The 316 V8 was a very important engine for Pontiac as it made its push for recognition in the horsepower wars. One version of the Pontiac 316 called the Strato-Streak gained a lot of notoriety due to the fact that it was the first engine ever from Pontiac to be equipped with dual quad carburetors. This engine helped Pontiac push further into the NASCAR world as well because of the impressive 285 horses that the 316 produced. Only around 200 of the Strato-Streak 316 engines were ever produced so if you ever find one then it would definitely be worth some money.
The Pontiac 316 V8 was only around for the 1956 model year as the demand for bigger engines and more horsepower kept growing. This small war between the big three led Pontiac to produce the 347 V8 engine for the 1957 model year by simply lengthening the stroke of the 316.
1956 with 2 Barrel Carb (Lower Compression)Max Brake Horsepower = 192 @ 4400 rpmMax Torque = 297 @ 2400 rpmStroke = 3.25Bore = 3.9375Compression = 7.9Firing Order = 18436572 1956 with 2 Barrel Carb (Higher Compression)Max Brake Horsepower = 205 @ 4600 rpmMax Torque = 294 @ 2600 rpmStroke = 3.25Bore = 3.9375Compression = 8.9Firing Order = 18436572 1957 with 4 Barrel Carb (Standard Transmission)Max Brake Horsepower = 216 @ 4800 rpmMax Torque = 315 @ 2800 rpmStroke = 3.25Bore = 3.9375Compression = 8.9Firing Order = 18436572 1957 with 4 Barrel Carb (Automatic Transmission)Max Brake Horsepower = 227 @ 4800 rpmMax Torque = 312 @ 3000 rpmStroke = 3.25Bore = 3.9375Compression = 8.9Firing Order = 18436572 1957 with 2 X 4 Barrel Carbs (Strato-Streak Model)Max Brake Horsepower = 285 @ 5100 rpmMax Torque = 330 @ 2600 rpmStroke = 3.25Bore = 3.9375Compression = 10.0Firing Order = 18436572 