Is ever crossed your minds if a car uses a jet engine, and what would happen if a car used a jet turbine engine? This is what happened in a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette C3.
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| One-off 1978 Corvette C3 jet turbine-powered custom by Vince Granatelli. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1bJA31e) |
In the hands of Vince Granatelli, a son of Andy "Mister 500" Granatelli, who decided to put up a Pratt & Whitney ST6B turbine engine under the long-bonnet of this Corvette. |
| A Pratt & Whitney ST6B turbine engine under the bonnet of 1978 Corvette C3 Custom. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1bJA31e) |
Granatelli family involved in Indy car racing since a few decades ago. So why did the younger Granatelli want to take on a complicated project like this? Because it’d be awesome once it was done.
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| Interior and dashboard view of 1978 Corvette C3 jet turbine-powered custom. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1bJA31e) |
Corvette-engined turbine has a total power of about 880 hp and, according to Motor Trend test, it can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. While its creator claims can perform the acceleration in just 2.5 seconds.
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| Right side view of 1978 Corvette C3 jet turbine-powered custom. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1bJA31e) |
And this car is entirely legal use in highway. To make it happen, Granatelli must fabricate a new subframe, reinforce the driveshaft, and add the reduction gearbox to bring the engine's 37,500 rpm to 6,230 rpm.
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| Rear side view of 1978 Corvette C3 jet turbine-powered custom. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1bJA31e) |
In addition, the entire cable cars must be rewired to handle the aircraft instrument panel. The brakes were swapped out in favor of NASCAR–spec discs, as well as fuel lines and a new exhaust system. It is basically a Corvette C3 with a jet engine.
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