1. What is the Wallace 1/4 Mile ET Calculator?

The Wallace 1/4 Mile ET Calculator estimates elapsed time (ET) for a quarter-mile drag race based on vehicle weight and horsepower. It provides a quick and reliable method for predicting drag racing performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Wallace equation:

Where:

• \( ET \) — Elapsed Time in seconds
• \( Weight \) — Vehicle weight in pounds (lbs)
• \( HP \) — Horsepower

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

3. Importance of ET Calculation

Details: Accurate ET estimation is crucial for drag racing enthusiasts, vehicle tuners, and performance analysts to predict vehicle performance, compare setups, and optimize racing strategies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter vehicle weight in pounds and horsepower. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will provide the estimated quarter-mile elapsed time in seconds.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is the Wallace ET calculator?
A: The Wallace calculator provides a good estimate for most vehicles, but actual performance may vary based on traction, aerodynamics, transmission type, and driver skill.

Q2: What is considered a good quarter-mile time?
A: For street-legal production cars, times under 13 seconds are considered fast, while professional drag cars can achieve times under 6 seconds.

Q3: Should I use wheel horsepower or engine horsepower?
A: For most accurate results, use wheel horsepower as it represents the actual power delivered to the wheels after drivetrain losses.

Q4: Does this account for driver weight?
A: The weight input should include the total vehicle weight including driver, fuel, and any additional cargo for most accurate results.

Q5: Can this calculator predict trap speed?
A: This specific calculator only estimates elapsed time. Additional calculations are needed to predict trap speed at the finish line.