LS Intake port length

BILL JULIANI

New Member
Currently deciding on an intake for my 383 boat engine, AFR heads, 224/228 @ .050 roller, performance exhaust, came across an LS Intake dyno test with variable length runner test, but it appears the runner length is shorter on the LS head, so using the listed intake runners for comparison when looking at the dyno graphs is not relevant. Does anyone know the port length difference between the SBC Vortec and the LS?
I am considering either porting the stock Mercruiser which has an approx. 9" runner and appears to based off of the stock truck vortec intake, or using a performance Mercruiser tunnel ram style EFI with 6.25" runners. Tunnel ram runners seem too short for the max ~5600 RPM, but then again if Mercruiser used it...
Yes, I know they are different animals, but the torque curve shape based on the different runner lengths should be able to provide some relevant additional info in helping decide. Seems a stock style intake with larger ports would work best, but if so, why would Mercruiser go to the trouble of coming up with a different intake for their higher HP offerings?
 
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/20-ls1-intake-manifolds-tested/


https://racemagazine.com.au/cars/ls1-manifold-comparison-data-analysis

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/giant-ls3-intake-manifold-dyno-shootout/

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/engines-drivetrain/1706-ls-truck-intake-dyno-shootout/

https://www.enginelabs.com/engine-t...ng-four-popular-ls3-bolt-on-intake-manifolds/

https://www.holley.com/products/ls_power/ls_intakes/

https://www.carid.com/chevy-perform...MIhanw4eLn3AIVA9bACh24qgRQEAMYASAAEgLztPD_BwE

budget-thanks-to-aftermarket-parts/

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/en...ols-to-make-your-next-ls-engine-build-easier/

https://www.racepagesdigital.com/tricked-out-ls-power-a-hands-on-ls-engine-build-with-bolt-on-parts/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/chevy-ls1-related-info.3918/

https://www.jegs.com/s/tech-articles/junkyard-ls-engine-builds.html

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/en...hoestring-budget-thanks-to-aftermarket-parts/

https://www.powerperformancenews.com/tech/build-it-yourself-ls-engine-building-tips-and-techniques/

https://www.enginelabs.com/engine-t...a-700-horsepower-pump-gas-ls-build-with-ffre/

https://www.dragzine.com/tech-stories/10-basic-tips-to-building-your-first-ls-engine/

s-l1600.jpg

just so others can look over the test results, on those ls intakes

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/carburetor-intake-manifold-test.58/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/calculate-fuel-injector-size.1200/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/port-speeds-and-area.333/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/valve-seat-angles-and-air-flow.8460/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/more-port-flow-related-info.322/

A VERY USEFUL set of CALCULATORs
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/runnertorquecalc.html

http://users.erols.com/srweiss/calccsa.htm

http://users.erols.com/srweiss/calcplv.htm

http://users.erols.com/srweiss/calcfps.htm

http://users.erols.com/srweiss/calcacsa.htm

both cross sectional area, and length effect flow but remember, displacement compression and cam timing also are major factors.
what most people fail to take into account is that the cam timing and exhaust scavenging being properly matched is critical.
changing the cam timing or header configuration would change some of the resulting intake flow rankings .
tests like that are helpful, as a basic parts selection guide and starting point,
but you can,t assume the results will remain consistent on different engines.
I'd also point out that component cost and easy packaging,
and parts availability all are significant choices and factors,
that were used in the components used.

volumetric.gif

exhaustpressure.jpg

EXFLOWZ4.jpg


READ THE LINKS AND SUB-LINKS
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/chevy-ls-for-dummies-linked-info.15445/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/big-block-or-ls-series-motor.6866/#post-22294

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...s1-t56-install-info-in-earlier-year-cars.276/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/ls1-swap-into-an-early-c-4.886/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/info-on-early-first-gen-camaro-ls1-swap.836/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/new-ls7-in-a-1969-camaro.338/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...hy-is-the-ls-engine-so-good.11713/#post-59455
 
Last edited:
If you Purchase Pipe Max it will help.
Maybe John here has it.

I know the Truck LS2 Intake has been preferred over most offerings.
 
So is this a vortec style block or LS?
Vortec
AFR 195 Vortec heads
The Mercruiser tunnel ram has 6.25" runners with an area of 2.25"
The runners that seemed to work best in the rpm range I'm looking at in the LS test used an 8.25" runner.
My question was
How long is the intake port on the LS head?
Looks shorter,
Trying to make some comparisons to see if the Mercruiser intake I'm considering will make power where I want it to.
 
https://www.enginelabs.com/news/video-lme-dyno-tests-cathedral-port-versus-rectangle-port-heads/
By GREG ACOSTA OCTOBER 19, 2018
In pretty much any subject which is discussed on the internet, there are going to be two constants. The first is that there will be two distinct approaches to solving a problem, with a “rule of thumb” explaining when one is better than the other. The second is that someone will disagree with that rule of thumb.

In this particular case, we are discussing intake port shapes on Gen III/IV LS engines, and the widely held internet rule of thumb is that cathedral port heads produce more torque, while LS3-style rectangular ports will make a higher overall horsepower number. “There’s this online debate constantly occurring, as well as us constantly getting phone calls, asking what should customers run, aftermarket cathedral port heads or if they would be better off with aftermarket or even production LS3-style heads,” shares Bryan Neelan, owner of Late Model Engines .

Late Model Engines just happened to have two identical shortblocks on their dyno back to back, one topped with a set of cathedral port heads, and one with LS3-style rectangle port heads. Neelan decided that was too good of an opportunity to let slip by, and made a video comparing the results of the two dynos.






Both engines utilize 427 cubic-inch shortblocks with 9.8:1 static compression ratios. Beyond the shortblock, both engines utilize a Holley Hi-Ram intake manifold, and two-inch primary headers from American Racing Headers. “The tests were run on two different back-to-back days, but on the same dyno, and with the same shortblock,” Neelan says. “While not identical, the camshafts are very, very similar. Really, there were as many similarities as was possible.”

Where the two engines differ are in the cylinder head choice. One engine utilized a set of TEA-ported Trick Flow 245 cathedral port castings. On the second engine were a set of Late Model Engines CNC-Ported 280cc Brodix BR3 rectangular port heads. Both top performers in their respective applications, but distinctly different from one another.

The results of the test were fairly significant. “We just happened to run identical engines back-to-back with the same shortblock, same holley Hi Ram intake, and the same headers. Both engines were run on pump gas, and the Trick Flow-headed engine wanted about 0.5-degree more timing than the LS3-headed engine, with very similar timing curves,” says Neelan. “At the end of the tests, [the cathedral port engine] made 645 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque, and the LS3 heads made 671 horsepower and 560 lb-ft. That’s a 26 horsepower gain and 15 lb-ft gain with the LS3 head.”

While it might seem only logical that the engine with the larger heads made more power, that’s not necessarily what the internet “rule of thumb” says it should be. “Those are real results there,” Neelan says. “The LS3 style made both power and torque over what many would think would be a higher torque number combination [the cathedral port] because of the higher velocities and smaller port. This test shows that contrary to that line of thought, [LS3-style heads] basically annihilate the cathedral port.”

While Neelan’s statements are based on real world testing, we’re sure that there is someone who will disagree, because after all, it is the internet, and a subject with this many opinions will never be settled by one video and one test. However, it definitely appears to be an additional feather in the cap of the rectangular port camp.


The red trace is the rectangular port LS3-style heads, while the black trace is the cathedral port heads. While there is a clear difference between the two above 5,000 rpm, we have to admit it looks like there might be some face-saving difference in the power and torque below 5,000 rpm for the cathedral port crowd. This one simple test that happened because of sheer coincidence of dyno scheduling certainly isn’t going to settle the debate that has been going on since the LS3 was released.
 
https://www.enginelabs.com/news/frankensteins-new-chimera-cylinder-heads-for-all-out-ls-performance/

https://www.enginelabs.com/news/texas-speed-redesigns-ls-cylinder-heads-with-massive-power-in-mind/

https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/engine-components/ls-lt-lsx-series-blocks/lsx-cylinder-heads
dsc03343.jpg


https://www.hotrod.com/articles/max-overbore-for-ls-blocks/

lscharts1.jpg

lscharts3.jpg

LS_Port_Identification.png


19201807
19201807
LSX-L92 SMALL-BORE CYLINDER HEAD




    • LS3/L92 Port Configuration
    • “As-cast” runners and combustion chamber
    • 15° valve angle
    • Assembled with 2.00" intake and 1.55" exhaust valves
    • 250-cc intake port and 80-cc exhaust port
    • 70-cc combustion chamber



    • Intake flow – 280 cfm @ .600" lift /
      Exhaust flow – 180 cfm @ .700" lift
    • Beehive valve springs
    • Uses LS3-/L92-style rocker arms (offset)
    • 3.890" minimum bore size
    • Uses LS3-/L92-style intake manifold
19354243
LSX-LS3 CYLINDER HEAD




    • L92-style rectangle port design
    • Assembled with 2.165" hollow-stem intake and 1.590" solid-stem exhaust valves
    • 15° valve angle; minimum 4.000" bore



