I Think I've Lost It.

Myself and another student here were thinking of running in the Silver State Classic in Nevada. Our original intention was to build a very torquey Pontiac 455 or Chevy 468-600+ inch motor and overdrive the crap out of it. Well, while thinking about torquey motors, the subject of gas turbines came up. Now, we want to figure out a way to drop a gas turbine into a '72 trans-am or similar car and hook an automatic transmission up to it. Our current budget is $0 so any free parts like a 600-1500 hp turbine engine or some donor transmissions like a turbo 400 would be greatly appreciated.

And now for the technical questions. A jet engine doesn't make vacuum like a gas, so we would not be able to use an automatic valve body. I know there are manual valve bodies, but my concern is that they are a N123 shift pattern. If something happens and my engine spools up really quickly, I want to be able to get into neutral. Is there a manual valve body with neutral near 3rd?

completely off topic, but what is the silver state classic?

If I remember right, the Chrysler Turbines used a torque converter with a one-speed tranny.

I don't know how a turbine engine would react to varying loads, like shifting gears. It sounds like a fun toy, though.:whacked:

All turbines have a lag, and I am worried that I may need to stop quickly and not be able to beceause the turbine is still running at full power. Therefore, I would like to be able to kick it into neutral.
As for a transmission, I'm thinkin I should attatch a powerslide with a manual valve body and just not use first gear.

We're talking 1000 to 1500 lbs of torque, and there aren't many affordable manuals that will handle that.

This is going to sound REALLY strange, but what about a muncie? those rockcrawlers will put up with A LOT, maybe it could handle the torque. Or maybe it will shatter into a million little pieces. Info anyone?

The other advantage of an auto is that I can run a very high stall converter. That will keep me within a narrower RPM band so I don't have to waste time as the turbine spools up.
The next thing to think about is setting up a regenerator. Fuel milage is going to be bad, and I'll have to run 90 miles. I'm thinking of sticking an intercooler in the exhaust so it heats the intake air instead of cooling it. Possible do a shell and tube type with the exhaust passing through the tubes and intake coming in through the shell.

Yeah I think I'll run down to NAPA and pick up a turbine so I can get started on this too... then we can race! Not! Pardon the sarcasm but you guys are nuts. All I can think of is that you must have a really good female. Oh yeah, all the old guys say that the old Powerglides are the strongest. 3,2,1, we have ignition! Enjoy lift off=)!!!

Hey GMC, you have lost it. Granatelli and his engineering staff tried it at Indy years ago, and I think it was Chrysler had a prototype for the street. Hope you got a bank vault full of hundred dollar bills. I have never ran the Silver State, but it looks like a consistant and predictable power train is essential to control your time on the course, like tech said it is a 90 mile bracket race. Suspension and handling would probably be my first consideration, than a solid and reliable power train combination. If you are dead set on playing with a turbine, Bonneville or the dry lakes would probably be a better venue for it.