Thread: To port or not to port?

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  1. #1 To port or not to port? 
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    I had to get a new set of heads (exhaust in coolant x2) and am debating whether or not to port these. I hand ported the last set and may have went too much on some areas and probably caused some flow inconsistencies. What power are the stock heads and intake good for?
    2017 Buick Regal 2.0 Turbo (SOLD 2007 Grand Prix GT. Front and rear PLOGs, 1.8 roller rockers, CAI, HPTuned, 3.4 pulley, TEP transmission, 90# springs, rollmaster single chain, Impala front brakes d/s rotors.) Past (Pontiacs) Grand Prix- 97 GT, 03 GT, 04 GT, 04 Comp G, 78 Trans am, 92 Trans Am.
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  2. #2 Re: To port or not to port? 
    Donating Users bandook's Avatar
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    Should ya? Why not? Though will you ever know if you are truly improving them? I think it's worth at least cleaning up the ugly seam and the short turn hump right above the valve seat. I put a lot of time in mine but it kinda sucks that I'll never really know if it helped or hurt. But, I enjoyed doing it and would do it again probably. One thing I'm gonna do since mine are off is rough up the intakes a bit. I made them pretty smooth, not knowing about fuel sticking to the walls. Since I'm on e85 it seems like an even better idea to keep the fuel mixed better.
    Top Swapped 01 Imp
    VS (very small?) cam, SD Headers, 2.8" pulley, 29°, ported everything, E85, AEM water/meth, Deka 60's, HPT tuned
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  3. #3 Re: To port or not to port? 
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    Definitely roughen up that intake a bit. I was getting exhaust in the coolant and replaced the head gasket for a second time and decided that the gaskets looked good coming off. To get them pressure tested and magnafluxed was 200 dollars alone. I figure they are bad and bought a rebuilt set off Rock auto. I don’t think the lower intake could cause my symptoms so I will reuse the ported intake. I have a stock intake as well. I’m just not sure about porting the new heads if it is a negligible gain. I’m not pushing high power. Just the mods in my signature and I added Meth.
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  4. #4 Re: To port or not to port? 
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    Gasket match and port the intake side, but do not polish.

    Exhaust side you can remove all casting marks and smooth out the valve bowls. On exhaust runners Raise the ceiling a touch but do not exceed the height or the exhaust gasket. Make sure you leave the D shape in the exhaust runner though. Very important. Ive ported a dozen sets or so and guys have seen good results. Its not super hard to do, but it is pretty easy to do it wrong.
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  5. #5 Re: To port or not to port? 
    Donating Users bandook's Avatar
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    Also here's a pretty cool article on 3800 porting.

    Â*- Camaro Home Page Tom Henry Chevrolet
    I found this way after I already ported mine but I did a lot of what they did by watching a lot of YouTube porting videos. My favorite guy is a channel called HeadBytes porting.
    Top Swapped 01 Imp
    VS (very small?) cam, SD Headers, 2.8" pulley, 29°, ported everything, E85, AEM water/meth, Deka 60's, HPT tuned
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  6. #6 Re: To port or not to port? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by bandook View Post
    Also here's a pretty cool article on 3800 porting.

    *- Camaro Home Page Tom Henry Chevrolet
    I found this way after I already ported mine but I did a lot of what they did by watching a lot of YouTube porting videos. My favorite guy is a channel called HeadBytes porting.


    That is a very good article. I have seen some YouTube videos of 3800 heads ports. There is good information out there.
    2017 Buick Regal 2.0 Turbo (SOLD 2007 Grand Prix GT. Front and rear PLOGs, 1.8 roller rockers, CAI, HPTuned, 3.4 pulley, TEP transmission, 90# springs, rollmaster single chain, Impala front brakes d/s rotors.) Past (Pontiacs) Grand Prix- 97 GT, 03 GT, 04 GT, 04 Comp G, 78 Trans am, 92 Trans Am.
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  7. #7 Re: To port or not to port? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iceman6669 View Post
    Gasket match and port the intake side, but do not polish.

    Exhaust side you can remove all casting marks and smooth out the valve bowls. On exhaust runners Raise the ceiling a touch but do not exceed the height or the exhaust gasket. Make sure you leave the D shape in the exhaust runner though. Very important. Ive ported a dozen sets or so and guys have seen good results. Its not super hard to do, but it is pretty easy to do it wrong.

