Re: <E28> MAF, What is it?

[Chris Guy <Cguy1@xxxxxxxx>]

>On behalf of all other E28 535 owners, What's a MAF?


Mass Air Flow sensor. It uses a heated platinum wire to measure the mass 
of the air flowing past it (typ by holding temp constant [resistance] and 
measuring current or vice versa) instead of a spring loaded flapper 
hooked up to a potentiometer. 

It is better due to the lower airflow restriction (typ). 

It also has different response rates (faster? no overshoot/undershoot due 
to inertia/friction of flapper?) and I guess theoretically measures mass 
flow rate (what you want) vs dyn pressure of air in duct (varies slightly 
with altitude? from mass rate).

>and what's the EW in EW/MAFed stand for?

Don't know.

>How much work is involved in the conversion?

Just have to physicially make it fit and redo the electronics to make it 
compatible. Suppose you can insert a box that makes MAF look like flapper 
(but remember ECU has factors for responses of flapper so some electronic 
trickery is involved) or just reprogram the ECU to look at MAF (how many 
Rolling Rocks does that take Jim C?).

Of course if you buy someones kit you install it in the inlet duct and 
plug it in (and maybe do ECU chip too if that's their path)




My 83 Volvo has this new technology (as does my 86).


Chris Guy - BMW535o86@domain.elided
86 535i 5sp, 83 245DL 4sp+OD, 86 740GLE 4sp+OD

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