i have heard many things about porting. i've heard a lot of S*** talking from techs dissing on other peoples work at the porting bench. does it really make that much of a differance if joe-below-zero has a flow bench? how do i, the garage wrencher, know who will give me the best porting? help.

 

A lot of what it comes down to is, who will do what you want and will they give you good service and a good price?
I have a friend that used the info on the MacDizzy site and ported his own cylinder and the thing kicks butt! He just used a hand-held Dremmel on a freshly bored cylinder. He didn't need a "big name" builder to get what he wanted.
So, think hard about what you want to do with your ride; are you going to race MX? Dune? Play ride?
Then, call builders and ask questions about what they are willing to do for you. The local guy with a flow-bench should not be ruled out, but talk to him and see what he suggests.
Porting does make a significant difference in the power. It can be ported for low-end, low-mid, mid-top, top-end and with your porting you need to combine the proper carb, reeds, airbox/filter and pipe/silencer to make it all work together. Don't just port your cylinder and then put it in with a stock carb/pipe/air box. That's sorta like putting a 4-barrel carb on a car with a 2-barrel and expecting huge improvements; you'll get some, but you won't realize the full potential with out a complete package.
Good luck![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

The big shops get big money because the work quality is known, and people win races with it. There are many good shops, just tell them what you want, and you'll likely get it. I know of a former team honda engine builder who does this work for a very good price, and everyone I know who has had work done by him is very satisified. PM if you want his website. You will need to change other things to get huge power, as trapperB1 said.

 

thanks for the info guys. looks like i'll be going with a local tech here in portland. he has twenty years porting experience w/ 2 and 4 strokes. i called a few guys that went to him and they all gave a thumbs up. plus he has a flow bench. thanks again.