Head Porting?
Listen to Ed, the man knows what he's talking about.
He does more than just tune those cars, he also happens to own a couple of fast ones
If you insist on doing it yourself, read this -> http://www.sa-motorsports.com/diyport.aspx
He does more than just tune those cars, he also happens to own a couple of fast ones
If you insist on doing it yourself, read this -> http://www.sa-motorsports.com/diyport.aspx
In this day you will never LEARN cylinder head porting... You can only be "LEARNING" the induction system. I would GREATLY welcome more talent into the industry as the demand has outgrown the talent. I would love to hire a good student of airflow.... but currently everyone is running their own gig.
I have been doing this for 13 years. I consider myself just finishing my Bachelors degree. Currently I can only think of one person that has their PHd.... and even then he is still a hard learning student of airflow.
You will need to be good at math and physics. You will also need a very open mind... Mother Nature has a sense of humor all of her own. Also expect that what you now think makes the induction system work is absolutely incorrect. Also understand that you will never know the answer, only how to get close.
If you are still game....with what I know now this is what I would do.
1. Read... and read somemore... when you are tired, keep reading.... long before you pick the grinder up.
2. Call this gentleman, his name is Bill Jones. http://www.ryanbrownracing.com/Bill_...o_Gallery.html.
Be very polite as he has forgot more about making stuff go fast than most of us will ever know. Tell him that you know me (Dennis @ Air Flow Development). Ask him if he would be kind enough to sell you a copy of his porting notebook. When you get it... read it until you understand the math...not the words.
3. Very talented individuals in this field hang out @ www.speedtalk.com. Don gives us a place to hang out. Understand though that you may be talking to an industry professional.... or your next door neighbor. It will take you a bit to figure out who is who.
4. Purchase a copy of PipeMax. It is VERY cheap for the work Larry has put into it. Larry is also a student.... A very good one I might add.
http://www.maxracesoftware.com/pipemax36xp2.htm
This is not a desktop dyno program...so don't use it as one. It will make the calcs in Bills notebook easier for you to do and understand.
5. Once you get an idea of what you are to do spend as much time on the flowbench as possible. Pay more attention to velocity and how you control it... Big clean air will come later.
6. This is a tip... and you will not understand it fully yet. Most of your porting work will be done on a seat and guide machine. .500" above and 1" below the valve seat is what makes a hero or a zero.
This is the best advice I can give you.... and I hope it helps.
If you are doing this just to save a buck.... I would tell you to save your money and pay someone to do it for you.... It will save you tons in the end. This is not nearly similar to fixing the plumbing in your house or doing a H/C install.
If at any time you have questions, you are free to email me. I am always glad to help someone that is willing to learn.....
Good Luck
Dennis
dennis@afdracing.com
I have been doing this for 13 years. I consider myself just finishing my Bachelors degree. Currently I can only think of one person that has their PHd.... and even then he is still a hard learning student of airflow.
You will need to be good at math and physics. You will also need a very open mind... Mother Nature has a sense of humor all of her own. Also expect that what you now think makes the induction system work is absolutely incorrect. Also understand that you will never know the answer, only how to get close.
If you are still game....with what I know now this is what I would do.
1. Read... and read somemore... when you are tired, keep reading.... long before you pick the grinder up.
2. Call this gentleman, his name is Bill Jones. http://www.ryanbrownracing.com/Bill_...o_Gallery.html.
Be very polite as he has forgot more about making stuff go fast than most of us will ever know. Tell him that you know me (Dennis @ Air Flow Development). Ask him if he would be kind enough to sell you a copy of his porting notebook. When you get it... read it until you understand the math...not the words.
3. Very talented individuals in this field hang out @ www.speedtalk.com. Don gives us a place to hang out. Understand though that you may be talking to an industry professional.... or your next door neighbor. It will take you a bit to figure out who is who.
4. Purchase a copy of PipeMax. It is VERY cheap for the work Larry has put into it. Larry is also a student.... A very good one I might add.
http://www.maxracesoftware.com/pipemax36xp2.htm
This is not a desktop dyno program...so don't use it as one. It will make the calcs in Bills notebook easier for you to do and understand.
5. Once you get an idea of what you are to do spend as much time on the flowbench as possible. Pay more attention to velocity and how you control it... Big clean air will come later.
6. This is a tip... and you will not understand it fully yet. Most of your porting work will be done on a seat and guide machine. .500" above and 1" below the valve seat is what makes a hero or a zero.
This is the best advice I can give you.... and I hope it helps.
If you are doing this just to save a buck.... I would tell you to save your money and pay someone to do it for you.... It will save you tons in the end. This is not nearly similar to fixing the plumbing in your house or doing a H/C install.
If at any time you have questions, you are free to email me. I am always glad to help someone that is willing to learn.....
Good Luck
Dennis
dennis@afdracing.com
I am going to break ranks here and actually answer your question rather than trying to preach a sermon at you.
" How to build and modify chevy small block cylinder heads" by David Vizard. http://www.amazon.com/Chevrolet-Smal.../dp/0879385472
Basic improvement of the flow of cylinder heads is not a dark science. Read this book, it will give you all you need to know in order to do a basic home porting job and not screw up your heads. You arent going to become a porting expert with it, but it will allow you to accomplish your goal.
Roy
" How to build and modify chevy small block cylinder heads" by David Vizard. http://www.amazon.com/Chevrolet-Smal.../dp/0879385472
Basic improvement of the flow of cylinder heads is not a dark science. Read this book, it will give you all you need to know in order to do a basic home porting job and not screw up your heads. You arent going to become a porting expert with it, but it will allow you to accomplish your goal.
Roy
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: harrisburg PA
I see that link posted every once in a while and it's a good basic starting point.
I think that's one of the most thought out and helpful posts I've seen on this site.
Every time I've tried to find that book it's been out of stock or people have wanted $100 for it.
I think that's one of the most thought out and helpful posts I've seen on this site.
Every time I've tried to find that book it's been out of stock or people have wanted $100 for it.
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: harrisburg PA
Thanks I really appreciate the tips and direction. I don't plan to get 200 hp out of the heads, and I won't be disappointed if they end up bad. I have two sets of junk lt1 heads, and just want to learn the tricks, and how to figure it our myself. It's not that I wouldn't spend the money to have it done, it's just that I would rather be good enough to have someone else pay me to do it. Cylinder head work is about the only thing I can't do, and would love to learn how, and I just figured I would use my car as the guinie pig. I'm also an A&P mechanic so the math and stuff comes second nature. Thanks again, and I'll be giving some people a call.
Flyinz,
Feel free to shoot me an email anytime.
Dennis