    • 260-cc “as-cast” intake ports, 80-cc “as-cast” exhaust ports
    • 70-cc “as-cast” combustion chambers
    • Uses LS3 rocker arms/LS7 bolts
19354242
LSX-LS7 CNC-PORTED BARE CYLINDER HEAD




    • Fully CNC-ported
    • 6-bolt-per-cylinder bolt pattern
    • LS7-style rectangle port design
    • 12° valve angle; minimum 4.100" bore



    • 70-cc “as-cast” combustion chambers
    • Uses LS7 rocker arms/LS7 bolts
    • 397 cfm@0.700" intake, 230 cfm @ 0.700" exhaust
19354241
LSX-LS7 CNC-PORTED CYLINDER HEAD ASSEMBLY




    • Fully CNC-ported
    • 6-bolt-per-cylinder bolt pattern
    • LS7-style rectangle port design
    • Assembled with 2.200" titanium intake and 1.610" sodium-filled exhaust valves
    • 12° valve angle; minimum 4.100" bore



    • 70-cc “as-cast” combustion chambers
    • Handles .650" lift with premium springs
    • Uses LS7 rocker arms/LS7 bolts
    • Uses P/N 19257879 bare head (shown)
    • 397 cfm @ 0.700" intake, 230 cfm @ 0.700" exhaust
19354239
LSX-LS7 CYLINDER HEAD ASSEMBLY – AS CAST

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-03.jpg

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-01.jpg

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-02.jpg

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-03.jpg

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-01.jpg

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-02.jpg

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-03.jpg




    • 6-bolt-per-cylinder bolt pattern
    • LS7-style rectangle port design
    • Assembled with 2.200" titanium intake and 1.610" sodium-filled exhaust valves
    • 12° valve angle; minimum 4.100" bore



    • 270-cc “as-cast” intake ports, 85-cc “as-cast” exhaust ports
    • 70-cc “as-cast” combustion chambers
    • Handles .650" list with premium springs
    • Uses LS7 rocker arms/LS7 bolts
19354240
LSX-LS7 BARE CYLINDER HEAD – AS CAST




    • Used in P/N 19201806
19354244
LSX-LS9 CYLINDER HEAD ASSEMBLY




    • L92-style rectangle port design
    • Assembled with 2.165" titanium intake and 1.590" sodium-filled exhaust valves
    • 15° valve angle; minimum 4.000" bore



    • 260-cc “as-cast” intake ports, 80-cc “as-cast” exhaust ports
    • 70-cc “as-cast” combustion chambers
    • Uses LS3 rocker arms/LS7 bolts
19417408
LSX-SC BARE CYLINDER HEAD – AS-CAST

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-4.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-2.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-3.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-4.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-2.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-3.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-4.jpg




    • Made of A356 aluminum with low-pressure casting and Hot Isostatic Pressing for enhanced strength and material density
    • Un-ported casting with smaller water jackets to accommodate additional porting and machining.
    • Valve seats and valve guides included, but delivered uninstalled
19417887
LSX-SC BARE CYLINDER HEAD – CNC-MACHINED

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-4.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-2.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-3.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-4.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-2.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-3.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-4.jpg




    • Made of A356 aluminum with low-pressure casting and Hot Isotatic Pressing for enhanced strength and material density
    • CNC-machined intake and exhaust ports



    • CNC-machined combustion chambers
    • Includes valve seats and valve guides installed
19417888
LSX-SC ASSEMBLED CYLINDER HEAD – CNC-MACHINED




    • Made of A356 aluminum with low-pressure casting and Hot Isotatic Pressing for enhanced strength and material density
    • CNC-machined intake and exhaust ports
    • CNC-machined combustion chambers



    • Includes valve seats and valve guides installed
    • Valve seats and guides designed to accommodate 2.20" (intake) and 1.6". (exhaust) valves
    • Assembled head includes 2.20" intake and 1.61" valves and beehive-type valve springs (including retainers and keepers) installed
LSX-L92 SMALL-BORE CYLINDER HEAD

  • LS3/L92 Port Configuration
  • “As-cast” runners and combustion chamber
  • 15° valve angle
  • Assembled with 2.00" intake and 1.55" exhaust valves
  • 250-cc intake port and 80-cc exhaust port
  • 70-cc combustion chamber
  • Intake flow – 280 cfm @ .600" lift /
    Exhaust flow – 180 cfm @ .700" lift
  • Beehive valve springs
  • Uses LS3-/L92-style rocker arms (offset)
  • 3.890" minimum bore size
  • Uses LS3-/L92-style intake manifold
19354243
LSX-LS3 CYLINDER HEAD

