Part III of our SEMA New Parts Tech Guide concludes our showcase of exciting new Pontiac-themed products introduced at the '08 SEMA show. Over the last two months, we looked at gadgets, gizmos, and electronics; then components for your LS-series or LT1 engine. This month, we turn to traditional Pontiac offerings, including engine components, accessories, and more.
Before GM canceled the G8 ST (sport truck), Pontiac customized a preproduction example and brought it to SEMA to showcase accessories that were supposed to become available when the G8 ST was introduced to dealer showrooms. According to GM, this show car featured Liquid Hot exterior color with enhanced clearcoat, a lowered ride height, custom 20-inch wheels, leather-trimmed seats with red inserts, a G8 GXP steering wheel and shift knob with red inserts, a custom interior trim kit (proposed GM Accessories part), and a hard tonneau cover (proposed GM Accessories part).
Marquez Design
(916) 373-9783
www.marquezdesign.com
What is it? Tailight Bezels
Why you need it: Giving your '69 Firebird a custom look just got a whole lot easier with these brand-new taillight bezels. They're made from billet aluminum, are polished to a show finish, feature bolt-in installation, and use your original factory gaskets for a leak-free fit.
Applications '69 Firebirds
MSRP $295 (pair)
Billet Specialties
(708) 588-0505
www.billetspecialties.com
What is it? True Trac Complete Serpentine Belt System
Why you need it: Adding a serpentine-belt accessory drive system to your classic Pontiac engine can make it a trophy magnet. This new kit features 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 '64-'79 326-455ci Pontiac blocks
MSRP $2,495
SCAT Enterprises
(310) 370-5501
www.scatenterprises.com
What is it? Forged Crankshaft
Why you need it: Stroking your Pontiac engine is a great way to produce more torque. These crankshafts are made from 4340 forged steel; are precision ground, heat treated, and shot-peened; and nitride-hardened for superior wear resistance. They feature straight shot and chamfered oil holes, lightening holes in all rod throws, a large radius on all journals, and are inspected and micropolished in the USA. These crankshafts come in 4.000-, 4.250-, or 4.500-inch strokes and have 3.00-inch mains.
Applications 326-455ci Pontiac blocks
MSRP $699
Classic Performance Products
(714) 522-2000
www.classicperform.com
What is it? Brake Kit
Why you need it: Brembo Brakes are trusted by Pontiac to provide the stopping power for the new 415hp G8 GXP, and now there's a front-brake upgrade for your classic Pontiac, too. It features 13-inch, cross-drilled, two-piece vented rotors; lightweight billet-aluminum hats with McLaren antirattle springs; aluminum four-piston calipers; HD brake pads; and aircraft-quality mounting brackets and hardware. The brake kit works with the stock disc brake spindle, prop valve, and master cylinder.
Applications '64-'72 GTO/LeMans
'67-'69 Firebird
'71-'74 Ventura
MSRP $3,595
Roland Racing
(417) 209-7395
www.rolandracing.com
What is it? Canted-Valve Racing Cylinder Heads
Why you need it: First previewed by HPP in the Aug. '07 issue, these as-cast canted-valve aluminum heads angle the valves away from the cylinder walls to reduce shrouding, and the ports are canted on the same axis as the valves to direct the flow toward the center of the cylinder where the spark plugs now reside. Unlike typical canted-valve heads with the valves offset in the chamber, Roland's valves are horizontal to reduce the required valve clearance and allow for larger valves. The equal-spaced intake port design boosts efficiency via a more constant and larger cross-sectional area, but it does require a Roland Racing intake or a custom sheetmetal manifold. These heads are offered with either 2.25/1.73-inch or 2.15/1.66-inch valves. Port volume of the small-valve heads is 225/190 cc and 290/190 cc for the large-valve heads. Flow is 370-380 cfm intake and 250-260 cfm exhaust at 0.800 lift. "Dual-quench" combustion chambers that aid in detonation resistance are available in three sizes: 65, 81, or 92 cc. Roland's canted-valve heads fit on any traditional Pontiac block with a bore size of 4.06 inches or greater, or any Pontiac aftermarket block. They utilize the stock cam layout and their -inch-higher-than-stock exhaust ports will accept round-port headers (or convertible exhaust ports can be specified for custom headers). Off-the-shelf big-block Chevy valvetrain components can be employed as well. These heads were nominated for Best Engineered New Product at the '08 SEMA show.
Applications 389-565ci Pontiac engines
MSRP $2,350 (bare, per set), $2,995 (assembled, per set)
Performance Quotient² by PRW
(714) 792-1000
www.prw-usa.com
What is it? High-Performance and Racing Water Pump
Why you need it: If cooling your Pontiac better on the street or strip is your goal, then this new polished water pump can help you get there. It features a billet steel hub, heavy-duty roller ball bearings, and a pressure-injected cast and aluminum-alloy pump body. According to the manufacturer, it flows more coolant at higher velocities, even at low engine speeds, due to its curved impeller vanes.
Applications Any '69-'79 V-8 Pontiac
MSRP $147