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Head flow versus boost

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Old Oct 16, 2006 | 09:37 PM
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Default Head flow versus boost

I'm curious how head flow effects boost. The way I see it a set of crappy flowing heads would make more boost. So will a set of good flowing heads make more power at less boost?
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Old Oct 16, 2006 | 11:10 PM
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Yes my friend....As many will say on here, boost is just a representation of restriction...The less restrictive that you make an engine the less boost it will show but it will have better gains...CFM is where you should look at....
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Old Oct 17, 2006 | 12:27 AM
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You got it.. More flow = same or more power at less boost. So Boost(psi) is actaully a bad thing
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Old Oct 17, 2006 | 03:00 AM
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Boost is NOT just a measure of restriction. Even if the heads flow 400 cfm, you still want positive pressure in the intake and, more importantly, the cylinder. If you don't have positive pressure, you might as well not have FI.

Getting a better flowing set of heads will slightly reduce pressure in the intake and slightly increase pressure in the cylinder. If the heads, cam, and intake are good enough, you will have the same amount of positive pressure in the intake plenum and the cylinder BDC before compression, but POSITIVE pressure nonetheless.

Mike

Last edited by engineermike; Oct 17, 2006 at 03:06 AM.
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Old Oct 17, 2006 | 04:43 AM
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A live example of the relationship between head flow, boost and power: the LS7 heads on my F1C Procharged 427 flow roughly 370 cfm on the intake, and the car made 773 RWHP at only 8 PSI without methanol.
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Old Oct 17, 2006 | 07:20 AM
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Originally Posted by marco427
A live example of the relationship between head flow, boost and power: the LS7 heads on my F1C Procharged 427 flow roughly 370 cfm on the intake, and the car made 773 RWHP at only 8 PSI without methanol.

thats what im talking about i bet thats a fun one to drive
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Old Oct 17, 2006 | 08:43 AM
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so for a 370ci w/ ls6 intake. is it worth spending the extra $$ to have a set of heads ported??

given the same amount of boost. say 13psi. what would be a ball park figure on a stock set of 317 heads vs ported 317 heads that flow say 301cfm.
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Old Oct 17, 2006 | 06:49 PM
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I say skip the heads and get the bigger blower. Crank the boost as high as you can before detonation.
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Old Oct 17, 2006 | 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by T/A KID
I say skip the heads and get the bigger blower. Crank the boost as high as you can before detonation.

I like that thought.. The way I look at it.. Crank it till it blows. Then you can build a better block with some better heads!!
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 12:38 AM
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My 346 CID (101mm turbo) made 781rwhp @ 9.5 psi with only 14* of timing on pump gas. (6 Speed)
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 12:50 AM
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Originally Posted by KissMySSo1
My 346 CID (101mm turbo) made 781rwhp @ 9.5 psi with only 14* of timing on pump gas. (6 Speed)
WOW.. what heads are you running? cam?
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