Removing the MAF screen: worth it?

[BlueBird_99]

Now that I'm in the middle of modifying my induction, I'm always hearing about small, free mods I can make to the setup.

One such is the simple removal of the MAF screen. But is this a good thing? Isn't it there to help protect the sensitive sensors inside the MAF housing? I mean I've already got much more air coming in from under the car now with the CAI and the engine is breathing much better thanks to the Whisper lid. So do I really need to risk something flying up inside my engine or hitting the MAF sensors just to gain what is probably an unnoticable amount of power?

[Google Adsense]

[futseal04]

The MAF screen is there to smooth out airflow over the sensor so that it is a uniform, laminar flow over the sensor.

I have heard that removing it can cause the car to lean out or rough out the idle, but I personally have removed it on 6 cars and have had no ill effects.

[01MaroIL]

i removed mine and all is well. i hear it is a mod for those with straight throttle bodies. and since you have a 99 you should be ok. but keep it just in case you need to reinstall it if your car is adversly affected by the modification.

[Little G]

You'll be fine. You can always put it back in. MAFs are cheap anyway, even if you do break it, which won't cause the car not to run, so it's not like it's an emergency.

g

[00firebird]

i wouldnt do it, ive found some nasty things in the airbox that probably would of damaged the engine had i removed the screen

[Bob]

The screen is not a filter, its there to smooth out the airflow. If you have nasty shit in your air box, it will have no problem going through the screen anyway. Why does everyone think its a filter? Remove it, I did and it didn't hurt shit.

[TurboV6Camaro]

You'll be fine. You can always put it back in. MAFs are cheap anyway, even if you do break it, which won't cause the car not to run, so it's not like it's an emergency.

g

if $200 is cheap i want your job !!!

[Little G]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=7988389055

And I've seen people sell them for a few bucks too.

[TurboV6Camaro]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=7988389055

And I've seen people sell them for a few bucks too.

non for 1997

never mind found one.......

i can't figure out whats wrong with my car idling high every now and then and it alway fix itself before i can get my scanner on it

[Malice]

Take the stupid thing out. I've had mine out for 4 years now, and the car runs great.

[BlueBird_99]

Well what kind of performance do I really get from removing it? That was part of my concern, whether or not it's even worth doing. It can't be a noticeable difference can it?

[Malice]

I noticed a big difference. After removing my MAF screen, I crunched it together into a solid wad, and put it back into my TB. It covered up approx one third of the available throttle area.

Basically, it turns your 65mm throttle into a 44mm throttle. I think 33% more airflow potential would be a step in the right direction.

[GT Jon]

Well, unlike Malice I'd probably leave the screen intact in case anything happens. Yes, I'm sure that Malice crushed the screen in the name of science, and was not under the influence of 'Roid Rage when the incident occurred.

[BlueBird_99]

So did anyone else who removed it notice this big difference?

[01MaroIL]

free mods never really give a big difference. Big gains cost a lot of money, but for the whole five mins it took to take it out it was worth it and it is noticable. Not going to make your car fly by any means, but like everyone is saying take it out and see for yourself. If you dont like it put it back in. By having it out for a day i doubt the engine damaging particles that everyone speaks of will make it through your filter.