 230 mph. Carry on!

[desotoman]

Hi there , a question for all you speed specialists ! How much BHP do I need to run a lakester Belly tanker like Bobby Greens type ride ,but with a V8 , to make a  200 mph pass ?? You have done the math ! I would love to get the answer ! Hope you can help Zurferjoe

Bobby Greens tank looks a lot like the Famous Tom Beatty Tank from the 50's. Tom ran a blown flathead ford motor before he went to Olds power and ran 212 at Bonneville with the Flathead. According to Tom if the motor had 500 he was lucky. Those are Tom B. words not mine.

Tom G.

[lowflyer]

Neal Akkerman of Contrivance Engineering Modified Roadster fame mentioned that they needed 300 hp at the wheels to go 200 mph. Our TFA lakester made 355 to the wheels and ran 209 in 2014 at the USFRA meet. That was pretty much all she had.

[Sumner]

Neal Akkerman of Contrivance Engineering Modified Roadster fame mentioned that they needed 300 hp at the wheels to go 200 mph. Our TFA lakester made 355 to the wheels and ran 209 in 2014 at the USFRA meet. That was pretty much all she had.

Using the Horsepower Needed spreadsheet here...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/bvillecar/bville-spreadsheet-index.html

.... if it took you 355 to run 209 then 311 would of just gotten you to 200, close to the 300 you quoted for the other car.

Also there is also a spreadsheet here...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/bvillecar/bville-spreadsheet-index.html

... that helps figure HP needed to run a certain speed for a lakester where you can put in one Cd for the body and figure the wheels/tires separately.  Don't use the wheel/tire inputs and you can still use it for a streamliner or car,

Sumner

[Rex Schimmer]

Steve Nelson, lakester number 221, class V4FL, ran 197 as shown in the attached pic with an engine that made 275 hp at the crank flange. Last year we streamlined the rear axle and radius rods and ran 203 in 2014. Put Steve in the 200 mph club.

Rex

[Sumner]

What a great looking car and congrats,

Sumner

[Rex Schimmer]

Thanks Sum, I am sure that Steve will appreciate your comments. The tank is truly a "classic" configuration for a lakester, Albatross wing tank, driver completely inside and beautifully built. Steve has been running it for 6 years, it took 4 to get the record and 6 to go over 200. Not easy, as everyone knows. New motor for next year an F fuel motor, plus some additional aero tweeks, hopefully that record won't take 4 years to get.

Rex

[Sumner]

.New motor for next year an F fuel motor...

6 cylinder Toyota or something else?

Sumner

[bearingburner]

500-1000HP won't get you to 200MPH on 100HP Salt

[fredvance]

Who is Lowflyer? Don?

[Rex Schimmer]

Sum,
The new F fuel motor is an Arias 4 banger aluminum block, 181 cu. in., with one of Nick's later model hemi heads. Makes pretty good horse power.

Rex

[Sumner]

Sum,
The new F fuel motor is an Arias 4 banger aluminum block, 181 cu. in., with one of Nick's later model hemi heads. Makes pretty good horse power.

Rex

Interesting...



... I never knew they had a 4 cylinder block before and lots of options for heads ...

http://www.nickariasjr.com/engine-blocks-gm-pontiac4.asp

Sumner

[lowflyer]

Yep Fred, it's me...
I really like the F motor too!