Peanut port heads are something that people love or hate. If the forum discussions are an indicator of the public’s perspective about this option, most drivers fall into the latter category.
What’s unique about peanut port heads is that the setup dictates the quality of the response. If someone tinkers with their engine without realizing this component’s needs, vehicular performance will certainly suffer.
It is also possible to create significant power with compressions under 10.0 with peanut ports.
Peanut Port Heads
Peanut port heads are a nickname given to the oval-shaped port heads found on the fifth-gen Chevrolet 454 truck motors. It is designed to avoid revving over 4,000 RPM and is about half the size of a traditional port. They can be bolted onto other engines, including the 396, and used in boats or other vehicles.
The problem with peanut port heads is their size. Since they’re smaller than other shapes and designs in modern engines, the power output is significantly reduced without changes in other engine areas.
Most designs use a rectangle port gasket, especially if you’re using an older engine model. You’ll need to get in there to ensure the surfaces and combustion chambers don’t have sharp ridges or rough surfaces. Polishing provides noticeable benefits in power and detonation tendencies.
When peanut port heads work properly with a 454, they can support over 450 horsepower. John Lingenfelter could achieve 620 HP when equipping them to a 496.
How to Get More Horsepower out of Cars and Trucks
Most drivers want more power for their vehicles. The question to ask is this: how do you achieve that result?
The good news is that there are several ways to add more power to cars and trucks, including some that are quick and easy to create.
Before you get started, it helps to begin with the basics. If you want to add more power, you need additional air and fuel to create results. Each of the following options focuses on that outcome.
1. Performance Air Intake Installation
The fastest way to get more area is to have it come through the intake. Modern vehicles use efficient designs, but there is still some room for improvement.
Consider swapping out the stock product for a high-performance, cold air intake alternative.
This option provides two crucial benefits.
- It drops the channels and baffles to let the airflow to the throttle bottle, creating more power and louder sounds.
- The opening in the space within the engine pay that takes air from the outside, which tends to be colder, while delivering more oxygen to the combustion process.
The Spectre performance air intake kit provides a noticeable HP increase in Chevy and GMC models.
It delivers up to 50% more airflow than factory components, improving acceleration and engine sound.
The filter can last for up to 100,000 miles before requiring attention. It takes less than an hour to attach this component with hand tools that most homeowners have in their garages.
2. Air Filter Upgrade
Although this option doesn’t provide a significant difference alone, it does work with an improved performance intake to move more air and generate extra power.
Factory filters tend to be restrictive, artificially reducing your power.
By letting the air come through more naturally, the engine becomes more efficient. You’ll burn more fuel, but have the extra power you want with peanut port heads.
The K & N Engine Air Filter offers a washable product that has excellent compatibility with many makes and models, including Subaru.
Once installed, more airflow occurs through key channels to ensure the power you need is always available.
It lasts longer than ten disposable alternatives and operates for up to 50,000 miles before requiring its first cleaning.
3. Exhaust Improvements
When more cold air goes into the engine, you need a way to remove it. That usually means an upgrade to the exhaust system is necessary. If you’re running with peanut port heads, the best option is a cat-back design.
A performance exhaust system uses larger pipes to ensure more airflow occurs. You’ll notice a mandrel bend, offering a smoother surface that reduces restrictions.
It even pulls more air through the intake while attaching after the catalytic converter, eliminating the expense of replacing that sensitive part.
Once you upgrade the exhaust, the vehicle will be louder. You’ll want to check on local rules and regulations to ensure you remain in compliance.
4. Computer Tuning
Most engines are under the control of computer software. That means your fuel injection, throttling, and starting duties are all influenced by this asset.
Automakers maximize efficiencies to prolong the lifespan of these components, limiting your acceleration profile, RPM ceiling, and more.
If you tune the vehicle’s ECU, the extra power from this one event can be instant and massive.
Even with peanut port heads equipped, you can find increases in boost pressure. You’re getting more fuel and air into each engine revolution.
