All terrain riding goes to a new level

John Carnett, a ‘Popular Science’ photographer and inventor has literally taken all terrain driving to a new a new level by integrating a jet-turbine engine into a regular Polaris RZR all-terrain vehicle donated by Polaris. Although obtaining the jet engine was a big problem, Carnett managed to secure an engine used in a power generator for a military base in 1960. Though, you might expect this setup to achieve an otherwise unattainable speed, its top speed is almost the same as that of a regular RZR fitted with a stock engine. However, the difference is that, with the jet engine it can achieve this speed in seconds and continue on it without any problem. To build the Whirl(that is what this project is called), Carnett required 10 months of efforts and more than $15,000. However the end result was something to be cherished. The jet-turbine engine is mated with a gear reduction box which changes its output of 8000 RPM to an effective of 3650 RPM.

Since the turbine requires 24V to jump start, Carnett has connected two 12 volt batteries and placed them under the driver’s seat. Though an all terrain vehicle providing an efficiency of seven miles per gallon isn’t something for the environment, it sure is ‘Christmas coming early’ for an adventure lover.

[popsci]