Idiot boy here needs to know. I see many tuners offering 'ported and polished heads' (usually with a cam, as well) and now I see a lot of people are 'porting' their throttle body. What is this process, how is it done, what does it do for your car?

 

Removing material from the intake and exhaust ports in the heads or the intake of the throttle body for better air flow and thus more power. Of course, they don't just hack away indiscriminately - it's 1/3 art, 1/3 science and the rest is black magic.


[Modified by Patches, 7:40 PM 9/24/2003]

 

Best, and most succinct, definition I've ever read. :thumbs:

 

:iagree: but now days with CNC machines doing the porting, and the accurate flow benches I would say it's all science and the HP numbers on these kits proves it I think.

 

Yes....I agree...LOL....good "abridged" version of what porting entails. I would add that "true" porting isn't just about removing material and creating a larger port that hopefully flows more....Its about creating the right countours and port shape to efficiently increase flow...not to mention the "quality" of that flow (smooth and quiet....not turbulent and noisy) During my "research and design phase" of the new AFR 205, I spent more time ADDING material to a stock LS6 port to increase it's flow, than actually removing....Hence the new AFR head crushing a stock LS6 in total flow, and doing so with a final volume 6 cc's smaller. Trying to reduce volume and increase flow certainly seems conflicting, nor does it happen without much trial and error, but that is what truly yields the best results when it finally comes time to bolt those heads on top of an engine.....not just a flowbench. Its all about creating the right shaped port, valvejob to compliment it, and a chamber that allows the valve to be as efficient as possible (not shrouded)..... Shake well and WaaaaLaaah....Instant horsepower gain!!!

Tony M.
AFR Guy...

 

Oh yeah....a couple of more things. Just because a certain head is CNC ported doesn't mean it flows alot of air....It just means that a machine actually did the grinding instead of a human being, and if it was an accurate one, then all the ports should be fairly consistent from one to the next. That could be a good thing if the designer spent the time to create a highflowing efficient port....It could be a very bad thing if just the opposite is true. Bottom line, a CNC port is only nearly as good as the original port it was digitized from....and usually, its not as good as the original.

And I think the 33% rule was pretty close!! (science, art, & "Black magic"...not to mention some good fortune here and there)

Regards,
Tony

 

This Tony guy actually sounds like he knows what he's talking about.
(I have used AFR heads off and on for 20 years) Bigger is not necessarily better.
Case in point. Richard, who does all my heads, is working on a set of Brodix heads. The port is raised a ridiculous amount but not enlarged. ( The damn head is about 6" tall) The port is flowing 419CFM !! That is unheard of. Why? Because of the shape of the port, not the size.
BTW Tony: When you get these heads wher you like them, I'll take a bunch!
:cheers:

 

Thanks Andy....LOL I'll probably die some day when my lungs clog up with aluminum, but I love what I do, and I really enjoy the challenge of getting "stupid" air out of a port much smaller than most of my competitors. And as you have confirmed, the utimate performance results speak for themselves when that happens. I actually live about 40 miles due east of your shop (Castaic) and had planned on stopping in one day to say hello....perhaps I could bring a prototype head for you to check out. I have followed this forum for some time and your reputation speaks for itself...refreshing in this day and age. Call me at AFR anytime (818)890-0616

Regards,
Tony

 

IMO Cylinder head flow is probably the most important piece in the puzzle of making big power. It can help turn your vette into a "Supercar" for less than half the cost of some of the exotics out there. ;)

 

Holy Head's...

Tony & Andy :grouphug:

 

:iagree: