Abstract: An injector is provided, comprising: a valve seat having a needle opening extending from an upper surface along a longitudinal axis and terminating at a seating surface configured to mate with a valve needle to control flow of fluid through the injector, and a nozzle plate. The valve seat further comprises a plurality of drillings and a corresponding plurality of swirl channels, each of the plurality of drillings being in flow communication with the needle opening and a swirl channel. Each of the swirl channels directs flow of fluid from one of the drillings toward the longitudinal axis into a central swirl chamber. The nozzle plate includes a substantially flat upper surface that engages the valve seat lower surface and includes an opening in flow communication with a metering orifice, the opening being aligned with the central swirl chamber when the nozzle plate is attached to the valve seat.