  • L92-style rectangle port design
  • Assembled with 2.165" hollow-stem intake and 1.590" solid-stem exhaust valves
  • 15° valve angle; minimum 4.000" bore
  • 260-cc “as-cast” intake ports, 80-cc “as-cast” exhaust ports
  • 70-cc “as-cast” combustion chambers
  • Uses LS3 rocker arms/LS7 bolts
19354242
LSX-LS7 CNC-PORTED BARE CYLINDER HEAD

  • Fully CNC-ported
  • 6-bolt-per-cylinder bolt pattern
  • LS7-style rectangle port design
  • 12° valve angle; minimum 4.100" bore
  • 70-cc “as-cast” combustion chambers
  • Uses LS7 rocker arms/LS7 bolts
  • 397 cfm@0.700" intake, 230 cfm @ 0.700" exhaust
19354241
LSX-LS7 CNC-PORTED CYLINDER HEAD ASSEMBLY

  • Fully CNC-ported
  • 6-bolt-per-cylinder bolt pattern
  • LS7-style rectangle port design
  • Assembled with 2.200" titanium intake and 1.610" sodium-filled exhaust valves
  • 12° valve angle; minimum 4.100" bore
  • 70-cc “as-cast” combustion chambers
  • Handles .650" lift with premium springs
  • Uses LS7 rocker arms/LS7 bolts
  • Uses P/N 19257879 bare head (shown)
  • 397 cfm @ 0.700" intake, 230 cfm @ 0.700" exhaust
19354239
LSX-LS7 CYLINDER HEAD ASSEMBLY – AS CAST

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-03.jpg

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-01.jpg

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-02.jpg

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-03.jpg

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-01.jpg

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-02.jpg

cp-2017-site-components-ls-lt-lsx-lsx-cylinder-heads-image-01-03.jpg

  • 6-bolt-per-cylinder bolt pattern
  • LS7-style rectangle port design
  • Assembled with 2.200" titanium intake and 1.610" sodium-filled exhaust valves
  • 12° valve angle; minimum 4.100" bore
  • 270-cc “as-cast” intake ports, 85-cc “as-cast” exhaust ports
  • 70-cc “as-cast” combustion chambers
  • Handles .650" list with premium springs
  • Uses LS7 rocker arms/LS7 bolts
19354240
LSX-LS7 BARE CYLINDER HEAD – AS CAST

  • Used in P/N 19201806

19354244
LSX-LS9 CYLINDER HEAD ASSEMBLY

  • L92-style rectangle port design
  • Assembled with 2.165" titanium intake and 1.590" sodium-filled exhaust valves
  • 15° valve angle; minimum 4.000" bore
  • 260-cc “as-cast” intake ports, 80-cc “as-cast” exhaust ports
  • 70-cc “as-cast” combustion chambers
  • Uses LS3 rocker arms/LS7 bolts
19417408
LSX-SC BARE CYLINDER HEAD – AS-CAST

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-4.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-2.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-3.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-4.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-2.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-3.jpg

chevy-performance-lsx-bare-cylinder-heads-4.jpg

  • Made of A356 aluminum with low-pressure casting and Hot Isostatic Pressing for enhanced strength and material density
  • Un-ported casting with smaller water jackets to accommodate additional porting and machining.
  • Valve seats and valve guides included, but delivered uninstalled

19417887
LSX-SC BARE CYLINDER HEAD – CNC-MACHINED

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-4.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-2.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-3.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-4.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-2.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-3.jpg

chevy-performance-copo-cnc-machined-cylinder-heads-4.jpg

  • Made of A356 aluminum with low-pressure casting and Hot Isotatic Pressing for enhanced strength and material density
  • CNC-machined intake and exhaust ports
  • CNC-machined combustion chambers
  • Includes valve seats and valve guides installed
19417888
LSX-SC ASSEMBLED CYLINDER HEAD – CNC-MACHINED

  • Made of A356 aluminum with low-pressure casting and Hot Isotatic Pressing for enhanced strength and material density
  • CNC-machined intake and exhaust ports
  • CNC-machined combustion chambers
  • Includes valve seats and valve guides installed
  • Valve seats and guides designed to accommodate 2.20" (intake) and 1.6". (exhaust) valves
  • Assembled head includes 2.20" intake and 1.61" valves and beehive-type valve springs (including retainers and keepers) installed
 
Last edited:


Daniel Westerbaan said
Here are some LS head porting links I have found:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generati...759-diy-ls1-head-porting-home-can-help-4.html

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/1522294-pics-my-diy-ported-heads.html

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generati...project-5-3-heads-lots-o-pics-56k-beware.html


There are also quite a few other good videos on this guys channel

If anyone reading has other LS head porting experience or suggestions (especially for 862/706 heads) let me know!
 
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