Chevy’s R07 NASCAR Racing Engine

[Wingfoot]

The R07, short for “Racing 2007,” is GM’s first purpose-built NASCAR racing engine. When GM’s 1955 engine architecture wasn’t up to the Toyota challenge, the automaker responded with a whole new design. Besides being more competitive, the new powerplant will be safer, less costly and more reliable.

The evolution of the GM racing engine paralleled that of the smallblock V8 production engine, now in its fourth generation. Until now, all of GM’s small-block racing engines have shared key dimensions such as cylinder-bore spacing, camshaft location, and deck height with the original small-block V8 introduced in 1955.

GM Racing supplies the cylinder block, cylinder heads, and intake manifold for the new engine package. It also developed the water pump, rocker covers, valley plate, and front cover. Teams and independent engine builders assemble these components using proprietary parts, including rotating and reciprocating assemblies, valvetrains, oil pumps, and fuel and ignition systems.

Per NASCAR regulations, the R07 displaces a maximum of 358 cu in. and retains the classic two valve pushrod design. Some of the key technical advances are 4.500-in. cylinder-bore centers (versus 4.400 in the SB2) that improve coolant flow around the cylinder barrels, a new six-head-bolt pattern that improves the head-gasket seal and reduces cylinder-bore distortion, and a cooling system that reduces heat at critical locations. A cast camshaft tunnel, inboard piston squirter galleries, and overhead oil feed galleries let technicians assemble the engine faster. Relocating the fuel pump and eliminating external oil and coolant lines improved safety.

The camshaft in the R07 sits higher in the block than it does in the SB2. This means shorter and stiffer pushrods and better valvetrain dynamics at high rpm. Tests have shown that raising the cam added around 500 rpm. And raising the cam made room for the inboard piston squirters that cool the underside of the pistons with oil.

Fast forwarding through five decades of technology should stand GM and Team Chevy in good stead for years to come.

The 5.8-liter V8 R07 NASCAR motor moves Team Chevy ahead 50 years!

-----------------------------------------------------



The camshaft in the R07 sits higher in the block than it does in the SB2. This means shorter and stiffer pushrods and better valvetrain dynamics at high rpm. Tests have shown that raising the cam added around 500 rpm. A new six-head-bolt pattern that improves the head-gasket seal and reduces cylinder-bore distortion, and a cooling system that reduces heat at critical locations.

-----------------------------------------------------



The R07’s aluminum heads resemble production LS-Series small-block cylinder heads with alternating intake and exhaust valves. This contrasts with the “mirror port” design on the SB2. Note the water passages under the intake passages for the coolant valley plate. With the coolant valley plate installed, mechanics can pull the intake manifold without draining the coolant.

-----------------------------------------------------



With an alternating configuration from SB2, you don’t have two exhaust ports right next to each other generating a huge amount of heat. Raising the cam made room for the inboard piston squirters that cool the underside of the pistons with oil. Note the rail above the oil pan mounting surface for the inboard piston squirters.

-----------------------------------------------------



The intake runners are oriented toward a central position so the cylinders in the front tilt toward the back and those in the back tilt frontward. It’s more line-of-sight. You’re feeding fuel and air at a central point, giving you the straightest shot.

------------------------------------------------------



The valley plate has coolant passages running through it.

------------------------------------------------------



The 1955 Chevrolet SB2 vs. the Chevrolet SB4 R07.

------------------------------------------------------



A beautiful piece of American engineering!

-----------------------------------------------------



The R07 sitting in Jeff Gordon's #24 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS.

------------------------------------------------------

http://machinedesign.com/ContentItem...mallBlock.aspx

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/a...rolet-r07.html

http://www.circletrack.com/featuredv...ads/index.html

http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=32561

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...ine/index.html

[beyond help]

Can you score one for me to put in my car???

[Mr810]

it's a cryin shame.... chevy is putting the distributor up front like a ford ...

[Wingfoot]

it's a cryin shame.... chevy is putting the distributor up front like a ford ...

The acronym of FORD spelled backwards is:

Driver Returns On Foot.

-----------------------------------------------------

The Chevrolet R07 is a NASCAR specific motor. Today there is no availability for a R07 crate engine. The R07 is something a Nascar team would build up using a racing block, heads and components supplied by GM. A team like RCR, DEI or Hendrix will use these supplied parts to build up an R07 engine to NASCAR specs. A completed R07 cup engine is likely to cost more $$$ than your first house and lasts about as long as a birthday party.

The R07 was designed for the environment of NASCAR. A fuel efficient, high horsepower at 9,000+ rpm motor that lives for 500+ miles! The R07 is easy to work on and tune. The front distributor makes easy timing adjustments for the mechanics. Like it or not, front distributor location is one of Ford's better ideas.........

[UtahLocator]

I know sometimes they use these motors for 2 or 3 races. Is there any way to get your hands on one of these motors? That would be sweet.