maf screen removal....does it help?

[jroth2000gt]

I am new to the forum, just some useless info on me. My 2nd g/a, i have k and n in modded the stock air box, jet chip, I removed the maf screen, but im not sure it will help any. Please let me know if this helps at all.

[InspectorGAGT]

It'll help, but in a very small amount...nothing you'd be able to feel.

[teambeechstreet]

my friend did it to his 98 V6 Mustang and after about a month, his car f*cked up and he took it in to a shop and the guy said that the removal of the MAF screen hurt since it let more s*it get in. I wouldnt remove it, personally, but thats IMO.

[Black2K1GT]

I have had mine out for more than two years now without any problems.

[speak03]

I found it helped a little especially if u have a k&n or cai.

[Black2K1GT]

I think that it works fine for CAI (Cold Air Intake) users, but people that use the stock airbox have had some trouble. You may do a search.

I know of a LOT of arguments over this topic and I would not be surprised if one starts here.

[ZakkWylde470]

Originally posted by teambeechstreet
my friend did it to his 98 V6 Mustang and after about a month, his car f*cked up and he took it in to a shop and the guy said that the removal of the MAF screen hurt since it let more s*it get in.

wtf

How could something large enough to get filtered by the MAF screen get past the filter in the first place??? Sounds like BS to me. I had the screen out on my 99 GT and it ran fine.

[InspectorGAGT]

Originally posted by ZakkWylde470
wtf

How could something large enough to get filtered by the MAF screen get past the filter in the first place??? Sounds like BS to me. I had the screen out on my 99 GT and it ran fine.

Agreed. The holes in the MAF screen are jumbo-size compared to the "holes" of the air filter.

[fschambe]

I removed it in my 2kgt and my 96 s10, no remarkable gains, but heck, it all adds up!

[jroth2000gt]

when i removed the screen i didnt see anything on it, but i didnt think it would hurt anything, if it does then the k n sucks. i have had it out for about a month and no probs yet, btw is there anything else than can be considered "free horsepower" available??

[Craig99SE2]

Removing it makes the MAF lose factory cal. I.e. more air gets in than the MAF thinks thus causing the engine to run slightly leaner. FYI: Leaner = LESS Power!

[InspectorGAGT]

I was under the impression that all the MAF screen did was straighten out the airflow so that the sensors could get a better reading.

[Craig99SE2]

I typed it a million times and am lazy today ... READ:

http://www.vetteguru.com/mods/howto/

(BTW - Same OBDII PCM System)

[jroth2000gt]

Ok I understand what you are saying about the MAF sensor intake of air and leaning the fuel, however I want to also state that the car does have a chip as well...so my next question is that if I am leaning my air fuel mixture and the chip richens the fuel mixture won't these 2 variables offset each other? Also I am not currently using a CAI just a k and n replacement filter so therefore I am surely not inducting much more than stock vs a CAI system, so I would figure the removal of the screen only straightens the airflow and would perform more consistently. I could be wrong so please let me know if I am assuming incorrectly.

[teambeechstreet]

Originally posted by ZakkWylde470
wtf

How could something large enough to get filtered by the MAF screen get past the filter in the first place??? Sounds like BS to me. I had the screen out on my 99 GT and it ran fine.

Well I forgot to mention that he's a dumb guy that didnt securely attach his filter and it fell off... thus letting in something pretty big, according to the mechanic... but most mechanics are bs'ers

[ZakkWylde470]

Originally posted by teambeechstreet
Well I forgot to mention that he's a dumb guy that didnt securely attach his filter and it fell off... thus letting in something pretty big, according to the mechanic... but most mechanics are bs'ers

LMAO

[speak03]

Okay but what everyone is forgeing is more air flow + more fuel = more power! Just remember it's al about the ratio.
mike

[Gimli]

Originally posted by speak03
Okay but what everyone is forgeing is more air flow + more fuel = more power! Just remember it's al about the ratio.
mike

Yeah but if the PCM doesn't detect the higher airflow because the MAF is calibrated with a MAF screen in place it won't know the air/fuel ratio is imbalanced and it won't send more fuel in. It might actually detect that less air is going in because of the turbulence and may lean out the mix even more.

So unless you have a modified chip or a system that richens your ratio independent from the PCM the best thing that'll happen is that there won't be any difference in performance.

[Craig99SE2]

... and since the MAF is the primary sensor for fuel enrichment, it's kinda hard to run more fuel unless you spend $500 and get a custom cal done!

[PontiacGT2K]

Originally posted by Craig99SE2
... and since the MAF is the primary sensor for fuel enrichment, it's kinda hard to run more fuel unless you spend $500 and get a custom cal done! Or get a MAFT.

I've had the screen removed for a year now, no problems. IMO, the car runs a lil funny since the removal, but oh well.....not like I can put the mangled piece of **** back in.

BTW: I took out the center post as well, using a sawzall and dremel to smooth out the bevel. Even after doing that, I noticed no gains whatsoever.

Take it from me, playing with the MAF (from the physical standpoint) does nothing for performance.

[speak03]

but if you use the IAT override then it does send more fuel through the engine , right?

