What does a MAF sensor do?

ravencr · 01-24-2003, 07:23 PM

What is the purpose of the MAF sensor? Is it possible to remove it all together, and free up the restriction all together. I've heard of Supra guys doing this, while researching purchasing a used MKIV Supra MAF. I can't get a answer from them, because the forum is screwy. Thanks,

Chris

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ravencr · 01-24-2003, 07:57 PM

I couldn't find it on the forum, so I'm replying to see if it pops back up.

Chris

ravencr · 01-24-2003, 08:01 PM

What is the purpose of the MAF sensor? Is it possible to remove it all together, and free up the restriction all together. I've heard of Supra guys doing this, while researching purchasing a used MKIV Supra MAF. I can't get a answer from them, because the forum is screwy. Thanks,

Chris

P.S. I accidentally posted this already in the wrong spot.

Dr. Zhivago · 01-24-2003, 08:15 PM

A MAF measures how much Air (in Grams) is entering the engine. It also measures the Temperature of said air. It is a highly accurate device. Some are better than others regarding restriction. Here is an excellent article on Air Flow sensors including MAF devices.

Hope this helps.
Dr. Z

EDIT: By the way, you cannot remove the MAF without replacing it with some other measuring device. Usually, the Supra guys remove the old Karmen Vortex style Air Flow Meter (AFM) and replace it with a Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, which is better for high performance, especially on Forced Induction engines.

dukestr · 01-24-2003, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Zhivago
A MAF measures how much Air (in Grams) is entering the engine. It also measures the Temperature of said air. It is a highly accurate device. Some are better than others regarding restriction. Here is an excellent article on Air Flow sensors including MAF devices.

Hope this helps.
Dr. Z

EDIT: By the way, you cannot remove the MAF without replacing it with some other measuring device. Usually, the Supra guys remove the old Karmen Vortex style Air Flow Meter (AFM) and replace it with a Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, which is better for high performance, especially on Forced Induction engines.

The site where the article is located is very informative!..thanks Dr. Z for that link

Dr. Zhivago · 01-24-2003, 08:31 PM

Yeah, that site is awesome. It's almost Toyota Specific as you will see when you look thru the material they have.

I really like it as a reference. I'm glad you found it useful.

Dr. Z

HBoss · 01-24-2003, 09:31 PM

There are various types of MAFs but the one I'm familiar with uses a hot wire. Voltage gets sent through it to get it a certain temperature. When air rushes in to your engine, it cools the wire and the unit must then increase the voltage to get the wire back to the temperature it's supposed to maintain. It's this that the sensor "sensors" & it sends the information to the EFI computer to help determine how much air is coming in & how much fuel mixture to inject. That's as much as I can tell you about it, hope it helps.

Al

P.S. I replied to this post in Maintenance & didn't see it in 4Runner/SUV until now. The threads have now been merged and left in 4Runner/SUV.

ravencr · 01-25-2003, 04:23 AM

I'm looking to purchase a used MKIV Supra MAF, and I was wondering what I should expect to be the differences by running this Supra MAF over the one that comes in our trucks? Does it breath better or something? I've found a couple of them that run from $50-$100 in price for 25K-33K miles on them. Sounds reasonable to me, since they are over $500 new from Toyota. Can I test out this MAF before I put on my Supercharger? Thanks Dr. Z!

Chris

TDiddy · 01-25-2003, 08:16 AM

Dr. Z,

That really is a great site, I submitted it to be added to the Links page! (with credit to you of course)

HBoss · 01-25-2003, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mertztr
Dr. Z,

That really is a great site, I submitted it to be added to the Links page! (with credit to you of course)

Thx for taking the initiative mertztr (and for thinking of the Linkboard

) but it's been there for a while already.

It's in "Automotive / Tech Information":

http://www.hboss.net/linkboard/index.php3?category=31

This one in particular: "Tech Articles - Automotive Training and Resource Site."

