Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

4” MAF adapter?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 1, 2018 | 10:34 PM
  #1  
yzguyfl's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Default 4” MAF adapter?

Is there some reason why this 4” piece with a bolt in MAF sensor would not be a good choice?

I went through the expense of the 102 TB and 102 FAST intake, so I don’t want to choke it with a small MAF, and the 100MM MAF sensors I have seen are $250+ Is there some reason this 4” adapter tube solution is not good? (with an LS7 5 wire MAF sensor with IAT)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003J9IXT4/?coliid=I1MZZZVDBCBVBJ&colid=35IQZ1150WG7B&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003J9IXT4/?coliid=I1MZZZVDBCBVBJ&colid=35IQZ1150WG7B&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I’m just wondering why anyone would spend $250+ on the other ones, if there was not some reason they were better.

BTW, aslo going with a procharger, less than 10 lbs boost (and tuner I have talked to says we can do speed density, but using the MAF would be better if we can)
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2018 | 10:59 PM
  #2  
G Atsma's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,289
Likes: 3,615
From: Central Cal.
Default

Are you using a blade-type MAF or a tube-type? The adapter you are looking at is for the drop-in blade type. If you have a 102mm TB, that is already 4" dia. Just use a rubber elbow and a straight tube with a drop-in MAF fitting on it, and use a 4" filter. No adapters needed. Check out the Spectre site for all kinds of plumbing parts for air intakes. You can roll your own for not a lot of $$$$.
BTW, the blade-type is what comes on most Gen IV engines. Gen III used screened-tube-type MAFs
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2018 | 06:46 PM
  #3  
yzguyfl's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Default

I'm building custom, so I can use what I want.
it started life as an LS1 from a 98 Z28 but it is going into a procharged 63 corvette.

My specific question is about using a stock blade type in a tube like this one VS the $250+ 100mm MAF sensors.
so far I have yet to find a reason anyone would spend so much on one, when this other option (tube and blade type) is SOOOO much cheaper. Often you get what you pay for, but if I'm paying more for something I like to at least know why.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2018 | 07:34 PM
  #4  
G Atsma's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,289
Likes: 3,615
From: Central Cal.
Default

As I said, check Spectre's website for intake plumbing. I don't think you need that adapter as it's used for adapting to different tube sizes, and all you need is 4" tubing WITH the blade MAF slot and a 4" filter
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2018 | 01:34 AM
  #5  
dreadpirateroberts's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 648
Likes: 72
Default

I have that same part, along with a FAST 102 and NW 102 DBW, and it works fine. Uses the LS3 card-type sensor, of course, nothing a competent tuner can't handle. mine is with an n/a application, not boost.
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2018 | 09:23 AM
  #6  
ddnspider's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,628
Likes: 1,778
From: FL
Default

Spectre's adapter with an LS7 cartridge MAF is the way to go.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2018 | 07:19 AM
  #7  
dr_whigham's Avatar
The Scammer Hammer
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
Default

Why not go Speed Density, especially since you're FI already? Driving the car at different elevations?
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2018 | 11:45 AM
  #8  
yzguyfl's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Default

From what I have read/heard, many think reading actual values real time, should always be better than trying to look them up from a predefined table, and tune easier. I also asked the shop I will likely have tune it, and they said, I could go either way, but it would be a little better to use the MAF, so I'm mainly going by people who should know far more about it than me. Plus, it was not a huge amount of money, and if for some reason I change my mind later, it can just be programmed without it, but adding it in later if I left it out now, might be more challenging.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-3

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-7

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 7, 2018 | 04:30 PM
  #9  
NEstyle's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 264
Likes: 21
Default

The one you linked to is garbage. The plastic piece on mine warped very badly after about 200 miles which caused the o-ring to no longer seal. I ended up getting a "blank" 4" Spectre tube (https://www.spectreperformance.com/s...aspx?prod=9709) and an aluminum Spectre MAF mount (https://www.spectreperformance.com/s...x?prod=9924011).

The MAF mount was also garbage. The first one I got was machined all wrong, so I returned it for another one. The second one was a little better, but I still had to re-machine it. The rectangular step where the MAF gasket seats was machined too deep for the gasket to compress and the bottom curved surface was machined crooked so the MAF card would never have been straight in the tube. I then welded it to the 4" tube and ended up with something that actually works. I will never buy another Spectre part again! Junk! I did the re-machining and welding because I needed to get the car running and was sick of shipping junk parts back and forth. If I had more time, I would have went with another company.

Last edited by NEstyle; Oct 7, 2018 at 04:38 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2018 | 11:32 AM
  #10  
dr_whigham's Avatar
The Scammer Hammer
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
Default

Originally Posted by yzguyfl
From what I have read/heard, many think reading actual values real time, should always be better than trying to look them up from a predefined table, and tune easier. I also asked the shop I will likely have tune it, and they said, I could go either way, but it would be a little better to use the MAF, so I'm mainly going by people who should know far more about it than me. Plus, it was not a huge amount of money, and if for some reason I change my mind later, it can just be programmed without it, but adding it in later if I left it out now, might be more challenging.
You have to tune with the MAF first anyway.... Then you just turn it off. The O2's take it from there, along with the IAT. Get the restriction out of the path, I say. On my 01 SS, just an NA setup, It was orth like 9/7 to the tire. Throttle response was crisper as well.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2018 | 12:04 PM
  #11  
ddnspider's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,628
Likes: 1,778
From: FL
Default

You don't have to tune the maf first if you're just going to turn it off. I've done several ls7 mafs with no issues up to around 750whp and they drove great.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2018 | 02:42 PM
  #12  
dr_whigham's Avatar
The Scammer Hammer
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
Default

Originally Posted by ddnspider
You don't have to tune the maf first if you're just going to turn it off. I've done several ls7 mafs with no issues up to around 750whp and they drove great.
That's just how my particular tuner likes to do it... And just to clarify, I have nothing against a MAF. At all. I was just pointing out it's an option.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2018 | 06:58 AM
  #13  
dreadpirateroberts's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 648
Likes: 72
Default

Originally Posted by dr_whigham
You have to tune with the MAF first anyway.... Then you just turn it off. The O2's take it from there, along with the IAT. Get the restriction out of the path, I say. On my 01 SS, just an NA setup, It was orth like 9/7 to the tire. Throttle response was crisper as well.
9/7 from ditching the stock MAF in favor of SD? Or ditching a 100mm LS3/LS7 setup?
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2018 | 07:06 AM
  #14  
ddnspider's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,628
Likes: 1,778
From: FL
Default

I would be willing to bet from ditching the stock MAF. No way a 100mm setup would give up 9/7 to a stock sized SD setup.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2018 | 07:16 AM
  #15  
dreadpirateroberts's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 648
Likes: 72
Default

Originally Posted by ddnspider
I would be willing to bet from ditching the stock MAF. No way a 100mm setup would give up 9/7 to a stock sized SD setup.
that's what i would think.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2018 | 08:34 AM
  #16  
dr_whigham's Avatar
The Scammer Hammer
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
Default

Originally Posted by dreadpirateroberts
9/7 from ditching the stock MAF in favor of SD? Or ditching a 100mm LS3/LS7 setup?
Ditching the stock MAF with a SaxonPC screen.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:17 AM.

story-0
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-3
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-5
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-8
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

Slideshow: The 7.0-liter LS7 was designed for absolute cutting-edge performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-07 18:36:00


VIEW MORE