Mods Face Off Result: AirHammer GENII (Phoenix) Carbon Fiber Optimized Intake

[CoolVanilla]

Mods Face Off Result: AirHammer GENII (Phoenix) Carbon Fiber Optimized Intake

This unit is the "next generation" of AirHammer, and it shows. The all carbon construction is something you just need to see and hold for yourself to believe. I'm no carbon fiber expert, but those at the MFO who know something about it all commented on just how stunning the workmanship is.

There was significant concern expressed, however, at just how available this unit is for purchase. At the time of the MFO6, I was told by Hammer Automotive that they were in full production mode and that they were *almost* ready to start excepting new orders. I can only hope for the carbon lovers out there that its true.

Mod Tested: AirHammer GENII (Phoenix) Carbon Fiber Optimized Intake
Date: 12/4/08 - 12/5/08
Dyno Location: SVS R&D, Sacramento CA
Track Location: Sacramento Raceway, Sacramento CA <-- CANCELED DUE TO FOG

***Remember to always review and keep in mind the Mods Face Off Testing Methodology Q&A while reviewing these results.***

The Good:

• Cutting right to the chase, this thing is unbelievable. It feels like I'm holding a piece of the Space Shuttle, not an intake for our cars. The quality of craftsmanship that has gone into the 'horn' is something I literally found myself marveling at. You have to hold one of these things to truly appreciate the quality. It was obviously constructed by a master.
• Totally unofficial and unscientific studies (as in my ear as I stood next to the cars on the dyno roars up to 130mph) suggest this was the winner in terms of pure sound. Its hard to describe, but the roar that eliminates from this thing as the Hemi opens up is unmistakable. Nothing else quite sounded like it.
• On a stock SRT the AHCF made 9 peak hp and 8 peak trq over baseline. It was the winner in terms of peak torque on this car. On a lightly modified 5.7 it gained 7 peak hp.

The Bad:

• Missing from this kit is the book of install instructions I've come to expect from Hammer Automotive. For those that have received a HA product in the past, you understand. For those that haven't, HA is famous for their incredibly detailed installation instructions. Its one of the things that has separated HA from others in the past.
• Blue protection pads velco'd on the tube? There's got to be a way of protecting the unit and surrounding areas without distracting from the overall look of the intake.
• Availability. That was the number one question asked when each new person saw it for the first time. After gawking at the workmanship, the inevitable question was "Yeah but can I get one?" Hammer Automotive has some work to do in restoring customer confidence when it comes to order fulfilling.
• On a lightly modded 5.7 the AHCF dropped 1 peak trq, and on a lightly modded 6.1 it dropped 6 peak hp and 6 peak trq.

The Numbers:






THE GRAPHS:
Baselines are in blue. The AHCF is in red






COMPARISONS:
The AHCF Gen II is in royal blue:


The AHCF Gen II is in royal blue:


The AHCF Gen II is in teal:


COMMENTS:
Everyone that looked at and held and touched this intake at the MFO6 came away impressed. There's just no denying the quality of materials and workmanship that has gone into the construction of the tube. All supplied hardware is first rate and the performance numbers reflect that Hammer continues to innovate, not resting on his past success.

However, there is apparently some long term rubbing issues, as Hammer Automotive includes blue fabric panels that are designed to velcro on and prevent damage. Thats a good thing in those terms, but its also sort of weird looking to have this beautiful peice spotted with blue nylon patches. It seemed to many of us that there must be a better way at preserving the overall athstetic appeal of this unit.

And of course, there's the ever present question of how to get a hold of one of these. I've heard HA is making great strides in this department, but there is still the public perception issue they'll need to overcome before this unit's potential as a product can fully be realized.

[CoolVanilla]

Click any of the pics for MUCH larger and up close versions. Be warned... clicking will NOT be 56k friendly.





Only thing missing is the instruction book. Oversight? Are those blue pieces meant to be pads?


Polished clamps


HA includes a breather filter, and given the lack of tubing supplied I assume its meant to replace it?


Something that strikes me about this that's not obvious in some pictures, is its satin finish. Many pictures (because of the flash) make it look almost wet and therefore glossy. I tried to capture this effect by snapping shots with and without the flash.










Is this out of round by design?








This filter has a more cylinder shape, as opposed to a conic shape. Will this help with performance?








Installed pics:

[MAGNUM8R]

Cool beans Jason!

Installed the same unit a couple of weeks ago and LOVE it!!

They actually emailed the instruction manual, PM me if you need a copy!

My Magnum R/T with 109K miles on it ROARED to life!

SOP dyno tells me the HP is improved from the Volant I removed.

The install was super easy, I retained the "snorkel' pick up from the Volant system by making a PVC connector to guide air in from the scoop bel;ow that is behing the lower grille.

Patience paid off, Scott came through with a very nice product.

[crhemi]

I love the pre-production prototype CAFH that I got earlier this year.

