L98 MAF screens
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 75
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From: West Des Moines IA
L98 MAF screens
Some guys insist that cutting the screens out of L98 MAF sensors will improve performance and some say not to touch it. Does anyone have any experience with this??
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,630
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From: Brandywine, Chester and Ridley Valleys Pennsylvania
Do a search, you will find oodles and oodles of posts and differing points of view.
Personally, I did it, and never had any problems, some folks suffer from codes popping up after doing it.
Personally, I did it, and never had any problems, some folks suffer from codes popping up after doing it.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
If you remove the L98 MAF screens & cooling fins flow potential rises from stock ~530cfm to 750cfm. You likely won't feel a hp gain unless your engine has mods that need the additional flow.
The danger in doing this mod is that thereafter debris can then get into the MAF and damage the sensor wires. So, never run the car with the air filter off and do NOT over oil your K&N. I've been running gutted MAFs in the IROC and the Vette for 7yrs and only had one fail due to over oiling of the K&N (my bad).
Some would say that the screens straighten the air flow for better flow sensing but there is no data to confrim this. And my scanner shows no abnormalities in air flow or O2 sensor data with a gutted MAF.
The danger in doing this mod is that thereafter debris can then get into the MAF and damage the sensor wires. So, never run the car with the air filter off and do NOT over oil your K&N. I've been running gutted MAFs in the IROC and the Vette for 7yrs and only had one fail due to over oiling of the K&N (my bad).
Some would say that the screens straighten the air flow for better flow sensing but there is no data to confrim this. And my scanner shows no abnormalities in air flow or O2 sensor data with a gutted MAF.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
There are several approaches to do this.
One attemmpts to remove the end covers , another uses an exacto knife to cut the screens.
I did the latter. I ensured that I had the MAF positioned so that gravity ensured that any small pieces hit the table and not the MAF.
DO NOT touch or LET ANYTHING touch the small wire filaments.
The next decision is whether you stop at the screens or try to remove the cooling fins. Most of the posts I have read that threw codes wer after removal of the cooling fins.
So if you stick to the screens and ensure NOTHING touches the wire filaments you should be OK
One attemmpts to remove the end covers , another uses an exacto knife to cut the screens.
I did the latter. I ensured that I had the MAF positioned so that gravity ensured that any small pieces hit the table and not the MAF.
DO NOT touch or LET ANYTHING touch the small wire filaments.
The next decision is whether you stop at the screens or try to remove the cooling fins. Most of the posts I have read that threw codes wer after removal of the cooling fins.
So if you stick to the screens and ensure NOTHING touches the wire filaments you should be OK
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
From: West Islip New York
Originally Posted by 65Z01
If you remove the L98 MAF screens & cooling fins flow potential rises from stock ~530cfm to 750cfm. You likely won't feel a hp gain unless your engine has mods that need the additional flow.
I removed both the screens and the heat sink on mine and it definitely made use of the additional flow. Its been like that for over a year now without any problems what so ever.Most of the time, if not done carefully the MAF is damaged during this process, that's usually the cause of throwing a code afterwards. Be carefull and you'll be fine.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 0
From: Oceansaide CA
I have 2 spares, meybe I ought to give it a whirl.. Hell, if there's a dyno nearby I'll settle this debate 
First run: Baseline
Second run: after I rip the sreens out
Third run: Sinks go bye bye
If I can handle the operator glaring at me for being an idiot (since more then likely the readings will be well within one HP of each other ) I'll do it...
First run: Baseline
Second run: after I rip the sreens out
Third run: Sinks go bye bye
If I can handle the operator glaring at me for being an idiot (since more then likely the readings will be well within one HP of each other
) I'll do it...
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