Size of the chute

Maverick · 10-17-2011, 08:20 AM

Thinking of putting a parachute on my car over the winter. I have the mount for the chute on the rear, but don't have the chute, cable or release lever. Just wanting a small chute, and was hoping to get some insight from the people who already have the experience. My car right now goes 143 and weights 2350 with me in it. Expecting to get close to the 150 mph mark where a chute is required. Do all chutes have to be cable release or can it be done electrically?

Thanks in advance. How big in diameter should I go? Do I need a launcher?

Steve Willie Williams

Chris Williams · 10-17-2011, 06:43 PM

Go to stroud.com and look there. They have a formula to use to calculate which chute you need. No you don't need a launcher, a spring release will work just fine in most cases. Most are released either with cable or with air, don't know if anyone does electrical (but of course air is electrical, just uses air to power it).

BTW, Stroud is the best, IMHO. They pack easier, hit softer, and so on.

Bill Baer · 10-17-2011, 09:23 PM

Maverick

I own a cross form but I also like the stroud chute it's folds a little different but they seem to work very well. I would perfer a pilot chute or the spring launcher (except for rewinding it) The air launcher being more complicated has a greater potential for failure.I remember Prostock Racer Steve Speese wrecking a race car because the air bottle was empty and the gauge was stuck.
As for the release mechanism I would stick to a lever and cable and if you want to add an air cylinder or solenoid to also activate it (push the lever) then if the electrical or air fails due to a blown fuse or empty air bottle you can always reach up and hit the lever.
McKinney race cars sells a nice 18' cable for ~$27 google McKinneycorp.com
My 2 cents worth.

10-17-2011, 08:20 AM	#1
Maverick Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 299 Likes: 3 Liked 36 Times in 26 Posts	Size of the chute Thinking of putting a parachute on my car over the winter. I have the mount for the chute on the rear, but don't have the chute, cable or release lever. Just wanting a small chute, and was hoping to get some insight from the people who already have the experience. My car right now goes 143 and weights 2350 with me in it. Expecting to get close to the 150 mph mark where a chute is required. Do all chutes have to be cable release or can it be done electrically? Thanks in advance. How big in diameter should I go? Do I need a launcher? Steve Willie Williams Last edited by Maverick; 10-17-2011 at 12:06 PM.

10-17-2011, 06:43 PM	#2
Chris Williams Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 401 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Size of the chute Go to stroud.com and look there. They have a formula to use to calculate which chute you need. No you don't need a launcher, a spring release will work just fine in most cases. Most are released either with cable or with air, don't know if anyone does electrical (but of course air is electrical, just uses air to power it). BTW, Stroud is the best, IMHO. They pack easier, hit softer, and so on. __________________ Chris Williams 6304 SC, TD, ET

10-17-2011, 09:23 PM	#3
Bill Baer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nothern IL Posts: 596 Likes: 1 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Size of the chute Maverick I own a cross form but I also like the stroud chute it's folds a little different but they seem to work very well. I would perfer a pilot chute or the spring launcher (except for rewinding it) The air launcher being more complicated has a greater potential for failure.I remember Prostock Racer Steve Speese wrecking a race car because the air bottle was empty and the gauge was stuck. As for the release mechanism I would stick to a lever and cable and if you want to add an air cylinder or solenoid to also activate it (push the lever) then if the electrical or air fails due to a blown fuse or empty air bottle you can always reach up and hit the lever. McKinney race cars sells a nice 18' cable for ~$27 google McKinneycorp.com My 2 cents worth. __________________ Bill Baer 3391 SC, 339B SC, QR Last edited by Bill Baer; 10-17-2011 at 10:08 PM.