Using abrasive flow machining, Extrude Hone AFM forces abrasive-filled polymer media through intake runners to smooth internal surfaces and reduce restrictive areas.
Because the media conforms to the manifold's geometry, it can work through bends and passages that may be difficult to reach with conventional hand-porting tools.
Intake Manifolds and Engine Airflow
The intake manifold is a critical part of the engine's airflow system.
It routes incoming air toward the cylinders.
Internal roughness, uneven transitions, and restrictions can interfere with that movement.
AFM helps improve those surfaces by working along the actual internal flow path.
Extrude Hone AFM's San Francisco porting material reports potential intake-manifold flow increases of up to approximately 25 percent in suitable applications.How AFM Porting Works
Abrasive particles are distributed throughout a polymer media.
Hydraulic pressure moves the media through the manifold.
As it travels, the abrasive works against internal surfaces and gradually removes raised areas.
The process can reach:
- Deep runners
- Curved passages
- Restricted transitions
- Internal surfaces with limited tool access
- Multiple similar runners
Unlike hand grinding, the media continuously adapts to the shape of the passage.
AFM vs. Traditional Porting
Hand porting depends on technician skill and physical access.
It can be highly effective on exposed ports but increasingly difficult deeper inside a manifold.
AFM complements or replaces portions of that process by treating the enclosed runner from within.
Existing Extrude Hone AFM service-location content states that AFM porting removes material at a consistent and uniform rate and can avoid ripples or unevenness associated with difficult hand access.
Performance Benefits
Improved intake flow may support:
- Increased volumetric efficiency
- Better cylinder filling
- Improved horsepower
- Improved torque
- More complete combustion
- Improved engine response
The engine-level outcome depends on the complete build.
Cylinder heads, cam timing, exhaust, fuel delivery, forced induction, and tuning all affect the result.
For that reason, Extrude Hone AFM does not promise a specific horsepower increase.
Bay Area Automotive Applications
The San Francisco Bay Area has a diverse performance community that includes classic cars, exotic vehicles, imports, racing, restoration, custom fabrication, motorcycles, and specialized engineering.
AFM intake manifold porting can be particularly useful for rare or complex components.
Owners of older or unusual vehicles may want to retain an original manifold rather than replace it.
Builders working with custom or low-volume components may also value a process that can improve internal passages without requiring direct tool access.
Material and Media Selection
Extrude Hone AFM can adapt AFM for aluminum, cast iron, and other suitable automotive metals.A softer aluminum manifold generally requires less aggressive abrasion than a cast-iron part.
The process is also adjusted through media viscosity, abrasive concentration, pressure, tooling, and cycle count.
Repeatability and Flow Matching
Once the appropriate processing conditions are established, AFM can be repeated on similar parts.
This can help manufacturers or engine builders seeking consistency across multiple manifolds or passages.
Request Bay Area Intake Manifold Porting
Call (562) 531-2976 to discuss intake manifold porting for San Francisco, CA with Extrude Hone AFM.
FAQs
Can AFM improve the entire intake runner?
It can improve surfaces throughout the passage reached by the abrasive media, including areas that may be inaccessible to hand tools.
How much can intake flow improve?
Extrude Hone AFM reports up to approximately 25 percent in suitable applications.Does Extrude Hone AFM serve the Bay Area?
Yes. Components are processed at Extrude Hone AFM's Paramount, California facility.
