The DRCE Engine and other topics.
#1
The DRCE Engine and other topics.
First is the DRCE going to fall in a non olds engine category? 2nd if a car that is a olds body and is using this DRCE motor does that mean it falls in non olds because of motor? What about a *****'s using a olds motor? Chevy in a olds body olds motor in a chevy ect.Does a Olds body represent oldsmobile? Does a olds motor in a different brands represent olds? I know my thoughts but it is clear there may be mixed feelings this is not a dog fight thread!!!!!Part of these Questions is to determine what to add to The Racing list that is yet to be made for the racing forum. In the case of the DRCE it is clear to me that it was a after market engine designed to represent olds in Drag racing!! That is IMO. This post was made so as not to disrupt the other thread about making changes in the racing and performance forum. ERIC oldcutlass if this is out of the guidelines of this forum move it delete it or whatever.
Last edited by wr1970; June 8th, 2015 at 08:47 PM. Reason: Change the Header to correct DRCE
#3
#5
Warren Johnson and others developed this special engine to be able to compete in Drag Racing. The reason was olds motors power limits had been exceeded to the point the factory engines even after being modified the engine could not compete.So the birth of DRCE. Other maybe can explain it better.The heads are similar in chevy design. The block may even except a BBC head i don't know i have never laid eyes on one in person. The block has a small rocket on it!
Last edited by wr1970; June 8th, 2015 at 08:44 PM.
#7
#10
The DRCE is an Olds engine in the sense that it has an Olds part number. We all know that it was based off of the BBC with improvements by WJ/Olds. I still consider it an Olds but just not in the traditional sense. I don't think it should be included in any type of "list". JMO.
#11
Besides, does the Rocket Block (an SBC with mods by Olds sold when everyone was running SBCs in Olds bodies on the drag strip) count as an Olds motor? I think not. It did have a raised Olds rocket emblem cast into the side of the block (hence the name). By the way, the Rocket Block carries GMPP part number 22551788.
FYI, for those not familiar with the Rocket Block:
Originally Posted by enginelabs
GM then mandated a little organization and split up the racing disciplines among its divisions. One of the moves was to give Oldsmobile priority in drag racing (which explains why Pro Stock body styles were so boring in that era), so Olds approached Maskin to build a drag racing block that would accept the popular aftermarket gear designed for the GM Corporate small-block platform — which was basically the Gen I Chevy.
The result was the famed Rocket block, which offered wider pan rails, a raised cam location, optional main sizes and optional deck heights. All those modifications were geared to allowing longer stroke cranks and cylinder bores up to 4.187 inches. Big-block displacements were then possible in a small-block. (The Rocket block is now marketed by Dart under the Iron Eagle brand.)
The result was the famed Rocket block, which offered wider pan rails, a raised cam location, optional main sizes and optional deck heights. All those modifications were geared to allowing longer stroke cranks and cylinder bores up to 4.187 inches. Big-block displacements were then possible in a small-block. (The Rocket block is now marketed by Dart under the Iron Eagle brand.)
#12
There's actually been 3 DRCE variations. The latest is the DRCE 3 which is the best of them. It was the cause of P/S ET's going down substantially. The main factor was it has the cam raised up so far that it allowes shorter push rods that allow the engines to turn over 10K without valve train failure. You haven't lived till you see a P/S engine on the dyno,it's absolutely a screamer. I have been to WJ's shop on many occasions and have seen his engines on the dyno. To see a working P/S shop is unbelievable and I've never seen so many crankshafts in my life. WJ told me his first deal with Olds/GM was,for every Hurst Olds sold in 83/84,he got a $100 put in his fund/sponsorship.
Last edited by 66-3X2 442; June 9th, 2015 at 07:02 AM.
#13
Yeah, but wasn't the first one the only one that was branded as an Olds? After Olds dropped out of Pro Stock, WJ moved to Pontiac and the DRCE2s used Poncho logo valve covers. I think the 3s are just Chevy-branded since Pontiac is DOA.
By the way, interesting bit of trivia. When Chrysler first came back into P/S racing with the new Hemi, they didn't really have an appropriate block that could go to 500 cu in. For the first few years NHRA let them use DRCE short blocks with Chrysler "Hemi" heads.
By the way, interesting bit of trivia. When Chrysler first came back into P/S racing with the new Hemi, they didn't really have an appropriate block that could go to 500 cu in. For the first few years NHRA let them use DRCE short blocks with Chrysler "Hemi" heads.
#14
Olds really slapped Chevy in the face when they fixed all the design limitations and mistakes of the BBC with the DRCE. A fresh sheet of paper engine would simply have been another engine. Olds was able to use a lot of aftermarket and existing parts the way they proceeded, while showing Chevy how they should have designed the engine. The DRCE had the rocket cast onto the block, and the Olds bellhousing pattern.
