Port and polish is it a good idea

[mikesmazda155]

I am thinking about porting and polishing the head on my MP3, would that be a good idea? If I do it, I will be getting new cams, and a centerforce stage 2 clutch w\ a light weight flywheel for the N2O. What else would be a good idea for the engine for more horses. I was thinking about a turbo, but I am thinking that there is some annual maintenance with that? Let me know, which route would be the better one to take.

 

[MalkavianMP3]

Porting and polishing the head of your MP3 isn't a cost effective way to make HP. You'll only gain like 5-10 horses at the crank if that. It's normallylike $350-$500 to get that done. But if you do it yourself, then I'm all for it. But if not, just replace the cams and flywheel.

 

[NC_MP3]

The head work won't hurt, but don't expect to gain too much. To be honest there isn't too much power to be made with the NA route yet. Until someone makes more performance mods like bigger cams, higher compression pistons, intake manifolds and such, we won't see any 200+ NA MP3s. Best bang for the buck right now is turbo or N2O.

 

[HOTTRODD]

MALKAVIAN,
COULDN'T THEY AT LEAST PUT YOUR CAR RIGHT SIDE UP BEFORE PUTTING IT ON THE TRUCK?
AT LEAST LET IT DIE WITH SOME DIGNITY.

 

[spoolinmp3]

As far as N/A goes port and polish wont get you much. Dont waste your money and expext huge performance gains. Go turbo!!!!!

 

[APEXistud]

Port & Polish then turbo. I'm sure that will help a lot. True it won't gain a butt load of horsepower, but a gain is a gain and if you have the money...go ahead man. If you plan on installing the pistons you should actually consider port & polishing since they already have the engine cracked open. Just my .02 cents

 

[Sir Nuke]

Like the sign in the speed shops says "Speed cost money....how fast do you want to go".....Like Apex said...if you pockets are deep enough...go for it...it all adds up. HOWEVER...unless you are very versed in the process...you have your own flow bench to use....do NOT attempt this yourself....you can end up doing more damage then good. the port and polish job will increase the efficiency of the head....but just remember...your engine MUST be in a ballance....if you are making it easier for air and fuel to get in...you MUST make it easier to get it out as well....you need to have a matched system from where the air comes in...to where the exhaust goes out. before you start laying down a lot of green for work...and taking your ride off the road..do a LOT of homework.....and do the work ONCE.

 

[Racer 5]

MalkavianMP3~~ What the hell happened!!! you probably told the story in another thread, so point me there. That sucks big time!! Thank God you are ok though.

 

[MalkavianMP3]

Racer 5, the story is in the Longest Thread, in the off topic forum.

 

[Zeus]

I think Spoolin and Nuke are both right, alone a P&P won't net much. But when part of a thorough engine development plan itll be the icing on the cake. OVB has a good write up you might want to check out -

http://www.overboost.com/story.asp?id=431

With so few performance engine parts available, and so little development done for the Gen 3, somebody has got to cut into it sooner or later. And in the end the fastest car, everything else being equal, will be the one with the best headwork. Period.

Right now I think headwork is going to be the easiest and cheapest way to raise compression and make good N/A power. If you bugger up a head its no biggy either, because obviously these cars are already showing in the junkyards. The only things missing are cams, ECU tuning and a header. Crower can do the cams for about 5 bills. The ECU is just going to be a pain, but it is reprogrammable. A f*ing header is the only sticking point for now.

If youre going for it, look into extrude honing too, its kind of like a P&P is one easy step. Its also the best cheat going in SCCA show room stock class cause it needs no other mods to back it up. But if you also deck the head slightly to raise CR, and multi-angle the valve seats youre done for about $400.

The important point is to have a plan and know exactly what youre doing. I think good results can be had for about $2K with proper knowledge and planning.

 

[mikesmazda155]

A friend of mine with a sweet Dodge Neon told me instead of porting and polishing the head, that I should port and polish the intake manifold. Then add a after market throttle body, which I don't think they make for our cars yet. He told me that the guy that did that to his neon could feel the difference in his car.

I will try to find the site taht is on if there is anyone interested.

 

[mazdamastertech]

i am having a head ported & pollished with some custom valves. manley is going to be the company i choose. 1 1/2mm on intake & 1mm on exhaust. the blanks are supposed to be ready this month. i am sending some stockers so they can get the demenions for the stems and keeper grooves. after all that it will be flowed to the valves and matched against a stock head! then i think nitrous is next on my list!!!!

 

[mazdamp3_18]

i got a price from a buddy of mine and his connection can do a port and polish for me for $500 and i can get port and polish and larger valves for $700..... im seriously considering this but my car will be out for a few days it takes him 40 labor hours... he takes his time and does everything exact....

 

[Zeus]

Mastertech,

Man I lost the email you sent me with your phone number, and I still need some cam shafts I can use as blanks for a hard face regrind. You were the only one that replied to my posts and said you could hook me up. Kind of makes me think a lot of people are just talking chit about installing the FZ and Mazdaspeed cams. I mean, if anyone had installed new cams and the old ones werent any good for a core credit, Id think theyd be interested in selling them.

Also Im still trying to compile info on the FS-DE and layout a top end design. I have a cam design chosen with the exception of the lift. So Im looking for info like rocker arm ratio, valve to piston clearance at full lift, camber volume, seat cut angles and crap like that. Somewhere I remember you mentioning that you had access to spare heads and thought you may have this info available. Since I plan on doing the head work and decking it for about 10.2:1 at the same time, I need to figure out my lift carefully. Pulling the head to measure everything myself just to calculate my lift would mean serious down time. Blue prints would be so sweet Id pay good money for them.

I plan on using the stock valves for now with just re-cut seats if necessary, maybe a five angle. I may get the intake/head extrude honed after match porting, in which case the intake seats will need re-cut anyway.

Shoot me another email with your number and let me know what a good time to call is. I work odd hours and want to be sure I dont make a pest of myself.

Thanks,
Steve
gulfstream@cfl.rr.com