What is 'porting'?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,074
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From: Marietta ga
What is 'porting'?
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?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Re: What is 'porting'? (Sparticus)
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]
[Modified by Patches, 7:40 PM 9/24/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
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Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: What is 'porting'? (Patches)
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]
[Modified by Patches, 7:40 PM 9/24/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,377
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Re: What is 'porting'? (binksZ06)
Best, and most succinct, definition I've ever read. :thumbs:
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Castaic CA
Re: What is 'porting'? (Sparticus)
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...
Tony M.
AFR Guy...
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 168
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From: Castaic CA
Re: What is 'porting'? (Sparticus)
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
And I think the 33% rule was pretty close!! (science, art, & "Black magic"...not to mention some good fortune here and there)
Regards,
Tony
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,730
Likes: 268
From: VENTURA Ca
Re: What is 'porting'? (Tony M)
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:
(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:
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Castaic CA
Re: What is 'porting'? (Andy@AandACorvette)
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
Regards,
Tony
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6
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From: Bethpage NY
Re: What is 'porting'? (Tony M)
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. ;)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
From: BF Egypt Tx
Re: What is 'porting'? (Tony M)
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...
Tony M.
AFR Guy...