I have a good grasp on both reality and experience, and dealing with machine shops,
before you jump into any project do the required research,
think, do the calcs, price parts, talk to your local machine shop,
get out that legal pad calculator and make the required inquires and phone calls
and I have to point out I have zero brand loyalty,
as an engineer Im concerned more with cost and potential results per dollar spent
Id rather build Chrysler/ MOPAR first and second gen, hemi's than any other engines
if you check carefully, on a dollar per horse power, basis,
I don,t build many Chrysler/ MOPAR engines for the same reason you probably won,t want to build Pontiac's
you can build a darn impressive BBC with significant horse power for less total cash outlay.
than a similar horse power Pontiac.
now Ive built plenty of both engines and I have no problem building either one,
if you want under 500 hp the SBC or CHEVY LS is the route most people take.
yes you could build a 500 caddy, 455 buick, or BBO (OLDS)
either more common, pontiac or BBC engine family can be built to run well,
and the BBC and pontiac engines have a great deal of potential,
the results you can expect are based partly on your checking account balance,
and the skill and knowledge of the local machine shops
but Id point out, you can find more good aftermarket parts , at a reasonable price at swap meets,
far more often for the BBC, and whats even more important,
you have a far wider selection of O.E.M. and aftermarket parts too choose from,if you select a BBC.
Id bet 3/4 of the current after market manufacturers no longer produce Pontiac V8 parts
yes you can build either engine family, but your wallet will hurt a bit less per horse power gained with a BBC,
unless you already have significant pontiac parts and GOOD QUALITY pontiac parts and,
you are willing to be limited to what those parts can provide.
theres zero doubt Pontiac made some good engines, but theres currently,
a limited and shrinking base of salvage yard engines.
pontiac
https://www.opgi.com/gto/1968/
http://www.amesperf.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgr7jy7vF4AIVEIvICh0NlAzNEAMYAiAAEgIyWPD_BwE
https://www.carid.com/pontiac-parts/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgr7jy7vF4AIVEIvICh0NlAzNEAMYAyAAEgIy-vD_BwE
https://www.frankspontiacparts.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlZeNmrzF4AIVEo_ICh3W6QIPEAAYASAAEgJDtPD_BwE
https://www.thepartsplaceinc.com/browse/gto-lemans
you can start with this, the SIX cam manufacturers POSTED OR LINKED BELOW that have proven to be dependable, the soft ware below might prove useful, so use it to get a base line INFO YOU NEED IF YOUR selecting the correct cam for YOUR combo FIRST!!>>>>>>ANY AND ALL CAM MANUFACTURERS WILL need...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/pontiac-performance-tips.451/#post-72464
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/409-pontiac-build.1434/#post-59379
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...tech-you-may-not-know.11663/page-2#post-55277
https://www.pontiacdiy.com/how-to-improve-pontiac-v-8-performance-engine-block-guide/
https://www.pontiacdiy.com/pontiac-v-8-crankshaft-performance-guide/
https://www.pontiacdiy.com/pontiac-v-8-oiling-system-guide/
https://www.pontiacdiy.com/how-to-improve-pontiac-v-8-engine-performance-exhaust-guide/
https://www.pontiacdiy.com/how-to-disassemble-your-pontiac-v-8-engine/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/a-few-pontiac-related-dynos.15309/#post-90077