If you're staring at a vintage GENERAL MOTORS project car and trying to number out the pontiac 350 vs chevy 350 argument, the first factor you should know is that these types of two engines talk about almost nothing besides their name. Back in the day, General Engines let its divisions—Chevy, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick—pretty much do their own point. This resulted within a bunch associated with different V8 motors that happened in order to displace around 350 cubic inches but were built along with completely different philosophies.
A lot of people getting yourself into the hobby nowadays assume a "350" is a "350, " but if you attempt to bolt a Chevy drinking water pump onto the Pontiac block, you're going to have a very frustrating afternoon. Let's break down exactly what actually makes these two legends various and why this matters for the construct.
The Shift Secret
Here's a fun little bit of trivia to start with: the Pontiac 350 isn't even a 350. While the Chevrolet 350 is a true 350 cubic inch engine (actually 349. 85 when we're being pedantic), the Pontiac version is actually a 354 cubic inch engine. Pontiac just rounded down for marketing reasons because "350" sounded better and suit the corporate printing of the era.
The way they get to those numbers is totally different, as well. The Chevy uses a 4. 00-inch bore and the 3. 48-inch heart stroke. It's a "square" engine that enjoys to rev up. The Pontiac, on the other hands, uses a smaller 3. 875-inch bore and a much longer 3. 75-inch stroke. That long heart stroke is the secret sauce to the particular Pontiac's personality—it's constructed for grunt, not necessarily for screaming at high RPMs.
Architecture and Weight
In the Chevy globe, you have "Small Blocks" and "Big Blocks. " The particular Chevy 350 is usually the definitive Little Block Chevy (SBC). It's compact, relatively light, and fits into just about anything from a Vega to some C10 truck.
Pontiac didn't really do the "small block/big block" thing. Rather, they had the single V8 block out design they used for almost everything. Whether it has been a 326, 350, 400, or 455, the external proportions of the wedge were almost identical. This means a Pontiac 350 is usually physically much bigger and heavier compared to a Chevy 350.
Because the Pontiac 350 stocks the same impact since the massive 455, it's built like a tank. The particular downside? You're carrying around a lot of extra metal for a medium-displacement engine. The benefit? If you decide you want good luck later on, a 400 or even 455 will fall right into exactly the same spot without a person having to proceed engine mounts or change your transmission setup.
Torque vs. Horsepower
In case you've ever powered an investment Pontiac LeMans with a 350 plus then jumped into a Nova with a Chevy 350, you'll feel the distinction immediately. The Chevy feels snappy. This would like to go, proceed, go. The Chevy 350's shorter heart stroke allows it to climb the revolution range quickly, which usually is why this became the beloved of the move strip and group tracks.
The particular Pontiac 350 feels like a tractor in comparison—and I mean that as a compliment. Thanks in order to that 3. 75-inch stroke, it makes enormous low-end torque . It'll pull a heavy car off the line with ease without you getting to mash the particular pedal towards the flooring. It's an excellent "cruiser" engine. It doesn't need 4. eleven gears within the back to feel quick; it just leans into that rpm curve and goes.
Parts Availability and the "Poncho Tax"
This is where the Chevy 350 usually wins the popular vote. You may walk into any auto parts shop in the center of nowhere, plus they'll probably possess a Chevy 350 alternator, water pump, and gasket set within stock. The automotive aftermarket support for the particular SBC is insane. You can build a 500-horsepower Chevy 350 using parts from a catalog for about the price of an utilized Honda Civic.
Pontiac parts are a different story. They aren't "rare, " however they are certainly more expensive. Fans call this the "Poncho Tax. " Because fewer of these engines were made compared to the millions of Chevys, the manufacturing costs for performance parts like heads, content, and cams are higher.
Also, you possess to be cautious when buying components. A lot of "universal" GM components are actually simply Chevy parts. When you're looking for a chrome dress-up kit, the Chevy stuff won't suit the Pontiac. The particular oil pan is definitely different, the timing cover is different, and also the method the cooling system flows is distinctive to each brand name.
Tips on how to Tell Them Apart quickly
If you're at an exchange meet or searching beneath the hood associated with a dusty barn find, there are a few deceased giveaways to help you place a pontiac 350 vs chevy 350 .
First, look at the distributor . On the Chevy, the distributor is in the very back of the engine, right against the particular firewall. On the Pontiac, it's also at the back, yet it's angled slightly and the opening it sits within is part associated with the block spreading, whereas the Chevy's sits through the intake manifold.
Second, check the particular energy pump . On a Chevy 350, the fuel pump is definitely located around the lower passenger side of the block. On the Pontiac 350, it's on the lower driver's side.
Third, look at the exhaust ports . Chevy 350 heads have 2 exhaust ports in the centre that are right alongside each some other (the "siamese" ports). Pontiac heads have got evenly spaced exhaust ports. These small visual cues can save you the lot of head ache before you hand over cash intended for an engine you didn't actually need.
The "Corporate Engine" Controversy
By the late 1970s, GM began getting lazy (or efficient, depending upon who you ask). They began putting Chevy engines directly into Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles. This actually led to lawsuits due to the fact people bought a Pontiac expecting the "Wide Track" motor and found a Chevy orange motor underneath the hood.
If you have a 1977 or later Firebird, there's a really high chance it has a Chevy 350 from the factory. If it's an early on car, it's very likely to have the "true" Pontiac 350. For the purists, keeping a Pontiac engine in the Pontiac car is definitely a big deal for reselling value. Putting a Chevy 350 directly into a classic GTO or Firebird is often seen since a "cheap" shift, even if it really is technically an even more affordable way in order to get horsepower.
Which One Should You Choose?
So, what kind wins the pontiac 350 vs chevy 350 battle? It really depends on what you're doing using the vehicle.
If you are creating a budget-friendly street machine or a dedicated race car where you plan on breaking things plus needing cheap substitutes, the Chevy 350 is the king. You just can't beat the price-to-performance ratio. It's the most documented engine in history, and there's a YouTube video regarding every single bolt on that engine.
However, in the event that you're restoring the vintage Pontiac and want that authentic, torquey feel, stay with the Pontiac 350 . It has a good unique sound—a much deeper, throatier growl when compared to the way the Chevy—and it commands more regard at car shows from people who know their history. In addition, there's something awesome about being different. Every other individual at the local meet has the Chevy 350. Not really everyone has a high-nickel, long-stroke Pontiac mill under the hood.
In the end associated with the day, both are legendary V8s that helped define the muscle car era. Just create sure you know which one you're focusing on before you start ordering parts, or even your "350" task might become a 350-day nightmare.