Author Topic: Good, Cheap MAF Sensor/Element Recomendations? (Read 4081 times)

bmwman91 · « **on:** July 02, 2007, 02:33:56 PM »

OK, so most of you probably remember my MAF conversion, and how it actually does nothing for power. Well, I am back at this again, in a new way lol.

Smog check time is approaching, and I want to build one that is undetectable. I have an extra M42 AFM that I hacked up a little during testing for my conversion. I am going to try to mutilate the hell out of the innerds and fit a MAF element and my electronics into it.

So, what are some really common, easy to find at junk yards, and cheap to buy new MAF sensors/elements? The element I am presently using is way too big to fit inside the AFM, so I need to search around.

Do I smell a sort of "OEM" replacement for busted (and $$$ to fix/replace) AFM's......do YOU smell what the rock is cooking?!

nickmpower · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2007, 02:42:10 PM »

is CA really that bad?

sumyungguy · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2007, 03:00:34 PM »

Quote from: nickmpower;28939

is CA really that bad?

Yes

bmwman91 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2007, 03:04:05 PM »

These days, yes. Especially when you have to go to a "Test Only" center like I do for some reason. It is a special, extra-strict shop where it is easy to fail the visual inspection. For some reason, the stuff that comes out of the tail pipe seems to be the least of their concerns.

Master · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2007, 03:04:47 PM »

Ok, from what I understood, you are searching for a MAF that will fit inside the stock AFM box?
How about this then, it's pricey, but small: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AIR-FLOW-MASS-SENSOR-METER-VW-BORA-GOLF-NEW-BEETLE-AUDI_W0QQitemZ260133071890QQihZ016QQcategoryZ9889QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Also I've read a couple of threads regarding the durability of MAF's, and let me tell you, from what I've heard, they are not reliable, and need to be changed every 30-50 thousand miles, so i wouldn't advise to use one from a junk yard.
Also the type of MAF has some influence on it's life expectancy, there are film based MAF's and some other type I don't remember, the film based ones seem to be more reliable (as far as I remember)
Also the cheapest ones seem to be the VW, but need to search for specific part numbers...

Master · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2007, 03:10:17 PM »

Cheap MAF: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MASS-AIR-FLOW-SENSOR-METER-VAUXHALL-ASTRA-VECTRA-OMEGA_W0QQitemZ260134208317QQihZ016QQcategoryZ10404QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Master · « **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2007, 10:50:11 AM »

Any progress?

Just curious…

scottiesharpe · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2007, 12:04:52 PM »

I don't understand. I have no problem passing CA smog visuals on any of my MAF cars. Just paint it black and shrink wrap the wires so it looks stock.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2007, 11:31:44 PM »

CA smog was not a problem for me. I thought it would be, but they don't care. I built a nice factory looking harness with some sheathing & weatherpac connectors...all went fine.

I am gonna stick with the element I am currently using as well as the housing. More work is being done on the project now actually. It turns out that the Motronic DOES retard the ignition timing as air temp rises, and I was telling it that the ambient air was ~95F. My new version uses a thermistor equivalent to the AFM's thermistor. I will be computing density on the fly, allowing the Motronic to know the true ambient temperature and getting proper air flow signals. THis also means that it can retard the timing on hot days to avoid knock, but let it go wild on the cooler months! Maybe there IS a pony or 2 to be had here......

Probably not, but I just HAD to rewrite the algorithm to compute the real density on the fly. I just don't know when to quit sometimes!