Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > Technical > General Q & A
Lack of bore notching on big $$$ engine builds >

Lack of bore notching on big $$$ engine builds

Notices

Lack of bore notching on big $$$ engine builds

Thread Tools
 
Old 02-27-2018 | 12:05 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Registered
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 148
From: SF Bay Area
Default Lack of bore notching on big $$$ engine builds

This may be a stupid observation, but as people post pics of their big money builds I’m not seeing much bore notching happening. It’s seems like easy HP with no drawbacks, so I’m surprised to not see it on every refreshed/built engine. Am I missing something?
Baja Rooster is offline  
Reply
Old 02-27-2018 | 04:37 PM
  #2  
GPM
Registered
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,696
Likes: 93
From: Pa
Default

It might depend on finish bore size and chamber, how much notching would you do on a 4.6 bore block with .240 between cylinders.
GPM is offline  
Reply
Old 02-27-2018 | 05:44 PM
  #3  
Platinum Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, TX
Default

Likely too much cost for maybe a small gain. It is also hard to isolate the impact of bore notching with all the other upgrades involved in a fully prepping block.
BenPerfected is offline  
Reply
Old 02-27-2018 | 08:26 PM
  #4  
Rookie's Avatar
Registered
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,020
Likes: 1,522
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Default

My head guy that bore notches my 454 blocks says that the valves are unshrouded enough on 4.5" bore and don't benefit from it. But, on a built 454 that has good heads and air flow he has seen 20HP on the dyno. He pulled the heads on the dyno, notched the bores and made a few more dyno pulls. These are not 330's these are more 600Hp 454's.


Rookie is offline  
Reply
Old 02-27-2018 | 08:37 PM
  #5  
Tinkerer's Avatar
Registered
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,612
Likes: 7
From: ALTO, MI
Default

As said on the bigger bores it really doesn't help enough to make it worth it.
Tinkerer is offline  
Reply
Old 02-27-2018 | 08:47 PM
  #6  
Registered
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 190
Likes: 3
Default Notch

Are you talking about unshrouding the valve around the edge cylinder bore area. 4.600 bore (:
Single cat is offline  
Reply
Old 02-28-2018 | 10:31 AM
  #7  
Thread Starter
Registered
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 148
From: SF Bay Area
Default

That that makes sense as high end builds typically have high end bores (huge) and no reason to compromise the block. I imagine it more important on a N/A 454 than a blown 540+ monster.



Originally Posted by Rookie
My head guy that bore notches my 454 blocks says that the valves are unshrouded enough on 4.5" bore and don't benefit from it. But, on a built 454 that has good heads and air flow he has seen 20HP on the dyno. He pulled the heads on the dyno, notched the bores and made a few more dyno pulls. These are not 330's these are more 600Hp 454's.


Thats some secksi stuff there!

Since I’m refreshing my 502 I’ll ease over some notches in it since I’m there. It already perfectly imprinted the gasket pattern with a light shade of carbon for me. Lol

Baja Rooster is offline  
Reply
Old 02-28-2018 | 06:48 PM
  #8  
Tinkerer's Avatar
Registered
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,612
Likes: 7
From: ALTO, MI
Default

Just make sure you don't grind down into where your top ring is going to come up the bore.
On a 454 it makes a big difference. On a 502 or 540 it helps enough to make it worth it to do.
Anything bigger in bore size I wouldn't do at all.
I have done this myself to all of my engines up to the 598. On a 4.6 bore there isn't much between the cylinders so I don't want to make it even smaller.
Tinkerer is offline  
Reply
Old 03-01-2018 | 01:16 AM
  #9  
Thread Starter
Registered
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 148
From: SF Bay Area
Default

Originally Posted by Tinkerer
Just make sure you don't grind down into where your top ring is going to come up the bore.
On a 454 it makes a big difference. On a 502 or 540 it helps enough to make it worth it to do.
Anything bigger in bore size I wouldn't do at all.
I have done this myself to all of my engines up to the 598. On a 4.6 bore there isn't much between the cylinders so I don't want to make it even smaller.
For sure on that. I’ve got a nice ring of carbon marking the top ring and I plan on staying well clear of it. I’m planning on relieving the area as it’s now easy, but there’s no sense in getting too aggressive with it. On motorcycle engines most of the gains were in cam timing and cleaning up exhaust ports, but ultimately it was all of the little attentions to details that added up.
Baja Rooster is offline  
Reply
Old 03-03-2018 | 09:07 AM
  #10  
Registered
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 11,332
Likes: 73
From: chicago
Default

Biggest issue hindering airflow is typically valve shrouding on a bbc. Alot of heads have chambers designed to fit smaller bores, like a 4.250 bore. Especially an issue when you get into 2.25+ diameter intake valves.

Also, I am willing to bet bore notching would show bigger gains when tested with a stock like 26* valve angle head, vs say a 24* angle or shallower head with a better canted angle.
MILD THUNDER is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.