Testing air flow in heads?

TRACKMKIII

Banned
Feb 17, 2006
464
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Atlanta,GA
Well lately I have been reading anything I can get my hands on about porting and polishing heads and intake manifolds, so today while I was at work I found a head from a 1994 camry 4 cylinder and decided to try my hand at P&P the head. Before I got started I wanted to know how well the head flowed before I did anything so I would know if I made any improvments or made things worse. The only way I know to test a head is on a flow bench which I don't have access to. I was just wondering is there anyway for a DIY guy who doesn't have access to a flow bench to test the flow in a head? Also if any guys have experience with P&P could you share some tips and know-how with a novice? (Tools, techniques etc.)
 

IHI-RHC7

"The Boss"
Apr 1, 2005
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Oregon
I know someone on here made a backyard flow bench with a vaccum cleaner and some other common items, it was not accurate as far as numbers go, but good for before and after results... can't find the thread, but I'll search.
 

blackout_89t

King of the roll
Apr 25, 2005
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Toronto
It is possible to create your own "flow bench", again the accuracy all depends on your build quality.


For the record, flow numbers for a 7mgte head, stock valve train. These are numbers from my machinist.

Stock
Intake: 197cfm
Exhaust: 141cfm

Ported
Intake: 217cfm
Exhaust: 173cfm