One of the coolest and most unique cars we’ve run across lately is 73-year old Art Nolte’s Arizona Thunder, a Scottsdale Arizona-based turbocharged alcohol altered that is totally different from all of its competition. Not only in respect to the turbos, but the fuel system, too.

Here’s what I mean.

Art Nolte’s Arizona Thunder altered, driven by Sheldon Lofgreen and powered by a twin-turbo 500-inch powerplant, is certainly one of the more unique race cars out there. Image credit: BobSnyderDragPhotos.com

Art’s interest in using turbochargers began in the 1970’s when his friend A.K. Miller introduced him to these power adders. Within a few weeks, an excited Nolte had built a rear engine small block with two Garrett Turbos that produced 1,000 horsepower on gas! On his first pass at the AHRA Winternationals in Phoenix, he ran .06 under the B/Gas record. AHRA administrators did not appreciate that kind of bump so they put a rule in place outlawing the use of turbochargers. Nolte, not wanting a fight with AHRA on his hands, built a BBC ProComp car with four turbos for NHRA racing. On their 1^st run at the 1978 Denver Mile High Nationals, the car ran 212 MPH; 12 MPH quicker than anyone in the class had run at that altitude at the time. So what happened? NHRA banned the use of turbochargers. Then Nolte successfully turned to drag racing a turbo-powered Pro Mod capsule boat for roughly five years; that is, until they sunk the boat during a race in Marble Falls, TX.  

After sinking their race boat, Nolte and crew decided it was time to go drag racing on land again. So he sent his driver to Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School to get his Funny Car license and they ran a circuit with the CIFCA (California Independent Funny Car Association) using a 14-71 alcohol blower motor until the group disbanded. Now part of the WFA (Western Fuel Altereds), a heads-up racing group, Arizona Thunder, a ‘23 T-bodied Bantam, first ran the same 14-71 engine it used when they were racing with the CIFCA but are now racing the turbocharged alcohol engine from the boat. They are also exploring the possibility of racing with the Nostalgia Pro Mod group at Bakersfield and Sacramento.   

The Engine

The basic engine is a Rodeck TFX 92 500 CID block with a Crower crankshaft and Crower steel rods connected to JE Pistons and rings. Crower also provided the custom made camshaft and roller lifters. The heads are Dart 96’s with Manton push rods, Stage 5 Rockers and Manley valves. The ignition system is an MSD 10 Plus system and the plugs are from Autolite. A wet sump and Lucas 70 WT Racing Oil are used to lubricate the engine, and a Dan Olson oil pan completes the oiling system. The headers are of the teams own design and fabrication.

The basis of Arizona Thunder’s powerplant is a 500-inch TFX Rodeck, similar to that used by Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars. But the difference is this one sports a pair of Borg-Warner turbos.

The Big Difference between This Engine and Others

But, the big difference between this engine and those of its competitors is that power is provided by two Borg-Warner turbochargers that were modified by Turbo Auto Diesel of Phoenix with an intake manifold that was custom designed by Nolte and built by Hogan Racing Manifolds. Even more differentiating is the RSA (Random Sequential Absorption) mechanical fuel injection system that was salvaged off an aircraft engine that Nolte and crew adapted to their application using three fuel controllers from Airflow Performance to work with the turbochargers. Something of a rare find to say the least!

Behind the Engine

Directly behind the engine comes a Quick Drive torque converter drive and converter from U.S. Transmission and a Lenco 3-speed transmission. This set-up eliminates the need for a clutch. In fact, the race car leaves and drives similarly to most passenger cars; just a little quicker.

The rear employs Strange Engineering 4:30 gears, axles and hubs.

Image credit: BobSnyderDragPhotos.com

They use an Auto Meter tachometer and gauges and they use an Edelbrock data recorder to provide information for tuning the car.

The Team

In addition to Nolte, Sheldon Lofgreen of Scottsdale, drives the car and also helps with the mechanical end of things. Will Napier does everything from mechanics to paint and crew member Phil Flowers lends a hand with all areas of the car.