With the help of parts from Toyota and Ford, this Jalpa build is nothing to sneer at.
Lamborghinis aren't actually designed for drag strips, but a recent event at Heathcote Park Raceway in Australia shows a modified version of an underrated Lambo up for a drag race.
The '80s saw the birth of the Lamborghini Jalpa, a rare gem with a sleek mid-engine design. Positioned as a more manageable everyday supercar, it's the predecessor of the Huracan. Despite its potential, it had a limited lifespan, selling only 410 units before being discontinued by Chrysler, its new owners.
In the video below, however, the modified Jalpa is a force to be reckoned with on a quarter-mile strip.
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Originally equipped with a modest 255-horsepower 3.5-liter V8 engine and a five-speed manual transmission, the Jalpa went through a radical transformation. The owner, who dedicated over a decade to building this one-of-a-kind vehicle, replaced the factory powertrain with a twin-turbo Chevy LS V8. To handle the newfound power, a heavily modified Camry transmission with internals from a GM Turbo 400 gearbox was installed.
In its current configuration, the Jalpa boasts a pair of Ford XR6 Garrett turbochargers, which deliver a potent 690 horsepower to the rear tires on moderate boost.
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Although the owner took a cautious approach during the initial outing with this new setup, the turbos' smooth power delivery and high trap speed indicate that the Lamborghini is destined for even greater success on the strip.
The video shows the Lamborghini burning rubber on the track against other competitors. It even did wheelies as it launched off the line when the boost was fully engaged. In its best run, the Jalpa completed the quarter-mile in a blistering 8.992 seconds at a top speed of 157 mph.
While it may not reach the mind-boggling speeds of the 2,000-horsepower Huracan beast, this accomplishment is truly remarkable for a car almost four decades old.
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Keyword: WATCH: Lamborghini Jalpa Clocks A Blazing 8-Second Quarter-Mile