The 1988 Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette: The Inside Story

The Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette

The 1988 Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette is a high-performance sports car built by Callaway Engineering. With a top speed of over 190 miles per hour, it is the fastest production car built in the US. The car features a fully engineered twin-turbo engine, producing 382 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque, with over 40% of the torque available from 2000 to 4750 rpm.

Design and Engineering

The design and engineering of the turbo system were critical to the car’s performance. Turbocharging is the most efficient method of extracting significantly more power from a given engine, and the Callaway team optimized the engine’s potential by tuning the electronic engine controls to match the output of the modified engine.

Components and Materials

The car features high-performance components, including a 350 cid small block Chevrolet engine, a compact twin turbo system, and integrated intercoolers. The suspension, brakes, and manual transmission are unchanged, to maintain the balance of the already fine automobile.

Performance and Handling

The turbo engine undergoes higher duty cycle loading than the standard engine, so more oil volume is required to maintain a proper lubricating film at the bearing surfaces. A high-output Melling MSSHV unit is used to increase oil pressure at all engine rpm, with a maximum oil pressure of 80 psi.

Conclusion

The Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette is a driveable autorobile of impressive power, with expert installation and final assembly. Each car takes approximately one man-week to build, with technicians supplied with fully prepared engines. The car is thoroughly inspected and tested, including a series of visual and drive checks, to ensure it meets world-class standards.