PONTIAC
Edelbrock
The best factory performance parts have been getting increasingly scarce in the two-and-a-half decades since Pontiac V-8 production ceased. Thankfully, Edelbrock recognized the need and produced the Performer Pontiac aluminum head, patterned after the legendary Ram Air IV castings. Of course, while they were at it, the engineers at Edelbrock made some improvements. To support the improved airflow, Edelbrock offers a wide variety of Pontiac intake manifolds, including the Performer RPM dual-plane and Victor-series single-plane, now also available in an EFI version.
Performer RPM Aluminum Cylinder Heads
Application: Pontiac V-8 (326-455 ci), '55-'79
Casting material: 356-T6
Combustion chamber volume: 72 cc or 87 cc
Intake port volume: 215 cc
Valve type: Stainless steel, one-piece
Valve sizes: 2.11/1.66-inch
Valvespring diameter: 1.45-inch
Rocker mounting: 7⁄16-inch stud
Valve guides: Manganese-bronze
Valve seats: Hardened ductile iron
Other features/requirements: Requires use of Pontiac round-port-style headers/manifolds; accepts stock-type intake manifolds, valve covers, valvetrain, and accessory brackets.
DCI Motorsports
Although aluminum heads have been available for Pontiacs since the mid-'90s, DCI Motorsports felt there was a need for race-purposed aluminum castings, so it created them. Dubbed Tiger Heads, these aluminum castings are just reaching production as this is being written. Note that these are really intended for serious race Pontiacs, not mild street combinations. They will fit stock blocks, but require a 4.25-inch bore with the standard 1.75-inch exhaust valves. Smaller exhausts can be specified to fit smaller bores. Spacers are required to fit stock-type intakes, but they are provided. Initial reports claim the Tiger Heads are capable of flowing 400 cfm on the intake side--an impressive number for any type of engine.
Tiger Heads
Application: Pontiac V-8, '55-'79
Casting material: 356-T6
Combustion chamber volume: 75 cc (heart-shaped)
Intake port volume: 310 cc
Valve type: Stainless one-piece, 6.50-inch (stock RA IV is 5.20-inch) length
Valve sizes: 2.25/1.80-inch (2.35/1.90-inch optional)
Valve angles: 12 degrees (stock is 14) intake moved 0.070-inch from cylinder wall
Valvespring diameter: 1.620-inch
Rocker mounting: Custom rocker shaft
Valve guides: Bronze
Valve seats: Ductile iron
Spark-plug location: Angled (stock is straight)
Other features/requirements: Heads accept stock intake with provided spacer plates, exhaust is available in either D-port or round-port, though custom headers may be required, raised exhaust ports are an option.
Kauffman Racing Equipment
Kauffman Racing focuses on Pontiac high-performance engines and parts, but recently added aluminum cylinder heads to its lineup. These heads are a new design manufactured specifically for Kauffman Racing, and among the many features is the use of standard Pontiac D-port exhaust outlets.
KRE Pontiac Aluminum D-port
Application: '55-'79 Pontiac V-8 (350-455)
Casting material: 356-T6
Combustion chamber volume: 65 cc (race) or 85 cc (street)
Intake port volume: 185 cc
Valve type: Ferrea stainless one-piece
Valve sizes: 2.11/1.66-inch (larger available)
Valvespring diameter: Up to 1.65-inch
Rocker mounting: 7⁄16-inch stud
Valve guides: Bronze alloy
Valve seats: Hardened steel
Spark-plug location: Angled
Other features/requirements: Accepts stock-type intake, D-port exhaust, valve covers, and valvetrain, accepts all '65-'79 accessory brackets; can be used with 1.65:1 rockers with no additional clearancing. Requires special head bolts available from ARP.
Kayenel Machine
Back before there were Edelbrock heads for Pontiacs, there was the Wenzler aluminum head. Pontiac performance enthusiast Larry Wenzler spearheaded the project to create a high-performance head for Pontiacs as an alternative to seeking out rare and expensive Ram Air IV factory castings. The Wenzler head is based on an aluminum version of the iron RA IV. Of course, some improvements were made and extra material added, but early Wenzlers were really intended for the serious Pontiac racer. With the introduction of the Series II, the performance potential of the Wenzler head has been improved, plus they are now more user-friendly. As a higher-performance alternative for serious Pontiac racers, there is now the Wenzler Super Chief. These are raised-port castings with the potential to flow up to 430 cfm. The Super Chiefs require a shaft rocker system, Wenzler G-Ram intake (or fabricated intake), and custom headers.
Pontiac V-8
Casting material: 356-T6
Combustion chamber volume: 65 cc to 90 cc
Intake port volume: Not available
Valve type: SI stainless one-piece, swirl polished
Valve sizes: 2.11/1.77-inch (can accommodate 2.190/1.820-inch)
Valve angles: Stock, pushrods at 2-degree angle
Valvespring diameter: Up to 1.60-inch
Rocker mounting: 7⁄16-inch stud, relocated for pushrods
Valve guides: Bronze
Valve seats: High-chrome steel insert
Spark plugs: Angled, extended reach
Other features: Requires round-port exhaust, stock-type intake tough port matching required, mounts stock accessory brackets except A/C.