I have read all the debates on to remove or not to remove the MAF screens, and I am still stumped on what to do. I have a significantly modded engine and want more air flow but dont want to risk the MAF, heres what i came up with-

What if I were to just remove the screen from the backside (closest to throttle body) of the MAF, this would obviously allow more air flow but would the MAF have any problems with me doing that?

 

Fifty % would say YES and Fifty % would say NO. so you decide.

 

cut those screens out.i was runnin 4mafs in 4tpi cars.3times i removed it myself and had no problems and number 4 was removed itself by an nitrous backfire

 

If anything you'd want to remove the front one on the air filter side not the back one. Most people assume the only function of those screens is to prevent debris from damaging the fragile MAF wire located inside. The fact of the matter is that the only time those screens protect that wire is when the sensor is off of the car, unless your running without an air filter. What those screens do accomplish is creating a controled turbulant flow through the sensor. This makes it so the air flowing through the center of the maf, where it is metered, is represenative of the air flowing throughout the rest of the sensor. Thats why I am saying to leave the upstream screen, if either. You could also get the wells su-145 replacement that posts on this board have claimed out flows a gutted one even with it's screens still in. If you haven't before, I think this article is worth reading. He claims that a screened MAF will outflow a stock throttle body and even an oversized 52 mm one. Folliwing the weakest link in the chain scenario, maybe this means you should be looking for flow restrictions elsewhere. Don't get me wrong though, my MAF is screenless, but this was one of the first and less researched things I did to my car and if I had the chance to take that mod back (without shelling out for a new one)...well you know my opinion now. Even with all of this said, what bad things will it do for your car? Probobly the same good things it will do for your car, nothing.

So you just have to ask yourself, do I really want to put the most expensive, and debatably the most important, sensor on my car on the chopping block????

 

Or just buy the Wells MAF and you won't need to remove the screens...

The next MAF I buy will be that one...even though the Bosch one works fine for now...

 

I removed the screens from my MAF and it made a good improvement. It only took me like 15 min. to remove both screens and clean up the loose bits of wire screen. It definitely is beneficial to remove both screens, mainly because you already have everything apart. Enjoy the better airflow!

 

Removing the screen will allow more airflow, but it will also allow the delicate wire inside exposed and vulnerable to anything, if your car would ever backfire out of the intake and you didn't have any screens on your maf you can say bye bye to it.


If you are planning to ever do any prom burning, it is easier to do it with a screened maf as it would be more accurate.

I don't have any screen on my maf.

 

I removed the screens from both ends of my MAF.

I then epoxied a small piece of the screen on the upstream side of the tube that holds the sensor wires.

Works like a dream.

Jake