Air intake and Maf

[Root2812]

So years ago when I started my project I bought this ls2 style Maf in an air cleaner assembly thinking it was cool. My project is very slow..... Now I’m At the point where I need to order my PSI harness and thus need to know what Maf I’m using so I decided to test it on my LS. See pics. So first the collar was too big because it was meant for a larger throttle body but I made it attach with a cheap silicone coupler. Now it’s in the way of my radiator hose and they’d rub. (Old Rad for mock up only but new champion is the same shape)... The company who made the Maf/air cleaner is out of business so I think it’s time to just chock it up as a few hundred bucks wasted and go with the typical plastic tube. Chrome tube would be nice if I could.

So since I have no Maf to start with I’m totally open to how to get an air cleaner and Maf on this thing. What would you guys recommend? I’d like to stay somewhat cheap if I can but I also want a nice clean look. I think to make anything fit I’ll have to go 90 degrees off the throttle body toward the drivers side. I don’t know what type of Maf I should buy. I’m open to any suggestions.

The project is a 1950 Chevy with a 2000 5.3L engine. Engine has LS6 intake and accessories and 2008 corvette water pump. I swapped the the Vette stuff for clearance.

[mongocanfly]

That is gonna be a tight fit..spectre makes 90deg rub or boots that will get it turned ..you can put the maf in the long run section..I used alum tube from Ebay on mine and all spectre connectors and filter..

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

That is gonna be a tight fit..spectre makes 90deg rub or boots that will get it turned ..you can put the maf in the long run section..I used alum tube from Ebay on mine and all spectre connectors and filter..

Yep everything about this project has been tight so far. I like your idea. What Maf should I use? There seems to be a few choices. My throttle body came with the ls6 intake (2002 corvette is what I think it came off of. Should I use the Maf for that or buy another Ls2 one?

[LS short box]

I would go with a maf from a 2002 Corvette so you aren't mixing and matching parts that make the harness suppliers and tuners go nuts. Is the throttle body drive by wire or cable? I would not use the cheap China units on ebay. They don't have good reviews at all.
Check over on LS1tech and Corvette forums for used parts.
Side note. The LS engine tuners will say that short air filter in your pic will cost you an easy 30 hp because of it's small size and the hard right turn the air needs to make it as it flows into the intake. Additionally if you have electric fans when they turn on and push air towards the air filter it will disrupt the normal air flow to the air filter.

[mongocanfly]

since your using a PSI harness , they also sell the MAF...

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by LS short box

I would go with a maf from a 2002 Corvette so you aren't mixing and matching parts that make the harness suppliers and tuners go nuts. Is the throttle body drive by wire or cable? I would not use the cheap China units on ebay. They don't have good reviews at all.
Check over on LS1tech and Corvette forums for used parts.
Side note. The LS engine tuners will say that short air filter in your pic will cost you an easy 30 hp because of it's small size and the hard right turn the air needs to make it as it flows into the intake. Additionally if you have electric fans when they turn on and push air towards the air filter it will disrupt the normal air flow to the air filter.

The little air filter thing is going away. Its got a MAF built into it and I got my mail order tune and harness already. I am just trying to determine what MAF is essentially the same and a direct swap. Inside that tiny filter thing is a MAF with GM (or DELCO) part number 25168491 but they cut the housing down to make it fit in there. Now I need a new one to go in a standard tube and cone filter set up. I can find 25168491 used but not new. I don't know if the part number changed or what but I know I want a new GM one.

The harness from PSI says its for a 5 wire LS1/LS6/LS2/Vortec MAF so I am pretty sure I can use any of those as far as my wiring goes. But when I had LT1swap flash my PCM I told him MAF 25168491. If I went with the 2002 Corvette MAF its part number is different so do I need a retune or are most of the 5 wire MAFs interchangeable as far as the computer registers.

[TomMLSx]

Rock Auto has one....

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...433513&jsn=591

Random search..

https://www.gwaautoparts.com/product...13778234769463

Both are same MAF, one part number supersedes the other. You will need it tuned no matter what, but when you switch MAF's the scaling is wrong depending. One of the tuning steps is to tune the MAF curve no matter what...

T,

[mongocanfly]

Lots on ebay... https://www.ebay.com/itm/MASS-AIR-FL...edirect=mobile

[Root2812]

I don’t want an aftermarket one. I want an authentic GM part but not a used one. Those links you guys shared are aftermarket. Gm parts direct doesn’t even show 25168491 on its site. So I am having trouble finding a brand new GM one.

My question is that since 25168491 is a 85mm 5 wire gm Maf can I swap to another 85mm 5 wore Maf with no problems. For example, gmpartsdirect shows a 2002 corvette used either 19330122 or 19330121 depending on if you had LS1 or LS6. I just wanted to know if these parts are Interchangable without having to tune.

When I find aftermarket or used parts listed as 25168491 they list a bunch of things they fit or came out of but when I search for a new part based on those models I get different part numbers. Was 25168491 superseded by a different number?

