IndyCar
IRL: Aurora V8 progress update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IRL AURORA V8 READY FOR TESTING Note to Editors: This is the third in a series of progress reports on development of Oldsmobile's Motorsport Aurora V8 for Indy Racing League competition in ...
Edited: Mar 27, 2008, 5:47 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IRL AURORA V8 READY FOR TESTING
Note to Editors: This is the third in a series of progress reports on development of Oldsmobile's Motorsport Aurora V8 for Indy Racing League competition in 1997.
Lansing, Mich. -- While Indy car teams are preparing for the start of the 1996-97 Indy Racing League season at New Hampshire International Speedway on August 18, GM engineers are gearing up for the first dyno tests of the new IRL Motorsport Aurora V8. Following the completion of dynamometer and track tests, Oldsmobile's advanced Aurora V8 will make its Indy car competition debut in January 1997 when the IRL's new 4.0-liter production-based engine formula takes effect.
"The first Aurora V8 designed specifically for IRL competition will be on the dyno in a matter of weeks," said GM Motorsports engineer Ed Keating. "All of the major GM-designed engine components -- the aluminum cylinder case, four-valve cylinder heads, and covers for the dual overhead cams and camshaft drive chains -- are being machined for final assembly."
GM Motorsports is establishing a distribution system for assembled engines and complete engine parts kits through designated engine builders. An assembly manual is being produced with technical specifications and detailed instructions on preparing Aurora V8 competition engines. This manual will be available to professional engine builders and racing teams.
The success of the Aurora V8 in IMSA road racing gave GM engineers a head start on development of a new methanol-fueled version for IRL competition. Aurora V8 engines have already won four IMSA Exxon World SportsCar Championship races -- including the Daytona 24-hour and Sebring 12-hour endurance races -- and six Exxon Supreme GT events in 1996. Oldsmobile leads the Manufacturers Championship standings in both IMSA divisions.
While the new IRL Motorsport Aurora V8 has been specifically designed to withstand the demands of high-speed Indy car racing and to meet the IRL engine regulations, it retains a close kinship with the 4.0-liter/250-horsepower DOHC production version that is available exclusively in Oldsmobile's performance luxury sedan. The IRL Motorsport Aurora V8 is engineered specifically for use as a stressed member in a single-seat racing car, with a strong emphasis on compact size, light weight, and high-rpm reliability.
The following are technical features shared by the production Aurora V8 and the new IRL racing version:
Displacement: 4.0 liters (244ci)
"V" Angle: 90 degrees
Cylinder Bore Spacing: 102mm
Camshaft Drive: Chain
Valves per Cylinder: 4
Valvetrain: Dual overhead cams
Cylinder Head Material: Aluminum
Cylinder Case Material: Aluminum
Cylinder Liners: "Dry" iron
Crankshaft Design: 90 degrees
Fuel System: Sequential EFI
The following are some of the differences between the production and Indy car versions:
Feature Production Aurora V8 IRL Aurora V8
Maximum rpm: 6,000 10,500
Fuel: Unleaded gasoline Methanol
Bore Diameter: 87mm 93mm
Deck Height: 8.84" 8.1"
Compression Ratio: 10.3:1 13-15:1
Throttle System: Throttle Body Individual Runner
Lubrication System: Wet Sump Dry Sump
As previously announced, Oldsmobile will conduct initial track tests of the IRL Motorsport Aurora V8 with four teams when IRL-spec chassis become available. Treadway Racing and Team Menard will test the Aurora V8 in the G Force chassis, while A.J. Foyt Enterprises and Team Scandia will utilize Dallara chassis.
"The Aurora's sophisticated V8 powertrain gives it a strong competitive advantage in the marketplace," commented Aurora Brand Manager John Gatt. "Aurora owners enjoy the smoothness, responsiveness and performance of a multi-valve V8 for about the same price our competition charges for a six-cylinder engine. We are eager to showcase the capabilities of the Aurora V8 by participating in the Indy Racing League with a production-based powerplant in 1997."
# # #
E-mail from: Rick Voegelin, 21-Aug-1996
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article IRL: Loudon starting grid
Next article IRL: Loudon prize money awarded
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
Latest news
Honda Racing US echoes Porsche urgency over unified 2030 rules framework
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 1 h
Honda Racing US echoes Porsche urgency over unified 2030 rules framework
Toto Wolff: Two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli into F1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
Toto Wolff: Two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli into F1
Winners and losers from the penultimate round of 2026 NASCAR Cup season at Martinsville
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
2 h
Winners and losers from the penultimate round of 2026 NASCAR Cup season at Martinsville
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Feature
Discover prime content
How Spanish engineering and Alex Palou brought IndyCar to Barcelona
Feature
IndyCar
Feature
IndyCar
By Joey Barnes
How Spanish engineering and Alex Palou brought IndyCar to Barcelona
Inside AJ Foyt Racing’s transition: Hauger’s arrival, Ferrucci’s future, and the Pierson waiting game
Feature
IndyCar
Feature
IndyCar
By Joey Barnes
Inside AJ Foyt Racing’s transition: Hauger’s arrival, Ferrucci’s future, and the Pierson waiting game
You Ask The Questions: David Malukas
IndyCar
By Joey Barnes
You Ask The Questions: David Malukas
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe