Removing the Mass Air Flow Sensor(MAF sensor) Screens for better acceleration

By Chris

Removing the MAF screens will increase air flow into the throttlebody and the plenum and as a result, increase horsepower. 

How to remove your MAF screens:

Estimated time: 30 minutes if you take your time. 8-10 minutes if you do it all outside next to the car)

Tools needed: Philips-screwdriver + knife/razor

1. A Mass Air Flow Sensor(MAF sensor) is on throttle body engines only. 

2. This is A LOT easier than you think.

3. Ok, pop the hood, right there, should be a black air-intake system (all plastic, it goes from the front of the engine(sometimes dual) to the throttle body. just unsnap the air filter part(s), then unscrew the part which attaches to the throttle body, it uses a Phillips screwdriver. Don't forget, in the middle of this black plastic air intake, is the MAF, it has an electric plug. Go ahead and unsnap it from its relay (plug).

4. Take the whole MAF unit out.

5. in the middle of this, is your MAF. go ahead and use the screwdriver to take it out from the middle (most of them have Phillips screws too.) 

6. Now, you should be looking at a cylinder(like a soup cans with no ends) basically. That's what a  MAF sensor looks like. There should be screens on both sides. The reason for the screens is because the internals are delicate, and can easily be ruptured. The thing is, that's what air filters are for. as everyone knows, air filters keep even the slightest hair from going into the air-intake. so the screens are pointless. Look at the screen, and you will see how it is totally clean, nothing sticking on it.

7. Ok, now, if you look at it, at each end, it looks like it has a little ring, with a hairline slit all the way around, connecting to the MAF. if you take a good look, it looks like the screens are behind this little slit. That's ok, they are.

8. Now, this is the dangerous part. The inside of the MAF is easy to break. its very unlikely you will break it, unless you shove something through the center of the MAF. Just be careful, and don't set the MAF down anywhere where the innards can be probed. (I.e. don't set it on lumpy ground, sticks, anything that can poke the middle, I REALLY doubt its easy to get something inside to poke it, by just setting it down, but you can't be too careful with this thing. Its around $300-$400 dollars to replace.) Just be careful of the insides, and everything should be alright.

8. Run the knife/razor around this little slit (to loosen it) now, just pry back on it, after a bit of force, it should unsnap, and fall right off. now, just stick the edge of the knife/razor on one edge of the screen, and it should pop right out. you SHOULDN'T have to cut the screen, it should pop right out.

9. Do the same to the other side, and pop out the screen.

10. Now, the rings which were holding the screens in, go ahead and leave them off, there is no reason to put them back on.

11. At this point you should be looking at a MAF sensor with no screens. If you look closer, you will see some small fins that protrude outward from the side and block the passage way slightly. While you are in here, you can take a hacksaw and CAREFULLY cut off these fins off and then file down the residual so that the opening is that much more free. Remember the bigger the whole, the more air is free to pass into the throttlebody and plenum. Be sure to clean the MAF sensor thoroughly for any loose or remaining shavings.

12. Pretty easy huh? Just re-attach the MAF sensor to the throttle body air intake on both sides 

13. Re-attach the air intake to the throttle body, and re connect the air filter parts.

14. Done! now, When I did this, I had also replaced my air filters with a pair of K&N high flow air filters. When I took the car for a drive, even for the low end power, I could feel a bit more. and if you replace your air filters along with this now-screenless MAF sensor, try speeding. You will have tons more power at high speeds, and you will accelerate faster from 60mph+.