Ep 21. DIY Cylinder Head Porting Gains 92 Horsepower!

Engine Masters season 2 episode 21 titled "DIY Cylinder Head Porting Gains 92 Horsepower!" focuses on the process of enhancing the performance of a small-block Chevy engine by using basic tools and techniques. The hosts, David Freiburger and Steve Dulcich, work on the engine of a 1970 Camaro SS by experimenting with advanced cylinder head porting techniques.

During the episode, the Engine Masters team demonstrates how to use advanced techniques such as profiling, blending, and opening up the valve seats to reduce the restriction in the head. The team starts by removing the cylinder heads and disassembling them to see how they function. They then use basic tools such as grinders, sanders, and various carbide burrs to create the desired shape and to remove excess metal from the heads.

The Engine Masters crew uses both visual aids and live demonstrations to explain the techniques used in the process of porting heads. They also explain the importance of each stage in the process as they follow the engine’s progress through the dyno testing.

With each step, Steve Dulcich and David Freiburger explain how their alterations can improve engine performance. For example, they illustrate how carefully formed shape contours can create efficient airflow as well as deepen and widen the valve seats to improve breathing.

The Engine Masters team also uses a flow bench to measure the airflow and to compare their modifications’ effectiveness with standard, unmodified heads. Additionally, they explore different valve jobs to confirm their philosophy of enhancing flow as much as possible through careful shaping. By testing each step of the process in real-time, the team determines the best way to achieve optimal engine performance.

Uncovering the secrets of ported heads can make a major improvement in engine performance, as David and Steve find when they take the vehicle onto the dyno. The final figures boast an extra 92 horsepower from overhauling the cylinder heads - a fantastic and substantial gain that even pros like David and Steve weren't expecting.

The episode concludes with a final summary of the changes made to the engine and the real-life results of the work done by the Engine Masters crew. By following their techniques and utilizing readily available tools, viewers are shown a feasible way to benefit from the performance enhancements that porting cylinder heads can offer.

Overall, the DIY Cylinder Head Porting Gains 92 Horsepower!" episode of Engine Masters season 2 is a must-watch for anyone looking to improve the performance of a small-block Chevy engine. The show offers an in-depth guide to the process of porting cylinder heads, providing both beginner and intermediate mechanics with valuable insight.