TDiddy · 01-25-2003, 09:47 AM

OOPS! :pat: I guess I just didn't look hard enough.

Dr. Zhivago · 01-25-2003, 09:48 AM

Chris, yes the Mark IV Supra MAF will breathe better because it is much larger and less restrictive than the one on your truck. You will need to control the ouput signal with some sort of electronic device (SAFC, ARC, SMT, etc.) as the the stock ECU won't know what to do with it. Since you will letting in more air, you'll need to make sure your fuel system is up to snuff. You will also have to find some different intake tubing to connect it to the throttle body. The stock tubing won't fit on it.

Good luck.
Dr. Z

Dr. Zhivago · 01-25-2003, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HBoss
Thx for taking the initiative mertztr (and for thinking of the Linkboard ) but it's been there for a while already.

It's in "Automotive / Tech Information":

http://www.hboss.net/linkboard/index.php3?category=31

This one in particular: "Tech Articles - Automotive Training and Resource Site."

How cool! I found it a long time ago surfing for something else.

Paeece!
Dr. Z

HBoss · 01-25-2003, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mertztr
OOPS! :pat: I guess I just didn't look hard enough.

Nah, I just hid it well.

HBoss · 01-25-2003, 09:52 AM

Dr.Z, you must have TONNES of great tech links in your favorites just WAITING to be added to the Linkboard....

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink...

ravencr · 01-25-2003, 05:39 PM

Dr. Z,

Gadget knows of one other person running the Supra MAF and 360cc injectors without running any piggyback or controller, so I'm going to try it with 370cc injectors and the Supra MAF. We'll see what happens. Nobody knows for sure at this point.

Chris

ravencr · 01-26-2003, 08:11 AM

Well, I just wanted to let everyone know that I just purchased a used MKIV Supra MAF for $50 from a guy over at www.Supraforums.com Lot's of nice guys over there, but the forum doesn't work very well at all. Emailing doesn't work at all. At any rate, I can't wait to get it, but I also asked to find out why and what they replace their stock MAF's with that are so much better, and I'm thinking trhat whatever they use, we could possibly use to increase airflow even more than the Supra MAF. We'll see what they say. Also, I was wondering if I couldrun the Supra MAF without any other mods right now?

Chris

01-24-2003, 07:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
ravencr Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Severance, CO Posts: 4,728	I couldn't find it on the forum, so I'm replying to see if it pops back up. Chris __________________ http://www.utvrally.com http://www.utvevents.com http://www.cartwheelin.com

01-24-2003, 08:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
ravencr Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Severance, CO Posts: 4,728	What does a MAF sensor do? What is the purpose of the MAF sensor? Is it possible to remove it all together, and free up the restriction all together. I've heard of Supra guys doing this, while researching purchasing a used MKIV Supra MAF. I can't get a answer from them, because the forum is screwy. Thanks, Chris P.S. I accidentally posted this already in the wrong spot. __________________ http://www.utvrally.com http://www.utvevents.com http://www.cartwheelin.com

01-24-2003, 08:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dr. Zhivago Away Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,589	A MAF measures how much Air (in Grams) is entering the engine. It also measures the Temperature of said air. It is a highly accurate device. Some are better than others regarding restriction. Here is an excellent article on Air Flow sensors including MAF devices. Hope this helps. Dr. Z EDIT: By the way, you cannot remove the MAF without replacing it with some other measuring device. Usually, the Supra guys remove the old Karmen Vortex style Air Flow Meter (AFM) and replace it with a Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, which is better for high performance, especially on Forced Induction engines. Last edited by Dr. Zhivago; 01-24-2003 at 08:21 PM.

