I've been reading up on all the porting threads I can find and have noticed that the only problem with longevity in bridge ported engines seems to be that the bridge fails over time. (please feel free to enlighten me if you have other info)

What I'm wondering is if it would make sense to drill several smaller holes rather than cutting a full port to provide the bridge with better support? Kind of a precision swiss cheese of the traditional porting hole.

I'm aware that this will cause some reduction in the amount of flow potential compared to the traditional full port opening, but it should resolve the issue of breakage and be a significant improvement over an unported housing.

My intention is a compromise between a partial bridge port and a massive street port. I like the idea of leaving the primary timing stock and merely allowing for more flow in the runners and then going a little more radical with the secondaries and 6 ports. This will be a "healthy" street motor and I'm looking for 225+ hp at the wheels out of the arraingement with fully open 2.5" exhaust, RB header, ported intake and modded TB, and free flowing air filter. This motor will eventually see Nitrous use in the 100hp range.

Any insights are appreciated.

Car is an `86, and feel free to ask me any questions you might have.

 

C'mon, No one has anything to say about this?

 

I know people who do this to 4 ports for longevity reasons. Yes it works and keeps the bridge from cracking. Less flow potentual then a full bridge, but more then a large street port.

 

How many holes do they drill and how big do they make them? I've been contemplating going for large openings and having fewer of them or going for smaller holes and having more of them.

Obviously, with the smaller holes the port timing could be more precise in the additional area, but would it limit flow more than fewer larger holes?

The additional turbulence in the runner just prior to entering the chamber would also help with fuel atomization, so there are more advantages than merely longevity. (although not blowing my motor up in a couple years is a primary motivator in this concept)