#15
My vote would be to NOT include the DRCE as the basic foundation is a Chevy Engine and a lot or all of the internals do not swap over/interchange to the Olds rocket platform which most of us here subscribe to. Any body and chassis powered by the traditional olds Rocket engine should be included.
#16
Yeah, but wasn't the first one the only one that was branded as an Olds? After Olds dropped out of Pro Stock, WJ moved to Pontiac and the DRCE2s used Poncho logo valve covers. I think the 3s are just Chevy-branded since Pontiac is DOA.
By the way, interesting bit of trivia. When Chrysler first came back into P/S racing with the new Hemi, they didn't really have an appropriate block that could go to 500 cu in. For the first few years NHRA let them use DRCE short blocks with Chrysler "Hemi" heads.
By the way, interesting bit of trivia. When Chrysler first came back into P/S racing with the new Hemi, they didn't really have an appropriate block that could go to 500 cu in. For the first few years NHRA let them use DRCE short blocks with Chrysler "Hemi" heads.
Actually what happened with the Mopar deal was,after the infamous Wayne County Speed Shop break in where all of the engines were destroyed,they came up with a new set of heads that was fitted to the GM DRCE block. NHRA let them slide with it for a while till GM made them stop using it. That's when the new so called hemi was made available. The Mopar P/S hemi isn't a hemi in the true sense. In a true hemi,the plug sits between the valves. The current hemi is more like the Phord shotgun engine.
#17
My vote would be to NOT include the DRCE as the basic foundation is a Chevy Engine and a lot or all of the internals do not swap over/interchange to the Olds rocket platform which most of us here subscribe to. Any body and chassis powered by the traditional olds Rocket engine should be included.
#18
The Mopar P/S hemi isn't a hemi in the true sense.
In a true hemi,the plug sits between the valves.
In a true hemi, the combustion chamber is hemispherical, hence the name. Plug location does not make it a hemi. Here is a 426 combustion chamber:
And here's a Gen III "hemi" chamber:
This is also why four valve motors, like the W-43, aren't true hemi motors either, despite the plug location.
#19
I also certainly wouldn't kick a DRCE out of my engine compartment. Heck with the BOP bellhousing pattern it bolts right up.
#20
I'll tell you a story. I have a buddy who kept telling me about this 78 Olds Cutlass he had with 9K miles on it. I told him I'd go as high as $500-$600 for it. So he says he's bringing it to the local cruise in for me to see. When I saw the Chevy engine,I withdrew my offer.
#21
I can probably hook you up with WJ on that DRCE engine.
#23
Thank you for moving this thread! I didn't really think about it much because of being caught up in the amount of traffic of the other forum. I was having internet issues early on and now have resolved them.I tried to PM you to move it but you took care of it.
#25
Wow! All the effort put forth by a living legend means nothing when it comes to a DRCE! This thread is in Drag racing and this motor was designed by olds engineers and Warren Johnson.Why does factory installed motors modified and aftermarket engines that were designed for racing are not good enough to be listed as builds or on a Racing list of Olds race cars?
#26
Throwing in the towel not enough support on this site for change!This is why other brands have more and better parts because they were willing to make the effort and this is lacking in our hobby.This forum is stagnate for a reason! Now i know.I am sorry i even thought there was a chance. To many complain. Just a sad thing.
#28
I have 6 complete engines, plus a lot of extra parts. They were all set up for an offshore race boat. I'm not going to go this direction with the boat. What do you think they are worth, all or part. 805-450-3355. Roy...
Last edited by getreal; February 10th, 2016 at 06:56 AM.
#30
If it's got a Rocket Logo on the side, I'm all in!
getreal: I'd love a 10-71 blown DRCE sitting in between the fender wells of the Draggin' Wagon! Those look nice, do you know if they are v1, v2 or v3?
getreal: I'd love a 10-71 blown DRCE sitting in between the fender wells of the Draggin' Wagon! Those look nice, do you know if they are v1, v2 or v3?
#32
#33
Olds really slapped Chevy in the face when they fixed all the design limitations and mistakes of the BBC with the DRCE. A fresh sheet of paper engine would simply have been another engine. Olds was able to use a lot of aftermarket and existing parts the way they proceeded, while showing Chevy how they should have designed the engine. The DRCE had the rocket cast onto the block, and the Olds bellhousing pattern.
==================================
Distributorless, or did they put the dist'r on the proper side of the cam so that it is pushed down against a support face in the block?
Ah I see based on this
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-24502572
that they used the brand C method of pushing UPwards on the dist'r shaft.
What happened to eliminating the shortcomings? How can that be better?
==================================
Distributorless, or did they put the dist'r on the proper side of the cam so that it is pushed down against a support face in the block?
Ah I see based on this
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-24502572
that they used the brand C method of pushing UPwards on the dist'r shaft.
What happened to eliminating the shortcomings? How can that be better?
Last edited by Octania; February 18th, 2016 at 09:35 AM.
#34
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