Austarion

Ok I really really hate MAFS.

I bought an aftermarket POD filter, adaptor plate for Mitsi AFM, and chrome heatshield today. Didn't go on the Starion, but oh well its an old car.

But my damn Galant had one two, and I had to return it, it looked damn sexy.

Is there any AFM that can be used to replace the MAFS (identical in both cars, honeycomb + 2 circles). Or even one that is close, because using an APEXi S-AFC to modify the air/fuel ratios is cheaper than forking out $$$ for an aftermarket ECU which I definately can not afford for a while yet.

It looked too pretty, I got my money back, but god damn Mitsi air filters are crap. I turned my Starion one 180 degrees, so it at least breathes from the unused side of the filter. Galant I just removed a whole lot of pipes that go no where (which leave huge holes in the air can) - even just that - gave my VX-S a huge change in response. Normally it takes the car a second, or maybe two to respond to WOT, now its just BOOM ITS ALIVE.

Going to just cut my air can tomorrow, but if anyone has an idea for a replacement AFM - I'd really be interested, and it may also benefit other Starion owners - no more air can bs.

Spray the AFM with some of Marie's "fuck off" spray and get an aftermarket ECU. Link's are made in NZ maybe you can get one of those?

Link ECU is still over $1000 2nd hand, + tuning + install

I will do so one day, until then, cut air can it is.

You know, the Starion MAF sensor will actually fit *inside* most larger pod filters.

I know someone with a cordia who did that.

You cut the mounting neck from the old MAF and put some straps to hold the MAF sensor in (unmodified) and then just stick the whole piece inside a 12" pod.

David

Yeah you can do that, however not very easy considering there is wires which come from the MAFS via the base of the air can which its attached to. Can be done but messy.

On my Galant its easy, because the meter wires go through the can lid, instead of the base, so the can, can be removed and replaced with a pod.

Plus you don't need to attach straps, you just buy the 152mm Mitsi adaptor plate :D I would of done, but the MAF sensor likes that air can, so gonna have to cut stuff. Im figuring Ill cut mostly on the lower and left sides of the cans, leaving a quater of the can fully intact to kinda shield heat off. This also ensures the filter draws most of its air, near the cold air inlet by the wheel arch, and air flowing up from under the car.

The lady at Repco was most suprised to see a K&N listing when I took the filter in for a replacement. Naturally I have to order it in :(

i cut my air can on the weekend... :D
i love it! i love the induction noise u get! its so cool to have a new noise on ur starion that links to power and not something being stuffed up

What induction noise are you getting? a hiss or a growl? How big a hole did u cut?

more of a growl...its mad :D
i cut pretty big holes...probably one about 15 cm and another 12cm...so yeah..pretty big u see the whole filter...

i've got a spare vr4 sensor would it be compatible with the staz? if so it'd make fitting a pod much easier can it be done?

Do you have the big sensor that sits inside the filter itself?

My VX-S has this, and it is identical to the Starion one, except the wires come out the top instead of the base. If I had a spare one I would try it. It should work but you're car may run rich or lean. If so, that can be fixed with an AFC, or maybe even a variable resistor?? The signal type is the same Im told, and design is the same, so confident its an easy swap.

I actually don't know how either car acurately measures air intake. Since there is the honeycomb (which is metered) and two circular passeges with no meter equipment - I guess it just takes a value and kind of doubles it to account for the extra holes. Seems so stupid since the Starion has a MAP sensor. Why didn't they just use a reliable MAP sensor, and get the ECU to take readings from that. Overall it would of been cheaper, and simplified the intake system.

I guess for the same reasons the throttle intake goes over the engine head. I can not imagine the cost changing by more than $10, to put the air hose on the other side of the engine bay.

Personally I blame drugs.

Another crazy Mitsi design, is fitted to almost all 2.0L Galants. Its a plastic pipe that sits over the radiator, and has no inlet. It just holds air, so when you slap the throttle it can pull it in, then it refills itself when the throttle is closed off.

So this cost more money to manufcature the car, and actually caused a performance decrease - it can be found in any inj 4G63 Galant 1988-1992, both SOHC and DOHC models.

Stupid because the air inside the plastic tube just heats up. So your car gets a gust of boiling hot air when you floor it. After removing this stupid thing my Galant has much greater throttle response, and quite confidently wheelspins in the wet from a standing start now (its auto, so this how I judged the change).