Deleted my AFM Powerpipe = short issue gone

I have spent the last 2 weeks tracking down a pesky short issue that has a huge appetite for $3 high current 20 amp fuses. I've been burning em out in my EEC line. I even took it into a shop and let them track it for a while. Nothing.

So today, I pulled my Anderson Ford Motorsports Powerpipe. It was just barely contacting with my alternator housing. And I had suspected there was an issue with the MAF harness in the fenderwell after I manhandled the Powerpipe for clearance to install some locking header bolts.

Finally, I just pulled it out and replaced it with a couple of 3" connectors and a bit of 3" PVC pipe from Home Depot. This cleans up the MAF harness routing, and I can keep everything well away from kinks, pinches and other issues. Now the short issue seems to be gone.

I'll be watching it closely over the next few days. But has anyone noticed this kind of short before?

Also, I now notice a loud whoosh when I step on it. I think its the sound of the engine sucking air into the filter, which is now less muffled between it and me (now that it's in the engine compartment rather than in the fender well). Does that sound right too?

FOCK! The short is back. It struck while I was on the highway at rush hour!!!

Any ideas on how to track this sucker down?

OK, I think I found the issue. I took it into a speed shop in town and had them do a few other clean up things, and asked them to look for the short. They found it at about 5:00 pm today (close at 6:00). Well, at least we are pretty sure where it is. They picked up on the harness just behind the coil - leading back to the injectors. And it arced to the upper intake and died out. They ran out of time before closing for the weekend, so I took it home to try and get it this weekend. When I got it home, I tried the same part of the harness, and sure enough I blew the fuse too.

So at least I have the area narrowed down. I'm gonna let the engine cool then pull the upper to take a look.

Any suggestions on troubleshooting now that I have it narrowed down? I'm expecting to find a frayed wire pretty obvious under there, but what if I don't?

Oh, and if anyone needs a suggestion on a good shop in GR, MI, I sure have one. They charged me only 1 hour for countless time spent tracking down the short!!!

Thanks guys. I got it buttoned up. Turned the ignition on (too late to start it up - will wake the neighborhood), and played with the harness. Nothing, fuse held solid.

I think I got it!!!!!!!!!!

Gonna take it for a spin and grind some rubber off the tires tomorrow morning.