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Oldsmobile 88 (Third generation)
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Between 1957 and 1958 around 2000-2500 Cars in total were fitted with the J-2 before it got phased out by the upcoming Tri-Power Package.
The Rocket V8 was already introduced for Racing (primarily in NASCAR) for 1949 and throughout the years it had seen some improvements but by 1956 it had started to fall behind Competition such as Ford and Chrysler but even inside GM the brand new Small Block V8 was becoming more prevalent.
In an effort to stay ahead and remain relavent in the growing V8 Muscle Game Oldsmobile put a significant amount of work into Developing its 230hp 324-cu.in OHV V8 and the J-2 is the result of that program. To this effect the engine was first increase to a 371-cu.in Displacement and the first step of the J-2 was to upgrade to a Triple Carburettor Setup for increased airflow and then bumping the compression up to 10.0 .
The 3 Carburettors were placed inline to each other with the central 2-Barrel being rated for 280cfm of Airflow and the outliers also being 2-Barrels but rated for 290cfm instead. To aid in usability only the central carburettor would function in normal driving but when the driver planted the throttle the second two would spring into action.
As result of all the improvements the engine went from a 230hp limit to around 300hp with a corresponding torque increase up to 415lb-ft.
In Motorsport the Car ran a 3-Speed Manual but for the Road variants a 4-Speed Automatic was also available as an option which proved very popular. To complement the increase in performance you also got a set of Solid Lifters and Adjustable Rocker Arms for the suspension to help market it more for competition.
In 1955 Oldsmobile approached Richard “The King” Petty with an offer to drive for them which he did until 1959 when he went to Plymouth.
The Car itself was successful however it’s life in competition got cut short when NASCAR changed the rules Mid-Way through 1957 to make it so that all cars must run Single Carburettors.
The Production of the J-2 Street Package was subsequently ended in 1958 and Oldsmobile took a step back from racing.
