Ported 317 LS Heads for the beginner

[user-17438]

Im just going to post how a basic 317 ls head can be ported in different stages. Basic performance to race ported. And you would be amazed at how quick you can do this. Here we will focus on the intake side, since that's what gets people's attention

For the first timers, I'm going to grind just where you need . This will show you how some shops will just cover up what they did with burr or sanding, to make you think more work was done. Some shops put in more effort, but it doesn't mean it was in the right place..

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Here is the sacrificial port.

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This will be your basic stage 1, Blend the bowl into the bottom cut of the valve job.

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After this step, simply lap your valves and assemble. This MOD is good for mild camshafts. 400-415whp. Time required about 1 minute per bowl.

[user-17438]

Stage 2... Moving the bulge and blending around the guide.

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Approximate time 4 minutes.

[user-17438]

Stage 3 you say? No it's just knocking everything with a burr, I intentionally did this very lightly to show you how almost no work can make it look like a lot.

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Time required about 5 minutes

[user-17438]

Stage 4 blending the walls... This is where you now make it look like you are a pro.

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There we go, just knock everything with a burr.. Time involved about 10 minutes

[user-17438]

So far we have a basically stock port that hasn't really been picked up our stage 3, but she does look pretty.

Now stage 5 is tricky, this isn't noticeable since it looks like stage 4. But we work the width of the short turn and the bowl. Then pull the bowl back to the radius of the pushrod pinch.

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Time about 10 minutes.

[CGT]

What is your opinion on the 317 casting? Thanks for the pics.

[GARY C]

I remember years ago I think it was Jim Mcfarland or Joe Sherman that did a similar deal with a 23 degree head but he left the rest of the port untouched to show that the bulk of improvement really only took 10 or 15 minutes but many people were paying for pretty and that took much more time.

[user-17438]

What is your opinion on the 317 casting? Thanks for the pics.

As far as? it isnt an LS3 or LS7.
I don't have a favorite cathedral port head, as they all make about the same power ported.
Prepped like this i have made 700+whp 14lbs of boost with a dinky 230@50 cam.
prepped like this they usually make 425whp+ with a cam, headers and tune. or about 25-35 more than untouched. same cam.

[Carnut1]

Matt, did you flow these?

[Carnut1]

Matt, did you flow these?

[user-17438]

Matt, did you flow these?

No, I generally do not. Only if the customer wants them flowed.

[S10LS2]

In before, "what do they flow" posts derail the thread.. Thank you for putting this thread up and explaining what you are doing.. Nice to see some gen3,4 chevy Ls stuff on here.. The sbc chit has been done to death here.. EDIT: Oh well lol Did not read the posts before mine

[Carnut1]

Funny, just wondering... I ported and flowed a 243 head at DV's shop with no Pitot no flowball and limited time rough out. With no previous ls1 experience.

[S10LS2]

I remember years ago I think it was Jim Mcfarland or Joe Sherman that did a similar deal with a 23 degree head but he left the rest of the port untouched to show that the bulk of improvement really only took 10 or 15 minutes but many people were paying for pretty and that took much more time.

That may be true with the 23*sbc head, but 10-15 mins per port on a ls head is probably 280-290 cfm at .550. With a stock 2.00" valve. (for the flow guys)

[GARY C]

I remember years ago I think it was Jim Mcfarland or Joe Sherman that did a similar deal with a 23 degree head but he left the rest of the port untouched to show that the bulk of improvement really only took 10 or 15 minutes but many people were paying for pretty and that took much more time.

That may be true with the 23*sbc head, but 10-15 mins per port on a ls head is probably 280-290 cfm at .550. With a stock 2.00" valve. (for the flow guys)

And your point is?