Maf

[FX3FX3]

M A F

Performance question; Does the MAF sensor screen takes performance from the VETT's powerplant?

How can I remove the screen in it?
Ecklers sells new MAF without screen for $300+...no way Jose!!!

:bar

 

[UB2 SLOW]

This is one of the highly debated subjects on the Vette Forums. Some people say leave it in, because of the chance of damage and that it helps out airflow. Some say take it out because it helps airflow. I took mine out 4 years ago and have not had any damage. I really did not notice much difference.

 

[Mart]

Oh man did you just open a big can of worms, Each one with thier own opinion.


Do a search and see what you come up with.

But in my opinion, screen does hinder performance and yet it does have other practical aplications, none of which is "STRAIGHTENING the air".

 

[RedRagTop]

I left mine in. There is just not enough power improvement mentioned to risk the damage to the wire inside. Other than the Corvette Challenge series I don't think it's really worth it. Once you do the K&N and lid plus free-flow exaust...

 

[surferdave]

MAF Sensor: The big question. The sensor as we all know is calibrated for a range of airflow that our engine can ingest and gives a reading of how much that is based on air temp and velocity. It is more that adequate for your engine and you will not see any difference by changing it. The need to change it comes when you alter your induction system dramatically enough to go outside the range that is accurately read by your MAF Sensor. In my example I am adding a 10psi supercharger and changing to a 52mm throttle body. 10psi @52mm is a whole lot more air than stock so in order to tell the ECM the correct amount of air that is coming in, in order to keep the optimum fuel/air mixture I need a more accurate MAF capable of ready this larger quantity..........ie Grannatelli MAF. Opening this can of worms you eng gauges how accurately it is metering the fuel (on OBD) by the O2 sensors. Now saying this, you can get extremely anal and order programmable 02 sensors capable of reading a wide variety of fuel/air mixtures thereby accurately metering the fuel for the best burn ratios. Now that I've rambled on about this can you guess what my college major was?(engineering) The short answer.....NO $300 can be better spend getting more horsepower by doing somthing that is far more practicle like cold air induction or a bigger throttle body.

dave

 

[WNH]

You can always "compromise": Remove the rear screen to improve air flow, keep the front screen for protection & 'staightening' air flow.

I took both screens off, no problems.

 

[WhalePirot]

But in my opinion, screen does hinder performance and yet it does have other practical aplications, none of which is "STRAIGHTENING the air".

I just read, under C-5 solutions in the latest Corvette Fever, a differing opinion. Our FI cars need linear-flowing air for proper measurement of the amount of it passing the MAF; entering the engine. Such is the function of the screen. Filtering is the job of the air cleaner element. Carbs 'like' turbulence for better mixing of fuel/air, but not injected engines.

The trivial increase in airflow area, risk of ruining the MAF while de-screening, plus the irregular measurement of incoming air would certainly decry this 'mod'. The testimony of little or no performance change after de-screening verifies the above. Some, however, reports fluctuating voltages from their MAF afterwards.

 

[Mart]

So basically they are saying it is straightening the air, how come they removed it from the Z06....

 

[WhalePirot]

I cannot answer that, being unfamiliar with that car's induction system. The article concerns C-4s, as does this thread and does not cover any other car's system.

 

[#1stunner]

I only took one of the screens off the MAF the one after the senson and heat sink. I felt I would like 2cfm worth LOL. Its easy to do just cut the mesh screen. If you try and take it out so you can put it in later it won't work. The mesh bends and then breaks. Once its out, its out for good.

 

[RonJ]

The trivial increase in airflow area, risk of ruining the MAF while de-screening, plus the irregular measurement of incoming air would certainly decry this 'mod'. The testimony of little or no performance change after de-screening verifies the above. Some, however, reports fluctuating voltages from their MAF afterwards.

Sure isn't a "seat-of-the pants" mod ... :L

I sure wouldn't go at it with a pair of wire cutters!! ... Ron ...

 

[vetteboy86]

So if we want linear air flow, would porting the plenum on our L98's add to the linear flow? I know that inside the plenum, there are many things that could add turbulence.

