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GMC 389 specs: 389 ci (6.4L) 8-cylinder, 4.063 x 3.75 in (103.2 x 95.3 mm) bore and stroke, 10.5:1 compression. Rated 348 hp. OHV. Rod ratio and piston speed.
The GMC Pontiac V8 (389) is oversquare — the 4.0625" bore exceeds the 3.75" stroke by 8.3% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.75" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,400 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. Each of the 8 cylinders displaces 48.6 ci (797 cc).
10.5:1 on iron heads is in the range that usually runs on pump premium; iron holds heat, so treat it as the less forgiving side of that range.
It is one of 9 engines in the Pontiac V8 family, sitting between the 287 ci and 455 ci members. Factory fitments include the Pontiac Bonneville, Pontiac Catalina, Pontiac Grand Prix and 1 other.
| Displacement | 389 ci / 6.4 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 4.0625" |
| Stroke | 3.75" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.083 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 348 hp |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.083 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,750 ft/min — in the range typical of performance street engines |
| Displacement per cylinder | 48.6 ci |
| Static compression | 10.5:1 — in the range that usually runs on pump premium |
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