Help me understand the MAF
 

Hi All.

I'm looking in to getting a larger MAF and as I'm looking at my options and some of the MAFs say they are calibrated for a cold air intake. Can anyone tell me why a CAI would need a MAF to be calibrated for that type of intake? If I buy a CAI do I absolutely need one that is calibrated for it? The MAFs aren't cheap and I was wondering if anyone can help me understand if a CAI calibrated MAF is really necessary? Also if I have a custom tune would that negate the need for a calibrated MAF? Can a tunner calibrate a MAF or does the manufacturer need to do it?

Also is that screen in front of the MAF really needed? What does it do?

Thx

A few thoughts...I have never heard of a MAF being calibrated for a CAI. That makes no sense with possibly the exeption of an '05+)

The purpose of a MAF is to meaure the amount of air flow. It is a critical component of your vehicle. W/O a well operating one, your car will not function properly. The MAF sends a voltage signal to the ECU that is proportional to air flow. The higher the voltage, the more air. On a GT, the stock MAF at 5 volts (the max) will provide enough air to support something like 400 - 450 hp. So, the stock MAF is large enough to support any bolt-on.

MAF's do NOT need to be changed or swapped unless the voltage is nearly maxed-out...such as with cars with turbors or super chargers. So unless you have one of those, it is pointless to change the MAF.

The purpose of the screen is to provide laminar flow across the MAF sensor tube. It is there for a reason. If you remove it, you will tend to leanup your a/f a tad. Most CIA's do not use the screen and it takes taken out.

With the new Mustangs ('05+) adding a CIA requires a returne in order to reep the full benefit.

Thanks!

I figured as much it just made me scratch my head when I read I could get an MAF 'tuned' for a CAI - I buy a lot of stuff from summitt racing and in their mustang section they have that wording.

In any case I don't have any big mods other than some heads and an intake. I have a pretty much stock 01 gt vert with a trans and have just a few other aftermarket goodies - but nothing as radical as nos or a charger so I wouldn't think I would have even needed to replace my stock MAF but wanted to understand if this was true - so thanks for the info!

Just a note on SUMMIT. Not sure if they have alot of hands on experience,or if they just take the Manufactures word on the products they sell. I bought BBK bolt-in subframe connectors and they didn't come close to fitting.On that same order I got a B&M stall converter said to fit my AODE-02 stang. It $%#@*! doesn't. So, what i'm saying is you can't even trust the printed words in a supply catalog. BUYER BEWARE:mad:

Go to allfordmustangs.com and go to the 4.6 section, they have a huge sticky article about it