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How to Build Max-Performance Pontiac V-8s
The traditional Pontiac V-8 ushered in the age of great American overhead valve V-8s with its introduction in 1955. Almost immediately, it became the basis for competition power plants. As time passed and the engine evolved to greater heights and larger displacements, avid Pontiac enthusiasts took advantage of the design's strong points and overcame its weaknesses to build a legendary performance history.
Today's Pontiac enthusiast has a wide range of factory and aftermarket components to choose from, and in How to Build Max-Performance Pontiac V-8s, all the critical components are reviewed in great detail. This book includes honest advice on the proper way to modify components for optimal power and durability. The book also gives readers an assessment of the many aftermarket accessories offered for these great engines, and shares the capabilities such parts bring with them. In addition, high-performance engine buildups are completed and the results are shared.
If you're considering building a traditional Pontiac V-8 engine for increased power and performance or even for competitive racing, this book is a critical component to achieving your goals.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Thomas A. DeMauro
Chapter 1: History of the Pontiac V-8 1955–1981
V-8 Development
The V-8 Reaches Production
Growth Spurts
The Super Duty Era
The Corporate Edict
DeLorean Promoted
Major V-8 Design Changes
The Round-Port Era
Living with Low Compression
The Second Super Duty Era
Emissions and Economy
Emissions-Compliant Performance
The End of an Era
Pontiac Racing
Chapter 2: Blocks
Block Design
Selecting a Stock Block
Stock Block Modifications
Water Jacket Filler
Main Caps
Aftermarket Blocks
Camshaft Bearings
Rear Main Seal
Fasteners
Head Gaskets
Bolt-On Components
Chapter 3: Crankshafts
Original Pontiac Cranks
Selecting a Stock Crank
Original Crank Modifications
Stroker Cranks
Aftermarket Cranks
Specialty Billet Cranks
Balancing
Harmonic Dampers
Engine Bearings
Chapter 4: Connecting Rods
Original Pontiac Rods
Aftermarket Steel Rods
Aluminum Rods
Connecting Rod Length
Fasteners
Selection, Preparation and Inspection
Chapter 5: Pistons and Rings
Pistons
Piston Rings
Preparation and Inspection
Piston Coatings
Chapter 6: Cylinder Heads
Intake Airflow
Port Volume
Exhaust Airflow
High-Performance Valve Job
Combustion Chamber
Compression Ratio
Porting Advice
Cylinder Head Options
Chapter 7: Valvetrain
Hydraulic Lifters
Factory Cams
Factory Rocker Arms
Aftermarket Hydraulic Cams
Aftermarket Solid Cams
Aftermarket Roller Cams
Aftermarket Rocker Arms
Aftermarket Rocker Studs
Aftermarket Pushrods
Valvesprings and Valves
Chapter 8: Intake Manifolds
Factory Cast-Iron 4-Barrel
Factory High-Performance 4-Barrel
Factory Tri-Power
Factory Reproductions
Selecting a Factory 4-Barrel
Modifying Factory Manifolds
Aftermarket Manifolds
Carburetors
Fuel Injection
Forced Induction
Chapter 9: Exhaust
High-Performance Exhaust Manifolds
Reproduction Factory Manifolds
Tubular Headers
Ceramic Coating
X- and H-Type Crossovers
Mufflers
Complete Exhaust Systems
Chapter 10: Ignition
Spark Lead
Points-Type System
Electronic Ignition System
Aftermarket Ignition System
Ignition Accessories
Chapter 11: Oiling System
Oil
Oil Pump
Oil Pressure Requirements
Oil Filter
Oil Pan
Chapter 12: Tuning
Carburetor Tuning
Distributor Tuning
Dyno Tuning
Volumetric Efficiency
Vacuum Pump
Nitrous Oxide
Flywheel and Flexplate
Water Pump
Starter
Chapter 13: Performance Combinations
Pacific Performance Racing: 670 hp, 383 ci, Pump Gas
Ken’s Speed & Machine Shop: 700 hp, 535 ci, Pump Gas
SD Performance: 900 hp, 535 ci, Race Gas
Butler Performance: 1,000+ hp, Turbocharged 505 ci, Pump Gas
Butler Performance: 1,100+ hp, 541 ci, Race Gas
Kauffman Racing Equipment: 1,200 hp, 535 ci, Race Gas
Source Guide
The traditional Pontiac V-8 ushered in the age of great American overhead valve V-8s with its introduction in 1955. Almost immediately, it became the basis for competition power plants. As time passed and the engine evolved to greater heights and larger displacements, avid Pontiac enthusiasts took advantage of the design's strong points and overcame its weaknesses to build a legendary performance history.
