Callaway Sledgehammer

[sami_voodoo]

The 1988 Callaway Sledgehammer. A Corvette C4 based creation of American engineering firm, Callaway Cars of Old Lyme CT. This was the fastest tuned special of its day. Unlike other tuned cars, this car was designed to showcase the engineering excellence of Reeves Callaway's company and act as a publicity "stunt" as well.

The best part of this car is, unlike many ultimate-performance tuner cars, this drove to and from the test track at the Transport Research Center in Ohio on it's own. It was equipped with a full interior, Bose Audio, electric seats, A/C, power windows, and a full roll-cage.

Here's a video clip of the Chief test Engineer Tim Good, Reeves Callaway himself, and others giving their accounts of the car:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8dI-47Z2hI

[sami_voodoo]

Some Technical Specs:

[highlight]Price: $400,000 (Estimated, as only one existed)
Miles Per Gallon: 10/19 mpg
Curb Weight: 3671 lbs
Layout: Front-Engine/RWD
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Front tires: 275/40/17
Rear tires: 275/40/17

Engine
Type: Twin-Turbo V8
Displacement: 5733 cc
Horsepower: 880 bhp @ 6250 rpm
Torque: 772 lb-ft @ --- rpm

Redline: ---- rpm

Performance
0-60 mph: 3.9 sec
0-100 mph: 9.4 sec
Quarter Mile: 10.6 sec @ 127 mph
Skidpad: .98g
Top Speed: 254.76 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph: 122 ft
Slalom Speed: 65.6 mph
[/highlight]

Bodywork was by the Canadian designer, Paul Deutschman of Deutschman Design and was called the Callaway Aerobody, kits of which were later made available to the public for their own sledgehammer "copies". the high speed achieved by the car with 900 BHP gives you an idea of the quality of Deutschman's work in partnership with Tony Cicale and Carroll Smith. Bugatti Veyron references can be used, but it was the slippery shape that helped this car reach its speed, as everyday driveability would have been compromised had they gone for a higher power output. The engine was a "smallish" 5.7 litres, however, bespoke pieces in the engine gave it the fire in its belly.

Crank and Pistons by Cosworth and along with rods by Crower, gave the engine a 7.5:1 CR. Heads by Brodix, valve gear by Jesel and Crane, Camshafts by CamTechniques, Turbonetics Garrett/Scwhitzer hybrids working at upto 22 PSI, Zytec fuel injection and intercoolers by Alpha United. All this bespoke hardware gives an idea of the level of development that went into this car.

Here's a couple of links for further reading for those who're interested:

http://www.callawayownersgroup.com/COTM/2003November/cotm.htm

Click on the photos to enlarge, a magazine article is also scanned in:
http://www.z06-corvette.com/super/sledgehammer.htm

Cheers!
Sami

[kahmed79]

Sami

This car brings back a lot of memories. I read about it years ago in R&T Exotic Cars. The car was bright green and had blue leather seats, it looked gorgeous.

Callaway was involved with Aston Martin race cars, Mazdaspeed Protege, etc. They also made a twin turbo version of the Alfa GTV6.

[sami_voodoo]

Kamran

You forgot the Range Rover 4.6HSE Callaway Edition or internally known as the C11. In typical Callaway fashion, it wasn't just a simple tuneup. Everything from the engine, to the gearbox, driveshafts, diffs, rolling stock were changed.

The changes were so intense, that Range Rover themselves incorporated some of the changes to their model lineup after the end of the Callaway Edition series.

[kahmed79]

Sami

I completely forgot about the Range Rover, saw one in L.A.

[Storm]

what a blast from the past. seems like everyone forgot the callaway vette but somehow the testarossa and countach lived on... sad.

[sami_voodoo]

There was a Discovery programme I saw a couple of years ago on the Porsche 993 Turbo, the Callaway Corvette (not the Sledgehammer sadly) and the Ferrari F50. I have to say that in front of the two European heavy-hitters, the Callaway was not looking out of place at all. If anything, you could feel a smirk on the Corvette's face (if you could imagine such a thing that is...)

[Storm]

one thing callaways were known for was their tuning of naturally aspirated engines,... at one time it was something only BMW & honda could do right.

[toofast]

@sami
Now this is a real beast from the past(y)

[max_mirza84]

DAMN!
880Bhp No doubt it was a legend and still being remebered....
Nice infor and pics

[sunny234]

damn... what an awesome beast.

[sami_voodoo]

@toofast

The bast thing about Callaway is that they target performance only if driveability isn't sacrificed. I suppose they could have gotten better performance if they had gotten rid of the AC, electric seats, audio system, sound deadening, etc. But they didn't, that's what makes Callaway a legend.

No disrespect to the other godfather of Corvette tuning, Lingenfelter, but his cars tend to favour speed to driveability and durability.

I don't know if this is true, but I read somewhere that the new ZR1 has a lot of input from Callaway, especially all the drivetrain. Kamran, Toofast, Storm, can you confirm (or not) this?

[sami_voodoo]

@Max and Sunny

Believe me, Callaway can make anything go fast and retain factory durability. They've just been on Corvettes and Chevies for a long time, that's the reason for their particularity to the Corvette. It's quite interesting to note that the first of their conversions was a Turbo kit for the BMW. He then did an Indycar engine, then an Alfa GTV6. Then a Corvette

http://www.alfaclub.com.my/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=2

[kahmed79]

Sami

Interesting...haven't heard anything about Callaway's input into the new ZR1.

[sami_voodoo]

Kamran

It could be that some people made a link between the new C16 Callaway Corvette and the ZR1. They essentially have the same engine size and power.

[kahmed79]

GM was real serious with the ZR1. They switched to the best suppliers, Brembo, Behr, Bosch, etc.

Even the new Cobalt SS is supposed to be amazing. It's faster than the Mazdaspeed 3, Honda S2000, E36 M3, and a few other car's around the 'Ring.

[Storm]

can't confirm anything, but it makes sense that they may have taken inspiration from the C16.

[ateekt]

I always loved Callaway jobs (y) ...!