What do ported heads buy you in real world HP?

I am building a motor (as I broke 3 rods 6 weeks ago) and am doing the mods below and told the machine shop that I want a mild port job and am wondering what it will get me. I figured that while it was apart now was the time. By the way any ideas as to what the new mods should buy me overall?

New Block
Eagle Rods
JE Pistons
FMF Oil Pump
Mod Max Stainless oversized intake and exhaus valves
Mod Max springs
Stock Cams
Head Porting (clean up)
JBA Stainless Shorty Headers
255lph fuel pumps
NGK BR7's

Current (pre blown motor) Mods
5lb lower
1 lb upper
JL and PSP Chips
FTVB
Truk Traks
10" 2.5" Race mufflers
PSP Air Cleaner and Cold Air Kit
JL Thunder Pipe
Intercooler Pump Switch
55-75hp Zex Wet Kit
Boost Bypass MOD
Boost Actuator Mod
Nitto 555r's (don't like them)
Hoosier 14.5x28x16 QTP on AR 10x16

 

Head work wil give you 10 or so hp and problably around 20 ft/lbs with the stock blower. If you change the blower and cams then that is when the head work really pays off.

 

If your going to do head work, Id definately change to a bigger set of cams. Youll even be happy with the loppy sound...

 

Who actually does the porting is far more important than just having ported heads. I have seen some 4 valve Mustangs pick almost 100hp is a blown application combined with cams. Your porter should understand what cam you are going to use so he can match his work to the cam.

 

So 6#'s and nitrous didnt work out for you ? Your combo didn't really seem too over the top...so why did you end up breaking 3 rods?

 

I have heard different reasons.
1: Stock 2001 Rods can only handle 450hp
I surely exceeded 450 with the nitrous

2: Detonation caused by the nitrous
No sound, feel or signs other than there was some insulator cracking on the Denso plugs. I have been told that the Denso do not like nitrous and also that detonation caused it. The machine shop that took the motro apart says ythey see no signs of detonation. Black pistons, no blow by, no pitting or aluminum particles anywhere. Also the Zex Wet kit is pretty fullproof. I was running my JL chip, but with the 55hp jets I should have been OK. if I was to do it again I would surely have run less timing. I have ordered a PSP 4 program chip.
1:Street 2:Race 3:75hp Nitrous 4:125hp Nitrous

After that who the hell knows. I am just making sure it doesn't happen again.

 

I have heard that cams do not buy you much and that the next step would be a new blower. KB or who knows what else 112? If it runs in the mid to low 11's I will be happy. If not I may need a blower.

 

Actually I think its the other way around, based on what I know now, if I had a choice between the two it would be camshafts first.

The PI heads do respond to mild work if its done right, you can work on the valve job and trim the emissions mask in the combustion chamber and pick up some nice flow gains. The stock valves have a really good shape but are on the small side, I think they are shaped better and flow better than the Ferrea valves but that is just what we have seen, I'm sure someone out there has a different opinion on that.
Dale

 

I think the Mod Max valves are Manley's. I am not sure of the shape issues you mentioned.

 

I stand corrected that the ModMax valves are Ferrea's. What about the shape don't you like?

 

They might be Manley now but a year and a half ago they were Ferrea. The stock valve has a very generous margin width and wide back side angles. It seems the closer you make the Ferrea valve look like a stock valve the better it flows. Problem with the Ferrea is they don't give you much to work with and you can't make it look "just" like a stock valve cause there is no margin width to play with. The stock valves are small but well shaped for this particular cylinder head.

These aren't facts plucked out of thin air......I spent a lot of money having my stuff worked and flowed and we learned it the hard way. Dale

 

One more thing about Ferrea....they will make you anything you want custom but the price is so high you might as well buy Ti valves. On the other hand with Manley they will take you order and say "yeah we can make that" and then they send you something close. I know this the hard way too. I just ordered my second set of custom valves, cause Manley only got close the first time. I guess they thought we wouldn't notice.
Dale

 

If you can wait a few days I should be able to give you real world result answers to your questions.

I Basically have everything done (Built bottom end, cams, KB, 55# injectors, ProM ,Fuel pumps...etc) but no head work or oversized valves.

I will have my L back on tuesday w/ a dyno sheet (I heard 600 rwhp and 700 rwtq. was what it dynoed at today at JDMs, but I was not there and I will wait until I have a dyno sheet) and I am running all out on Friday.

So I will be able to compare dyno #s and times w/ guys like HDMILINIUM, Dons Bolt and others who have the same stuff but also have head work.

VINNIE

 

Great

 

Can't wait to see all your guys trucks run down the track on Friday! They are gonna be flying. Should be a fun day. Great numbers by the way!

Seidler, while the motor is apart I would really go with a set of cams. That is if the money is there. Just my opinion. I hope to have a built Long Block in my truck before winters end. -Mat-