Today's Pontiac enthusiast has a wide range of factory and aftermarket components to choose from, and in How to Build Max-Performance Pontiac V-8s, all the critical components are reviewed in great detail. This book includes honest advice on the proper way to modify components for optimal power and durability. The book also gives readers an assessment of the many aftermarket accessories offered for these great engines, and shares the capabilities such parts bring with them. In addition, high-performance engine buildups are completed and the results are shared.
If you're considering building a traditional Pontiac V-8 engine for increased power and performance or even for competitive racing, this book is a critical component to achieving your goals.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Thomas A. DeMauro
Chapter 1: History of the Pontiac V-8 1955–1981
V-8 Development
The V-8 Reaches Production
Growth Spurts
The Super Duty Era
The Corporate Edict
DeLorean Promoted
Major V-8 Design Changes
The Round-Port Era
Living with Low Compression
The Second Super Duty Era
Emissions and Economy
Emissions-Compliant Performance
The End of an Era
Pontiac Racing
Chapter 2: Blocks
Block Design
Selecting a Stock Block
Stock Block Modifications
Water Jacket Filler
Main Caps
Aftermarket Blocks
Camshaft Bearings
Rear Main Seal
Fasteners
Head Gaskets
Bolt-On Components
Chapter 3: Crankshafts
Original Pontiac Cranks
Selecting a Stock Crank
Original Crank Modifications
Stroker Cranks
Aftermarket Cranks
Specialty Billet Cranks
Balancing
Harmonic Dampers
Engine Bearings
Chapter 4: Connecting Rods
Original Pontiac Rods
Aftermarket Steel Rods
Aluminum Rods
Connecting Rod Length
Fasteners
Selection, Preparation and Inspection
Chapter 5: Pistons and Rings
Pistons
Piston Rings
Preparation and Inspection
Piston Coatings
Chapter 6: Cylinder Heads
Intake Airflow
Port Volume
Exhaust Airflow
High-Performance Valve Job
Combustion Chamber
Compression Ratio
Porting Advice
Cylinder Head Options
Chapter 7: Valvetrain
Hydraulic Lifters
Factory Cams
Factory Rocker Arms
Aftermarket Hydraulic Cams
Aftermarket Solid Cams
Aftermarket Roller Cams
Aftermarket Rocker Arms
Aftermarket Rocker Studs
Aftermarket Pushrods
Valvesprings and Valves
Chapter 8: Intake Manifolds
Factory Cast-Iron 4-Barrel
Factory High-Performance 4-Barrel
Factory Tri-Power
Factory Reproductions
Selecting a Factory 4-Barrel
Modifying Factory Manifolds
Aftermarket Manifolds
Carburetors
Fuel Injection
Forced Induction
Chapter 9: Exhaust
High-Performance Exhaust Manifolds
Reproduction Factory Manifolds
Tubular Headers
Ceramic Coating
X- and H-Type Crossovers
Mufflers
Complete Exhaust Systems
Chapter 10: Ignition
Spark Lead
Points-Type System
Electronic Ignition System
Aftermarket Ignition System
Ignition Accessories
Chapter 11: Oiling System
Oil
Oil Pump
Oil Pressure Requirements
Oil Filter
Oil Pan
Chapter 12: Tuning
Carburetor Tuning
Distributor Tuning
Dyno Tuning
Volumetric Efficiency
Vacuum Pump
Nitrous Oxide
Flywheel and Flexplate
Water Pump
Starter
Chapter 13: Performance Combinations
Pacific Performance Racing: 670 hp, 383 ci, Pump Gas
Ken’s Speed & Machine Shop: 700 hp, 535 ci, Pump Gas
SD Performance: 900 hp, 535 ci, Race Gas
Butler Performance: 1,000+ hp, Turbocharged 505 ci, Pump Gas
Butler Performance: 1,100+ hp, 541 ci, Race Gas
Kauffman Racing Equipment: 1,200 hp, 535 ci, Race Gas
Source Guide
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