    I ported my previous set and it looked ok. As for gains I don’t know. My concern with these is that the seats are already 3 angle machined and I don’t have money to do it again if I nick it.
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  8. #8 Re: To port or not to port? 
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    i did a set too. many hrs spent yes rorking around the valve seats is kinda scary, dont start there, till you know how the bits act.

    To port or not to port?-006_zps6gl1nht2-jpg

    To port or not to port?-003_zpsom8kk6xa-jpg
    To port or not to port? Attached Images

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  9. #9 Re: To port or not to port? 
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    If anything I may gasket match and do some light work. I don’t think I’m going to go nuts doing a full port. I’ll just pulley up to the 3.4 and put the 3.25 in the drawer. I may take it in and have the stainless valves lapped in and checked.
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  10. #10 Re: To port or not to port? 
    GXP Level Member GTPpower's Avatar
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    It's a waste of time unless you are going for records. You're looking at maybe a 10hp gain for the 20+ hours it takes to port them. By all means, do it if you want. But there are way better ways to pick up power than with porting heads.
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  11. #11 Re: To port or not to port? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by GTPpower View Post
    It's a waste of time unless you are going for records. You're looking at maybe a 10hp gain for the 20+ hours it takes to port them. By all means, do it if you want. But there are way better ways to pick up power than with porting heads.
    Been following your build. Can't wait to see some track times. Everything looking good?
    Top Swapped 01 Imp
    VS (very small?) cam, SD Headers, 2.8" pulley, 29°, ported everything, E85, AEM water/meth, Deka 60's, HPT tuned
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  12. #12 Re: To port or not to port? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by bandook View Post
    Been following your build. Can't wait to see some track times. Everything looking good?
    Yeah it's looking good so far. There's a lot I haven't posted yet because I wanted to do some testing on it first. I was thinking about maybe a patent on some of my work, but I don't think I really want to go down that road.

    But it's looking promising. The blower is stupid loud at idle. Can't wait to hear it under boost. We should be going to the track Friday or Saturday with it and my buddy's turbo gp.
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  13. #13 Re: To port or not to port? 
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    Very cool, good luck man.
    Top Swapped 01 Imp
    VS (very small?) cam, SD Headers, 2.8" pulley, 29°, ported everything, E85, AEM water/meth, Deka 60's, HPT tuned
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  14. #14 Re: To port or not to port? 
    GXP Level Member GTPpower's Avatar
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    Thanks!
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  15. #15 Re: To port or not to port? 
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    Thanks, that’s what I was contemplating. Whether the time vs gains are worth the time. I definitely do not have a track setup. Thanks for the help everyone.
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  16. #16 Re: To port or not to port? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by GTPpower View Post
    It's a waste of time unless you are going for records. You're looking at maybe a 10hp gain for the 20+ hours it takes to port them. By all means, do it if you want. But there are way better ways to pick up power than with porting heads.
    Question- I am switching over the 90# springs from the old heads to the new ones. My question is that I have ZZP stainless valves in the old one as well. Should I switch those over? I’m not sure how much of a difference if any the stainless valves would have over stock? Thanks
    2017 Buick Regal 2.0 Turbo (SOLD 2007 Grand Prix GT. Front and rear PLOGs, 1.8 roller rockers, CAI, HPTuned, 3.4 pulley, TEP transmission, 90# springs, rollmaster single chain, Impala front brakes d/s rotors.) Past (Pontiacs) Grand Prix- 97 GT, 03 GT, 04 GT, 04 Comp G, 78 Trans am, 92 Trans Am.
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  17. #17 Re: To port or not to port? 
    GXP Level Member GTPpower's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rickisrad View Post
    Question- I am switching over the 90# springs from the old heads to the new ones. My question is that I have ZZP stainless valves in the old one as well. Should I switch those over? I’m not sure how much of a difference if any the stainless valves would have over stock? Thanks
    The stainless valves really won't make any difference. If they are oversized, they might help a very small amount. I would probably swap them, since you're taking the springs off anyways. But, it really won't make any difference either way.


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    2005 F350 6.0 - studded, deleted, tuned
    2001 GTP - cam, headers, nitrous, stock trans - 11.83 @ 116 <$2k in mods - sold
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  18. #18 Re: To port or not to port? 
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    Thanks GTPpower! Yeah lapping the stainless valves won’t be too difficult on a fresh grind.
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