Not trying to start another "screen in/screen out" debate.

Yesterday I went ahead and removed the MAF screen (since I was bored), then started the car just to see if any thing happened out of the ordinary. No alarm bells so I shut it down.

Today while driving to work the car seemed to accelerate much smoother than before. Not stronger per se, like I had suddenly uncovered 20 free horsepower, just "smoother". I had posted previously about accelerating in 3rd and feeling like the car gained speed in stages with a noticable number of small "flat spots" on the way to redline. I even asked if I was experincing torque management, but no one seemed to think that that TM was the culprit. This issue, at least in the short term, seems to be a thing of the past.

This is total conjecture on my part; just a SOTP evaluation. I suspect that removing the MAF screen maybe have allowed the car to run slightly leaner. I think I have a overly rich setup from the factory anyway since the exhaust tips are constantly covered in black crap. I'll see if they stay cleaner longer with the screen removed.

I reviewed a number of previous threads on this issue and could not see anything extremely good or extremely bad happening to the car by removing the screen. Seems that if it works, then great. If not, then too bad.

If anything drastic occurs, I'll let you know.

 

What kind of air box setup do you have?

 

I would be willing to wager that it is ALL in your head. Normally the opposite is more common when it comes to messing with the MAF.

 

My .02:

I've done a million of those type 'free mods' on previous Vettes.
I find that most of those SOTP gains are my 'sweet little magination'.

So I'm trying to keep my C6 bone stock, but it takes will power.

 

Stock, right down to the paper filters.

 

Granetelli sells them with the screens off for something like 3 bills, as I recall--or at least did for the LS1. I never would pay that for something you can do yourself..that being said, I never did it. Just didn't see the gain as logical. However, some say it's there, so who knows. I felt the same thing with the Aircharger installed. Others say nfw with the K&N with respect to actual performance increase. Here's the bottom line: if you're happy, as I am with the K&N, whogas what others say.

 

Every Vette I have had since the screen was put in, I removed it at the first opportunity and have never had a adverse effect. On my 06 I did notice quicker throttle response right away. We are always adding intakes, more air flow and I will also tell you that if you smashed the screen flat top to bottom and measure, you will see that it takes least 1/3 to 1/4 of the intake diameter. I don't think there is much sense in adding ported intake and throttle bodies when the restriction starts before either ported intake or throttle body. I think the only thing it is good for is keeping large particles from ingesting into the engine. If you push it gently from the back side without damaging the wires, it can be put back in for a quick test.

 

Thanks for the replies (positive and negative). I'm into the 2nd day of SOTP testing and I still say the car is accelerating smoother throughout the RPM range. Again, I'm not saying stronger like I've uncovered some untapped horsepower reserve or something, just smoother with less of the little hesitation phases I previously described.

 

can you or someone do a before and after 1/4 mile pass or dyno run to see the result?

 

If you do remove the screen and have to bring the car in, will the dealer deny warranty coverage for the mod?

 

depends on what the issue is, if it is mass air issue then i can see them giving you the run around...

 

Unless the new set-up/MAF is speed density tuned which makes the MAF perfect in terms of fueling. Its not a rip it out and it works mod. It needs to be tuned and then will yeild a 1.0647hp increase.

Lingenfelter has a 100mm MAF for this car now and supplies a ball park patch peice for the tune.

 

And here I thought it was just my immagination? I did something similar on my C5, installing the Granatelli MAF (no screen) and a Blackwing intake at the same time. Driving home from the shop, the first thing I noticed was how smooth the engine ran, noticibly smoother! Like you, I didn't feel a power increase, but smoother was a nice benefit. Yes, increased air flow will result in running lean. Lean will also add a few HP but is hard on the engine. Sounds like you "accidentally" balanced the mixture <grin>.

 

if the maf see the increase in air flow, car will not run any leaner. by taking out the screen the calibration of the maf could have been alter, that alone would have make it leaner or richer. we really need someone to do a before and after dyno run / 1/4 mile pass to confirm it was just sotp gain.

 

Yes, before and after dyno data would be great, however few owners are going to dyno their stock cars as it's not without cost. I suspected my C5 was running lean after the addition of the Granatelli MAF, Blackwing, and Corsa Indy and a subsequent dyno test proved it. As far as the numbers, it dyno'd at 305.0 rwhp, which is meaningless without having done a baseline dyno first, but using 16% loss through the drive train and GM's published HP (345) for a 2000 LS1, that says the gain was 18 HP at the flywheel which I consider rediculious? BUT, after doing a custome PCM tune, it dyno'd 319.2 rwhp, or 380 at the flywheel. Those are real comparative numbers and say that the custom tune resulted in a 14.2 rwhp gain.