High Performance MAFs

[timfretwell]

Has anyone ever tried one of the high performance after market Mass Air Flow sensor assemblies? I was looking at my stock MAF, and from the front view, you can see how the assembly is cast with an air channel that tapers down to the center of the assembly, then tapers back out. It does seem to be a "bottle neck" on the intake. This point is by far smaller than any other point on the stock intake, so it stands to reason, I guess, that the after market MAFs that are wide open all the way through would do a better job. They are kinda pricey though. I'm not shelling out $300 bucks until I hear some testimonials! Anybody got one?

 

[Alec]

The verdicts are split pretty 50/50 on this site. Some say a larger MAS helps, some say it doesn't do anything. I still have the stock MAS and am happy with it. I might get a new one after I install my supercharger.

Before you go with a larger MAS, you should definately upgrade the air filter, throttle body, and catback exhaust. All those parts also restrict airflow, in fact a lot more than the MAS. Think about it, the TB is smaller than the stock MAS. I think my 66mm TB is still smaller, or about the same. Also, if you haven't gotten a chip, I would also do that first. Even if the MAS does help, a chip will give you more bang for your buck.

Just my 2 cents....

 

[MyExp]

I installed the larger MAF and K&N conical filter about a year ago.

I could tell a difference in the power it had, a little bit. It sounds pretty beefy though. Everyone who rides in my rig has asked me if I have a V-8 because of it. I was told when I bought it, it would produce about 10-15 more horses, I dont think I got that much, but there was an improvement in power. I am going to upgrade the exhaust soon.

BC

 

[Rhett]

Alec, would you say that one should get a chip AFTER doing other relatively simple mods (exhaust, throttle body, MAF) so that the chip could be programmed to take advantage of the greater air flow?

The thought is that if you get a chip first, and then do other mods, the chip won't allow the engine to take advantage of your new mods. That is unless you send it back to the maker to have it reprogrammed...

Is this right?

 

[DOGMAN]

Just installing a larger MAS without any other mods is not money well spent, in my opinion. You're not going to see much if any performance gains by just increasing the size of the MAS.

Now if you were to add headers, different cam, larger injectors, blower, etc., a larger MAS could possibly be beneficial.

I would stay away from increasing the size of the throttle body, for many of the same reasons. One bad effect of increasing throttle body size is that you lose air velocity through the larger opening, which usually hurts low end torque.

Bigger is not always better on the intake side of the motor. Balanced components work in unison for optimum performance.

Unless you're going to get serious about hopping up the 4.0, I'd stay with a K&N filter on the intake side, leave the MAS and throttle body stock, and go with headers and performance exhaust. An aftermarket chip, such as Superchips, could loosen up a few HP also.

 

[Alec]

If you get a Hypertech chip or a Superchip without custom programming, the chips will adapt to new mods just like the stock computer would. If you get the custom programming done by Superchip, it's almost like a subscription: you send the chip back to them and they reprogram it, all you pay is the $6 or so shipping.

Dogman,
I felt an increase across the entire RPM range when I replaced my TB. At that time, I had the K&N, chip, and catback. It's when I put the headers on that I noticed a little drop in low end torque. But with the cold weather now, even that deficit is gone. Come summer I'm definately going to be slower, though. Hopefully the blower will help with temp changes