Mass Air Flow screen?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
Mass Air Flow screen?
I was told by a reputable performance mechanic knowledgeable with Corvettes that I would pick up 5-7 additional HP by removing the screen from the MAF.
First of all, how would removing that piece of what looks like mosquito netting gain that much horsepower, and if I WERE to remove it, how is it done as I see no way of dissassembling the unit to get it out without buggering up those little crosshair wires?
Anyone?
First of all, how would removing that piece of what looks like mosquito netting gain that much horsepower, and if I WERE to remove it, how is it done as I see no way of dissassembling the unit to get it out without buggering up those little crosshair wires?
Anyone?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 19
From: Portland Oregon
Re: Mass Air Flow screen? (TuffShift)
Hmm I don't think so. It does however changes the calibration a little so the car may even run richer. I had a LT1 I was tuning the other day and the fuel trims was indicating rich until I was told that there was a descreened MAF installed, I wasn't sure what was causing the trims to show rich. So once a stock MAF was installed the trims fell right back on track. The very same thing happens with changing a stock MAF with a aftermarket unit, you just don't know where the calibration is with them things. Sometimes and it happens more often than not, you may even loose power.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
Re: Mass Air Flow screen? (vinnies87)
you know... just worried about foreign objects and there on it for a reason...
I see you guys agree with what I was thinking.....how would it gain 4 - 7 hp just by removing that screen. That's a lot of free "ponies".
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
Re: Mass Air Flow screen? (tjwong)
Hmm I don't think so. It does however changes the calibration a little so the car may even run richer. I had a LT1 I was tuning the other day and the fuel trims was indicating rich until I was told that there was a descreened MAF installed, I wasn't sure what was causing the trims to show rich. So once a stock MAF was installed the trims fell right back on track.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia 1985 Coupe
Re: Mass Air Flow screen? (TuffShift)
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,367
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
Re: Mass Air Flow screen? (JCAIRE2)
It's a worthwhile mod for an L98, but not for an LT1/LT4
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: Mass Air Flow screen? (hngacurv)
removing the screen and installing a throttle body coolant bypass seemed to help mine out quite a bit. Did both mods at the same time and was pleased with the results.
BC
BC
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
Re: Mass Air Flow screen? (Chris O')
Tnks for the tip Chris. I'll have to learn how to use that Search feature before posting in the future.
For now, I figure, I'll just leave it in place and go looking for other places to scratch up an additional 30 ponies.
For now, I figure, I'll just leave it in place and go looking for other places to scratch up an additional 30 ponies.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati Oh
Re: Mass Air Flow screen? (TuffShift)
Tuffshift, don't bother removing the screens on you 96, the computer will eventually compensate for the change and you will have gained nothing. BTW, the screens are not there to "catch" debris. They are there to straighten the flow of air before it reaches the intake. It is a left-over design feature and is not really needed on corvettes, due to the short and straight path of the intake. It is also used by GM on trucks and camaros, which have bends in the intake requiring the screens.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 0
From: Yakima WA
Re: Mass Air Flow screen? (TuffShift)
Couple of questions. I am thinking of removing my screens on my 86 Vette. Someone mentioned that it may be beneficial for L98 engines. Why is that? Also, if anyone knows, will this affect emissions testing in California? Is it true that I can just use a pair of plyers to remove the plasit ring around the screens & can I therefore, put them back on if I choose to?
Pro
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
From: Chelmsford, MA USA
Re: Mass Air Flow screen? (TuffShift)
Why not go to your local junk yard and see if you can buy one for about 50 bux or so. Then take your stock unit and gently pack it away and store it. Cut the screens out of the junk one and file down the sensors using a dremel.
If it's not everything you hoped for, just return the stock unit to the engine.
Mid-eighties Camaros and Firebirds used the same Bosch unit.
[Modified by Bob Hovey, 4:31 PM 10/3/2003]
If it's not everything you hoped for, just return the stock unit to the engine.
Mid-eighties Camaros and Firebirds used the same Bosch unit.
[Modified by Bob Hovey, 4:31 PM 10/3/2003]
