XRAY - Model racing cars

I have heard many drivers say they port their own engines in order for them to run more efficient and was very interested in it. I have an engine that I can try this on, (used Novarossi engine). Please tell me how to do it and any pros and cons of porting yourself.

first off do not get porting and polishing mixed up. polishing is simply what it says and porting is reshaping the ports on the sleeve and if you get the port timeing out of wack you will have a poorly running engine.

If you haven't special software or knowledges, then engine port timing is dangerous.
But you can make some simple performance like this
http://www.e-maxximumrc.com/html/nitro_engine_mod.html

..and only for example:
http://www.rccaraction.com/articles/htpporting_1.asp but don't use these mods on any other engine

http://www.reidrc.com/tech.htm

90% of engine modding is done with the crankshaft. The majority of the power gain by modding is removing weight off the crank,, changing the intake porting (advancing the intake timing on the crank, varies with motor) and then having the equipment to rebalance the crank after it is done. The rebalancing part is critical to remove the harmonics that could set up and shake your motor/engine bearings to pieces.

There are very slight gains done by modding the sleeve and piston/rod. the high end engine modders usually dont do to much to the sleeve porting, unless it is a team modified engine. then all bets are off and they (modders) put the engine at borderline reliabilty to extract the most.

Kribo put up a couple links with some tips,,just dont go crazy. once you go to far (1/2millimeter or so) the engine will fall on its face and be a dog.

the most important thing to remember is dont believe all you hear or read you dont build a fast engine you usually find one ! with 20 years working in the automotive trade i know im right . and if i where to play with one the first place id go is the crank as said above,and maybe look at some different plugs .but remember where power comes fuel economy usually leaves

...more important thing is squish clearance and squish band !

and among others exhaust timing together with compression ratio.

Better is buy some powerfull engine and then it isn't necessary modificate the engine.
Aigoin only use a standard engine

Thanks for all the input. It looks like the most intelligent thing to do is leave it alone or to the professionals. I would much rather have a reliable engine that will last for some time, then to turn my good motor into a dog. Thanks again for the great input.