Most Reliable Pontiac Engine?

[Future Boy]

None of the above? The 2.5L Iron Duke aka Tech 4 in my Fiero has been virtually trouble-free, and over 150,000 miles now. Only real problems were the valve cover gasket and a broken-off EGR valve (not the engine's fault, the previous owner's carelessness).

[61ci]

I prefer the 1.0L 993cc 61ci 55hp engine.....lol

[GTPCatz]

too bad the 3.8 isnt a pontiac engine

[GTPCatz]

I thought I should add something before you all start jumping down my throat.....

Technically speaking the 3.8 is a buick engine.....pontiac struck a deal with Buick engeneers in the early 90s to put it into a Pontiac......thats why it took so long to get a S/C Chevy...

[MrPbody]

Actually, the only two on the list that are really Pontiac designs, are the 3.1 and 3.4. The 400 is definitely the most dependable and most propegated Pontiac engine. Of course, it doesn't "fit" into this conversation... Just thought I'd stir the pot a bit!

[DARK AGE 53]

Originally Posted by Future Boy

None of the above? The 2.5L Iron Duke aka Tech 4

I agree 100%, it doesn't make a lot of power, it's noisy and it leaks oil from the valve cover area but this engine is bullet proof. JMO

[calgary_redneck]

Originally Posted by MrPbody

Actually, the only two on the list that are really Pontiac designs, are the 3.1 and 3.4. The 400 is definitely the most dependable and most propegated Pontiac engine. Of course, it doesn't "fit" into this conversation... Just thought I'd stir the pot a bit!

The 3.1 and the 3.4 are based on the 60 degree chev v-6's (same as the 2.8)

[MrPbody]

CR, the 2.8 has its "roots" in Pontiac Division. It was introduced as a "corporate" engine, found in ALL the X-bodies from '80-on, and later in the J-cars and P-body. They even used a derivative of it in the RWD F-bodies and compact pickups.
I say it's a Pontiac design by looking at the water pump/timing cover assembly. It is very much the same as the Pontiac V8, just scaled down a bit. The "open" valley and intake port are also remeniscent of the Injun.
For clarity, I agree it is NOT a Pontiac-specific design, just the main influence... It shares MANY more features with the Pontiac than it does any other GM engine family.

[wafrederick]

the 3.8l,3.8l supercharged are accually Buick engines.The 2.2l non eco,2.2 eco,3.1l,3.4l are Chevrolet engines.The quad 4 engines are probally Oldsmobile engine.In pontiacs,you will find a Buick,Chevrolet engine in the engine compartment

[BIG-L]

Years ago,it use to be engine specific to manufactor...since Chevy,pontiac,olds,buick all had there own style of 350 motor....know they will put a chevy motor in a pontiac,buick in pontiac and on and on.

~Larry~

[w155jmh]

I must agree that the 2.5L Tech IV or Iron Duke is the best engine. I had one in my '87 Cutlass Ciera and it never gave me a problem.

[Laser17]

I'm gonna have to say 3.8 not S/C...and a word to the arguement about engine ownership, brand name engines ended with the 350's in the 60's...whereas if you bought a pontiac it had a pontiac engine...but General Motors now owns buick pontiac oldsmobile chevy saab hummer cadillac and gmc..unforutnatly with that ownership went company branded engines...most of the engines you guys claim to be argueing about...like the 3.8 being a buick engine...they were all made in the same factory anyway..as in pontiac may have struck a deal with buick..but GM owns them both...so go figure..

[jimmytroanoke]

Thats why they refer to them as "corporate" engines. After they got sued in the late seventies.

[69GTO]

I am old school and I will have to say the 400cid. (even though it is not on the list)
And if the truth be known the 3.8 liter (aka 3800) are both Buick engines they have set the example for others to follow the last true Pontiac motor was the 301 (last production year was 1981) but as far as the 3.8 liter that is Buicks baby not sure of the origin of the four bangers (2.2s and the alike) but they are pretty good engines if taken care of properly. but my vote for goes for the 400 cid.

[MrPbody]

Nice to see I'm not the ONLY old-timer out here... 400 Pontiac is a legendary power plant, to be sure!