[VIDEO] FuelTech’s C8 Corvette Goes Wheels Up at the Dragstrip and Sets New Trap Speed Record

We’ve been following the exploits of Anderson Dick and his company FuelTech as their twin-turbo Corvette recently claimed the C8 record for the most power after hitting 1,075 whp on the dyno. A month ago, they took it to the dragstrip where it broke the 9-second mark with a run of 9.72 at 146 mph at Virginia Motorsports Park.

The FuelTech C8 Corvette uses port injection fuel delivery through a custom LT2 intake manifold and a dedicated fuel cell and engine management system to get around the stock C8 Corvette’s encrypted ECU to control their innovative twin-turbo set-up. Their FT600 engine management system is integrated into the Corvette’s cupholders and allows them to change the programming while providing a number of customizations on the fly.

In this latest video, Anderson and FuelTech rented out the South Georgia Motorsports Park where they could safely test the latest configurations to the car which includes utilizing nitrous on the launches and then shutting it off as the twin Garrett G35-900 turbos reach peak boost at 21 psi. Also on hand is Steve Fereday from Late Model Racecraft who lent a hand to the team as they worked to get the best and most consistent performance from the C8 Corvette.

And it appears that testing paid off. Not only do we witness the C8 Corvette’s front wheels coming off the track at launch, but FuelTech takes another record away from Emelia Hartford and her twin-turbo C8 Corvette with the fastest trap speed of 148.1 mph.

The YouTube description is very detailed about scope of the FuelTech C8 Corvette project and we’ve provided it below the video.

From FuelTech:

The main goal of the C8 Corvette is to develop EFI technologies while showing the versatility of the PowerFT line of engine management systems. The EFI setup on the FuelTech C8 Corvette features a custom jumper harness that allows a FT600 ECU to control fuel and timing in this twin turbocharged combination. The internal boost controller and power management options allow Anderson to custom program the power curve, which is a critical function in getting the vehicle to perform properly on the drag strip. The OEM powertrain control unit forces the team to modify the shift procedures, transmission pressure controls, and the clutch adjustments. The team made huge strides this outing with multiple 9-second runs and three jaunts into the 9.60s, but there is more work to be done.

The team also relies on the FT600 data logger to record factory sensors at a high sampling rate in addition to an assortment of FuelTech sensors. The Corvette employs two WB-O2 Nano meters that monitor the air/fuel ratio through Bosch LSU 4.2 sensors in the exhaust. Other sensors wired into the FT600 include backpressure canister, 0-150 psi pressure sensor to monitor the port fuel injection, two backpressure sensors for each turbocharger as well as turbocharger speed sensors. Anderson also added two FuelTech EGT-4 kits, which allows individual cylinder EGT monitoring for all eight cylinders, aiding in complete data collection and engine safety.

New for this track outing was the addition of a Nitrous Outlet laughing gas kit with the goal of getting the Corvette to run quicker 60-foot times. And if you’ve watched the video, it was mission accomplished as Anderson yanked the driver’s side front wheel off the ground at the drop of the green! The FT600 includes a Pro Nitrous controller, allowing Anderson and his group to bring in the nitrous quickly and shut it off as the Garrett turbochargers start to reach peak boost at 21 psi. An Aeromotive fuel system supplies VP Racing Fuels M1 methanol to a second set of fuel injectors, all controlled by the FT600, and can provide ample fuel volume for boost and nitrous usage.

If you are just checking in on the FuelTech C8 Corvette, a brief overview shows it has two Garrett G35-900 turbochargers mounted topside that provide plenty of boost to the fortified LT2 engine. Simplicity reigns in this engine compartment—the turbo kit doesn’t have an intercooler due to the use of methanol fuel to help cool the incoming air. Late Model Racecraft’s Steve Fereday, who was also on-hand to enjoy the barrage of 9-second runs at South Georgia Motorsports Park, inspired Anderson to build this turbo combination. The only drivetrain modifications has been the addition of a Dodson clutch and GForce Engineering rear axles.

In all, the team made 14 runs at South Georgia Motorsports Park as they develop strategies to get the best and most consistent performance from the complicated platform. They left the famed drag strip with a glove box full of 9-second time slips, including three in the 9.60 range.

Source:
FuelTech / YouTube

Related:
[VIDEO] FuelTech Takes Their Twin-Turbo C8 Corvette to the Drag Strip and Runs in the 9s
[VIDEO] FuelTech Sets a New World Record for Horsepower on the C8 Corvette
[VIDEO] Taking a Closer Look at FuelTech’s Twin Turbo C8 Corvette