So, i have a 5.0 tbi, bone stock. wanting to clean up the engine bay, make it look nice, decided to go with an open element air filter, but my problem is i have an MAF sensor attatched to the stock breather. any way i can take it off? what would happen if i did? or, is there anyway i can drill into the bottom of my open element air filter and attatch the MAF sensor to it, and if so, how? thanks

That's the Intake Air Temp sensor, not MAF, your car uses MAP. What to do with the IAT is mentioned in the above sticky threads, you can either install it in the aftermarket cleaner base or tie it up somewhere in the engine bay, cooler generally better.

Really? huh, had no clue. thanks man.

What exactly is it connected to (other than the breather) and what affect on the car would there be if i removed it?

i would just install it on the new air cleaner but thats just me

You can open up a TBI engine bay ALOT depending on how far you want to go. Check out my cardomain for the pics of what I did when my car was still tbi.