OK, Does Removing The MAF Screen Actually Help?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,694
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From: Beaverton Oregon
OK, Does Removing The MAF Screen Actually Help?
Once a month or so I remove the Air Intake and lubricate the butterflies with a shot of Silicone. While I have it off, is there really a benefit to removing the screen from the MAF?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Some argue that the front screen straightens the air for a more accurate reading. It also helps protect the MAF wire from debris.
The rear screen however, serves no purpose.
If it helps, it's not by any measureable amount.
The rear screen however, serves no purpose.
If it helps, it's not by any measureable amount.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,694
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From: Beaverton Oregon
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
Some argue that the front screen straightens the air for a more accurate reading. It also helps protect the MAF wire from debris.
The rear screen however, serves no purpose.
The rear screen however, serves no purpose.
Last edited by All2kool; Nov 19, 2006 at 09:01 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas Nevada
This comes up every so often. From what I recall the general concensus is that it is not worth it. I recall someone a while ago had rented some dyno time and decided it was a goot time to do some testing and put the debate to rest. The result was that the differences in runs with and without the screens was so miniscule no benefit could be attributed to removing the screens.
I had removed the screens on my former '85 years ago. This time I decided not to. The screens protect the fragile wire from any debris that may get by the filter (unlikely but better than nothing) and some say the screen helps to even out the air as it passes through the MAF.
Debates still arise but after reading post after post on this issue I left my screens in on my current car.
I had removed the screens on my former '85 years ago. This time I decided not to. The screens protect the fragile wire from any debris that may get by the filter (unlikely but better than nothing) and some say the screen helps to even out the air as it passes through the MAF.
Debates still arise but after reading post after post on this issue I left my screens in on my current car.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,145
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
yes, it will help an L98, but it isnt going to feel different, from a few small mods together you may feel something
on an LT1 it doesnt seem to help at all
on an LT1 it doesnt seem to help at all
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by vader86
yes, it will help an L98, but it isnt going to feel different, from a few small mods together you may feel something
on an LT1 it doesnt seem to help at all
on an LT1 it doesnt seem to help at all
What's so special about the L98 that it would benefit it more than the LT1? It's equally marginal on both.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,145
Likes: 1,730
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
What's so special about the L98 that it would benefit it more than the LT1? It's equally marginal on both.
but i've seen many more LT1 people here who were hurt by the mod
and nearly everyone with an L98 either got something small or wasnt effected negatively
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,033
Likes: 12
Originally Posted by lite blue
When Chevy wanted to up the power from the '01 Z06 to the '02 Z06, they left the screens off the MAF, and decided that it did help.
So that was the only mod between an 01 and 02? Or did Cheby decide that they would save the cost of the screens and put in a cam that had 10* more duration???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Beaverton Oregon
Originally Posted by vader86
yes, it will help an L98, but it isnt going to feel different, from a few small mods together you may feel something
on an LT1 it doesnt seem to help at all
on an LT1 it doesnt seem to help at all
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by All2kool
To be clear - I am not looking for more HP - I'm looking for ways to improve fuel economy and/or efficiency of the motor. If making minor mods produces more HP, that is a bonus.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by lite blue
When Chevy wanted to up the power from the '01 Z06 to the '02 Z06, they left the screens off the MAF, and decided that it did help.
The best all around MAF sensor for power and economy is a stock unit.The stock L98 set up cannot inhale enough air to justify it outside the TB area anyways...the stock MAF and airbox can feed it all day long before and never be a restriction.
Alot of GM cars since the 90s dont have MAF screens,but are an entirely different set up.They wouldnt work on an L98 either without some serious mods and programming.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Orlando FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
unless you have lots of mods and race your car on the track, this mod will do absolutely nothing for you. Don't waste your time. (I think you said in the past you weren't interested in racing, etc)... so yeah... don't bother.
Also, you would be supprised what can get past the air filter, especially on the older L98's, the intake housing just doesnt seal as well as it should after many years of use.
Also, you would be supprised what can get past the air filter, especially on the older L98's, the intake housing just doesnt seal as well as it should after many years of use.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
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From: Santa Maria CA
Originally Posted by All2kool
While I have it off, is there really a benefit to removing the screen from the MAF?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 14
From: Stafford Connecticut
I removed my screens in my 85 and noticed a back fire in my exhaust when I would rev my motor until my car warmed up. I felt I got better miliage with the screens in and the car ran better I am looking for another maf with the screens in .
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 445
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Yeah well I had been wondering about this topic too and had read opinions on it.
I have a mildly modded L98, flat-tops, stock heads, intake etc. but all ported, 211, K&N, cut lid, mail tune and so on and had been running a de-screened MAF since I built it, about 3000 miles ago.
Back then I got caught up in the hype of the so-called cheap h.p. mods...de-screening was one, as was a 52tb, relocating the AIT sensor...I know a little better now, esp. after taking heed from some clever dudes on this forum..
So, after reading this post I decided to try for myself and fitted a new screened MAF...any difference..?
None that I can tell...it still spins up like before and pulls just as strong, and is still fun to drive...!
After trying this out, I wouldn't bother taking out the screens again, and risking any dirt getting into the wires causing damage...
The ultimate test would be a b4 and after on a dyno, though..
I have a mildly modded L98, flat-tops, stock heads, intake etc. but all ported, 211, K&N, cut lid, mail tune and so on and had been running a de-screened MAF since I built it, about 3000 miles ago.
Back then I got caught up in the hype of the so-called cheap h.p. mods...de-screening was one, as was a 52tb, relocating the AIT sensor...I know a little better now, esp. after taking heed from some clever dudes on this forum..
So, after reading this post I decided to try for myself and fitted a new screened MAF...any difference..?
None that I can tell...it still spins up like before and pulls just as strong, and is still fun to drive...!
After trying this out, I wouldn't bother taking out the screens again, and risking any dirt getting into the wires causing damage...
The ultimate test would be a b4 and after on a dyno, though..
