CAI or straight shot filter to MAF = best performance?

[rockin_rick]

It's my understanding that the 90° bend of the CAI setup before the MAF causes less acurate readings by the MAF, and that a filter that is mounted right in front of the MAF provides 'cleaner' data for the ECU. But does this cleaner data/warmer intake air temp. combo result in more performance than a dirtyer data/colder intake air temp combo?

I've seen some of you guys have cut a large hole into the fender so that the filter is a straight shot to the MAF, and is still in the fender. This is not an option, as I am not willing to cut a large hole for that.

Apparently Pro-M's univer is made to clean up the data in this circumstance. That is expensive, though.

The MAF is a Pro-M 75mm. I already have a MAC CAI (so the cost is not a factor), but am willing to change.

Thanks,
Rick

 

[94Blue302GT]

I'm assuming that you would probably crank out the best numbers with the filter right on the end of the MAF, and the MAF right up to the Throttle Body, BUT, especially for daily's, the cold air puts the filter outside the engine bay to make sure that it is cooler/denser air getting in, and actually putting the filter on the MAF would end up giving you much warmer temps in the air, thus thinning it out, and therefore less power. That's why the cold air works.

 

[Killercanary]

Mine is a straight shot with NO bends. 1/2 of my filter is in the fender, 1/2 is under hood. I made a little plastic sheild so that it doesn't pick up turbulant air from the fan.

 

[final5-0]

I'm assuming that you would probably crank out the best numbers with the filter right on the end of the MAF, and the MAF right up to the Throttle Body, BUT, especially for daily's, the cold air puts the filter outside the engine bay to make sure that it is cooler/denser air getting in, and actually putting the filter on the MAF would end up giving you much warmer temps in the air, thus thinning it out, and therefore less power. That's why the cold air works.

I read somewhere that if the maf is close to the tb it can get a backwash, so to speak, from the tb blade and can cause probs.

On the other hand!

I had a home made cai that I ran for over a year and was in place at the dyno pull in my sig where the maf was about four inches from the tb and I had no driveability issues whasoever.

Later
Grady

 

[95snoozer]

its not a huge hole.... you cut one line from oen current opening to the other, and roll the metal. very easy.