High Performance Pontiac continues our showcase of exciting and innovative new products introduced at the '08 SEMA show. Last month, we examined gadgets, gizmos, and electronics for your Pontiac. This month, we look at the aftermarket's latest offerings for the LS- and LT-series engines, including crate engines, components, accessories, and dress-up parts.
G8 GXP Street concept
The '09 Pontiac G8 GXP is the most powerful Pontiac ever produced, but for this year's SEMA show, Pontiac took it to the wildest level imaginable with an LSX 454 crate engine from GM Performance Parts, cranking out 638 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. According to GM, "The engine uses the LSX cylinder block, new six-bolt LSX cylinder heads, and an all-forged rotating assembly. Backing the LSX 454 is the GXP's Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission." Other amenities to this G8 GXP show car include a lowered ride height, stiffer springs, a disc-brake package intended for the Cadillac CTS-V, red CNC-milled GXP-logo calipers, and 20-inch aluminum wheels with a black chrome finish.
Billet Specialties
(708) 588-0505
www.billetspecialties.comWhat is it?
Serpentine Belt SystemWhy you need it:
If your plan is to dress up the LS-series motor in your late-model Firebird or GTO, or drop one into your classic Pontiac, it's important that your engine power accessories clear your crossmember and steering box. That's what the new LS Top Mount Tru Trac with A/C and power-steering system promises. It offers a compact profile and components from Edelbrock, Power Master, ATI, ARP, Sanden, and Mava; a Goodyear Gatorback serpentine belt; a billet-aluminum belt tensioner; a polished-aluminum finish; stainless steel fasteners and stand-offs; and preinstalled power steering and alternator pulleys.
Applications
Any LS-series equipped Pontiac
MSRP
$2,695
Eagle Specialty Products
(662) 796-7373
(www.eaglerod.com
What is it?
LT1 383 Stroker KitWhy you need it:
This new kit from Eagle Products strokes your LT1 to 383 ci with an Eagle forged 4340 steel 3.800-inch stroke crankshaft. Also included are Eagle 5.850-inch forged H-beam rods, Mahle forged pistons, plasma-moly file-to-fit rings, and Clevite H-series bearings. Pistons are available to provide a choice of compression ratios from 10.1:1 to 13.1:1 based upon a 58cc head.
Applications
'93-'97 Trans Ams and Formulas
MSRP
$1,812
Mast Motorsports
((936) 560-2218
(www.mastmotorsports.com
What is it?455ci LS-series Crate engine
Why you need it:The stock engine in your late-model Firebird, Trans Am, or GTO is getting tired, and the horsepower wars mean you need an LS engine with unworldly amounts of horsepower and the cubic inches that made Pontiac famous. That's what this new 700hp 455ci LS-engine from Mast Motorsports offers. Mast stuffed an LSX block with a Callies 4.125-inch stroke crankshaft, Callies 6.100-inch H-Beam connecting rods, and 4.190-inch forged Mahle pistons, and topped it with LS7 heads featuring custom CNC ports with multi-angle valve job and matched GM LS7 short runner intake, 90mm drive-by-wire throttle body, and a wet-sump oiling system. The result is a brutal horsepower race motor that maintains its manners on the street and runs on 92-octane gasoline.
Applications
Any Pontiac (late-model is an easier swap)
MSRP
$16,995
Manley Performance
(732) 905-3366
www.manleyperformance.com
What is it?
Pistons
Why you need it:
Stuffing your LS-series engine with the right pistons means making the right choices. Manley's new Platinum Series pistons offer a 2618 high-strength lightweight design, moly-coated skirts, forced pin oiling, pressure balance groove, and precision pin fitting. They're available in bore sizes from 3.905 to 4.130 inches and in flat-top or dish configurations, allowing them to accommodate compression ratios from 8.1:1 to 12.4:1.
Applications
LS1/LS2/LS6, LS3/L-92, LS7
MSRP
$799 (per set)
AFCO
(800) 632-2320
www.afcoracing.com
What is it?
Radiator with Fan and Shroud
Why you need it:
Why spend hours modifying your core support to accept an LS-compatible radiator when there's finally a direct-fit kit that will bolt into your classic Firebird or GTO? AFCO's new aluminum radiators are designed for proper fit and feature 100 percent TIG-welded construction and are pressure tested for reliability. Use the AFCO radiator with your existing fan or complement it with an AFCO 16-inch fan (sold separately) that flows 3,000 cfm for maximum cooling and comes with a great-looking polished shroud.
