Grumpy..To remove or not to remove the MAF screen that is the question. I hear so much bull, but no one gives a straight answer. I want to remove real bad, really think it will help... I own a 2003 Corvette, LS1.. My understanding is that the screen is an air straightener and not needed?????????? Help!
Removing MAF screen.
- Thread starter Tapout1
- Start date
the object or reason behind removing the screens is at least in theory to increase the air flow rate potential into the engine, G.M. rarely spends money to install parts that are not used or needed under at least some conditions, the front screen is designed to trap crud the air filter might miss to protect the maf sensor filaments, the rear screen is designed to reduce the potential for a backfire tin the intake to cause damage to the sensor.
In the TPI corvettes ,the maf (MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR) screen is there to protect the heated filament,that measures heat loss, due to changes in electrical resistance in that heated filament due to changes in air flow and air temperature.
while its true removing the screen tends to increase the potential air flow rates but that's not necessarily the same thing as increasing the engines potential power curve unless you can use the extra air flow.
as a general rule your always trying to upgrade the weak links or reduce the fuel and air flow restrictions to increase engine efficiency when your trying to increase power.also as a rule of thumb as they say, three times your maximum port flow rates at max cam lift will be very close to the required maximum flow rate for a throttle body or carburetors required flow capacity, to be sure its not a restriction.
example
on a O.E.M, or stock tpi, the STOCK combo of intake manifold and cylinder head port ,with the stock cam won,t flow near. let alone in excess of 600cfm, and the stock M.A.F WITH just the rear screen removed flows just a bit more than 630cfm,from what Ive seen posted several times from different sources and since the debris catching screen is designed to catch crud the air filter missed , Id suggest only removing the rear screen, as the rear screen really serves very little function (PROVIDED YOU HANDLE THE M.A.F. carefully)
there are aftermarket versions that at least in theory flow better
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GRN-350100/?rtype=10
MANY of the newer maf sensors don,t use the same flimsy filament design, but they are designed to measure flow with the screens in place, and its also posiable to buy larger more efficient M.A.F sensors designed for performance use, in some cases
related info, you really should read thru
http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/maf.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_flow_sensor
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2825&p=8591&hilit=screen+sensor#p8591
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=641&p=859&hilit=58mm#p859
http://www.chevythunder.com/Flow%20chart%20index.htm
In the TPI corvettes ,the maf (MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR) screen is there to protect the heated filament,that measures heat loss, due to changes in electrical resistance in that heated filament due to changes in air flow and air temperature.
while its true removing the screen tends to increase the potential air flow rates but that's not necessarily the same thing as increasing the engines potential power curve unless you can use the extra air flow.
as a general rule your always trying to upgrade the weak links or reduce the fuel and air flow restrictions to increase engine efficiency when your trying to increase power.also as a rule of thumb as they say, three times your maximum port flow rates at max cam lift will be very close to the required maximum flow rate for a throttle body or carburetors required flow capacity, to be sure its not a restriction.
example
on a O.E.M, or stock tpi, the STOCK combo of intake manifold and cylinder head port ,with the stock cam won,t flow near. let alone in excess of 600cfm, and the stock M.A.F WITH just the rear screen removed flows just a bit more than 630cfm,from what Ive seen posted several times from different sources and since the debris catching screen is designed to catch crud the air filter missed , Id suggest only removing the rear screen, as the rear screen really serves very little function (PROVIDED YOU HANDLE THE M.A.F. carefully)
there are aftermarket versions that at least in theory flow better
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GRN-350100/?rtype=10
MANY of the newer maf sensors don,t use the same flimsy filament design, but they are designed to measure flow with the screens in place, and its also posiable to buy larger more efficient M.A.F sensors designed for performance use, in some cases
related info, you really should read thru
http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/maf.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_flow_sensor
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2825&p=8591&hilit=screen+sensor#p8591
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=641&p=859&hilit=58mm#p859
http://www.chevythunder.com/Flow%20chart%20index.htm