If your described scenario is correct, then it would appear that it takes longer to complete a call to a ported number than to complete a call to a non-ported number, due to the extra steps you described involved when the number is a ported one.
Not really. The LNP database lookup needs to be done either way (only a failure to find the dialed number in the database tells the provider that the number has not been ported). -- Got some spare cpu cycles ? Join Team Helix or Team Starfire!