MAF upgrades?

toomanymodz · Aug 18, 2016

I read somewhere that the stock Buick MAF (with screens) only flows about 585 cfm. Has anyone upgraded to an LS1 MAF (with translator)? If so, what performance gains did you get? Does anyone know what the stock LS1 (3 1/2 inch) MAF flows? I've seen some aftermarket billet ends that they claim increases the flow, but I'd think that would throw off the calibration.

earlbrown · Aug 19, 2016

If you're starting from scratch go with the 3.5" LS1 It has about 20% more flow area than a 3" LT1 (still less than a 3" pipe though).

As far as flow data that depends on how many inches of depression to put on it. The only thing that matters in this instance is less pressure drop is always better.

At ths day and age, a stock MAF belongs in a museum not on a car.

dank GN · Aug 19, 2016

MAF what is that jk lol ditch the MAF and go speed density and have no flow restrictions

Mr.Spool · Aug 19, 2016

toomanymodz said:
I read somewhere that the stock Buick MAF (with screens) only flows about 585 cfm. Has anyone upgraded to an LS1 MAF (with translator)? If so, what performance gains did you get? Does anyone know what the stock LS1 (3 1/2 inch) MAF flows?

I went 10s with the stock maf with 1 screen removed,and have made a lot of power with the both the ls1 and 85mm maf sensors.the ls1 can run well into the 9s with the right combo

toomanymodz · Aug 19, 2016

I've also been mid 10's with the stock maf (1 screen removed), but now I feel it's a serious restriction with my new combo. This 9 sec combo needs something else. I should probably go with a SD2 chip already.

TurboTnZ06 · Aug 19, 2016

Go with a standalone and new harness, like XFI. That's my plan. XFI has learning, etc, more tuning options than a stock ecm with a piggyback on it, even if its cool. I run the 6.1 with wideband correction, but it just isn't enough at 9 sec power levels.

I went 130 mph in the 1/4 with a stock 2 screen maf and hose with a 9 inch K&N on the end. I did a back to back test of complete stock intake, ran a 11.1 at 119 or so I think, then did nothing else but slapped on a full 4 inch intake and translator, went 10.7 at 128 I think. It was a couple years ago, but it netted way more boost. It is clearly a restriction all else being the same. Now, I could have adjusted my wastegate to bring the stock up to a higher boost level, but it would still spool slower to get there.

Coelacanth · Aug 19, 2016

I went with a LS1 MAF sensor and my own 3.5" intake pipe, between a 4" K & N cone filter on one end and 3.5"-to-3" angled reducer on the turbo end. You need a MAF translator to recognize the extra airflow without getting error codes; I went with the AXiS Interface and special chip burned for stock injectors from Eric (TurboTweak). There was a noticeable improvement and especially with throttle response; almost no lag. When you tromp it, it jumps.

EDIT: My LS1 MAF had only 1 screen.

toomanymodz · Aug 19, 2016

Very good info. I like experimenting, so I ordered a 3 1/2 LS1 sensor with translator. This should provide some interesting data. Will post up the results soon.

Mr.Spool · Aug 20, 2016

toomanymodz said:
I like experimenting, so I ordered a 3 1/2 LS1 sensor with translator.

ive seen no gains from a 3.5 to the 85mm on a 9 sec car

toomanymodz · Aug 20, 2016

Mr.Spool said:
ive seen no gains from a 3.5 to the 85mm on a 9 sec car

I'll be switching from a factory Buick MAF to a 3 1/2" LS1 MAF. No benefit there?

earlbrown · Aug 20, 2016

3.5" is 88.9mm.

In your case, getting rid of the stock MAF is a world of gain. Lowering the preturbo pressure drop is just gravy (and having a filter with a 3.5" neck instead of a 3" neck).

Ed Valvo · Aug 20, 2016

earlbrown said:
3.5" is 88.9mm.

In your case, getting rid of the stock MAF is a world of gain. Lowering the preturbo pressure drop is just gravy (and having a filter with a 3.5" neck instead of a 3" neck).

I figured that too but then I compared the two side by side and the 3.5" fits inside the "85mm" MAF...

Mr.Spool · Aug 21, 2016

toomanymodz said:
I'll be switching from a factory Buick MAF to a 3 1/2" LS1 MAF. No benefit there?

if the combo can use it you will see a few benefits,it wont slow you down and if your trying to get the most out of the combo and really pushing things its a great way to go.i personally like the way the 3.5 ls1 and translator setup drives on the street.

Coelacanth · Aug 22, 2016

I did a similar mod to my 2008 Pontiac Torrent, got rid of a similar stock airbox and putting on a 3.5" K & N cone intake, reducing down to 3.25" to the weird-sized stock MAF sensor (it was 3.25" on the in-flow end and 3" on the out-flow end) and cut my own 3" 90-degree elbow intake pipe which clamped onto the throttle body. As people say, the "butt dyno" felt like it was accelerating better, and it had noticeably better throttle response...no lag at all, compared to before. But I was logging with Torque Pro too, and one thing that improved noticeably was fuel economy. With everyday driving around town, I averaged from 11 to 11.5 L/100 km, but it improved to about 9.5 to 10 L/100 km with the custom intake. Highway driving at 100 - 110 km/h improved from about 9.5 to 8.3. That's too significant just to be a butt dyno effect.

Unfortunately, the ECM threw error codes for intake airflow "not in range" and the car was leaning out the A:F mixture to compensate. Sadly, nobody makes any aftermarket parts for the Torrent because it's a very rare car with a tiny niche market. I couldn't find a chip or anything similar to our MAF translators to let the computer understand the increased airflow. It would need a custom tune for $600+ and even then, I couldn't find a shop that had a data file for the Pontiac LY7 motor's Bosch ECU. I ended up having to take out the custom intake. I right away noticed when jabbing the accelerator pedal that the lag was back.

Before:

After:

TurboBob · Aug 22, 2016

translator Gen2 could tune that.

Bob

TurboTnZ06 · Aug 22, 2016

I upgraded again, at 4.2L or so out of my 109, and the LS7 slot style MAF with a 4 inch alum intake drives and idles fine for me.

toomanymodz · Aug 25, 2016

Did a quick 2nd gear pull tonight. Just a short one to gather some quick data. Boost increased by 3 psi. It pulls unbelievable. I have the timing set to about 19.5 degrees then at 65 mph it pops up to 22 degrees. Injector duty hit 89% at 6000 rpm so I'll have to watch that closely. Time for new injectors soon. Have an oil leak to track down, then after that it's off to the dyno.

Mr.Spool · Aug 26, 2016

toomanymodz said:
Boost increased by 3 psi. It pulls unbelievable.

Mr.Spool · Aug 26, 2016

toomanymodz said:
Injector duty hit 89% at 6000 rpm so I'll have to watch that closely. Time for new injectors soon.

hit it with some voltage.what fuel are you using?

Pronto · Aug 26, 2016

TurboTnZ06 said:
I upgraded again, at 4.2L or so out of my 109, and the LS7 slot style MAF with a 4 inch alum intake drives and idles fine for me.

What settings are you using with the LS7 MAF? How are you incorporating it into the 4" intake pipe? How are you wiring it to the harness?

MAF upgrades?

Well-Known Member

runs with scissors

BlackArts Automotive (661)993-8277

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Go on red!

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

runs with scissors

Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Resident mad scientist

Go on red!

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Believe nothing you hear and half of what you see.

Similar threads