C&L MAF KIT

[1#VenomStang]

There is a guy on ebay selling a C&L MAF KIT for $30.00. It contains K&N filter, heat shield/ support, and 73mm Mass Air Meter. I have a 99 Mustang. Is this thing wreath getting. I looked at the stock Mass Air Meter and there isn't much of a difference. Plus I don't no much of a difference of HP it would give me. Is it wreath buying even if the price goes up?

[WaterDR]

I had one of these things. Actually, mine was a 80 mm kit. I would not give one of these things to an enemy.

There are too many problems with them and if you spend some time learning about the MAF, you will see what I mean.

The MAF simply measure air flow or volume of air. It is NOT a restriction on your car until you are making MUCH more hp....such as with a SC or turbo. MAF kits that re-utilize the existing MAF electronics are simply devices that trick your car into running more lean...thus more power. But, it is a crap shoot and most cars will run too lean especially as you add more mods.


I eventually had serious idle issues and missfires. This was before I was as smart as I am today.

My advice, stay away from these MAF kits. Better off spending money on a dyno tune, then buying one of these.

As of now, I do not know of a single person using one of these on their car.

C&L has one of these kits now for the '05's, but they won't sell it w/o buying a tuner. It is a $700 package and it works pretty well but only becuase of the tuner.

[1#VenomStang]

Are you talking about Those hand held tuner? Never heard of them, I do know about the chips though.The only the different from a stock MAF and the one this guy is selling is instead of a stock MAF tube he claims it comes with a 73mm tube and you just put the stock sensor on the tube. Sounds fishy to me

[WaterDR]

Originally Posted by 1#VenomStang

Are you talking about Those hand held tuner? Never heard of them, I do know about the chips though.The only the different from a stock MAF and the one this guy is selling is instead of a stock MAF tube he claims it comes with a 73mm tube and you just put the stock sensor on the tube. Sounds fishy to me

Hand-held tuners are extremley common. I bet 25% of the members here use them. They work the same as a chip, but just not installed physically to the ECU. They instead upload their programs.

Be sure to re-read my above comments. This is the type of device that I was warning you about. Any MAF kit that utilizes your stock electronics and has a larger opening works by tricking your ECU and results in a leaner a/f. Leaner a/f means more hp. But, this is not a safe way to increase power.

A true after-market MAF allows for more air flow for cars making over 450 hp. They do NOT re-use stock electronics and cars need to be properly tuned in order to use these. MAF such as the one you are referring to, does not allow for more air, but rather leans your a/f.

[madmatt]

Stay away from it. They do nothing but lean out the motor to make the hp. Also, your car wouldnt use a 73 mm one anyway if its a 99. (Unless its a v6, Im not sure what size those run?)

[serum114]

What size is the stock GT MAF for the 1996-1998 generation and 1999-2004 generation ???

[JoeMacDJ]

hey whats up I have the c&L MAF unit on my 99 mustang gt and it works fine, I would suggest getting a custom tune for it. If you own a 99-mid 2001 mustang gt it will make a difference in that the newer cars have an upgraded ecu and MAF which is 80mm. I wouldn't get the one on ebay in that it sounds like its not made for your car the 73mm MAF is made for I believe for 5.0 setups. Yes it does lean out the car a little and at times it idles a little different with the stock tune, but if you get her tuned its a great mod. Even without the tune it made a big difference in the cars performance especially on the top end. If a stock 99 and stock 2002+ mustang gt go at it on the highway the 2002 will beat it pretty good due to the improvements. If you have a 2002 + Mustang gt I would leave it alone.

[WaterDR]

Originally Posted by JoeMacDJ

hey whats up I have the c&L MAF unit on my 99 mustang gt and it works fine, I would suggest getting a custom tune for it. If you own a 99-mid 2001 mustang gt it will make a difference in that the newer cars have an upgraded ecu and MAF which is 80mm. I wouldn't get the one on ebay in that it sounds like its not made for your car the 73mm MAF is made for I believe for 5.0 setups. Yes it does lean out the car a little and at times it idles a little different with the stock tune, but if you get her tuned its a great mod. Even without the tune it made a big difference in the cars performance especially on the top end. If a stock 99 and stock 2002+ mustang gt go at it on the highway the 2002 will beat it pretty good due to the improvements. If you have a 2002 + Mustang gt I would leave it alone.

Hey, I really appreciate your input and advice. The real problem that I have with these kits is that they should really not have ever been sold as just a straight bolt-on. They do need a dyno tune to work. For most people that will add considerable cost (dyno tune + chip). If you are planning on doing that anyway, then fine. Thing is, these things ONLY work by leaning the a/f, so a proper tune will simply negate some of this anyway.