1. What is the Quarter Mile Equation?

The Quarter Mile equation estimates the elapsed time (ET) for a vehicle to complete a quarter mile (0-60) based on its weight and horsepower. It provides a theoretical performance metric for vehicle acceleration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Quarter Mile equation:

Where:

• \( ET \) — Elapsed time in seconds
• \( W \) — Vehicle weight in pounds (lbs)
• \( HP \) — Engine horsepower

Explanation: The equation shows that elapsed time is proportional to the cube root of the weight-to-power ratio.

3. Importance of ET Calculation

Details: Quarter mile time is a standard performance metric in automotive testing, providing a comparable measure of a vehicle's acceleration capability.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this equation?
A: It provides a theoretical estimate. Actual performance depends on traction, gearing, aerodynamics, and other factors.

Q2: What's a good quarter mile time?
A: Times vary by vehicle type. Sports cars typically range 12-14 seconds, while supercars can achieve under 10 seconds.

Q3: Does this account for drivetrain loss?
A: No, the equation uses raw horsepower. For wheel horsepower, multiply by typical drivetrain loss factor (0.85 for RWD).

Q4: Can I use metric units?
A: The equation requires weight in pounds. Convert kg to lbs by multiplying by 2.205.

Q5: Why the cube root relationship?
A: Acceleration depends on power-to-weight ratio, but elapsed time has a less than linear relationship due to increasing air resistance at higher speeds.