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When the DC-3 was initially designed, the powerplant specified was a slightly larger version of the Wright Cyclone that had powered the DC-2. In 1935, Wright introduced the R-1820 Cyclone F-50 series, which produced up to 820 horsepower, and soon after, the Cyclone G, rated at 950 horsepower. In five years, Wright engineers had managed to nearly double the power of the Cyclone. *  When the first DC-3 was flown in December 1935, it was powered with the Curtiss-Wright SGR-1820-G2 engine with 1000 HP. A few months later the DC-3A was ordered by United Airlines and equipped with the Pratt & Whitney 1000 HP Twin Wasp R-1830 engine. Although many DC-3 aircraft continued to be delivered with Wright Cyclone engines, the huge quantity of military C-47 aircraft were equipped with versions of the P&W R-1830. Both engine companies continued to increase the output from the 1820/1830 cu.in. radials, eventually culminating in a 1495 HP version of the Cyclone. The Detroit was delivered to American Airlines with the Wright Cyclone R-1820-G5 engine at 1000 HP. In 1940 the airline reconfigured their DC-3 fleet to match the “G102” specification which included upgrading the engines to the R-1820-G102 with 1100 HP. After the airplane left the service of American Airlines it was fitted with a variety of civilian and military versions of the Cyclone engine. Details of the Detroit’s engine history can be seen here. The current engines, though rated at 1350 HP, are restricted on this airplane to a maximum power setting of 1200 HP. These engines are valued at approximately $45,000 each. EngineHistory_files/NC17334%20EngConfig%20History.pdfshapeimage_4_link_0

* Source: CenntennialofFlight.gov