1. What is the Quarter Mile ET Equation?

The Quarter Mile ET (Elapsed Time) equation estimates the time it takes for a vehicle to complete a quarter mile drag race based on its weight and horsepower. This formula provides a theoretical estimation of vehicle performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Quarter Mile ET equation:

Where:

• \( Weight \) — Vehicle weight in pounds (lbs)
• \( HP \) — Engine horsepower (hp)

Explanation: The equation calculates the cube root of the weight-to-power ratio and multiplies it by a constant factor of 5.825 to estimate the quarter mile elapsed time.

3. Importance of ET Calculation

Details: Quarter mile ET estimation is important for performance enthusiasts, racers, and automotive engineers to predict vehicle acceleration performance and compare different vehicle configurations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter vehicle weight in pounds and engine horsepower. Both values must be valid positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this ET estimation?
A: This provides a theoretical estimation. Actual performance may vary based on traction, aerodynamics, transmission efficiency, and other factors.

Q2: What is a good quarter mile time?
A: For production cars, times under 13 seconds are considered excellent, while times under 10 seconds are typical for dedicated drag racing vehicles.

Q3: Does this account for drivetrain losses?
A: No, this formula uses engine horsepower. For wheel horsepower, results may need adjustment based on drivetrain efficiency.

Q4: Can I use this for motorcycles?
A: Yes, the formula works for any vehicle as long as you input the correct weight and horsepower values.

Q5: What factors affect quarter mile times besides weight and power?
A: Traction, aerodynamics, gearing, shift speed, launch technique, and weather conditions all significantly impact actual quarter mile performance.