Hey guys!

I was taking my airbox out, along with the mass air flow sensor, and the rubber intake hose above it. I want to re do all of this for a custom snorkel / intake I am going to make. My question is, the mesh inside the MAF sensor. Is it needed? I know some people say its needed in some cars and others it isn't. What's the verdict on the rovers? Do they run significantly better with or without it? Does it really help create laminar flow? Or is that all bull-crap? It is connected to a thin aluminum ring that drops in, If I cant find it separate from the mass air flow sensor itself, I may 3D print one to match it. Thanks in Advance!

 

The mesh is there to keep your engine from eating debris

 

Errrmmmm, no, it isnt. That's what the filter is for. The "science" says its to create laminar flow and smooth out the airflow over the MAF sensor, giving it the ability to read the amount of air more properly and smoothing out the engine. Your filter is for catching debris. Google it a bit.

Just curious if anyone here has ran one without it and if so how it ran. I know some vehicles are prone to running like crap without and some dont seem to run bad. Any advice from people who have done both?

 

The one on my P38 was torn, so I removed it a few years ago to prevent it from breaking off and ingesting it. I haven't noticed any problems related to the removal.

 

And I also thought it was there to keep debri out of the engine. This science new to me. When I get a chance I'll do a little reading on that.

 

Here's my vote: Not needed. Used to keep leaves and bugs out when run without a filter. Does not create a better flow profile.

My trucks both have screens there. Maybe you can share some with/without experimental data....

 

Ah, this takes me back to the late 80's early 90's. My '87 Buick Regal T has/had a honey-cone mesh in the MAF. Most of us took it out for performance (eventually removed the sensor and went with a speed density setup).

It's only real purpose is the laminar air flow jazz. Can't recall if the rover has a plain screen or a honey-cone. Don't see a performance gain/loss either way. (have found a bug or two on them in the past)

 

Hey guys! I am going to change the way the entire thing is set up. It has taken a ton of micro measurements, and a ton of doing. I am going to print a new open top air box, that runs a cone filter, I am going to make drop in "mesh" ( plastic ) inserts to affectively reach different styles of laminar flow ( the mesh ) and be able to take them in and out in seconds and experiment with them on which one the trucks like best. I then plan on running a stainless intake and snorkel. The entire setup will be 3 inches in diameter. The new airbox to MAF sensor setup has all been a major pain. But i think some added upfront complexity will remove a lot of complexity from the system overall, and provide some performance gains. I will Keep everyone posted on this. I am re doing the exhaust from the headers down too. So there are a couple rover projects happening here at once.

 

here is a pic of my intake setup using a cheap Amazon filter. I have RTVed every connection for a water tight seal.

 

Mason that sounds interesting. I'll enjoy following your finds.