Camaroz29

iTrader: (3)

Where are some good machine shops to get a set of heads flowed around here?

Zap Racing

Call Westside Performance and Machine Inc--713-465-7996- (One of the better machine shops in Hou)-if they can't do it, I'm sure they can tell U who can.

jetblast

iTrader: (1)

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly do they do when they FLOW the heads?

Zap Racing

They measure the amount/volume of air that the heads can pass thru the runners or passages if U will from where it connects to the intake manifold to the combustation chamber. It is done at a controlled psi so as to be accurate.

Now contrary to popular belief by some, it is possible to flow too much air! U want runners that flow the right amount of air to match the combination U have on your motor--to match the amount the intake (whether it's carb or injected) can flow--the amount the cam wants--the amount the size of the combustion chamber wants--IE the compression ratio , and volume of your pistons and combustion chamber.

A good example of this is some people switch from 1:5 ratio rocker arms to 1:6 ratio rockers and there car runs worse! Why? because the valve staying open longer with the bigger rockers is pumpin more air than the runners in the heads can handle and they cause turbulance in there and U actually flow less because of the turbulance.

It was explained to me by a very knowledgable racer years ago--it's like if U have a 1 gal jug of water--if U turn it up sideways, where the water is coming out smoothly, rather than turning it up all the way where it is oing glug-glug-glug--it will take less time to empty the jug. Granted it's not the same thing, but it's a good way to understand what's going on.

jetblast

iTrader: (1)

HEy thanks for the info.

Camaroz29

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the info. I've already got 2 sets of flowsheets on these and they vary GREATLY from one another. I'm thinking about going to a 3rd bench and then averaging the numbers I get from the 3 different benches to come up with an "average head flow" by which I would pick my camshaft with.

Zap Racing

By the way they are one of the best in Hou for any head work (or any kind of engine work)--they are very popular with many of the top drag racers and roundy round racers in the area!

3.8TransAM

If forget the name, but he was Judd Massengil's shop foreman before Northwest Engine became the School of Automotive MAchinists.

Judd mentions him often and wouldnt hold him in high regard if he didnt know his stuff lol

later
JEremy

esc

iTrader: (6)

The guy that does most of the porting for West Side has his own shop where he does work on the side. He is also a friend of mine, so if you want to go directly to him I'll give you an introduction.

1bad91Z

iTrader: (1)

Just make sure the bench you end up using flows in 28", not 25".