Craig

 

[stevec2]

On the L98 there are far too many other restrictions to the air 'in' and the exhaust 'out' for modifying the MAF to make any difference in a stock engine. Likewise adding a K&N and a modified airbox is not gonna give you much either. You need to do some head work, better (long) headers, less restrictive cat and better exhaust along with a possible cam change and a new ePROM before you will notice the benefits of removing the screens. If you have the earlier BOSCH MAF remember that they are very (VERY!!) expensive to replace so I personally leave the screens intact.

I hear that the airfoil after-market accessory on the throttle body does help - not at the top end but in an improved idle - this is designed to smooth airflow into the throttle body but that's mainly due to the awful design of the stock item.

You might want to also think about moving the IAT from it's current location to the back of the filter airbox to improve mixture settings when the engine is hot.

Steve

 

[Mart]

I Think if you ask most of the guys in here which of your mentioned mods offer the most. I think you will find that the TB airfoil does nothing, especially at the bottom end, maybe some gain when you open it up. As for the screens well maybe a little, but I doubt it if you will feel it. As far as relocating the IAT goes, I never felt a thing.

The cut air intake and filter probably do the most out of the free mods.

Of course a cam, exhaust work, headers..... will offer more at a cost, but every little bit helps.

I will say that while fixing an intake coolant leak, I did some porting of the plenum, adjustable FPR, coolant bypass, new plugs, clean TB, relocate IAT.
Things feel i little quicker, or at least the response is better.

 

[Vettelt193]

I have seen the dyno charts that show improvements on Corvettes with the screens removed. This is not a mega power booster, and don't waste your time unless you have an open air box with K&N already. On the C4, the tube between the filter and throttle body is so straight, you really don't need the screens to straighten the air. On F-body cars, removing the screen reduces power, because there is a bend just before the MAF, so the screen is needed to straighten the air for the sensor.

The bottom line is, if you remove your screen, you can damage the MAF. You won't damage it after it is installed. the screen is not there to filter the air, to stop from damage. you will only damage it while removing the screen, so if you are careful, all should be fine.... just be prepared to dish out the 300 bucks on a new one if you mess it up.... so, if 4-5HP isn't worth 300 bucks to you, don't do it.

 

[Mart]

So you're saying the screen is there to straighten the air for the sensor.


So why is there a screen on the back, and why did they use a very air disturbing corugated tube to connect it to the TB, that would just disturb the air again.

Mart

 

[RedRagTop]

I thought the screens are there to protect the fine MAF filiment from damaging influences coming from either direction...

 

[Mart]

I think that is the most logical explanation of the screens, I was thinking about removing every other wire in the screens, that would reduce the restriction by 50% right.

Mart

How's the snow up there RJS?

 

[RedRagTop]

Honestly, I'm not worried aboot the insignificant gains as compared to the potential risks involved with removal of the screens. Damn thing is fast enough, thanks. Every once in awhile it still surprises me and gets a wee bit out of shape lighting up through the gears...
Not really that much snow right here, we seem to have missed a lot of the major dumps. About 14 inches on the lawn, lots less than last year. And I went and bought a new Polaris Vertical Edge with a 2 inch paddle track...
Oh well, it's supposed to hit -40C/F here again tonight so too cold fer sleddin' anyhoo.

 

[Vettelt193]

So you're saying the screen is there to straighten the air for the sensor.


So why is there a screen on the back, and why did they use a very air disturbing corugated tube to connect it to the TB, that would just disturb the air again.

Mart

the air needs to be straight within the MAF for the sensor to work... after that, the MAF doesn't care as it has a good read.

They had screens on both sides for some years. Not 100% sure why, but it could be the general flow of air. After all, when they put a car in a windtunnel, the back bumper matters just as much as the front.... that is just the way air flows... it matters in the front and the back... they may have found that it didn't help, and then dropped the rear one.:confused


It is illogical to think that the screen is there for filtering or protection. Have you ever had to clean the screen? if it was there for protection, wouldn't there be stuff stuck to the screen after a while? The screen is a wide mesh, if stuff was actually getting in there that the screens could filter, you would have bigger problems on your hands

I personally think it is worth it for the extra power IF you are looking to go quicker... if all you do is cruise in your vette, with the occasional blast... don't worry about 5 HP mods, just leave it stock