In 1956, Pontiac's V8 grew to 316 cubic inches. Horse power varied by transmission and carburetor, The base engine with a manual transmission was rated at 192 horsepower with a two barrel, and 216 horsepower with a four barrel. The automatics were rated at 205 and 227 horsepower for the 2 barrel and 4 barrel respectively. A rare option, less than two hundred produced, was the 2 four barrel option, rated at 285 horsepower.