Nitro Flatbottoms...

[WILDERTHANU]

Where is all the TAF guys running N/A injected power? A couple years ago I was hanging out with Tony Bartone at the World Finals. This particular race he was in his Roger Dean Alcohol Dragster, naturally aspirated running 100% nitro. The guy was putting down the blown guys left and right and took the thing all the way to a win.
http://www.northeastdragracing.com/results/2003/photos/bartonepomona1.jpg
N.J.B.A rules allow it....
TOP ALCOHOL FLAT - TAF
General
1. Fuel system – Mechanized fuel system allowed. The injection system cannot be controlled by exhaust gasses.
2. Fuel – Blown Methanol. Unblown Nitro-methane, no percentage limit.
3. Clutch, Flywheel & Bellhousing – All boats utilizing a clutch must have a steel hydroformed bellhousing. All boats must have a 360-degree flywheel cover.
4. Neutral Device – A devise to allow engagement and disengagement “at will” of the propulsion device while the engine is running.
5. Prop shaft – The minimum prop shaft diameter through the back of the strut is 1-1/8”.
Engine
1. Any internal combustion automotive type engine permitted. No dual engine set-ups allowed. Maximum 565 cubic inch and 4 valves per cylinder.
2. Supercharger – Required – roots-type maximum size 14-71, 19” case length, 11-1/4” case width, maximum rotor cavity diameter is 5.840”. Helix is restricted to maximum rotor spiral of 6.5 degrees per inch of length. Maximum overdrive 70%.
3. Screw-type superchargers are not allowed.

[PE 316]

The UNBLOWN fuel deal (as run in NHRA) doesn't work in a boat with a "conventional" set-up. An unblown fuel motor (as run in NHRA) needs a tremendous amount of "load" on the motor to make it run right. Nobody has yet devised a way of putting more "load" on the motor in a boat.
Jim Pisciotta tried unblown fuel unsuccessfully for a couple of years in a Top Alcohol Hydro, before he pulled the plug on it.
I think a way to make it work would be to put the equivalent of a automotive brake rotor on the drive shaft somehow. Then have a brake caliper and brake shoes activated by a timer system to "drag" on the rotor to apply a "load" on the motor to allow it to efficiently burn all the fuel that is run through a modern style fuel motor...
What do you think???

[Kurtis500]

Those guys say they get 40 passes on a crank and 80 on a set of pistons and rods if all goes well. (Pretty sure it was that order) Thats affordable if you dont blow your stuff up a lot. They say the biggest money killer is burning up the heads. The intake is basically zero maintenance except a few small pieces.
After talking to 4 seperate teams and a slew of other people I started running small percentages in the shovel nose with the BBC. Just 10% puts out quite a smell :supp:

[Kurtis500]

The UNBLOWN fuel deal (as run in NHRA) doesn't work in a boat with a "conventional" set-up. An unblown fuel motor (as run in NHRA) needs a tremendous amount of "load" on the motor to make it run right. Nobody has yet devised a way of putting more "load" on the motor in a boat.
W-drive and dual props should do it.