About AFR Cylinder Heads
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For over thirty years Airflow Research has
been defining technological leadership in cylinder head manufacturing
and flow dynamics. This complete commitment to performance has enabled
Airflow Research's cylinder heads to find themselves on the fastest race cars
and the most powerful street machines in the country. As every engine
builder will attest to, the secret to increasing horsepower and performance
lies in the cylinder head, and Airflow Research's cylinder heads
outflow and out horsepower everything in their league.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to manufacture the highest quality, best performing cylinder heads while providing customer service beyond expectations and valuing every employee as our most important asset. |
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Early Years - Innovation (1970-1980)
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Airflow Research early years were defined by their high-powered porting
of cylinder heads, innovative porting techniques such
as fast burning chambers, D-shaped big block Chevy exhaust ports, hurricane
chambers, and their CNC ported cylinder heads. In 1979, AFR pioneered CNC porting
with their then revolutionary tape fed CNC machine. Airflow Research quickly
established itself as a premiere supplier to the fastest race teams in
the country. Names like Bill Jenkins’ Grumpies Toy, Bob Glidden’s
Fords and Chryslers, Warren Johnson, and Frank Iaconio were getting their
power from AFR aluminum cylinder heads.
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CNC Ported Chevy Aluminum Cylinder Head |
AFR’s Technological Revolution (1980-1990)
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Airflow Research cylinder heads became a key consultant to General Motors, designing
cast iron and aluminum heads for the still-popular phase 3, 4, 5, and
6 Bowtie Small Block Chevy. AFR designed the big block D port aluminum
pro-stock racing head, at that time the state-of-the-art. AFR had also
branched out into NASCAR, porting cylinder heads for top drivers like Darrel Waltrip,
Cale Yarbrough, Richard Childress, Junior Johnson, Richard Petty, AJ Foyt,
Harry Gant, and Neil Bonnet, to name a few. Airflow Research’s pioneering
use of wet-flow technology was allowing AFR cylinder heads to obtain unequaled
flow and power.
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1 of 12 Haas 5 Axis CNC Porting Machines |
Total Manufacturing (1990-Present)
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| Airflow Research advanced to full production
of cylinder heads in the early 90’s by incorporating advanced high
density Cast Billet technology into their southern California facility.
Now able to maintain full control of design and porting technology, AFR
combined their 30 years of high performance racing experience into making aluminum cylinder
heads available to a much broader customer base. For the first time, racers
were able to obtain full 5-axis CNC ported racing aluminum cylinder heads at an affordable
price. In the mid-90’s, Airflow Research was the first to offer cylinder heads
for the popular Gen-2 Small Block Chevy LT-1 and LT-4 engine programs. The
first to receive a CARB EO number for emission legal aluminum street heads. AFR also
introduced the patented “Hydra Rev” to eliminate Hydraulic Roller
valve float. In 2004 AFR was the first to introduce the popular Gen 3 LS1 aftermarket cylinder head. |
Into The Future
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| Airflow Research’s design, engineering,
and manufacturing technology never rests. As a leader today, Airflow Research
is investing in the horsepower of tomorrow with new manufacturing technology,
complex dyno testing, and proprietary flow testing methods. And to assure
a long standing tradition to performance, we’re bringing up a new generation
of racer’s and engineers to meet the demands of tomorrow’s engine
builders. |
Computer Engineered Designs |
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