Rey
Registered Member
Many motors today, including Hyundai, have a mesh screen in front of the mass air flow sensor (immediately downstream from the airbox). The purpose of this screen is twofold: primarily to smooth airflow turbulence, which exists at low speeds, so as to generate a more consistent signal to the MAF wires; and intake noise abatement (very little).
Tuners have long removed this screen from GM autos with no ill effect; and current Covettes no longer have the screen. Screen removal will create a small horsepower increase, like less than 5 hp. I actually measured the area of this screen on my Cadillac CTS-V and concluded it decreases potential airflow across the MAF by about 9%.
In GM autos the screen is glued in place and removal usually destroys the screen. On our Hyundais the screen is pressed in place and will come out with gentle pressure. It is even more easily pressed back in place.
I ran without this screen on the stock air box for over 10,000 miles and can report virtually no driveability problems. Occasionally, I would get a momentary hesitation at low throttle tip-in, but I never consider this a problem.
I have since changed to an aftermarket cone air filter which I initially attached directly to the MAF, still without the screen. Now, I definitely had some low speed intake hesitation. I "cured" this problem by placing a four inch length of metal tubing between filter and MAF. This tubing length allows the airflow to smooth out so the MAF wires receive a steady signal.
Tuners have long removed this screen from GM autos with no ill effect; and current Covettes no longer have the screen. Screen removal will create a small horsepower increase, like less than 5 hp. I actually measured the area of this screen on my Cadillac CTS-V and concluded it decreases potential airflow across the MAF by about 9%.
In GM autos the screen is glued in place and removal usually destroys the screen. On our Hyundais the screen is pressed in place and will come out with gentle pressure. It is even more easily pressed back in place.
I ran without this screen on the stock air box for over 10,000 miles and can report virtually no driveability problems. Occasionally, I would get a momentary hesitation at low throttle tip-in, but I never consider this a problem.
I have since changed to an aftermarket cone air filter which I initially attached directly to the MAF, still without the screen. Now, I definitely had some low speed intake hesitation. I "cured" this problem by placing a four inch length of metal tubing between filter and MAF. This tubing length allows the airflow to smooth out so the MAF wires receive a steady signal.