Some drivers forget to update their ECU tuning after upgrading their intake and exhaust. This step typically occurs through the OBD-II port under the steering wheel, but it could be in other places for some makes and models.
The DiabloSport Predator 2 provides one of the fastest and easiest ways to change computer tuning in modern vehicles.
It uses a five-button interface to control performance options in towing and economy categories.
Whether you want to correct the speedometer for tire changes or eliminate downshifting during a climb, this tool gets the job done.
5. Equip Lighter Wheels
Some peanut port heads deliver excellent results without requiring any modification or tuning. If you find yourself in this situation, the best way to add horsepower to your ride is to reduce vehicle weight.
The easiest place to do that is by replacing the wheels.
If you get wheels that weigh one pound less, you’re essentially taking eight pounds out of the car. You’ll accelerate quickly while sporting a look you love.
Let’s say your peanut port heads deliver 200 HP with your current setup. If you switch your factory wheels to lightweight options, a 5% to 10% horsepower gain is possible.
You’ll also notice improvements to your handling, ride, and stopping power.
OE Wheels offers 22-inch rims that fit the Chevy Silverado and other trucks that often use peanut port heads.
Each one weighs only 31 pounds to provide an outstanding result for acceleration while delivering potential fuel economy improvements.
6. Throttle Body Upgrade
This component typically serves as the bottleneck for the intake system. Several restrictions could be involved because of how much airflow regulation occurs.
If you replace the stock part with a high-flow alternative, more air can reach the intake manifold. When the component has a larger diameter, it can deliver more results.
A throttle body can come with or without an actuator. You can update this component at any stage of your upgrade process with peanut port heads, but it won’t provide results until more airflow is available to it.
The AA Ignition Store throttle body is compatible with several GMC and Chevy vehicles, including the Avalanche, Envoy, Silverado, and Tahoe.
7. Exhaust Manifold Upgrade
The exhaust manifold moves the air out of the exit ports to the catalytic converter or the rest of the system. It takes three or four tubes with airflow to combine them into one.
Stock parts within the exhaust manifold setup are designed to be affordable and efficient, which means they don’t have the capacity to handle more air.
Upgrading to a performance model provides the backend necessary for increased power.
A performance-grade exhaust manifold is typically hand-welded or created through a complicated casting process. The higher quality delivers more power while offering consistent results.
It isn’t always possible to get the exhaust manifold separate, and you’ll need to shop for your specific make and model because the shape and size are highly variable.
The Garage Pro front-style model for the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon provides two sensor ports, aluminized steel tubing, and 46-state legality to deliver the results that drivers need.
8. Turbocharger
If your peanut port heads aren’t delivering the HP you want, it might be time to add a turbo into the mix. You can upgrade to a larger one on most makes and models if one is currently available.
The turbocharger acts as a second pump that uses exhaust gas to spin. The fan produces more air for the engine to give it a boost.
Depending on what option you’re using with peanut port heads, you could potentially double your output.
If the engine doesn’t have a turbo already, it’ll need a new exhaust and intake with improved piping to take care of the added flow.
An excellent example of a turbocharger addition includes this option for Ford models, including the Escape, Fiesta, and Fusion.
It delivers EcoBoost while offering more power, providing a direct-fit replacement for what already exists. It’s guaranteed to fit and perform as an OEM part.
Should I Be Using Peanut Port Heads?
Peanut port heads provide one solution for more horsepower when correctly installed and tuned. When paired with additional components and upgrades, it is possible to achieve 50% or more HP gains from a 454 engine and other designs.
I was never a fan of peanut port heads until I had an expert fine-tune my engine. The results were impressive, converting me to a setup with them and the upgrades found in this guide.
It is true that peanut ports can be limiting when your compression ratio is off. I highly recommend receiving a professional evaluation before attempting a fix to ensure you take the correct approach for your situation.
In return, you can have the speed and sound you want for your vehicle.