Small Port Head porting

[rubberband]

So Yeah, I am pulling the motor to do a clutch and Timing belt/reseal the leaky bitch. I may end up refreshing the block/rings depeding on what I find when it is cracked open...dunno yet.
I wanted to check in with some of you on P&P the small port head and intake mani's. I know AEB head is an obvious option but for what I am running (list below),
I thought I may be able to make a small port head and intake flow for more power. I do however want to keep the SAI, EGR etc since I am in socal and would like to be able to throw the stock tune in and a cat just in-case.
Any words of wisdom concerning this? anyone see any value in doing this, as you can see, I am by no means running crazy power or race only parts.
Kinda like to think it is a freeway bomber that looks stock for the most part.

Engine mods
ATW 5speed 164K miles
GT2871 Elim
Apikol SMIC
3" cat delete w/ 2.5 downpipe back
3" tip to VR maf and STOCK airbox w/ ofe dryflow
Uni 440 tune
Meth

[geeky]

Im currently in the process of piecing and researching up a build for myself. I recall talking to Seerlah about P&P the small port head but its not worth the time and money. I was planning on removing my SAI and just wanted to keep the VVT and apparently it can transfer straight over to the AEB head with some slight adjustments.

I guess instead of doing a full P&P, you could always gasket match the head more than anything.

[rubberband]

thanks for the input geeky. I usually do all my own porting (never on a 20v head though) so its just my time.
my ATW is non VVT so I would think that the aeb head would work except the egr stuff is different yes?

[M-Hood]

thanks for the input geeky. I usually do all my own porting (never on a 20v head though) so its just my time.
my ATW is non VVT so I would think that the aeb head would work except the egr stuff is different yes?

Correct. I have been running a AEB on my ATW for a long time now.

[Seerlah]

The general consensus was that it is not worth the time and money to P&P the small port head, when you can just slap on the AEB head and AEB mani with larger runners. But if money is not involved and just time, then by all means go for it.

On a side note, how that setup run with the Apikol side mount? Still running stock or stock sized plumbing in silicone? When you reach full boost and have you ever logged your IATs? I didn't think anyone on here ran with the Apikol side mount on a larger turbocharger.

[rubberband]

Thanks mike, thanks seerlah. so if I do the aeb head on the atw block, can I still run the sai and egr with no issues or is there something I need to do for proper adaptation?
reagrding my setup, I liked the idea of not running an FMIC, hacking the bumper yet still getting better than the stock smic. I run all the stock hoses,but have not logget IAT's . I can if you think it will help you make a purchase decision though.... what will it take, like three minutes? Hit me up if you need it done.
It spools just as quickly as the stock smic, (hits full boost by 38-3900 @ 22psi) It handles heatsoak much better than the stocker but I doubt better than the FMIC. oh, and it bolts right in...you would just want to modify your fenderliner for more flow. I just used a dremel and cut two rows wide and 5 or 6 rows down (1/4" high x 3" long) slots and works fine. I am very happy with it.

[Seerlah]

I am pretty dead set on the Apikol anyways and was going to run it on a full frame GT2871R, and that's why I was wondering (installed S4 fender liner in prep). It was either that, or a CX Racing kit that I doubt would be more effecient. I just don't want to hack my bumper, just like you. And to avoid such a thing is a task all by itself when running an fmic on the stock bumper. But if you feel like logging, that would be great. Just whenever you feel like it, ambient temps should be at least 85*, and I need a log of at least a third hard pull (maybe a good 2 min before your last pull would suffice for the numbers I want to see).

But to stay on topic, you won't be able to keep your SAI with the AEB cylinder head. It also does not have an EGR valve. The valve on the back of the cylinder head that people confuse for the EGR valve is the combination valve, and has to do with your SAI. If you are dead set on keeping these emission components for passing inspection, then you should go the route that you suggested (porting and polishing small port head). You can even gasket match the intake ports to run the AEB IM, which I assume you would have wanted to do anyways.

[Dan[FN]6262]

I don't mean it the way it sounds, but it is pointless to switch to a AEB head with a 2871. You can easily max out a 2871 with a stock small port head, switching to a AEB would just max it out quicker, and you could achieve the same thing by purchasing a mild intake cam, like the Autotech.

Small port head is not the restriction, its the stock cams. They're designed for maximum torque on a very small turbo. completely the opposite of what you're trying to do.

[rubberband]

seerlah, will do, but we may have to wait awhile for 85* ambient temps!
Its friggen 95-100 up here in the san fernando valley!!!!
dan, so what you are saying is that i would just fill up the chambers quickly, but air would have nowhere to go without a cam at least on the intake?
do you think that the intake cam would bridge the gap or actually make my setup more laggy & spool later? I am talking mildly ported small port head, at least portmatched and unshrouded valves w/ cut valvestems & with the intake cam.
sorry for so many questions...I certainly do appreciate the feedback though!

[Dan[FN]6262]

kinda.... an engine is a air pump, plain and simple. So think of it as one.

pretty much you want the engine to digest as much air as possible during the intake stroke. the stock cams just don't allow that to happen on a larger turbo, like I said, they're designed for a tiny K03 that flows ~18lb/min. Your turbo flows around 45lbs/min of air. So your turbo is more than twice the size of the stock unit. So wouldn't it only make sense to allow the engine to use it more efficiently?

You'll see much better gains by simply installing a intake cam versus a mild port and cut valve guides.

From what I've been told by people running the Autotech intake cam, they didn't experience any extra lag, just more mid and top end.

I was only running stock cams for tuning, sold my big set, and now I'm broke as hell and can't afford another set hahahaha. funny how that works.

[rubberband]

good info, thanks. since I will have the motor out and the head off to do a new headgasket, I will install the autotech intake cam and gasket match the ports.
I doubt that would hurt anything. anything to help increase the airflow! would there be any bennifits to at least running the AEB intake mani with the stock small port atw head or would that be overkill?

[Dan[FN]6262]

I wouldn't. I'd keep the small port manifold so that velocity stayed consistent