This seems to be a popular mod on Audiworld and vwvortex, anyone done it on here, it is supposed to work well with a CAI as the flow is already laminar by the time it hits the MAF. whp quotes as high as 5BHP from this, the screens decrease the flow area by a whopping 40%....apparently,seem to remember someone having done it on a VRS? Is it possible to get the screens out in one piece so that they can be refitted if required?

I've done it and the difference is noticable. I got hold of a spare housing as you have to smash/cut them out.

This seems to be a popular mod on Audiworld and vwvortex, anyone done it on here, it is supposed to work well with a CAI as the flow is already laminar by the time it hits the MAF. whp quotes as high as 5BHP from this, the screens decrease the flow area by a whopping 40%....apparently,seem to remember someone having done it on a VRS? Is it possible to get the screens out in one piece so that they can be refitted if required?

Are you talking about the mesh screen...isn't this part of the housing...I mean moulded into it?

Isn't the mesh supposed to "straighten" the air flowing in?

Are you talking about the mesh screen...isn't this part of the housing...I mean moulded into it?

Isn't the mesh supposed to "straighten" the air flowing in?

The mesh clips in but is very tight.

The trumpet in the airbox is to straighten flow. The mesh is to stop tech's touching the MAF during installation. It has no detrimental effect on standard cars but when tuning it makes a difference.

I've done it and the difference is noticable. I got hold of a spare housing as you have to smash/cut them out.

Are they pressed in or moulded, they look like they could come out with a little gentle persuasion, where did you get the housing, is it available without the maf sensor as a spare?

I'd agree on the 1.8t, the same doesnt apply however on a 130 PD air mass meter. Theres more than just mesh there, there is a plastic venturi which alters the air path so it goes through the air mass sensor.

My spare was a used one, can't remember where I got it now.

The mesh is an insert but it's so tight and there's no flex in the housing that you have to break it to remove it.

Could this become 'Pikey Mod' #3??

I'd agree on the 1.8t, the same doesnt apply however on a 130 PD air mass meter. Theres more than just mesh there, there is a plastic venturi which alters the air path so it goes through the air mass sensor.

Any likelyhood of CEL lights / Fault codes ?

Not likely.

snipe nosed pliars time!!!!!

Not for me, just more airflow at same boost, also seem to remember it helped with spool up but it's a long time since I did it.

If this is worth doing then i may do it this weekend when i clean the MAF,do you just remove the inlet side or both?

If this is worth doing then i may do it this weekend when i clean the MAF,do you just remove the inlet side or both?

I have done this today PIKEY MOD 3! the result, it definately spools up quicker, actually feels smoother than before. I removed the Maf then broke the Plastic mesh all the way round using a pair of snipe nosed pliars, this left the ring in on the back one ( which I just smoothed with a dremel flapwheel on low speed do it on fast and you will have no Maf housing left) then broke the front one in the same way and then pulled out the ring which left a lip so I smoothed it all out to give a super clean airflow and pulled out the metal mesh. Read the post by Lummox...DO NOT DO THIS MOD IF YOU ARE DIESEL! :eek:

Does this mod have financial side effects if you want to buy an exchange MAF from your dealer? :rubchin:

Does this mod have financial side effects if you want to buy an exchange MAF from your dealer? :rubchin:

No, you can just return the old MAF in the new housing.

why not to a diesel?

dont know owt about engines, just curious.

Where can I get one of these cheap for my VRS please guys? Thanks

Sorry to throw a spanner in this, but surely the purpose of the screening is to reduce the swirl of the air as it passes over the MAF? Without it the air drawn in will, in theory, stand the chance of bypassing the MAF completely, as it moves in a circular type motion, if it doesn't pass over the MAF cleanly it could do unspeakable things to your car......not a mod i could honestly recommend, IMHO, not if you think how air is drawn in? Ala whirlwind along the sides on the circular pipe ( think of how smoke travels..) Surely VAG have put it there for a reason, there R&D doesn't involve tin snips and seat of yer pants methodology??

Only voicing my opinion of course, im prepared to stand corrected!!

Goose

Agree with Goose. The MAFs are known to be fragile anyway. If you remove the screen you are likely to also get a change in reading. Not sure how the VAG ECUs work for load as I believe their load measurement is not entirely MAF based, but if your MAF reading is now false, the ECU will have to adapt the fuelling and timing compensations to fix the effects of the misread. Not one to do without careful thought and measurement of all the effects such as AFR, EGT, knock etc.

Additionally, flow will not be laminar, but turbulent at typical inlet air velocities.

been running this since the start of the thread with no side effects, quicker spool up and car felt more responsive proof is in the eating so to speak!

Sounds interesting.

Anyone got a linkto some photos? maybe from one of the above mentioned forums.

Also, where is my MAF?

Been running mine descreened for over a year without a problem. If you read the whole thread you'll see that it's agreed that on the 1.8T at least it's just there for protection when working on that area of the car.