American tuner and famous engineering specialist, Callaway Cars, have an interesting history built on the desire for speed. The company was founded in 1977 by Ely Reeves Callaway III (son of Ely Callaway Jr., founder of Callaway Golf) at Old Lyme, Connecticut. Callaway begins with making a turbocharger increase kit for European brands such as BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Porsche.
However, Callaway’s appetite that was never satisfied for the speed of returning to the early 70s when Reeves Callaway, who was then a driving instructor at Bob Bondurant Racing School, convinced BMW to set 320i schools. According to cars and drivers, BMW agreed, and Callaway did not waste time to make a special turbocharger for cars. Callaway lent a vehicle to C/D Don Sherman and gave a very good review in the two -page article. The change of the lucky event led to the establishment of the Turbo Callaway system and Callaway car in 1977.
From Bimmers to Vettes
Callaway diverts his attention to modifying American favorite sports cars, Chevy Corvette, especially C4 variants produced from 1984 to 1996. And when C4 Corvette came to the market, Callaway Speed Shop already had a reputation for turbocharging and crazy performance. And it’s true to be formed, Callaway does not waste time to make a twin-turbocharger upgrading for C4 Corvette.
Recognizing the beginning of the potential for increasing the Callaway Machine made specifically, Chevrolet gave Callaway Cars Berkah to produce a version that was set from C4 Corvette that came with a warranty supported by standard manufacturers. According to IMSA, customers can order Corvette C4 1987 or newer with more than 390 horsepower, 150 more than 240 horsepower stocks. All vehicles will wear the RPO B2K serial number, complete with a factory warranty and a separate warranty from Callaway.
As expected, fans came in droves, leading Callaway to attract the most ambitious project: Sledgehammer, Corvette 1980s that could be faster than Tesla EV Modern.
Callaway Sledgehammer: The most powerful C4 Corvette
In 1998, Callaway created the fastest Chevy Corvette in the world. This modest monster will smoke exotic sports cars from the same era, including big names like Porsche 959 and Lamborghini Countach. Starting with a standard Corvette Chevy C4 equipped with 5.7 liters of “Bowtie” V8 and heading to the stratosphere. The list of mod engines includes special blueprint blocks with drill journals, four bolt bearing hats, aluminum brodix heads, mahle pistons, cosworth crankshaft shaft, MSD ignition, ECU zytek, and dry lubricant systems ordered in advance.
Of course, Callaway installed a pair of turbonetitic T04B turbocharger to sweeten the agreement. The results of all the magic of this engine are 880 horsepower and 772 lb-ft torque, almost double what you get from Lambo or expensive Porsche. All of the grunts were sent exclusively to the rear wheels through the Doug Nash Manual Gearbox (PER carrying a trailer) with a clutch centerforce package ordered first, the rear axle ratio of the final drive of 3.54: 1, and the half -back aluminum rear shaft.