fuel mixers in 3.4L heads question

[camaroman1181]

Aight, I've been searching around for answers about those ungodly large vanes in the intake runners in our heads. Now from what I can tell from searches i've performed, that fin basically is meant to help achieve a better air/fuel mixture due in part to inadequate fuel injector atomization. It seems most people that port their heads leave at least some of the vane in there, just shave it down and blend it better and turn it into more of an airfoil. I'm currently building a 3.4 myself and was going to start P&P my heads. I was also going to upgrade the fuel system with a bigger pump, adjustable pressure regulator and aftermarket injectors. Will I still need that vane or can I hack that out? I was thinking of a 190 lph (walboro) pump and something like 24 lb injectors. Anyone got any suggestions as far as what brand injectors offer superior atomization? I'm going with a larger cam and 1.6 rockers too if that would sway anyone's opinion. Thanks for all the info, you guys have saved my *** a few times already with this rebuild.

Phill

[geoffinbc]

The vane prevents a dead air space a the bottom of the port. It increase airflow by 17%.

It is not an ungodly large lump of metal.

[camaroman1181]

Well that thing does take up a good bit of the port. Now I was under teh assumption that the vane basically compensated for poor fuel atomization of teh stock injectors. I've also seen people gain flow by taking that out completely and using different injectors. Now, i dont claim to be an expert in fluid flow as I've only had one class in fluid dynamics, but how does this thing increase flow? Is it's purpose to break up laminar flow and create turbulent flow in the port? If this is the case, why not just dimple the thing like a golf ball? I mean, if anyone has some graphs or actual data to show me, I'd love to see it as I'd like to optimize this flow. Thanks for all your advice.

Phill

[Doubt_Incarnate]

i think its sort of a venturi sort of thing, the air has to move faster as it goes through that tighterspace. there is someone, 614streets, i think i probably spelled it wrong. but he has a bossted 2.8 stroker in an s-10, i think he had a ton of head work done, but i think the vanes are still there, and turboz24 has iron heads as well, with boost. for n/a i'm sure its different. those heads arent high in demand, i'm sure you can snag some cheap and hog them out, take out the vanes, and bench them to see what the difference is between the vaned and non-vaned heads.

[Wolf]

I'd like to build two Identical set of ported iron head,except one having the vanes and one with 'em removed,and have them both flowbenched,but I don't have the time or the money soooo...........