Testarossa Turbine Project, Happening NOW! | FerrariChat

Testarossa Turbine Project, Happening NOW!

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by APA#1, Jun 30, 2007.

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  1. APA#1

    APA#1 Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2003
    1,311
    Central Florida
    #1 APA#1, Jun 30, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    As some of you may or not know I have been seaching for a TR to convert to a gas turbine powerplant.

    The long wait is now over!

    If your a purist you might wish to look away now and read no further..

    I am going to be placing an Allison C28B gas turbine engine in my new TR. This engine comes out of a Bell Jet Ranger Long Ranger helicopter.

    The engine converts the exhaust gas to drive a secondary turbine wheel which then converts this with a gearbox to a shaft.

    The final shaft output is 6000 RPM.

    The engine develops 550 HP and 450+ ft lbs of torque.

    The turbine can be run on jet-a, diesel, gasoline, bio fuel, etc.

    Final color will be black.

    As I get further along I will take more pictures and let you know how the project is progressing.

    Also I have the complete engine and transmission available.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=120137649013&rd=1&rd=1
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  2. modena1_2003

    modena1_2003 F1 Rookie

    Aug 17, 2005
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    Jon
    I'm waiting for the punch-line.

    This is the Marcel Duchamp version of a Testarossa. The Ferrari LHOOQ.

    You cant take the heart out of a Ferrari and expect it to be a Ferrari. Frankenstein won't be John Q. Taxpayer just because he had on a suit.

    I'm not a shoe salesman, but I don't think a size eleven will fit on Shaq... I mean, is this whole job really that easy? Don't try and break the sound-barrier quite yet there pal, I don't think its a swap sawp, red-wire to red-wire job. There is probably some technical "what the hell is going on" about what your trying to do.

    Good luck, but just for us Ferrari guys, pop off the prancing horses and sell em on E-Bay.





    Best
    Jon
     
  3. RacerX_GTO

    RacerX_GTO F1 World Champ
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    Gabe V.
    Well, the chart of reliability only went sideways, the 206L's powerplants still need the 100 hour inspection and the 3500 hour overhaul.

    The turbine should make interesting noises going down the road :)
     
  4. willrace

    willrace Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 21, 2006
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    Kurt
    Bold move.....This should be interesting, and in the spirit of what made Enzo's little shop into what it is.

    You may have also just stumbled onto the best counter-point to the gits who whine about replacing the Wankel (rotary) of the RX7 chassis to put in a piston engine "cuz it goes up an' down, instead uv round an' round".
    Where did you find the Allison??
     
  5. glasser1

    glasser1 Formula Junior

    Sep 2, 2006
    510
    Oregon
    I think for someone who is mecahnically minded and has the tools to fab parts, this kind of thing is not that difficult. Jets are amazingly simple compared to a V-12, or even to a single cylinder lawn mower engine. My next door neighbor put a jet in a boat a couple years ago. Last year he added an afterburner for show. Now he is preparing to put a turbine in a Trans Am. He has four jet engines, all of which came from small drone helicopters that the U.S. Navy used to drop torpedoes during Vietnam war.

    Good luck. I saw a vette in CA about 20 years ago that had this done. This thing will sound scary!
     
  6. APA#1

    APA#1 Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2003
    1,311
    Central Florida
    True to all, though just did a hot section inspection. Did the HSI but really didn't need to as it is no longer under any AD's.

    Should be pretty fun too. You will know it is coming.
     
  7. willrace

    willrace Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Don't forget - he can cook those hot-dogs on the way TO his next F-chat picnic, too.
     
  8. APA#1

    APA#1 Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2003
    1,311
    Central Florida
    I got the turbine from a used aircraft dealer. Pricy things. Currently it is on a test stand I built. I wheel it out of the shop and run it.
     
  9. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 5, 2002
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    That seems like a cool project. Are you replacing the transmission with some sort of CVT as well? It would be hard to see how else to do it.

    I've heard the torque characteristics of turbine engines don't work very well in cars, but perhaps with a modern CVT it could be made to work okay.

    I'm sure you are familiar with this:

    http://www.marineturbine.com/motorsports.asp

    Interesting that he needs an 8 gallon tank on a motorcycle! I wonder what the fuel consumption in the TR will be?
     
