MAF Sensor Placement

rdohara

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Jun 17, 2009
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making a custom LLY 4" air cleaner intake tube to go with my Banks ram air box and LBZ MP. Wanted to know if it matters were you put the mass air flow sensor I know on the stock air cleaner it is by the air cleaner box but on my Banks kit they put it by the MP any idea on this? I have marked in the blue box the 2 places i am thinking on putting it.
 

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rdohara

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Jun 17, 2009
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Why then does Banks move it to about the closest you can get to the turbo then? When the stock location is farthest from the turbo
 

JOHNBOY

< Rocking the Big Single!
Aug 30, 2006
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Why then does Banks move it to about the closest you can get to the turbo then? When the stock location is farthest from the turbo

I have no idea.

I have messed with MAF location and can tell you the GM puts it where they do for a reason.:thumb:

As the turbo spools up the in the intake tube the air starts to swirl and then rotate like a vortex ending at the wheel. This can induce turbulence that messes up the MAF readings. In big diameter intakes this can be made even worse because the vortice will cause higher speed reads toward the outside edge but show slower reading the middle because of the turbulence. An air lense helps this a lot. But keeping your intake somewhere near stock diameter and moving your MAF to a straight section of tube as far from the turbo as can be done sensibly is a good way to go.
 

x MadMAX DIESEL

<<<< No Horsepower
Dec 30, 2008
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I forgot to say it would be best to mount it in a straight pipe, but I think its simplier than that. I don't think the effects will be as noticable as you make it sound. Technically you are right, but anywhere could work for a location pretty much IMO
 

Mike_S

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Nov 18, 2009
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I don't think the effects will be as noticable as you make it sound. Technically you are right, but anywhere could work for a location pretty much IMO

I have 2 things to add here. First off, The efects could be very noticeable, especially if the sensor is close to the compressor where there is alot of turbulence. If your tuning is still using the MAF limiting tables the resulting lower-than-actual airflow reading will seriously hinder performance. Granted this could be tuned out, but at a resulting loss of total tuneability (read smoke prevention, and turbo response). The intakes that I have built, when I install the bung for the MAF sensor, I mount it slightly turned in the direction of the vortice within the tube...I have had good results with this. But keep in mind, I mount my sensors in the middle of the longest straight section of tubing possible...as close to a laminar flow as possible.

With that being said, unless you are using the MAF limiting tables in your tuning, the airflow sensor is not really required at all on these trucks. Most customers trucks that I tune, who doesn't make a big stink about smoke, I normally dissable MAF codes and give the limiting tables a generous amount of tweaking to alow for more fuel down low.
 

x MadMAX DIESEL

<<<< No Horsepower
Dec 30, 2008
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I have 2 things to add here. First off, The efects could be very noticeable, especially if the sensor is close to the compressor where there is alot of turbulence. If your tuning is still using the MAF limiting tables the resulting lower-than-actual airflow reading will seriously hinder performance. Granted this could be tuned out, but at a resulting loss of total tuneability (read smoke prevention, and turbo response). The intakes that I have built, when I install the bung for the MAF sensor, I mount it slightly turned in the direction of the vortice within the tube...I have had good results with this. But keep in mind, I mount my sensors in the middle of the longest straight section of tubing possible...as close to a laminar flow as possible.

With that being said, unless you are using the MAF limiting tables in your tuning, the airflow sensor is not really required at all on these trucks. Most customers trucks that I tune, who doesn't make a big stink about smoke, I normally dissable MAF codes and give the limiting tables a generous amount of tweaking to alow for more fuel down low.

Thank you for explaining it better, I have 77lbs across the the whole table. I guess I should have said this instead

It will read the same know matter where aslong as there are no leaks in the system I think.
 

Mike_S

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Thank you for explaining it better, I have 77lbs across the the whole table. I guess I should have said this instead

If the MAF table(s) are all maxed out across the board then you are wasting your time installing the sensor anyways. :) Just get into the DTC list and kill the diagnostic tests and corresponding codes relating to the MAF sensor.
 

Fingers

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To avoid MAF sensor oddities, you need to mount it at least 3/4 the intake tube diameter away from any bend or tube diameter change. Any more than 1-1/2 a whole diameter is not needed in most cases. As far from the turbo as possible goes a long way too. The intake filter acts like a flow lens and minimizes turbulence. So closer to that is more better.
 

rdohara

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Jun 17, 2009
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I put it were the black box i drew on the pipe is away from the turbo. I have had it there for a week and all is good rund great no codes.
 
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