Engine Components- Internal

Forged for Power: Internal Engine Components for Pontiacs at Butler Performance

The Rotating Assembly: The Core of Power

The rotating assembly—crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons—is the heart of a performance engine and must be balanced and engineered to withstand extreme forces.²

1. Crankshafts

Butler Performance offers a range of crankshaft options to suit any budget and power level, categorized by main journal size and construction:

• Cast Crankshafts: Excellent alternatives to original equipment (OE) cranks, manufactured with modern materials and processes. Recommended for high-quality street engines without power adders.

• Forged Crankshafts: Built from high-strength materials like 4340 Forged Steel, these cranks offer tremendous advantages in durability and strength over cast units.³ They are essential insurance for high-performance, high-RPM, or boosted applications.

   

   

• Billet Crankshafts: The ultimate in strength and precision for all-out racing.

2. Pistons, Pins, and Rings⁴

The piston assembly is designed to manage high compression and aggressive combustion pressures. Butler Performance features specialized pistons for Pontiac engines:⁵

• Ross Racing Pistons: Butler Performance works closely with Ross Racing Pistons to develop an exclusive line of lightweight, strong, forged pistons specifically designed for traditional Pontiac V8s.⁶ These utilize the latest strut-style designs and can run tighter clearances, making them ideal for performance street and race applications.

   

   

• Piston Types: Pistons are available in various configurations (Flat Top, Dish, or Dome) to achieve the precise compression ratio required for the engine build and selected cylinder heads.⁷

   

   

• Rings: Butler stocks high-performance rings from Total Seal and others, including thinner rings designed for reduced friction and better sealing in modern performance applications.⁸

   

   

3. Connecting Rods (Rods)

The connecting rod transfers power from the piston to the crankshaft and is one of the most highly stressed components in an engine.

• H-Beam and I-Beam: Butler stocks a variety of rods from manufacturers like Eagle and Scat, ranging from high-performance I-beam to the extremely strong H-beam designs.⁹ These are critical for handling the increased torque and RPMs of modified Pontiac engines.

   

   

Rotating Assemblies & Stroker Kits

The easiest way to ensure all rotating components are matched and balanced is to purchase a Rotating Assembly or Stroker Kit from Butler Performance.¹⁰

• Pre-Balanced Kits: Butler’s custom assemblies include the crank, rods, and pistons, and are available fully balanced (often internally balanced, requiring neutral flexplates/dampers). This saves the builder considerable time and machine shop expense.

• Stroker Applications: The kits are available in popular Pontiac block configurations (389, 400, 428, 455) to build popular stroked displacements, such as ¹¹$433 \text{-} 440 \text{ ci}$ (using a ¹²$4.000$" stroke in a 400 block) up to ¹³$500 \text{+ ci}$ using aftermarket blocks.¹⁴

   

   

Oil System and Foundation Components

Longevity depends on a robust oil system and a well-prepped block:

• Oil Pumps & Accessories: The oiling system is vital. Butler partners with experts like Titan Speed and Melling to supply performance oil pumps (often high-volume/high-pressure) and accessories, ensuring proper lubrication even under extreme stress.

• Bearings: Offering high-performance Rod, Main, and Cam Bearings from industry leaders such as Clevite and Federal Mogul to handle the heavy loads of high-horsepower applications.¹⁵

   

   

• Main Caps and Windage Trays: Includes specialized accessories like Windage Trays and Crank Scrapers to reduce oil foaming and friction, enhancing oil control and freeing up horsepower.¹⁶

   

   

Engine Rebuilder Kits

For standard overhauls, Butler simplifies the process with Engine Rebuilder Kits.¹⁷ These are comprehensive packages assembled by Butler to include all necessary parts for a rebuild, such as pistons, rings, rod/main bearings, and a complete gasket kit, available with either Cast/Hypereutectic or Forged Pistons.¹⁸

By focusing on race-proven, custom-matched components, Butler Performance solidifies its position as the authority for building the most reliable and powerful internal configurations for the traditional Pontiac V8.