A turbine engine such as powers a helicopter is designed to run at a constant speed. The helicopter tilts the blades of it's rotor to provide lift and/or forward thrust, while turning at a constant speed. Adopting a constant speed engine to a car could be a challenge, unless you had it drive a generator, and used the generator to power electric motor(s). I would think that would be the best way to get the power to the wheels.

quote Originally posted by TopNotch: A turbine engine such as powers a helicopter is designed to run at a constant speed. The helicopter tilts the blades of it's rotor to provide lift and/or forward thrust, while turning at a constant speed. Adopting a constant speed engine to a car could be a challenge, unless you had it drive a generator, and used the generator to power electric motor(s). I would think that would be the best way to get the power to the wheels.

http://www.marineturbine.com/motorcycles.asp
this bike doesnt run constantly it uses a clutch so its not impossible

Can be done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er2Q3BsLllo&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watc...58Es&feature=related

[This message has been edited by sspeedstreet (edited 05-18-2010).]

I think you should get two mini-jet engines, one for each wheel. Then as your rollin' along the 405 and some idot pulls up behind you you can hit the afterburners and light the tires (literally)... this brings a whole new meaning to "burn rubber"!

Shawnk, check out the GSA auctions. Just type in turbine in the search engine. there is about 15 generator sets listed on https://www.govliquidation.com right now. Most of them are in Utah, and all auctions start at 150.00

If you're really interested in the 'it's a jet ooh aah' factor and not the performance, you have two relatively cheap and practical solutions:
- keep a traditional engine, and mount a JFS100 or similar APU or starter turbine on your decklid area. They won't produce much thrust, and they're only designed to be used in bursts, but you'll definitely have the cool factor and it can be self-contained. Prices are in the four figures for used/near service intervals.
- Get an RC gas turbine and hook it up to the exhaust side of a turbocharger that feeds your conventional engine, similar to this. Prices range from 3k-6k for a decent one. look at jetcatusa or similar.
These fairly basic setups will require lots of planning and technical knowledge to make them work. Anything more ambitious would just be exponentially more demanding. Here's two sites to get you started on your research:
http://www.aardvark.co.nz/pjet/
http://www.gas-turbines.com/