[mongocanfly]

I'm not sure what to tell ya ..if you want OEM. Then I'd call the dealership parts counter..give them the 25168491 number,, and see what the replacement part number is for it...
That should give you a current part number to look for..
.I guess I missed where you only want genuine gm...

[Root2812]

I found the answer to my question. I went out and found someone my dad knows who drives a 2006 Sierra, turned out to be a 4.8l but I looked at the Maf and it’s the same part number I have. I was able to look up the Maf based on that vehicle and came up with a replacement of GM 19330121. According to GM parts direct that Maf works on a 5.3l of the same year. For the heck of it I checked and it’s also the correct Maf for a 2002 corvette zo6. Now I know a current part number that will work for my setup.

[mongocanfly]

good deal

[TomMLSx]

The first link I posted to Rock Auto is the Delco 19330121.....

Good luck..

T,

[Root2812]

I have a few more related questions. So I’ll have 90 degree elbow, pipe, Maf, pipe, then air filter. What length should the straight section with the Maf be? Do I need some sort of support for the filter end or do you guys have good results just letting them hang out there? Then what’s a good size filter to use? I found a K&n cone filter but it’s only 5.5 inches long. Is that too short for a 5.3 or good? I’ve never had a reusable air filter and I think they need oiled, can you use any brand air filter oil? Like k&n oil on a generic filter or vice versa?

[First c10]

No matter what MAF you use it will have to be tuned. I have tuned my stock 2008 MAF but I am changing to a card style MAF and will need to tune all over again since the MAF and intake piping will change. I am using all stock GM parts.
They say the longer the straight pipe before the MAF the better, but sometimes you only have so much room. so a good tuner helps.
I have a dry Spectra filter on one of my swaps and a K&N oiled filter on the other. I use the cleaner and oil for the kind of filter I have. no problems with either.
I hope this helps

[mongocanfly]

I've seen all the replays about where to put the maf over the yrs...my tuner said it dont really matter as he can tune it to anything...mine is about 1in from the throttle and I've never had any issues..circled in red
And yes..put a support under the tube...I didnt when I 1st got my C30 going and the weight of the filter kept twisting the rubber 90..my support bracket fastens to the fan shroud bolts and goes under the tube and is held to the tube with a hose clamp...circled in blue
And I would go with the biggest filter you can use ..I think mine is about 9or10 in long

[LS short box]

Here's a pic of my setup. I typically add a brace the under side of the tube and mount it to a open head bolt to support the tube, MAF and air filter. The engine rocks a bit as it's running so I don't like fastening the air tube and filter to a stationary position.

[Root2812]

Thanks for the pictures. I will put something together and report back.

[Root2812]

So here is a possibly dumb question. When you put all these pipes and joints together do you push the pipes together inside the silicone joints so the pipes touch or do you prefer to leave a little space so the joint can flex some? What would the recommended space in there be?

Also, the throttle body is 4 inch and one side of the MAF is 4 inch but the other side is a little smaller like 3.75 inch or something. Do you guys use a reducer coupler or will a 4 inch silicone coupler clamp down that much?

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by LS short box

Here's a pic of my setup. I typically add a brace the under side of the tube and mount it to a open head bolt to support the tube, MAF and air filter. The engine rocks a bit as it's running so I don't like fastening the air tube and filter to a stationary position.

Is your 90 degree elbow flexable or the more ridgid plastic? Also is the air filter attached right to your MAF?

[mongocanfly]

On mine in post 16, you can see my 90 has a flex section made into it..
But it would depend on how you route yours
I only used one tube so theres no tube touching going on.
I used a reducing coupling on the maf..
My maf is right at the throttle...

[aknovaman]

I find it amusing to watch you guys try to figure out which MAF and tubing to run and then pay a tuner to 'fix' the file so it runs correctly. If your tuner is worth his pay and you have physical space limitations, then run the motor in speed density (SD) mode including a inlet air temp sensor. That totally eliminates the need for spending money on any MAF. Running an engine in SD mode will give you the same power, throttle response and MPG as running a MAF, if tuned correctly (easy). I have tuned a bunch of street rods with the stupid tiny air filter and cast aluminum MAF as described above. I just don't see the point in spending money for a MAF and time wasted in trying to get a tune right. Side note the inlet air temps would be extreme with the filter right behind the radiator. Seen it every time on 30-50's cars/trucks with narrow and tight engine bays. Placing a MAF right at the throttle body or right before/after a bend significantly affects the readings which directly affects both fuel and timing. This can be proven using and EFI tuning data logger.

[LS short box]

The 90 degree elbow is made of rubber. I typically purchase them form IntakeHose.com

[Root2812]

Thanks for the help so far. I figured out how to route my set up for now and was ordering the pieces on amazon. I was going with spectre components and saw the 90 degree elbows and couplers in both EPDM/TPE rubber and in PVC. Their website seemed like both types do the same thing so why should I choose one over the other?

[mongocanfly]

I used epdm,,,mainly because that's what they had where I bought all my other parts for the swap