Applications
'67-'81 Firebirds, '64-'67 GTOs/ LeMans
MSRP
$427 for radiator (electric fan and shroud kit sold separately for $241)
ZEX Performance Products
(888) 817-1008
www.zex.com
What is it?
G8 Nitrous System
Why you need it:
Do you want the competition to say, "I was beaten by a four-door?" If so, the ZEX Nitrous System for the G8 GT may be the power adder for you. According to the manufacturer, it promises 75-175 extra horsepower for your G8 GT, simple installation, and Active Fuel Control that adjusts the nitrous system's fuel enrichment according to bottle pressure, so your engine is never too rich or too lean.
Applications
'08 and '09 G8 GTs
MSRP
$669
Trick Flow Specialties
(330) 630-1555
www.trickflow.com
What is it?
Cylinder Head
Why you need it:
Thousands of Fourth-Gen Firebirds and Trans Ams came with the LT1, and many of them have been waiting for the right set of cylinder heads to dramatically increase their factory horsepower. Thanks to CNC'd combustion chambers and bowl blending, these heads can produce more than 500 hp naturally aspirated and feature 54cc combustion chambers, 185cc intake and 67cc exhaust runners, and a 10.25:1 compression ratio with stock pistons. They come fully assembled with stainless steel 2.020-/1.600-inch exhaust valves, double valvesprings, chromoly steel retainers and locks, guideplates, and ARP 3?8-inch rocker studs.
Applications
'93-'97 LT1-equipped Trans Ams/Firebirds
MSRP
$1,395
Comp Performance Group
(901) 260-3278
www.compcams.com
What is it?
Camshaft
Why you need it:
Is your cam holding you back from better performance on the street or the strip? Comp Cams new single- and three-bolt LSX-R cams are designed for radical street performance and all-out race applications. They're available for both cathedral- or rectangular-port LS heads applications and offer durations ranging from 265/273 degrees to 309/325 degrees and recommended lifts from 0.604/0.610 to 0.624/0.624.
Applications
Any LS-equipped Pontiac
MSRP
$397
Energy Suspension
(949) 361-3935
www.energysuspension.com
What is it?
Engine Mounts
Why you need it:
Factory engine mounts are designed for mediocre horsepower ratings, so what do you do if your LS engine cranks out 500, 600, or more horsepower? These performance polyurethane LS1 motor mounts will outperform the OE units, and according to the manufacturer, "give you torque resistance for high-horsepower and monster-torque applications."
Applications
'98-'02 Trans Ams and Formulas
MSRP
$79 (pair)
Dynatech
(800) 848-5850
www.dynatechheaders.com
What is it?
Headers
Why you need it:
Swapping an LS engine into your First- or Second-Gen Firebird just got a whole lot simpler with this set of purpose-built, long-tube headers. Designed to perfectly fit your classic Firebird without modification to its crossmember and steering box, they come with 1.875-inch primaries, and feature ceramic coating inside and out and high-quality, four-bolt connections to the optional reducer cones. Want a perfect match? Connect them to Dynatech's 2.50- or 3.00-inch stainless dual-exhaust system with a NASCAR style cross-pipe exhaust system and high flow, great-sounding, turbo mufflers.
Applications
'67-'81 Firebirds
MSRP
$699 (headers only)
Procomp Electronics
(909) 605-1123
www.procompelectronics.com
What is it?
Cylinder Heads
Why you need it:
LS6 cylinder heads will bolt right up to your LS1 block and produce more horsepower for your street/strip combos. These LS6 heads from Procomp feature high-grade aluminum construction, bronze valve guides, hardened seats, advanced port design for greater flow, and a multi-angle seat design. According to the manufacturer, they're good for 500-plus horsepower out of the box and 298 cfm at 0.650 lift.
Applications
'98-'02 Trans Ams or Formulas, '04 GTOs
MSRP
$349 (each) per unassembled head
Billet Specialties
(708) 588-0505
www.billetspecialties.com
What is it?
Valve Covers
Why you need it:
These billet-aluminum valve covers can dress up your LS engine with their 6061-T6 aluminum construction and mirror polish. They come with ARP 12-point mounting hardware, a billet oil-fill cap, and factory gasket rails for a leak-free fit.
Applications
Any LS-equipped Pontiac
MSRP
$450 (plain) $595 (ribbed)