[dci]

Jon Kaase and the TIGER heads have definately put the traditional Pontiac engine back on the radar screen as contenders. Jon's strong showing this year at the Enginemasters Challenge with a Pontiac has certainly opened the eyes of the other competitors running a Chevy, Ford, or Chrysler.The buzz around the dyno rooms was they thought Jon had picked a looser for this years competition,and it would take a hat trick to pull it off. Well after Jon's first three warm up pulls, everyone there knew Kaase brought a contender. Jon's 509 Pontiac was making 630 plus ft. lbs. of torque at only 2500 rpm. One of the Primedia staff had made the comment that the diesel in his dually did not even make that kind of torque at that rpm. After the smoke settled and all of the competitors that showed ran, Kaase's Pontiac had pulled off the hat trick of the century for Pontiac enthusiast and was number one qualifier. Unfortunately for Jon and his wounded Injun, the finals were not so kind to them, but none the less everyone there knew that Pontiacs are back to play in a big way. Before I left I sat down with Jon to get his thoughts about the Pontiac engine and the new Tiger heads, and here is what he had to say:

DCI: Jon what is your opinion of the new Tiger heads for use in a street application?

Kaase: The Tiger head is an excellent candidate for street use. Port volume is conducive to making torque at low rpm. Port velocity is excellent and with little or no porting on the intake port the head flows extremely well. The exhaust port can be run as cast and no port work what so ever. Intake to exhaust ratio is very good.As more and more companies start to develop bolt ons for the Tiger they will catch on in a big way for street use.


DCI: What is your opinion of the Tigers for a race application?


Kaase: The intake port volume is a little conservative for big inch engines or high rpm applications, but that is easily remedied with the proper porting. The exhaust would obviously need to be properly ported as well, but with the proper valve sizes and porting there is no doubt the Tiger is an excellent choice for a race application.


DCI: How do you think the Tiger heads are going to impact the Pontiac enthusiast.


Kaase: As more and more bolt on parts become available the ease of application will increase and the Tigers will be the head of choice.


DCI: After your experiance this year with a Pontiac , Do you think you could have done any better as well with a Ford,Chevy, or Chrysler?


Kaase: Absolutely NOT!


DCI: If you were to build a Pontiac for a customer (IF) what head would you choose after looking at what is available currently?


Kaase: If you want to make big power there is no other choice.


Thanks Mr. Kaase for helping Pontiac enthusiast everywhere regain there respect among the racing community.

Don Johnston
DCI Motorsports, LLC