How To: 4.0L OHV MAF upgrade....

[Spdrcer34]

I've been busy with a few projects.....

I finally installed my Custom Hood <---Link to the thread here on EF

I finally installed the Intake Spacer (another link) I have had on the shelf for months

But now I have upgraded my MAF too....I bought a 5.0L X MAF off ebay for $15.00

Here is what I got:



Here is what I did to it:

First things first....take the MAF electronics off the body



I started by looking at the small plate off the back of the MAF...I can only think this was designed to created a little turbulance, slowing the air down a little around the sensor to get a good reading......I removed it.



One that little plate was gone, It was time to get rid of that whole pillar in the middle of the MAF. Get a good hacksaw, take off the blade insert the blade into the MAF body, and re-attach the blade to the saw....saw away at the pillar



Now you are almost done....

There is a little bit left on the bottom that SHOULD be removed if you have the ability. I used my airpowered die grinder.


It literally took me all of 5 minutes to get to this point from when I first walked into my shop with the part in the box.

Just for comparison sake, here is the stock 4.0L MAF opening compared to the 5.0L MAF:




I can telll a difference with this MAF..... I love it....

I have a few other projects that I am working of for the X.......stay TUNED...(no pun intended)...

Ryan

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

There's someone I haven't heard of in a while. It's about damn time somebody did an actual write up about this. Good job man, this will help a LOT of people... 5 star rating!!

This should definitely become a sticky for the First Generation Forum. The Cold Air intake, the flowmaster installation, and this writeup are probably the 3 most "wanted/needed" for us.

Again, good job Ryan.

 

[jah81592]

Please don't think I am a naysayer but do you actually understand what the MAF meter does in a Ford vehicle? It commands all fueling,spark,load,trans shift schedules (on newer vehicles) and shift firmness (on new vehicles). I would be willing to be if you actually put your truck on a dyno that the vehicle lost hp and torque due to it being lean.. Furthermore the unit was engineered with the tonsil integrated into the body to reduce turbulance and reversion. I would like to see the MAF voltage (which would probably be all over the place). I could go into this even further but you get the idea. As far as a sticky. I wouldn't recommend it.-j

 

[Spdrcer34]

This is a 1992( i.e. OBD1, Manual Trans X) the MAF does quite a bit..but not as much on a car this old..

Well, I have a dyno sheet from it's previous set-up, but won't get it dyno'd again until after I have done a few other things that will change the hp/tq numbers greatly....This mod on a totally bone stock X isn't something I would recommend....but on a modded motor like mine, I could tell a difference..

I think after I get done with all my mods, I'll throw the 4.0 MAF on there, and have it dyno'd...then do it again with this 5.0L...and I'm fairly positive it will make a slight difference in my favor with the 5.0 MAF on there..

Ryan

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

The MAF conversion is mentioned in the First Generation forum under "How to build your own custom cold air intake" or something like that. A lot of people have done the conversion with positive results. Myself included. I'm pretty sure if that many people have done it and gotten good results, it's worth it...

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160528&page=2

around post 26 - 29 i want to say is where the discussion comes up..

 

[jah81592]

I custom tune EEC-iv vehicles all the time, actually 7 in the last 2 weeks. This mod will definately need a custom tune especially with a modded engine thus making it even leaner further supporting the necessity for a chip in that application. The laws of physics are still in effect. MAF turbulance isn't filtered just because it is EEC-iv. Hogging out or removing necessary components in a MAF meter is not recommended. Although EEC-iv isn't as dependent on the meter as EEC-V it still determines load,fueling and spark. Enough parameters are controlled to waste an engine. Especially if you don't have any logging to support that the modification is safe.-j

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

how do you tune our engines? i was under the impression they couldn't accept a chip or something other. so it is possible? link to site if possible?

(speaking about our first generation 4.0)

 

[Spdrcer34]

Josh....

Yes, tuning is totally possible on just about ANY vehicle...

Some just allow more tuning than others. OBDI/EEC-IV doesn't have as many tuning parameters as the OBDII/EEC-V....but there is some power to be gained by doing it...

I am getting another tune after I get some more work done...

Ryan

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Josh....

Yes, tuning is totally possible on just about ANY vehicle...

Some just allow more tuning than others. OBDI/EEC-IV doesn't have as many tuning parameters as the OBDII/EEC-V....but there is some power to be gained by doing it...

I am getting another tune after I get some more work done...

Ryan

where would you recommend me looking? my real goal would be to have 2 tunes, 1 performance and 1 conservative. the performance, for well, performance. and one conservative to try and save fuel while just doing daily drives.

 

[seth247]

I don't think the ecu can switch back and forth without a whole new tune.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

:-(

 

[seth247]

Then again horse power and efficiency aren't mutually exclusive. Both goals are
basicaly the same: make as much power out of a givin amount of fuel as possible.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Having Multiple tunes gets expensive....but not impossible

But once you have a Performance Tune (92/93 octane req'd)...you'll never go to the 'lame' tune....even going to the store for milk will be fun....

Ryan

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

So where do you get yours done? Or do you do them yourself? Is it a chip? I've seen bama chips and jet chips mentioned, but I'm at a loss as to what WILL work on the first generation.

also, i read in another thread about a man who does good port/polish work on intakes and throttlebodies, here's the thread if you're interested:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216133

I've all ready emailed him about getting my Intake Manifold (after TB) done. I figure if it doesn't work, oh well... but if it does!!!...

 

[Turdle]

For tuning-
www.hensonperformance.com

James is a site vendor- Check out his site.

I need to take a look into my BBK throttle body and see if there is anything to be done there--

 

[jah81592]

You can tune a gen1 Explorer with a SCT chip. I have datalogging,etc. Unfortunately I have to be with the vehicle. It can be done. I also tune many Fox bodied Mustangs. If you are close to me I can tune you. If you would like to schedule time, just let me know. Chipping a Gen1 isn't impossible.

 

[tyler_h]

what year that maf off of

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

would this maf mod be possible with the stock 4.0l ohv mass air flow sensor? as far as cutting out that pillar in the middle.i got a sct programmer from henson performance.so i can data log all the info.would it really help?

 

[seth247]

The stock maf doesn't have a bar. Just a narrow hole.

Maybe the later gens are different.

 

[seth247]

Stock foxbody mustangs have 19lb/h injectors yes?

Same as the ex?