Fuze Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 (edited) For the MAF TRANSLATOR CARS: This time I'm covering a GM MAF sensor modification that is commonly done on Corvettes. I did one on my 99 Vette and had a spare Delrin MAF housing so I decided to upgrade the 3.5" GM MAF sensor I have in my 87 Starion. I'm sure these are also available in 3". I'm thinking most may not have heard of this mod, but it's cheap and worth it. The "upgrade" MAF housings replace the stock aluminum housings, and eliminate the metal honeycomb in the process. The upgrade housings are machined out of Delrin, a hard plastic composite. The new housing has a larger inner diameter, better flowing center blade, and will not absorb or retain heat very much at all. Heat is a big enemy of the GM MAF sensors in general, and the steel honeycomb will hold onto heat even though it's mounted in an aluminum body. Obviously, this setup flows better, and they claim it can flow up to 55% better than stock. http://waste-nj.com/d2/sensor_label.jpg This is the sensor body, I got it from Corvette America for $39.99, PN: X2404, but they are sold elsewhere. http://waste-nj.com/d2/stocker.jpg Here's the stock sensor with the new housing and blades to the side. Look at that honeycomb intake restriction! http://waste-nj.com/d2/stocker_apart.jpg Here's the stock sensor without the aluminum housings. Be extremely careful not to damage or bend the thin metal sensor assembly. http://waste-nj.com/d2/divider.jpg Here's the new blades snapped onto the sensor body. They are keyed, they only go on one way so don't force it. http://waste-nj.com/d2/sensor_done.jpg Here it is back together again. The housing bodies are keyed like the stockers and only fit one way. You may have to open up the holes in one housing to make it a little easier to thread the bolts back in. Since the install my car is running more consistently, most noticeably at that magic 2500-3500 rpm part throttle area that can be an issue with the MAF translator if not tuned perfectly. Basically it works well and the improvement is similar to the Corvette as far as smoother running and better response. Edited January 9 by Fuze Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 Thanks for the tip=P I'll have to try this after I get my car back on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89PalermoSHP Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 (edited) This is pretty kick butt and I think I will give it a try as well. Thanks for the info. After a quick search Ive only found the one you have and I have a 3" maf. Im not familiar with what cars had what size maf. There is one at jegs but its about twice as much. Would this work for the 3"? http://www.jegs.com/i/Granatelli/467/350000/10002/-1 Edited June 2, 2011 by 89PalermoSHP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuze Posted June 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2011 (edited) After a quick search Ive only found the one you have and I have a 3" maf. Im not familiar with what cars had what size maf. There is one at jegs but its about twice as much. Would this work for the 3"? http://www.jegs.com/i/Granatelli/467/350000/10002/-1 That looks like the same thing but a different color. You may be able to find it cheaper from a more generic brand. I got my 3.5" LS1 MAF sensor off EBay for less than $100, and the stock 3.5" sensor will outflow the 3" sensor with the high flow housing... food for thought. Edited June 3, 2011 by Fuze Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leesfer Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 (edited) Sorry to dig up an old thread, but could we just dremel out the honeycomb on these? Turns out the honeycomb pops right out, no dremel needed Edit: also if anyone is looking for the 3" version, this eBay store sells them http://www.ebay.com/...#ht_3130wt_1112 Edited January 8, 2012 by leesfer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Hmm...may have to snag it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prototype78 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Sorry for this dumb question...what adapter do I trim to fit the maft translator into the air filter adapter.....the oem adapter or the maft adapter?????...thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMNDSTAR87 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 (edited) Sorry to dig up an old thread, but could we just dremel out the honeycomb on these? Turns out the honeycomb pops right out, no dremel needed Edit: also if anyone is looking for the 3" version, this eBay store sells them http://www.ebay.com/...#ht_3130wt_1112eliminateing the honeycomb portion of the stock mas is hit or miss----some cars respond well and others do not--- good working stock mas are getting tougher to find so if its good i would not hack it cause someone else may need one and could be sold and help out a fellow member --just my thoughts--i run a 3"gm mas amd maf-t and have had good luck with its versatility gig out Edited January 8, 2012 by DMNDSTAR87 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMNDSTAR87 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 (edited) Sorry for this dumb question...what adapter do I trim to fit the maft translator into the air filter adapter.....the oem adapter or the maft adapter?????...thanks hack the factory mas plug----just slice the sides of the plastic housing and line up red wires and slide it in(on my 87--not sure if 88-89 is the same plug configuration)---be gentle and dont mash it on there make sure it is fitting nice---i put some elec tape around it just to be safe---gig out Edited January 8, 2012 by DMNDSTAR87 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prototype78 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Awesome..thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 eliminateing the honeycomb portion of the stock mas is hit or miss----some cars respond well and others do not--- good working stock mas are getting tougher to find so if its good i would not hack it cause someone else may need one and could be sold and help out a fellow member --just my thoughts--i run a 3"gm mas amd maf-t and have had good luck with its versatility gig out All you're doing is replacing the aluminum pieces. You aren't cutting or modifying anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leesfer Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 (edited) eliminateing the honeycomb portion of the stock mas is hit or miss----some cars respond well and others do not--- good working stock mas are getting tougher to find so if its good i would not hack it cause someone else may need one and could be sold and help out a fellow member --just my thoughts--i run a 3"gm mas amd maf-t and have had good luck with its versatility gig out We are talking about removing the honeycomb from the GM maf, not the Starion stock mas... I don't think there will be any issues since anyone using this either has a maf translator or standalone to tune with Not sure about the 3.5" maf, but the 3" that I have just has a ring holding the honeycomb in... just pulling the ring out and the whole honeycomb pops out... no need to modify anything and it can be put back any time Edited January 9, 2012 by leesfer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmyers151 Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I left the honeycomb in on my setup and I'd suggest leaving it to anyone else. It's purpose is to cut down turbulence across the face and provide the sensor with a straight vain of air from which to read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leesfer Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 That makes sense... But wouldn't the modification at the beginning of this thread cause the same issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMNDSTAR87 Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 (edited) We are talking about removing the honeycomb from the GM maf, not the Starion stock mas... I don't think there will be any issues since anyone using this either has a maf translator or standalone to tune with Not sure about the 3.5" maf, but the 3" that I have just has a ring holding the honeycomb in... just pulling the ring out and the whole honeycomb pops out... no need to modify anything and it can be put back any timei guess i was confused when i read honeycomb---i would have used the word screen---my bad--gig out Edited January 9, 2012 by DMNDSTAR87 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuze Posted May 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 (edited) Not sure about the 3.5" maf, but the 3" that I have just has a ring holding the honeycomb in... just pulling the ring out and the whole honeycomb pops out... no need to modify anything and it can be put back any time FYI, My 3.5" MAF has the honeycomb glued into the stock housing. I didn't get any negative effects from losing the honeycomb and upgrading the housings on the Starion, or the Vette. Edited May 4, 2012 by Fuze Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyWadd Posted December 14, 2012 Report Share Posted December 14, 2012 Wonder if this applies to this gm mas as well...http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z388/starionkiller/1989%20conquest/th_2012-12-12160837.jpghttp://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z388/starionkiller/1989%20conquest/th_2012-12-12160704.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankbob Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 Is the 3.5 gm maf worth buying over the 3in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importwarrior Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 i feel anything is better then stock. more of a personal preference.on the other hand 1/2 inch more flow in to the turbo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuze Posted October 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 i feel anything is better then stock. more of a personal preference.on the other hand 1/2 inch more flow in to the turbo. Yeah that's why I went with the 3.5, thinking it was just less of a restriction. I doubt it would really matter though between 3" or 3.5" . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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