Abrasive flow machining uses abrasive-filled polymer media to improve intake-manifold runners from within.
The media follows the existing passage geometry and smooths difficult surfaces that conventional porting tools may not be able to reach directly.
Improving the Intake Path
The intake manifold influences how efficiently air reaches the engine's cylinders.
Roughness, restrictive transitions, internal burrs, and inconsistencies can reduce the quality of that pathway.
Porting seeks to address those issues while preserving appropriate runner geometry.
AFM can work along the entire media flow path rather than only on the portion of the runner visible to a technician.
Why AFM Works Well for Complex Runners
A conventional rotary tool is rigid.
The more deeply a runner curves into a manifold, the harder it becomes to maintain direct tool access.
AFM uses a conformable polishing and porting medium instead.
Hydraulic pressure moves the abrasive media through the passage, where it contacts the runner walls and removes material from raised or restrictive areas.
Extrude Hone AFM's Denver porting information reports potential intake-manifold flow gains of up to approximately 25 percent while emphasizing that engine-level performance results depend on configuration.Potential Performance Benefits
Improved intake flow may contribute to:
- Better volumetric efficiency
- Increased horsepower
- Improved torque
- More complete cylinder filling
- Improved combustion efficiency
No single engine result can be guaranteed.
Airflow through the manifold is only one factor among many, including altitude, tuning, cylinder-head flow, exhaust, camshaft, displacement, and forced induction.
Denver and Front Range Performance Applications
Denver and Colorado's Front Range have active automotive communities involving performance cars, off-road vehicles, racing, trucks, diesels, motorcycles, restorations, and custom fabrication.
At elevation, efficient engine breathing is an important concern for many performance enthusiasts, although intake manifold porting cannot eliminate the fundamental effects of lower air density.
AFM can still help reduce unnecessary restriction within the component itself.
Turbocharged and Forced-Induction Applications
Forced induction can increase airflow demand through an intake system.
A restrictive manifold may therefore become an area of interest in a performance build.
Extrude Hone AFM works with suitable turbocharged and other performance engine applications.The manifold itself must be evaluated to determine whether AFM can provide meaningful improvement.
Materials and Abrasive Selection
Many performance manifolds are aluminum, while older engines may use cast iron.
Extrude Hone AFM adjusts abrasive media according to the material.The process also depends on runner geometry, starting surface, pressure, tooling, and the amount of material that can safely be removed.
Repeatability
Once Extrude Hone AFM develops the AFM parameters for a manifold, the process can be repeated on similar components.
This may be useful for manufacturers, race teams, or builders producing multiple matched parts.
Request Denver Intake Manifold Porting
Call (562) 531-2976 to discuss your Denver, CO intake manifold with Extrude Hone AFM.
FAQs
Can AFM help a performance engine at altitude?
AFM can reduce unnecessary manifold restriction, but it cannot change atmospheric air density. Overall performance depends on the complete engine and environment.
Can turbo intake manifolds be processed?
Potentially, yes. Turbocharged applications are among Extrude Hone AFM's automotive uses.
Does Extrude Hone AFM serve Denver?
Yes. Extrude Hone AFM serves customers nationwide.