01-24-2003, 09:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
HBoss Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 1,878	There are various types of MAFs but the one I'm familiar with uses a hot wire. Voltage gets sent through it to get it a certain temperature. When air rushes in to your engine, it cools the wire and the unit must then increase the voltage to get the wire back to the temperature it's supposed to maintain. It's this that the sensor "sensors" & it sends the information to the EFI computer to help determine how much air is coming in & how much fuel mixture to inject. That's as much as I can tell you about it, hope it helps. Al P.S. I replied to this post in Maintenance & didn't see it in 4Runner/SUV until now. The threads have now been merged and left in 4Runner/SUV. __________________ 1997 4Runner Ltd. Bilstein shocks, rear E-locker & riding on 32s. Mods Pics Tech articles, write-ups & more are available on my website. http://www.hboss.net/4runner Last edited by HBoss; 01-24-2003 at 09:37 PM.

01-25-2003, 04:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
ravencr Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Severance, CO Posts: 4,728	I'm looking to purchase a used MKIV Supra MAF, and I was wondering what I should expect to be the differences by running this Supra MAF over the one that comes in our trucks? Does it breath better or something? I've found a couple of them that run from $50-$100 in price for 25K-33K miles on them. Sounds reasonable to me, since they are over $500 new from Toyota. Can I test out this MAF before I put on my Supercharger? Thanks Dr. Z! Chris __________________ http://www.utvrally.com http://www.utvevents.com http://www.cartwheelin.com

01-24-2003, 08:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dr. Zhivago Away Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,589	Yeah, that site is awesome. It's almost Toyota Specific as you will see when you look thru the material they have. I really like it as a reference. I'm glad you found it useful. Dr. Z

01-25-2003, 08:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
TDiddy Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Urbandale, IA Posts: 7,113	Dr. Z, That really is a great site, I submitted it to be added to the Links page! (with credit to you of course)

01-25-2003, 09:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
TDiddy Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Urbandale, IA Posts: 7,113	OOPS! :pat: I guess I just didn't look hard enough. Last edited by HBoss; 01-25-2003 at 09:51 AM.

01-25-2003, 09:48 AM	#12 (permalink)
Dr. Zhivago Away Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,589	Chris, yes the Mark IV Supra MAF will breathe better because it is much larger and less restrictive than the one on your truck. You will need to control the ouput signal with some sort of electronic device (SAFC, ARC, SMT, etc.) as the the stock ECU won't know what to do with it. Since you will letting in more air, you'll need to make sure your fuel system is up to snuff. You will also have to find some different intake tubing to connect it to the throttle body. The stock tubing won't fit on it. Good luck. Dr. Z

01-25-2003, 09:52 AM	#15 (permalink)
HBoss Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 1,878	Dr.Z, you must have TONNES of great tech links in your favorites just WAITING to be added to the Linkboard.... Nudge, nudge, wink, wink... __________________ 1997 4Runner Ltd. Bilstein shocks, rear E-locker & riding on 32s. Mods Pics Tech articles, write-ups & more are available on my website. http://www.hboss.net/4runner

01-25-2003, 05:39 PM	#16 (permalink)
ravencr Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Severance, CO Posts: 4,728	Dr. Z, Gadget knows of one other person running the Supra MAF and 360cc injectors without running any piggyback or controller, so I'm going to try it with 370cc injectors and the Supra MAF. We'll see what happens. Nobody knows for sure at this point. Chris __________________ http://www.utvrally.com http://www.utvevents.com http://www.cartwheelin.com

01-26-2003, 08:11 AM	#17 (permalink)
ravencr Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Severance, CO Posts: 4,728	Well, I just wanted to let everyone know that I just purchased a used MKIV Supra MAF for $50 from a guy over at www.Supraforums.com Lot's of nice guys over there, but the forum doesn't work very well at all. Emailing doesn't work at all. At any rate, I can't wait to get it, but I also asked to find out why and what they replace their stock MAF's with that are so much better, and I'm thinking trhat whatever they use, we could possibly use to increase airflow even more than the Supra MAF. We'll see what they say. Also, I was wondering if I couldrun the Supra MAF without any other mods right now? Chris __________________ http://www.utvrally.com http://www.utvevents.com http://www.cartwheelin.com

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