  10. APA#1

    APA#1 Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2003
    1,311
    Central Florida
    As this is a free turbine it does not need a tranny nor convertor as the N2 acts as a cvt.

    Also it develops 2.6 HP per #. This Turbine costs more than a TR too!
     
  11. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    If you say so!

    That works in aircraft because the RPM of the prop or rotor doesn't hardly change at all. The RPM output in a car needs to vary all over the place, from 1500 when starting off to 6000 when going flat out. In a turboprop airplane, the output RPM only varies from 1500 to 1575 or so.

    I assume the Allison is not a fixed shaft, so the air coupling gives you something to work with, but obviously I don't understand it.

    I'm no engineer, so I assume you have it figured out.

    I wish you luck-- keep posting updates!

     
  12. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
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    I think it's awesome! But on an 86 TR? (That is an 86, right?) Couldn't you use an 88 or 89? I love the single mirror cars.
     
  13. Chicko

    Chicko Formula 3

    Now that i have stopped laughing, i'am a little lost, whats the point of this ? would it not be easyer just adding some blowers or boost to get 550 bhp!!!
     
  14. buckminster

    buckminster Formula Junior

    Aug 18, 2005
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    Nicholas Raftis
    I think we all believe you can accomplish this technical challenge, but WHY are you doing it? And where are you going to drive this thing with that exhaust gas shooting out the ass end of your car into the vehicle behind you?

    PS: What would Enzo say about this?

    EDIT: I see you are in Ft. Lauderdale, maybe i should drive the little Ferrari up and check this out!
     
  15. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

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    Pete
    Haha ... yep it will be slower, concrats.

    Rover ran a turbine at LeMans many, many years ago and I think it finished but the stories regarding lag issues/throttle response highlight that it simply wrong in a car.

    Have a good play ...
    Pete
     
  16. APA#1

    APA#1 Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2003
    1,311
    Central Florida
    You are right that the rpm is a plane does not change, Chrysler had some lag in their turbines cars as well. I will have some in this one too I'm sure.

    Someone asked why do it?. I could get more hp out of a turbo motor but it's not the same thing.

    Why follow the herd?

    As to the exhaust as it exits out the top it wont be a problem, plus it is not much hotter than a car, just a lot more of it.
     
  17. APA#1

    APA#1 Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2003
    1,311
    Central Florida

    Actually Indy had one , I think for Granetelli, he pretty much smoked the others in performance and endurance, and Indy banned the cars from then on
     
  18. RacerX_GTO

    RacerX_GTO F1 World Champ
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    Gabe V.
    You remember the fit he had at Pinninferina when 308's where coming off the line in fiberglass? Yeah..like that.
     
  19. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

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    Indy is hardly a typical road course ... so yeah if the distination for this Ferrari is simply to drive round ovals then go for it.

    And yes I was right, regarding Rover and Le Mans: http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~lloyd/4/Rover/Gas-Turbines/

    Pete
     
  20. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

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  21. APA#1

    APA#1 Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2003
    1,311
    Central Florida

    That is a cool video. Mine also starts like that.

    The turbine he is running is probably a c-18 or t700 . possibly a c20, with about 315 hp or so. You can tell by the twin exhaust. Made by Allison
     
  22. Toronto308

    Toronto308 Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2006
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    Esteban
    Whoa! The sound on of that Z is crazy!
     
  23. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
    18,214
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    Tim Keseluk
    Interesting project but you might want to test the concept before butchering the TR.

    Without a transmission or clutch you will have to start the engine with the brakes engaged and shut it down completely before manually pushing the car to back up. Your date will love that.

    Throttle lag occurs on acceleration AND deceleration (you will be overcoming full engine torque for a brief time when braking). No panic stops!

    Ultimate performance may well be awesome (Bonneville Speed Week?) but I think "around town" will likely suck. The heat and deafening shreik won't endear you everywhere.

    I've been envisioning a gas turbine street car for over 20 years.

    These are just a few of the issues that I've experienced.
     
  24. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

    At least he won't have to change timing belts.......
     
  25. BLUROAD

    BLUROAD F1 Veteran

    Feb 3, 2006
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    Enrico Pollini
    Dont drive in California. The cops will want to crush it...
     

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