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80mm-90mm MAF upgrade

  • Thread starter Thread starter 3ponyshow
  • Start date Start date Sep 24, 2010

3ponyshow

Founding Member
Jun 26, 2002
319
1
18
Las Vegas
Sep 24, 2010
#1
  • Sep 24, 2010
  • #1
I'm upgrading my MAF as well as some other things and have a question I couldn't find the answer for in a search.

In '02, the IAT sensor was separate and I have 4 pins in the MAF plug. The IAT sensor is in the inlet pipe of the S/C. Now upgrading to the Lightning MAF, the plug has 6 pins. Do I need to route the 2 wires currently in the inlet pipe back into the MAF plug for the Lightning MAF to work or are they good where they are?

I'm doing this now so a quick response would be appreciated.

Thanks,
 
N

ninjastang125

New Member
Nov 1, 2008
591
2
0
maryland
Sep 24, 2010
#2
  • Sep 24, 2010
  • #2
No you don't have to you can run it like it is.
 

trombonedemon

Well-Known Member
Jun 25, 2009
1,962
39
59
U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.!
Sep 25, 2010
#3
  • Sep 25, 2010
  • #3
ninjastang125 said:
No you don't have to you can run it like it is.
Click to expand...

Would there be a benefit of ugrading to a larger MAF housing if the car is almost stock.
 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member
Jan 31, 2003
3,125
81
99
Canada
Sep 25, 2010
#4
  • Sep 25, 2010
  • #4
trombonedemon said:
Would there be a benefit of ugrading to a larger MAF housing if the car is almost stock.
Click to expand...

Nope.
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Sep 25, 2010
#5
  • Sep 25, 2010
  • #5
3ponyshow said:
I'm upgrading my MAF as well as some other things and have a question I couldn't find the answer for in a search.

In '02, the IAT sensor was separate and I have 4 pins in the MAF plug. The IAT sensor is in the inlet pipe of the S/C. Now upgrading to the Lightning MAF, the plug has 6 pins. Do I need to route the 2 wires currently in the inlet pipe back into the MAF plug for the Lightning MAF to work or are they good where they are?

I'm doing this now so a quick response would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

Unless you're running forced induction and/or every bolt on under the sun, you're wasting your time swapping mass air meters. The Mustangs stock 80mm unit is fine for any amount of power you're likely to make with simple bolt ons.
 

Maxpowers

Member
Sep 9, 2009
859
2
19
Pittsburgh, Pa
Sep 25, 2010
#6
  • Sep 25, 2010
  • #6
Don't quote me, but I believe his car is vortech supercharged...
 

3ponyshow

Founding Member
Jun 26, 2002
319
1
18
Las Vegas
Sep 25, 2010
#7
  • Sep 25, 2010
  • #7
Maxpowers said:
Don't quote me, but I believe his car is vortech supercharged...
Click to expand...

Actually, I should quote you...because you're right.

Not sure where the impression I had simple bolt ons came from. The question of whether it was necessary or not wasn't what I was asking.
 

trombonedemon

Well-Known Member
Jun 25, 2009
1,962
39
59
U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.!
Sep 25, 2010
#8
  • Sep 25, 2010
  • #8
3ponyshow said:
Actually, I should quote you...because you're right.

Not sure where the impression I had simple bolt ons came from. The question of whether it was necessary or not wasn't what I was asking.
Click to expand...

My bad, I always wanted to ask that question.
 

Maxpowers

Member
Sep 9, 2009
859
2
19
Pittsburgh, Pa
Sep 26, 2010
#9
  • Sep 26, 2010
  • #9
My question to you is this:
Where did you buy the Lightning MAF? I was under the impression the Lightning MAF sold by American Muscle was a "plug n play".
 

3ponyshow

Founding Member
Jun 26, 2002
319
1
18
Las Vegas
Sep 26, 2010
#10
  • Sep 26, 2010
  • #10
Maxpowers said:
My question to you is this:
Where did you buy the Lightning MAF? I was under the impression the Lightning MAF sold by American Muscle was a "plug n play".
Click to expand...

I bought it used from another stanger. But to point, it may be plug-and-play, but since my car was already modified, is it still? ninjastang125 has already confirmed it is, so I hope he's right. I was thinking it was also, but I'd rather hear it from people that know considerably more than I do.

trombonedemon. It's all good.
 
2

2002BLGT

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2003
2,945
4
59
Bedford VA
Sep 29, 2010
#11
  • Sep 29, 2010
  • #11
you need to get a Lightning screw in IAT sensor and wiring harness , use the 2 outside wires from your factory MAF pigtail and connect them to the new IAT sensor and install it in the pipe just before your throttle body , the wires measure resistance so it doesnt matter which way you hook them up
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Oct 1, 2010
#12
  • Oct 1, 2010
  • #12
Interesting that you said the 02 had a separate IAT, because mine didn't...my wife's 01 did.

To all - the MAF plug size is the same (early or late, they'll all handle 6 wires), but from the early SN95 to the later models they moved the IAT from the inlet tract into the MAF sensor housing, therefore separating the wiring on the early models (only 4 wires into the MAF and 2 wires to the IAT)...then all 6 wires in the 02-04.

 

3ponyshow

Founding Member
Jun 26, 2002
319
1
18
Las Vegas
Oct 1, 2010
#13
  • Oct 1, 2010
  • #13
twogts4us said:
Interesting that you said the 02 had a separate IAT, because mine didn't...my wife's 01 did.

To all - the MAF plug size is the same (early or late, they'll all handle 6 wires), but from the early SN95 to the later models they moved the IAT from the inlet tract into the MAF sensor housing, therefore separating the wiring on the early models (only 4 wires into the MAF and 2 wires to the IAT)...then all 6 wires in the 02-04.

Click to expand...

To clarify, mine origianlly was integrated with the MAF housing, but had since been separated out (I don't remember why) when the mongoose kit was installed. The question was, with the 90 mm MAF plug having all 6 pins, would I have to re-integrate the (now) separated IAT wires back into the MAF plug or leave them where they are? Or to phrase it differently, can I use the current IAT sensor or do I have to use the one that's apparently integrated with the 90 mm MAF?
 
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