Generation IV Internal Engine 2005-2014 LS2 | LS3 | LS7 | L92 | LS9

LS3 head porting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 11:57 PM
  #1  
1badeagle's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Default LS3 head porting

I have been looking into all the different companies that port LS3/L92 heads recently and they all claim 20-40rwhp gains. Ive googled the hell out of this and im curious how much gain actually comes from the port work compared to the milling. I have a new forged 370 short block set up to turn high rpm and be hit with a 200 hp shot of nitrous. Would head porting be benifical to my motor or should I just have the heads milled down and call it good?


P.s The motor will be running a Patrick g spec'd eps cam. 235/243 .62X/.62X 110+4 LSA
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 01:00 AM
  #2  
Tainted's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,425
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis
Default

Porting is to increase flow, while milling increases your compression. Both are essential. For stock ls3 heads id mill .020 and have a good port job done with the lightweight valves
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 01:36 AM
  #3  
1badeagle's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Tainted
Porting is to increase flow, while milling increases your compression. Both are essential. For stock ls3 heads id mill .020 and have a good port job done with the lightweight valves
I know for sure that Im going to mill the heads .040" with stock LS3 gaskets. My question was wether or not it is worth the money to port the LS3 heads on my high revving(7400rpm) 370 ci motor.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 01:59 AM
  #4  
gnx7's Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 277
From: San Francisco, CA
Default

An LS3 head has a very large intake valve. With a 4" bore from the LS2 you are limited to how much you can mill the head as well as limited cam selection. Make sure you are aware of this.

A TFS 225cc cathedral port head may be a better choice. Better PtV clearance and it will flow plenty for your little motor. More power in the mid range for sure and a thicker deck to begin with.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 02:06 AM
  #5  
1badeagle's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Default

The motor was originally a LQ4. Its a 4.030 bore now with forged flat tops that have the LS3/L92 Valve reliefs. I already have new LS3 heads, Intake, and head gaskets. I plan on a .040 mill to bump the compression back up to close to 11.0:1. I think with the .040" mill it will be about 10.87:1 which should be decent. I want to get as close to the 500RWHP as possible for this motor before the nitrous, so thats why im asking if the heads need to be ported or not.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 02:21 AM
  #6  
gnx7's Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 277
From: San Francisco, CA
Default

With 370ci I'd think 500rwhp would be a very optimistic goal.

Every point increase in compression is worth around 3-4% increase in power. You want as much compression as possible.

LS3 intake valve is also 2.16" which is massive even running a hollow style lightweight valve.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 02:53 AM
  #7  
1badeagle's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Default

The motor is getting a victor jr that has been ported, so maybe that will help it peak a bit higher? What is a realistic number to expect on power?

4.030 iron lq4
Ls3 heads milled .040
Ported victor jr
235/243 .621/.629 110+4
2" primary long tubes
T56

Will the porting be worth the money to get me closer to my power goals or should I have them milled and leave them umported?

How much power is there to be made with porting alone?
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 03:32 AM
  #8  
lilmiller74's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Grove City, Oh
Default

id say youll probably be making around 356/372
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 03:42 AM
  #9  
1badeagle's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by lilmiller74
id say youll probably be making around 356/372
Awwww Casey was that a attempt to be humorous?
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 03:43 AM
  #10  
lilmiller74's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Grove City, Oh
Default

Originally Posted by 1badeagle
Awwww Casey was that a attempt to be humorous?
Yes
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 03:50 AM
  #11  
1badeagle's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by lilmiller74
Yes
Fail fail fail. If I wanted a shitty clutch setup and 350 wheel I would have bought a vette.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 04:04 AM
  #12  
bww3588's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,139
Likes: 10
From: Chillicothe/Lima, Ohio
Default

Ls3 heads typically don't like a lot of compression, they like more timing than anything I have heard. With nitrous I would shoot for around 10.5 ish with a good bit of timing for na, then retard it for the sauce
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 04:13 AM
  #13  
1badeagle's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by bww3588
Ls3 heads typically don't like a lot of compression, they like more timing than anything I have heard. With nitrous I would shoot for around 10.5 ish with a good bit of timing for na, then retard it for the sauce
I think i remember seeing that they like alot of timing to.


Anyone have a idea on porting yet?
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2012 | 06:10 AM
  #14  
davidws6's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (36)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 747
Likes: 5
From: Kansas
Default

for HP gains, it's a guessing game as every combination is different. If your wanting to obtain the max hp out of your engine, do it and don't look back.
More air in, usually equals more air out !
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 01:55 PM
  #15  
3pedals's Avatar
8 Second Club
15 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 6
From: WPG MB
Default

I milled .050", no problems - doesnt even come close to the intake valve seat - so no loss in flow(contrary to popular belief), and whoever thinks LS3 heads dont like compression, is........wrong.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 02:05 PM
  #16  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

With that small of a motor and that intake, I wouldn't make the port any bigger than what it is. If anything, just a little bowl work and a port match is about all I would do.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 02:55 PM
  #17  
87silverbullet's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,873
Likes: 8
From: Slidell,LA
Default

Originally Posted by KCS
With that small of a motor and that intake, I wouldn't make the port any bigger than what it is. If anything, just a little bowl work and a port match is about all I would do.
^^^Agreed. You will already have a loss of bottom end grunt from that intake and 2" primary on that 370. The runner is already big enough as is and porting it will only make it bigger. If you were going 4xx cubes then I would say get them ported.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 03:56 PM
  #18  
bww3588's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,139
Likes: 10
From: Chillicothe/Lima, Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by 3pedals
and whoever thinks LS3 heads dont like compression, is........wrong.
care to back that up?
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 04:30 PM
  #19  
raymond mckinney's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 85
From: Tampa, FL
Default

It will run good no matter if you get the heads ported or not. I smoothed my intake runners, ported my exhaust and did a valve and mill job on my Ls3 and it ran great 104 mph 1/8 traps with a 220 duration cam. Btw my compression was 10.9.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2012 | 07:36 PM
  #20  
87silverbullet's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,873
Likes: 8
From: Slidell,LA
Default

Originally Posted by raymond mckinney
It will run good no matter if you get the heads ported or not. I smoothed my intake runners, ported my exhaust and did a valve and mill job on my Ls3 and it ran great 104 mph 1/8 traps with a 220 duration cam. Btw my compression was 10.9.
The key is your 220 duration cam. You are able to keep your powerband in check with a smaller cam.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:38 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE