is it better to be right behind the air filter or can it be a little down stream? like mine in pic.

 

Can't make it out for sure in your pic, but the straighter the tubing where you place it the better. Usually 1-2 pipe diameters of straight tubing either side is good for a card style MAF. Helps eliminate turbulence.

Looks like you are 4-5" downstream of the first weld after the filter? Should be ok.

 

yeah, not the best pic. (air raid UBI kit) upper rad hose put a shadow on it. I tried to build it so it had straight tubing before and aft. just every factory built (K&N etc) seems to have them located behind filter. thanks, axld.

 

a lot of them put it right behind the filter for the sake of fewer adapters and easy to locate there, but it is ideal to do it how yours is set up so that there is straight/semi straight pipe in front of and behind the maf

 

cool, thanks for the input, now I will concentrate on breaking a heat shield .