Ported Heads Hp gain
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,755
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
While I'm not an engine building expert, I'll give you my .02
GM designed the cam with a certain airflow in mind. The heads were built around that airflow need - likely with a bit of extra flow built in. Porting the heads will certainly allow them to flow more air, but if your cam is not asking for more air, what good is it?
So you would likely get some increase in power with tuning, but you'll see more gains in a cam swap, than in porting the heads. Even more if you do both.
For example, I have un-ported LS2 heads on my car. These heads are virtually the same as the LS6 heads - just different valves. I had a valve job and a minor shave done to them to clean them up.
I'm at 454 RWHP and 409 RWTQ
Hope that helps..
GM designed the cam with a certain airflow in mind. The heads were built around that airflow need - likely with a bit of extra flow built in. Porting the heads will certainly allow them to flow more air, but if your cam is not asking for more air, what good is it?
So you would likely get some increase in power with tuning, but you'll see more gains in a cam swap, than in porting the heads. Even more if you do both.
For example, I have un-ported LS2 heads on my car. These heads are virtually the same as the LS6 heads - just different valves. I had a valve job and a minor shave done to them to clean them up.
I'm at 454 RWHP and 409 RWTQ
Hope that helps..
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
While I'm not an engine building expert, I'll give you my .02
GM designed the cam with a certain airflow in mind. The heads were built around that airflow need - likely with a bit of extra flow built in. Porting the heads will certainly allow them to flow more air, but if your cam is not asking for more air, what good is it?
So you would likely get some increase in power with tuning, but you'll see more gains in a cam swap, than in porting the heads. Even more if you do both.
GM designed the cam with a certain airflow in mind. The heads were built around that airflow need - likely with a bit of extra flow built in. Porting the heads will certainly allow them to flow more air, but if your cam is not asking for more air, what good is it?
So you would likely get some increase in power with tuning, but you'll see more gains in a cam swap, than in porting the heads. Even more if you do both.
If I were to pick just one (a cam swap or porting the heads while keeping the stock cam) I would CLEARLY do the cam instead.Ideally, doing both will show some nice gains.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 8
From: Arma Ks
While I'm not an engine building expert, I'll give you my .02
GM designed the cam with a certain airflow in mind. The heads were built around that airflow need - likely with a bit of extra flow built in. Porting the heads will certainly allow them to flow more air, but if your cam is not asking for more air, what good is it?
So you would likely get some increase in power with tuning, but you'll see more gains in a cam swap, than in porting the heads. Even more if you do both.
For example, I have un-ported LS2 heads on my car. These heads are virtually the same as the LS6 heads - just different valves. I had a valve job and a minor shave done to them to clean them up.
I'm at 454 RWHP and 409 RWTQ
Hope that helps..
GM designed the cam with a certain airflow in mind. The heads were built around that airflow need - likely with a bit of extra flow built in. Porting the heads will certainly allow them to flow more air, but if your cam is not asking for more air, what good is it?
So you would likely get some increase in power with tuning, but you'll see more gains in a cam swap, than in porting the heads. Even more if you do both.
For example, I have un-ported LS2 heads on my car. These heads are virtually the same as the LS6 heads - just different valves. I had a valve job and a minor shave done to them to clean them up.
I'm at 454 RWHP and 409 RWTQ
Hope that helps..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 2
From: Charleston SC
While I'm not an engine building expert, I'll give you my .02
GM designed the cam with a certain airflow in mind. The heads were built around that airflow need - likely with a bit of extra flow built in. Porting the heads will certainly allow them to flow more air, but if your cam is not asking for more air, what good is it?
So you would likely get some increase in power with tuning, but you'll see more gains in a cam swap, than in porting the heads. Even more if you do both.
For example, I have un-ported LS2 heads on my car. These heads are virtually the same as the LS6 heads - just different valves. I had a valve job and a minor shave done to them to clean them up.
I'm at 454 RWHP and 409 RWTQ
Hope that helps..
GM designed the cam with a certain airflow in mind. The heads were built around that airflow need - likely with a bit of extra flow built in. Porting the heads will certainly allow them to flow more air, but if your cam is not asking for more air, what good is it?
So you would likely get some increase in power with tuning, but you'll see more gains in a cam swap, than in porting the heads. Even more if you do both.
For example, I have un-ported LS2 heads on my car. These heads are virtually the same as the LS6 heads - just different valves. I had a valve job and a minor shave done to them to clean them up.
I'm at 454 RWHP and 409 RWTQ
Hope that helps..
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 491
Likes: 6
From: Dallas Texas
While I'm not an engine building expert, I'll give you my .02
GM designed the cam with a certain airflow in mind. The heads were built around that airflow need - likely with a bit of extra flow built in. Porting the heads will certainly allow them to flow more air, but if your cam is not asking for more air, what good is it?
So you would likely get some increase in power with tuning, but you'll see more gains in a cam swap, than in porting the heads. Even more if you do both.
For example, I have un-ported LS2 heads on my car. These heads are virtually the same as the LS6 heads - just different valves. I had a valve job and a minor shave done to them to clean them up.
I'm at 454 RWHP and 409 RWTQ
Hope that helps..
GM designed the cam with a certain airflow in mind. The heads were built around that airflow need - likely with a bit of extra flow built in. Porting the heads will certainly allow them to flow more air, but if your cam is not asking for more air, what good is it?
So you would likely get some increase in power with tuning, but you'll see more gains in a cam swap, than in porting the heads. Even more if you do both.
For example, I have un-ported LS2 heads on my car. These heads are virtually the same as the LS6 heads - just different valves. I had a valve job and a minor shave done to them to clean them up.
I'm at 454 RWHP and 409 RWTQ
Hope that helps..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,752
Likes: 3
From: Bethlehem PA
Bigger injectors, boost a pump, gauges, tubing, intake and the list goes on.
Heads and cam are a very good bang for the buck in this way.
Scott
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,755
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
I have the ECS big NA cam in a 346 ci LS1.
If you already have the cam, then porting the heads should get you a nice gain.
There are several good vendors on here that can port your heads.
If you already have the cam, then porting the heads should get you a nice gain.
There are several good vendors on here that can port your heads.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,752
Likes: 3
From: Bethlehem PA
Scott
