Any downside to MAF Descreening???

[WNH]

I descreened my MAF last week.
1st the rear screen, drove it--Then the front screen.

I 'think' I feel a rougher idle after I descreened the front.
Is this possible [or probable], I heard the front screen is there to straighten out the air flow.
Any experience with this????

 

[Ken]

The main thing that could happen, and probably will, is that you will destroy the sensor's wire - it's a delicate piece.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Yes, you need to be very careful and if you descreen the inlet take extra care to see that your air filter is in place and all the ducting is sealed properly. One little spec can damage the MAF sensor wire.

I descreened the outlet but not the inlet.

Good luck,

 

[drags1998]

Its possible that you feel a diff. BUT not likely!!!! KEN is correct about getting a piece of something into the unit and onto the wire you can KISS a couple hundred bucks GOODBY!!!!!! Anyway ,All that risk and all you get is a rough idle!!!!

 

[vader86]

Only downside is possibly hurting the element inside. Don't overoil a K&N and dont let it run without a filter, and you shouldnt ever have that problem.

 

[Vettefan87]

I have been thinking about doing this. Is it even worth it? I heard the screens were there to make the air less turbulant going into the plenum. Is this true?

 

[vader86]

I have been thinking about doing this. Is it even worth it? I heard the screens were there to make the air less turbulant going into the plenum. Is this true?

Neh, it doesnt do anything harmful on the L98, most people show gains with the screens removed. So they are more of a restriction than anything.

It doesnt help the LT1 engine though, actually it can hurt the LT1.

 

[Skant]

I've read _a lot_ of differing opinions about descreening the MAF, and I have yet to see anything resembling a consenus on the matter. It looks to me like half the folks claim it hurts performance and causes rough idles and other drivability problems. The other half claims it helps a little.

My own theory is that the MAF is a sensor device which is calibrated to operate correctly with the screens in place. Altering it necessarily changes the accuracy of its readings. Think about it... it has to. You're changing the way the air flows over the wire. Depending on the car, this slight shift in reading accuracy may cause rough idles, lose performance, do nothing, or might even make the car run a little better (on top of the slightly increased air flow). I believe this is the primary reason why different people get different results out of this alteration.

Unless you're a betting man, I wouldn't mess with the MAF without also applying a custom programming to the car. Such programming would cover new calibration for the MAF readings in its altered state.

Just to apply another data point to this theory, Hypertech recommends their power programs for use with 160 degree thermostats, sport exhaust, and sport intakes. But they very specifically say _not_ to use their power programs with altered MAF sensors. They make a special note of it. Clearly, they believe that there is an issue with altered MAFs which affects performance tuning... and its not the increased air flow, or they wouldn't be recommending the improved intakes.

Just some thoughts... I don't know the answer for sure. But I suspect I'm not far off.

- Skant

 

[SSTibet]

I fully agree with Skant . Some companies and mechanics give advice to sell their products . Some better established companies make reference to "stock products" . In MAF you got air flow, a very fine wire and electronics that are all calibrated to a standard :dance . A car is a "integral system" that has been designed, tested and qualified by engineers; do not mess around with engineer's work - I am one of them .

 

[Edmond]

Yeah, I also noticed a rougher idle so I popped the stock sensor back in. I had bought one at a Vette' junkyard for $45 so I could experiment with it.

 

[Mad-Mic]

i've been running mine with both screens removed for over a year now with no problem. my first mods were TB Bypass, Descreened MAF, and K&N with cut lid. i definetly felt a difference with those 3 mods.