I replaced my MAF a few weeks ago and also installed a SPW FSTB.

So I thought to myself, what should I do with that old MAF? My brain starting spinning and then it came to me. I took a look in the engine bay, headed to the local auto parts stores and...

...well I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

 

Oh and here is a picture of my '02 SE 6MT. All stock from the outside.

 

so, what is the point of that?

 

Looks good, but i don't understand the point of it.....Seems like more work than you need.....

 

Removed the stock triangulated plastic baffle from the engine bay. Does it increase performance? Have no clue, but it did change the sound of the intake a slight bit and allows the air to flow smoothly ditecly into the throttle body instead of bashing around a large plastic container.

I previously owned 3 SR20DE powered cars and removed a similiarly situated baffle on all of those as well. For those, it made it easier to access the clutch cable adjuster.

Main reason was to clean up the engine bay and get rid of useless crap with the assumption the smoother path of air would assist with performance a slight bit.

 

Took me approx. 30 mins to cut off a portion of the plastic MAF tube, Dremel and grind a new black PCV cap to replace the sensor, drill a whole in the cap, insert the rubber grommet, the 90 degree elbow and heater hose extension. Then another 15 or so mins to install it.

 

Not diggin the Maf thing

My Max looked just like that approx 5 months ago and now it looks like this .........

 

No different than installing the mid-pipe from a WAI. Only difference is mine looks OEM, and still uses the OEM flex hose. I recall reading on this forum that the MAF does not like vibrations or shock so I used the OEM flex to keep it down to a minimum.

If at anytime I want a WAI, I can remove the stock airbox, fab the remaining section up in no time, buy a K&N cone filter, attach and be done.

I've done a WAI before. I am sure I can fab up a WAI just as easily.

Definately changed a lot in 5 months. Looks nice.

 

Very nice idea... maybe you can also replace the rubber folding hose thingy next to the throttle body with the silicone hose piping or reducers, can't remember what it is called though.

 

looks just like my car....before i changed a few things here and there

im not understanding the MAF thing. the bottom one isnt a MAF since its connected to a hose. the MAF connects to a wire harness (like the top one)

 

ok after looking at it closer...you connected it to the tranny breather!!!!!!

 

Tranny breather? No, it's the manifold breather.

Just for clarification, I removed the large stock air baffle that, in most cases, is put there by the factory to decrease the sound of the intake at WOT. It also causes mild turbulence and fluctuation in the air path going to the throttle body. I'm no expert, but am sure that's not good.

Also, the 3.5 Maxima baffle has a manifold breather hose connected to it. So what I did was take my old MAF casing, removed the sensor and made a black PVC cap to go over the hole where the sensor once was. I drilled an approx. 3/4" opening in the PVC cap, added a rubber grommet, a 90 degree connecting elbow and some more tubing to extend to the stock manifold breather hose to connect to the modified MAF casing.

The reason the breather is connected down low is to reduce the amount of possible oil from entering into the throttle body. I never understood why aftermarket CAI's and WAI's had the breather connector on the top allowing oil to enter the throttle body.

I did not take a before and after of the engine bay, but will post pics of the baffle if needed. It is large, triangular shaped, and has several chambers inside to baffle the sound. That's it...

 

I appreciate the work that went into it, but seems to be for minimal gain. Cant be more than a couple hp at most.

By the way, love your ride MAXRB8! Where did you get that front lip? And did you just have your factory grill painted?

 

Your car is shiney on the inside... but I dont get it.

 

What is so confusing about this mod? Now I am confused because your confused.

What don't you guys get?

I removed a large empty useless plastic box from the intake pathway and replaced it with a smooth flowing 3" pipe.

This is no different than installing a WAI. Only difference is my stock air filter box is still in place. I can now install a K&N drop-in (and do the ghetto mod) or replace the box with a K&N cone-filter and have a WAI or go the extra step and add some more 3" piping for a CAI.

 

No, Stock midpipe > ALL

 

What is lost from replacing the stock mid-pipe like I did? Or did I not catch the sarcasm in your post?

 

The stock one has more mid range and better throttle responce. The setup you did adds some to the top end. But if you like it, keep it.

 

Appreciate the info.
Looks much cleaner IMO, so yes I like it.

 

Basically you used the maf housing. That is pretty cool. I was thinking of replacing that myself. You should do the GAB mod while your at it too for maximum efficiency.

 

Ah, someone who finally get's it.

Back in '93 I owned a '91 NX2000 and the first mod I did to that car was to drill several 3/4" holes in the lower section of the air box. It was my first attempt at a GAB. About a year later, that was replaced with a Stillen/K&N HiFlo intake (WAI) and a Borla rear section muffler.

Currently, I am running stock air box with a PureOne pre-oiled air filter. There is potential that I might mod the intake piping and remove the baffle on that as well, but I am currently not planning on the GAB coat hanger mod just yet.