Vertical gas ports are primarily used in drag race applications. Lateral gas ports are more often used in circle-track and road-race applications where carbon build up can occur. When gas ports are used, pressure is directed to build up behind the compression ring and seal it against the cylinder wall. This helps prevent ring flutter and extends the power curve upward in the RPM range. Vertical gas ports have the holes drilled from the deck of the piston into the top ring groove and behind the ring. Lateral gas ports are drilled through the bottom side of the top land and extend to the back wall of the ring groove. - Borrowed from Wiseco's catalog...

 

haha sweet machinistone! So, neither of them will really work for an everyday grocery getter with a slightly hoped up motor...
Thanks again everyone for the help!
Cody

 

No, I don't prefer them... as stated in my previous response. You'd be surprised how many guys ARE using them on the streets though. Most of the guys I know, using gas ports, also run pro-stock-like cams and spools. Hey, everyone has their definition of "street car" right.

Humorous topic.

-Mindgame

 

Mindgame,

How effective are they for a street motor?

I've talked to a few guys who have only seen increased bore wear with narrower ring packs and gas ports, over something like a 1/16 or 1.5mm setup.

I'm always open to new ideas, but the added cost of a narrower ring pack and gas ports in street mobiles doesn't seem to give enough benefit to out weight the costs of a rebuild and the extra component cost. Even if you are going bucks up in a motor build I don't know if I would spend that money there.

Bret