Callaway Sledgehammer.
Discussion
Cliff the Sledgehammer wasn't really available to buy although there was one available recently with offers invited over $250,000. Car made 880hp and topped out at 254+ mph.
That seems like a LOT of top speed for the amount of power. Looks like your ZR1 will be not a million miles from that power. Don't go leaving us lot behind in Germany!
All the info you could ever need is available from owners and people who know sh*tloads more than me about the subject at:
www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=4537b38dd23f75776b317011efe3a706&forumid=134
Don't know if I mentioned this but one of the guys in the forum is talking about making "sledgehammer power" for around $5000. His car already has an updated "wonderbar" (actually a crossmember that doubles as an intake) which would cost an additional $2,000 which although the guys on the forum say is a "must" for increased power, I think it's a ridiculous amount of money for what it is. One guy has made his own which is probably a better idea.
I also have a road test from an old magazine (one of the "Brooklands" compilations) where a journalist takes a stock looking C4 Callaway Twin Turbo (think it's pre-production or a development car) to 231mph!
Actually speaking of top speed mine's gonna be useless with those mahoosive mirrors, where'd you get that little mirror that's on your car?
That seems like a LOT of top speed for the amount of power. Looks like your ZR1 will be not a million miles from that power. Don't go leaving us lot behind in Germany!
All the info you could ever need is available from owners and people who know sh*tloads more than me about the subject at:
www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=4537b38dd23f75776b317011efe3a706&forumid=134
Don't know if I mentioned this but one of the guys in the forum is talking about making "sledgehammer power" for around $5000. His car already has an updated "wonderbar" (actually a crossmember that doubles as an intake) which would cost an additional $2,000 which although the guys on the forum say is a "must" for increased power, I think it's a ridiculous amount of money for what it is. One guy has made his own which is probably a better idea.
I also have a road test from an old magazine (one of the "Brooklands" compilations) where a journalist takes a stock looking C4 Callaway Twin Turbo (think it's pre-production or a development car) to 231mph!
Actually speaking of top speed mine's gonna be useless with those mahoosive mirrors, where'd you get that little mirror that's on your car?
There's a 1990 Callaway Corvette for sale on FindIt for 17k - or is that someone here?
www.findit.co.uk/cars/american/cars/1010177.htm
I must admit I was tempted by a 1987 Callaway a few years back. It had been advertised in Classic American for 17k and then appeared on the Callaway site in America for around 10k - but the spectre that it might break down and the silver seats finally got to me. That was even despite e-mailing a guy in Hawaii who had one who told me he drove it like he stole it and it had never ever gone wrong - but that's Sod's law isn't it, I mean the guy lives in Hawaii so it wouldn't matter to him if it did. It's only when you can't afford to fix it that they go wrong. LOL.
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 21st January 14:02
www.findit.co.uk/cars/american/cars/1010177.htm
I must admit I was tempted by a 1987 Callaway a few years back. It had been advertised in Classic American for 17k and then appeared on the Callaway site in America for around 10k - but the spectre that it might break down and the silver seats finally got to me. That was even despite e-mailing a guy in Hawaii who had one who told me he drove it like he stole it and it had never ever gone wrong - but that's Sod's law isn't it, I mean the guy lives in Hawaii so it wouldn't matter to him if it did. It's only when you can't afford to fix it that they go wrong. LOL.
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 21st January 14:02
Yeah Wayne that's mine. It's only there because I'm kind of interested in another super vette. It would actually make more sense just to keep my car which is probably what I'll end up doing.
As for problems the I've probably experienced less than most people have with stock 90 vettes. I think they're a strong car. Quite an amazing car for the performance and money. And if it does go bang you're only really rebuilding a small block chevy!
As for problems the I've probably experienced less than most people have with stock 90 vettes. I think they're a strong car. Quite an amazing car for the performance and money. And if it does go bang you're only really rebuilding a small block chevy!
It wont go bang unless its not properly serviced or you treat it very badly.
The thing that most people miss is that the Callaway conversion is a GM factory option which means that it has passed most if not all of the GM Corperate Engineering sign off critera. It has gone through the same sign off as the ZR1 and all other C4 Corvettes.
What lets the Callaway down is some of the minor engineering, as I said to you Malc, things like the routing of cooling hoses is not good as they chafe against other bits of the car. There is also a lot of variation between builds which is a bit odd.
The thing that most people miss is that the Callaway conversion is a GM factory option which means that it has passed most if not all of the GM Corperate Engineering sign off critera. It has gone through the same sign off as the ZR1 and all other C4 Corvettes.
What lets the Callaway down is some of the minor engineering, as I said to you Malc, things like the routing of cooling hoses is not good as they chafe against other bits of the car. There is also a lot of variation between builds which is a bit odd.
Spot on Geoff! There is quite a bit of variation and I've checked the routing of my oil and water lines carefully.
I did experience a problem (forgot about this, annoyed me at the time big style!) where the starter solenoid +ve shorted out on a turbo. Luckily it was the contact that doesn't stay +ve when the engine is running. Had to "mod" the offending solenoid post top get round that one.
I had no air con for a while due to a wire shorting on an intercooler - how long did it take me to find the cause? don't ask, obvious when I saw it though.
Again I improvised and used regular blade connectors in place of the huge factory connector. It was quite amazing that Callaway didn't notice these things when they built them though.
I maintain my car like a fanatic and am always looking for the kind of things Geoff mentioned (see above) An ounce of prevention, blah, blah...
I did experience a problem (forgot about this, annoyed me at the time big style!) where the starter solenoid +ve shorted out on a turbo. Luckily it was the contact that doesn't stay +ve when the engine is running. Had to "mod" the offending solenoid post top get round that one.
I had no air con for a while due to a wire shorting on an intercooler - how long did it take me to find the cause? don't ask, obvious when I saw it though.
Again I improvised and used regular blade connectors in place of the huge factory connector. It was quite amazing that Callaway didn't notice these things when they built them though.
I maintain my car like a fanatic and am always looking for the kind of things Geoff mentioned (see above) An ounce of prevention, blah, blah...
malc350 said:
I had no air con for a while due to a wire shorting on an intercooler - how long did it take me to find the cause? don't ask, obvious when I saw it though.
Wiring problems!!
i was only saying to Geoff the other day...............my dash lights kept blowing a fuse ,,checked everything (well i thought i did),,in the end i spent a day pulling the fuse box and the dash out and chased every wire ,checked every bulb&connection then put it all back together,Nothing!! Sat there scratching my head and for some reason openend the ashtray and found the wire to the ashtray light had chaffed&earthed on the body work ,,Sorted!!
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