[rwalshphoto]

I have a few questions about the finish. From the photos it appears you can see some surface texture of the what looks to be a very large weave 6k+ carbon fiber (multiple layers?). This would typically mean that the gel coat (lamination) was a bit thin in the layup process and would affect longevity or potential delamination or yellowing under heat. I'm not saying this to bash or imply anything....just curious as to production techniques or concerns to consumers. Also, is the inside surface smooth or a bit textured?

[MAGNUM8R]

The inside is nice and smooth, the outside is also nice and smooth, IMHO, yellowing comes when there is too much rexin on the surfaces.

Betting these were autoclaved as aircraft parts are, using pre-preg CF.

I am more than pleased with the fit and finish of the CF Airhammer...accept no copycats, CF, SS or MS, that would be just WRONG!

The Rev. deserves all of our respect and confidence, this is the REAL DEAL.

Did imention I still have the headbolts from Rev. from his Charger head replacement that were "blessed" by the Rev. in my glove box?
Been there for about 80K miles.

[rwalshphoto]

The inside is nice and smooth, the outside is also nice and smooth, IMHO, yellowing comes when there is too much rexin on the surfaces.

Betting these were autoclaved as aircraft parts are, using pre-preg CF.

I am more than pleased with the fit and finish of the CF Airhammer...accept no copycats, CF, SS or MS, that would be just WRONG!

The Rev. deserves all of our respect and confidence, this is the REAL DEAL.

Did imention I still have the headbolts from Rev. from his Charger head replacement that were "blessed" by the Rev. in my glove box?
Been there for about 80K miles.

Ok rock on! I figured it was the photos. If they use prep-preg carbon fiber the Rev is paying a very pretty penny to have these made. Yellowing resin can be caused by a number of things but there definitely is no evidence of it in this part.

[Warlock]

If they use prep-preg carbon fiber the Rev is paying a very pretty penny to have these made.

You have no idea

[gooeytek]

You have no idea

heh, actually, he does.

[Warlock]

heh, actually, he does.

Ok, yea, you got me on that one

[legmaker]

I have a few questions about the finish. From the photos it appears you can see some surface texture of the what looks to be a very large weave 6k+ carbon fiber (multiple layers?). This would typically mean that the gel coat (lamination) was a bit thin in the layup process and would affect longevity or potential delamination or yellowing under heat. I'm not saying this to bash or imply anything....just curious as to production techniques or concerns to consumers. Also, is the inside surface smooth or a bit textured?

you are correct about the carbon. it is a 6K BRAID, not cloth as many are used to seeing. the manner by which these are made is one that is unlike what is currently utilized within much of the automotive carbon world. no gel coating and trying to squeeze resin into a negitive mold is done with these. if you hold one in your hand, you will see the inner surface as smooth as the outer. there is no "gel coat". there is no fear of heat induced delamination with this manufacturing process. also, yellowing with the type of resin used is more a result of exposure to UV than heat. yes, over a VEEEERY long time heat may cause some surface degredation, but not likely.

The inside is nice and smooth, the outside is also nice and smooth, IMHO, yellowing comes when there is too much rexin on the surfaces.

Betting these were autoclaved as aircraft parts are, using pre-preg CF.

I am more than pleased with the fit and finish of the CF Airhammer...accept no copycats, CF, SS or MS, that would be just WRONG!

The Rev. deserves all of our respect and confidence, this is the REAL DEAL.

no pre-preg used!!! lol no autoclave either!!! ancient chinese secret.....hehehehe

Ok rock on! I figured it was the photos. If they use prep-preg carbon fiber the Rev is paying a very pretty penny to have these made. Yellowing resin can be caused by a number of things but there definitely is no evidence of it in this part.

no pre preg....... i find it a bit difficult to get the desired finish from some of the pre-pregs i have used in the past. i think the potential is there, i just have not had good luck with it so far. these intakes are definately unlike anything you will see from anyone else. yes, ae carbon, cbd, etc all make some awesome stuff, but to someone like me who deals with this stuff all day, i see alot of parts being made that look too shiny and plastic looking. that is not a bash at all, but rather just one persons opinion. trust me, ae and cbd do some friggin awesome stuff when it comes to covers and other items. the problem for me is that there is sooooo much "wannabe" fake carbon stuff out there from other manufactures, that when i see things made from real carbon material that are so shiny they look fake, or too easily confused with a lesser product, it just takes a little of the specialness away for me. anyone who picks up one of these intakes will truly know what they are holding......

and yes, i am the one making them lol

[Warlock]

and yes, i am the one making them lol

You finally came out of the closet!

[rwalshphoto]

and yes, i am the one making them lol

Thanks for the info. Cool stuff.

[legmaker]

You finally came out of the closet!

rotglmao....

Thanks for the info. Cool stuff.

no worries.

[05Silver_C]

I have 1 of the original CF Airhammers and it did come with a .pdf instruction set.

But here is my question

I may be wrong, its been a couple months... I believe the inside had a slightly bumpy texture to it, nothing major. When you smooth inside do you mean like glass smooth? Also mine came with the original style AFE filter