Best 280 cams!?
Even finding out who to port the head and what exactly they'll be doing seems kind of confusing. Everywhere I've looked they have "packages" that range from $500-1500 or more. Seems a little outrageous to charge that much to port the head if all you're only going to see minimal gains from it.
And you should be skeptical, as anyone who sells you a ported head is well aware that you will probably never actually flow test that head, which effectively sanctions them to sell you anything.
A few things to remember:
- A stock head gets constipated around 10.5mm lift, so those who think those high lift cams are doing wonders for them actually aren't getting any additional airflow past that figure.
- The AMS cam comparison test that is so often referenced here was conducted with a 'race ported' head, not a stock head. See AMS Cam Test.
- A hand-ported head is subject to variation between ports unless each port is flow tested, which I doubt is routine.
- A CNC port is the most repeatable, most reliable means of getting the same predictable result every time.
A ported head that works as advertised will deliver more power per a given amount of boost pressure, all else being equal. I elected to go with Headway's proven CNC port - one which I know from first hand experience that it is virtually impossible to gain more flow potential from an EVO head without making a water well. This was the only assured way that I knew I was getting my money's worth.
AMS has apparently discovered the benefits of CNC porting as well. Here they A/B test their own CNC port vs. their 'race port' used in the cam test: CNC Port Test. Obviously, testing a CNC port vs. the stock head that many here are using would reveal substantial power improvements. There is a reason why turbocharged Honda K-series, F20C, etc., seem to make so much power on less boost - it's all in the head.
