Why do V8s make so much torque?

This is because the V8 is a much more efficient engine design in terms of space. Sure, per cylinder the Inline format makes more torque, but you can only roughly fit 6 cylinders in the same space you can fit a LARGE V8. Which is why V8 engines are the fastest internal combustion engines around.

Is the Pontiac 389 a good engine?

It was an ideal situation for street-performance enthusiasts because in the relatively light GTO body, the 389 engine really shined. Still, enthusiasts loved the Tri-Power system, and many ’67 GTOs were retrofitted with the earlier intake even though its effect on performance was debatable.

Why are old American V8s so underpowered?

Large displacement American V8s are typically pushrod engines, and this engine design has characteristics that make it more difficult to produce high horsepower per liter. Both engines produce similar power figures, but use different approaches to get there.

Why did old V8s have so little horsepower?

Why do some cars, especially old engines with V8s 5.0 liters, produce less horsepower compared to modern cars? – Quora. They run a lower compression engine, their cylinder heads don’t flow as well & they run a smaller camshaft,they also aren’t controlled by a PCM which precisely trims the fuel & ignition timing.

Who makes the best V8s?

Ranking The Best V8 Engines Ever

• 8 Mercedes AMG ‘Hot-V’
• 7 BMW 4.4-liter Twin-Turbo V8.
• 6 Rover V8.
• 5 Ferrari F106 V8.
• 4 LS1.
• 3 Ford Flathead V8. Via Hot Rod Newtwork.
• 2 Ferrari 3.9-liter F154 Twin-Turbo V8. Via Emperonie on Wikipedia.
• 1 6.2-liter Hemi SRT Hellcat Supercharged V8. Via Auto Evolution.

How much horsepower can you get out of a Pontiac 389?

The 389 cubic-inch V-8 engine hails from the Pontiac GTO and features three two-barrel carburetors that pushed the engine up to 348 horsepower back in the day. Regular 389 V-8 engines made 325 hp.

Is a Pontiac 389 considered a big block?

The Pontiac Version of the 455 Even the small displacement 326 CID motor is considered a big block. Therefore, the 389 Tri-power Trophy engine is also based off of the 326 block casting. When 1970 rolled around, Pontiac offered their largest displacement in the company’s history.

What was the last year for the Pontiac V8 engine?

The last “true” Pontiac V8s, a 265 and 301 cu in (4.3 and 4.9 L), ended production in early 1981. The 1955-up Pontiac V8 that finally reached the public was an overhead valve engine with cast iron cylinder heads and block and wedge-shaped combustion chambers.

What is the induction system of a Pontiac V-8?

The induction system of a Pontiac V-8 typically consists of a carburetor and intake manifold. Each is designed to maximize performance in a particular range. Larger race engines that operate at high speed require a significant volume of fuel and air, and that requires a unique intake manifold with multiple carburetors.

What does the intake manifold do on a Pontiac V8?

Pontiac V-8: Intake Manifold Performance Guide. An intake manifold transfers the mixture of fuel and air from the carburetor to the cylinders. The plenum, or large voluminous area directly under the carburetor, gathers that combustible mixture before it’s distributed to the cylinders through individual runners that connect to the intake ports.

What is the connecting rod length of a Pontiac V8 engine?

Pontiac’s V8s share the same 6.625 in (168.3 mm) connecting rod length, with the exceptions of the later short deck 301, 265, and 303 Ram Air V.