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Supercar Spitting

Short answer: Flames from a car's exhaust come from unburned fuel igniting in the hot exhaust system. It happens most when a driver lifts off the throttle or shifts hard, and some performance cars and tunes deliberately add fuel or retard ignition timing to create pops, bangs and flames.

The footage shows supercars shooting flames from their exhausts at night.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about Supercar Spitting?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Unburned fuel ignites in the exhaust.

    DD-353-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Cause)

  2. Exhaust gases are very hot.

    DD-353-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Heat)

Video transcript: Supercar Spitting: Supercar Exhausts Can Shoot Flames When Unburned Fuel Ignites

Did you know, supercars spit fire, primarily due to unburned fuel, igniting in the exhaust system, a phenomenon that typically occurs during high performance driving. This happens when the engine is revved aggressively, often leading to incomplete combustion. When excess fuel enters the exhaust system, it can ignite due to the extremely high temperatures of the exhaust gases, particularly during rapid acceleration or deceleration. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 21.8s Reel ·

Video coming soonSupercar Spitting · Instagram Reel
Supercar Spitting: Supercar Exhausts Can Shoot Flames When Unburned Fuel Ignites Instagram Reel · · 21.8s

The write-up

Supercar exhausts can shoot flames when unburned fuel ignites. Pops and bangs often come on hard deceleration.

  1. Exhibit A

    Cause

    Unburned fuel ignites in the exhaust.

  2. Exhibit B

    Heat

    Exhaust gases are very hot.

  3. Exhibit C

    Timing

    Often on deceleration or shifts.

  4. Exhibit D

    Tuning

    Some tunes add pops on purpose.

  5. Exhibit E

    Name

    Often called backfire or afterfire.

Questions people ask about Supercar Spitting

What burns in the exhaust?

Excess fuel.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Cause) · Wikipedia: Afterfire

When is it common?

Off throttle.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Heat) · Wikipedia: Afterfire

Can it be deliberate?

Pops and bangs.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Timing) · Wikipedia: Afterfire

What ignites it?

Heat.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Tuning) · Wikipedia: Afterfire

What is it often called?

Afterfire.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Name) · Wikipedia: Afterfire

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What burns in the exhaust?

    1. Unburned fuel
    2. Oil
    3. Coolant
    4. Air only
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Unburned fuel Excess fuel. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Cause) · Wikipedia: Afterfire

  2. When is it common?

    1. On deceleration or hard shifts
    2. At idle only
    3. When parked
    4. Never
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. On deceleration or hard shifts Off throttle. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Heat) · Wikipedia: Afterfire

  3. Can it be deliberate?

    1. Yes, via tuning
    2. No
    3. Only in rain
    4. Only in old cars
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Yes, via tuning Pops and bangs. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Timing) · Wikipedia: Afterfire

  4. What ignites it?

    1. Hot exhaust gases
    2. A match
    3. Sunlight
    4. Static
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Hot exhaust gases Heat. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Tuning) · Wikipedia: Afterfire

  5. What is it often called?

    1. Backfire
    2. Overheat
    3. Stall
    4. Drift
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Backfire Afterfire. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Name) · Wikipedia: Afterfire

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Supercar Spitting." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-353, last updated Oct 24, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/supercar-spitting/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/supercar-spitting/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-353-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/supercar-spitting/#DD-353-F01