Supercharger, Part VI: MAF Sensor
Paradise Garage




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© 2001 Brian F. Schreurs
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 One big change to engine dynamics with the addition of a supercharger is airflow. With that huffer on there, the engine's gonna see a lot more air than it's used to. Because of that, we installed 24-lb. fuel injectors to maximize the new airflow. The problem, of course, is that the 24-lb injectors require a recalibrated mass airflow meter. The MAF is addressed in Vortech's Step 12, so we killed two birds with one stone: moved the intake and meter per Vortech's instructions, but rather than using the stock unit, we replaced it with a Pro-M 77mm MAF.

The Vortech supercharger kit provides everything they require, and the Pro-M comes complete with the meter, electronics, and cone filter.

Our modified wiring harness for the air temp sensor.
Before you begin, you might wanna think about taking the pages containing Step 12 and giving them to your three-year-old for coloring paper, or feeding them to your dog. They're pretty useless.

Start by pulling the MAF and air temp sensor wire loom from the main wiring harness. The entire loom can come off of the car.

Vortech calls for extending the wiring of the air temperature sensor by about a foot, using wiring they supply; we in fact did this, but in retrospect this wasn't necessary with the Pro-M meter. The difference is that Vortech provides a cone filter with a special collar that accommodates the air temp sensor right at the air inlet, but the 77mm meter has no such provision and can't easily be modified for it. Hence, our final location for the air temp sensor isn't that far from stock. The bottom line is: extend the wires if you're using Vortech's stuff, but don't bother if you're going with a bigger MAF like we did.

If you had to extend your wires, cover them with the plastic wire loom. Vortech claims they provide the loom, but we couldn't find it; luckily, the stuff is readily available at any auto parts store.

The new MAF sensor and cone filter, ready to go into the fender.
Now it's time to mount the MAF inside the passenger-side fender. The diagram is just about worthless, creating more confusion than clarity.

Here's the trick. Stick your hand into the fender where the stock airbox used to go, and feel along the outer edge (the wall where the other side is the outside fender of the car). Along that wall, there are two studs with 7/16" nuts on them. That's where the MAF goes.

To get it in there, it's actually easier to install it fully assembled. The new MAF comes with its own cone filter and mounting bracket, so all it needs to be complete is the flex tubing that Vortech provides for the other side. Try to visualize how the MAF will be situated in the fenderwell and position the flex hose clamp in such a way that you'd be able to get at it if you ever needed to remove it. Also attach the wiring loom to the MAF now; it's a lot easier than trying to feed it down there later.

Remove the nuts on the studs where the MAF will go, then wiggle the MAF assembly up from below. Slip the bracket over the studs and put the nuts on. Pull the MAF wiring up to where you can get at it.


That'll do it! It's not that bad, if you know what you're supposed to do. Too bad Vortech makes that so difficult to figure out! But you're through with it now, and you can move on to the supercharger installation, a.k.a. Vortech's Step 13. Finally, the main attraction!