Do Not Remove Your Maf Screen!
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,017
From: Toledo, OH
Although it looks like this subject seems to be thoroughly covered, i'll beat a dead horse and put in my .02. I have a ported/polished/descreened MAF housing, and have had NO problems. I've also had about the same amount of improvement. I guess every little bit helps, though. To those who have problems - it's not the descreening. As was stated above, you might want to check your air filter, also, driving on dirty roads could probably wreck your MAF after time. Those electrodes aren't exactly heavy duty.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,697
From: Petersham, MA
No problems here after SIX years of usage. 
BTW, like any mechanical or electrical device, they can simply fail. While banging it around, dirt, or moisture can all take their toll, sometimes things just kick the proverbial bucket.
BTW, like any mechanical or electrical device, they can simply fail. While banging it around, dirt, or moisture can all take their toll, sometimes things just kick the proverbial bucket.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 51
From: Lubbock, TX USA
I just used Gumout carb cleaner, a few squirts has the sensors and wires nice and clean and it evaporates in a few minutes. Do it everytime I remove my intake bellows since it only takes a few extra minutes. No problems here.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,842
From: BC, Canada
i just did some experiments with 2 MAFs .. one descreend .. one stock
here are the MAX MAF readings i got thru my experiments.. each pull i did a 2nd and 3rd gear pull upto 7k on the same road
max descreened = 337 AFGs
max stock = 373 AFGs
then i took my CAI out
descreen = 373 AFGs
stock = 396 AFGs
i also run a descreened MAF and i barely get 10 mpg sissy driving my car
time for a stock MAF id say .. anyone wanna trade
?
here are the MAX MAF readings i got thru my experiments.. each pull i did a 2nd and 3rd gear pull upto 7k on the same road
max descreened = 337 AFGs
max stock = 373 AFGs
then i took my CAI out
descreen = 373 AFGs
stock = 396 AFGs
i also run a descreened MAF and i barely get 10 mpg sissy driving my car
time for a stock MAF id say .. anyone wanna trade
?
Super Moderator
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 4,060
From: Inverness, FL
Mine have been descreened for years with no problems.
95 TA gets 31.5 mpg (stock)
96SS gets 25 mpg with 4.10 gears (450 hp n/a)
94Z gets 20 to 25 mpg (A4 and Vortech)
Sounds to me like either the sensor failed or the wires got built up with a bunch of "crap" and need to be cleaned. FWIW, I have never cleaned mine.
And Trey, it is a significant restriction under full flow conditions which means it is "somewhat" of a restriction for even a stock LT1
I'll post the numbers for you later.
95 TA gets 31.5 mpg (stock)
96SS gets 25 mpg with 4.10 gears (450 hp n/a)
94Z gets 20 to 25 mpg (A4 and Vortech)
Sounds to me like either the sensor failed or the wires got built up with a bunch of "crap" and need to be cleaned. FWIW, I have never cleaned mine.
And Trey, it is a significant restriction under full flow conditions which means it is "somewhat" of a restriction for even a stock LT1
I'll post the numbers for you later.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,442
From: Tacoma, WA, USA
Originally posted by DOOM Master
I'm still going to say what I say every time this comes up, you HAD to have damaged the sensor or had the sensor fail for what you describe. I've had my MAF descreened and self-ported for over 2 years, never had any problem. Know other guys with the same, no problems for even longer than me. If all you did was descreen, your MAF must have went bad. The way to check is if you put your screen back in and it does the same thing as your buddy's MAF. But it's not going to do that, because the descreening was not the problem.
I'm still going to say what I say every time this comes up, you HAD to have damaged the sensor or had the sensor fail for what you describe. I've had my MAF descreened and self-ported for over 2 years, never had any problem. Know other guys with the same, no problems for even longer than me. If all you did was descreen, your MAF must have went bad. The way to check is if you put your screen back in and it does the same thing as your buddy's MAF. But it's not going to do that, because the descreening was not the problem.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 569
From: South Dakota
First of all, something did get damaged, because you also mentioned at the end of your post that you ported the MAF. I just ported mine and left the screen in (straightens airflow) and I actually have an increase in MPG. Second, when you clean it, go to radio shack, buy some ELECTRONICS cleaner and clean it the correct way. Those "diodes" are actually resistors which are an electronic component, and they need to be cleaned properly. You may actually see a benefit of cleaning the sensor because it will get carbon built up on it, and once that happens, the MAF has to send more voltage to reach the same temp in the resistors. A good stock MAF should be good to around 400hp, so there really is no need to do it (I was bored). I would definately leave the screen in as a precaution, and if you take it out, you won't see much of an increase in airflow anyway. The only ones that really benifited from this are the 3rd gens because they had 2 screens, and you could actually pick up over 100CFM. So, happy horsepower hunting
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,667
From: SLC, UT
I ran a ported and de-screened stock one for 2 years on my car with absolutly no issues what so ever.
It eventually failed and now I'm running a de-screened Z06 MAF.
And just a tab of info... the Factory 2002 Corvette Z06 MAFs do not even come with a screen. Why? Because GM decided it wasn't necessiary and was just hurting performance.
I'm not going to go into whether or not you should, I could go on for hours and I've gotten into coversations before.
It eventually failed and now I'm running a de-screened Z06 MAF.
And just a tab of info... the Factory 2002 Corvette Z06 MAFs do not even come with a screen. Why? Because GM decided it wasn't necessiary and was just hurting performance.
I'm not going to go into whether or not you should, I could go on for hours and I've gotten into coversations before.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,997
From: Reading, PA
Going on about 3 years now descreened and ported, never noticed any change in gas mileage or any ill effects from it. One thing I did not do was touch any part of the actual plastic center section with the sensors, I only ported the ends. The guide I used said to cut out the plastic divider too but that seemed way to risky to mess with to me so I left it alone.
On a side note, Brent has three f-bodies now???
That's awesome!
On a side note, Brent has three f-bodies now???
That's awesome!