[PontiacGT2K]

Originally posted by speak03
but if you use the IAT override then it does send more fuel through the engine , right? Yeah, supposedly. I bet when it's colder than 50 degrees though, you run lean. I'll check it out when my autotap gets here.

[speak03]

U think it"ll run lean? good point that reminds me i should take it out now that it's cold~
mike

[PontiacGT2K]

Originally posted by speak03
U think it"ll run lean? good point that reminds me i should take it out now that it's cold~
mike I would only assume so. If it richens the mixture when temps are over that which the resistor emulates, it's common sense that when the temps go below that it would lean it out. I removed mine this morning, so we'll see what happens. Maybe I'll do a resistor test to what it runs at like 10 degrees (winter time).

[Gimli]

The problem with combining these mods is that you can't really control them.

With the MAF screnn off and the IAT override I think it'll still run rich from the IAT override although maybe not as rich as with the MAF screen on. In any case the performance improvements will be very minimal and you risk having problems with your emissions systems.

The catalytic converters especially don't like rich running engines. Since the failures are caused by modifications to the intake you'll probably have a hard time having anything repaired under warranty.

I think these kinda mods worked much better in the old times when there were no electronic adjustments of air/fuel ratios and emissions laws were less strict. Nowadays I think it's pretty useless to play with these though, engines are already tuned to work their best and to adjust to a fair amount of variation in intake and exhaust. That is unless you go into the big buck mods which none of you guys seem to be running.

[PontiacGT2K]

Originally posted by Gimli
The problem with combining these mods is that you can't really control them....... nuh-uh....get a MAFT! Then you've got complete control of the a/f ratios (as well as timing).

[jroth2000gt]

thanks for the reply i dont think i want to cut the center pole tho. you said runs a bit funny, did it seem a bit rough at idle?

[PontiacGT2K]

Originally posted by jroth2000gt
thanks for the reply i dont think i want to cut the center pole tho. you said runs a bit funny, did it seem a bit rough at idle? Exactly, idle seemed a bit funky....but it seems stable now.

[Craig99SE2]

Originally posted by PontiacGT2K
nuh-uh....get a MAFT! Then you've got complete control of the a/f ratios (as well as timing).

Oh yeah ... Sweet! I'm gonna spend $200 on a MAF Translator to gain 0.5HP! Woo-hoo! :rolleyes:

Here's a suggestion ... save another $99, get a Pro-M CALIBRATED MAF and gain about 5-10HP!

[speak03]

where do u pick up a pro calib. MAF?

[Black2K1GT]

http://www.pro-flow.com/

[PontiacGT2K]

Originally posted by Craig99SE2
Oh yeah ... Sweet! I'm gonna spend $200 on a MAF Translator to gain 0.5HP! Woo-hoo! :rolleyes:

Here's a suggestion ... save another $99, get a Pro-M CALIBRATED MAF and gain about 5-10HP! What are you talking about? The MAFT does just that....calibrate the MAF. Why have someone else do a guestimated re-calibration when you can do a custom one yourself with the use of an Autotap or similar reader? :huh:

[Craig99SE2]

You are totally missing the point I'm trying to make here... The STOCK MAF only flows xxx regardless of the cal! By porting, you are only going to pick up between .5 to 1 HP IF calibrated! The Pro-M/GMS is a LARGER bore which flows 15-20% more and gains 5-7 HP.

As far as calibration goes, Pro-M is not a guesstimate! They flowbench each meter they sell. A cal has absolutely NOTHING to do with the engine. All they do is calibrate it with itself. I.e. when a metered amount of air flows through the meter, it must output xxx signal.

[ryGT1]

Well, I took my MAF screen out about 1.5 years ago, and now the engine knocks, all the time. This is with a CAI and the ASE chip by the way.

Craig, which Pro-Flow do I need, LT1 or LS1, I can't remember :confused: Or am I better off with a GMS?

I'm gonna pick one up and see if it fixes the problem. Because knock can be caused from an engine running lean correct?

[speak03]

And how much does the pro-gms run? How long for delivery?

[Black2K1GT]

Originally posted by ryGT1
Craig, which Pro-Flow do I need, LT1 or LS1, I can't remember :confused: Or am I better off with a GMS?

Though I am not Craig, I think you have to contact them directly and they have one specifically for our car. I believe The Old Guy allowed them to use his vehicle as the test. They have two versions with and without CAI.

Correct me if I am wrong Craig.

Later

[ryGT1]

Cool, thanks for the info. And did I read Craigs post right... he said they are only 100 bucks?! That can't be right...

[Craig99SE2]

Originally posted by ryGT1
Cool, thanks for the info. And did I read Craigs post right... he said they are only 100 bucks?! That can't be right...

NO! They are $299 ... at least they were! Someone had problems getting that price, but The Old Guy setup a contact with Damien at Pro-Flow and he supposedly knows about the $299 price.

And yes, there is one specifically for the LA1 3.4L.

[ryGT1]

Nice man, thanks. Which would you buy, the Pro-Flow or the GMS, and is it worth it?

[Craig99SE2]

Pro-Flow PERIOD! GMS sells one supposedly calibrated for our cars, but several people here have had problems. I suggest searching for the post by 'The Old Guy' about the MAF sensors and reading up.

[ryGT1]

Will do, thanks.