DIY head porting?

[Nibor]

As the title says.

Anyone done it? Suggestions? Things to look out for?

I couldn't do a massive job as no airflow tools at home, just thinking of cleaning up the casting, radius' (pl. radii?), slight widen and polish it up. Valve seat enlargement would be done by a machinist.

Also, should I open the ports up, or narrow them with JB weld??
http://www.mototuneusa.com/power_news_--_think_fast.htm
Or is this motoman just crazy?

[koko64]

Besides cleaning up casting dags and getting a good texture, it's easy to make a mistake and go overboard. As you guessed, bigger isnt always better.

There is stuff to take into account with a porting job that needs to be discussed with the person doing the work. The mods to the motor matter on what kind of porting will be done. Think about what cams, valves and compression you would like to use for the kind of power you want. I give serious porting jobs to very experienced people I trust so I dont stuff it up.

I have two mates who are very good, one's in Bundoora and the other in Mt Evelyn. Brad might put you onto someone he uses.

[Speeddog]

~~~SNIP~~~
I give serious porting jobs to very experienced people I trust so I dont stuff it up.
~~~SNIP~~~

What he said.

[oldndumb]

Whichever head porting service you opt to use, I suggest verifying that they have and use a flow bench.

[Düb Lüv]

I'm doing my own porting on my DS heads. I'm just cleaning up the casting marks in the runners and polishing the combustion chamber. I've been using mainly 120 grit since the heads are aluminum. It also keeps you from removing too much material.

I'm not an expert nor claiming to be. After talking to some experts, you'll get mixed thoughts about porting. Some say its a waste, others say differ. What gave me the confidence to start porting was a guy at Indianapolis ducati. I was talking to him about doing the work for me and told him what I had going on. He said if I was able to do a big bore upgrade and able to dis assemble and reassemble my heads, like I'm doing, then I shouldn't have a problem doing a light port job.

[oldndumb]

Since you are not doing a major modification, if you haven't already thought of it, I suggest you also include port matching. It is also considered in the clean up category but it is beneficial.

[Düb Lüv]

Since you are not doing a major modification, if you haven't already thought of it, I suggest you also include port matching. It is also considered in the clean up category but it is beneficial.

the diameter differences on the ds heads are minuscule. also they are rubber insulate on the inside of the intake itself. 

[oldndumb]

the diameter differences on the ds heads are minuscule. also they are rubber insulate on the inside of the intake itself. 

Good.

[Lieutenant Dan]

You should really have a look at this fascinating thread: http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=56614.0

[Nibor]

Cheers Dan, I'd forgot about Suzie's thread! Had a read a while ago, but I was focused on the loom not the heads haha. 8 page re-read and that's really helpful!