3rd Gen Mass Air Flow Sensor - Turbine version aftermarket results

NoVA_T4R

Member
Hi,

Would like to know if anyone has replaced their 96-98 cylindrical "turbine" MAF sensor with a non-OEM aftermarket sensor? Which brand and have you had any problems with it? What did you ultimately settle on?

Also, if anyone has converted from the turbine to the rectangular version for the 1999+ models, what parts did you have to get?

Thanks.
 
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I believe you can re-pin the connector to use a 99+ MAF. That being said it is a massive waste of time on a stock 5VZ.
 
I believe you can re-pin the connector to use a 99+ MAF. That being said it is a massive waste of time on a stock 5VZ.

So if you wanted to use the 99+ MAF and got the complete 99+ airbox components in front of the MAF, you would still have to rep-pin the 98 MAF connector plug?

I'm guessing the bolt holes for the airbox/frame connection would be the same, but does anyone know for sure?

I found that Rock Auto carries some that are for the 98 MAF and Amazon as well, but if I can convert over to the 99+ design where they still make OEM MAF's, that seems like the long-term way to go.
 
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The pre 99 maf is very expensive from Toyota so your best bet is to either get one from the junkyard or repin your connector to use the newer and far cheaper 99+ maf. I wouldn’t use anything that isn’t Toyota or denso
 
Chuckles,

When you say no difference, does that mean the connector wires do not require re-pinning? Just a straight swap of everything from the MAF sensor to the airbox?

I have been running like this since 2018, no problems whatsoever.

<iframe width="800" height="600" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/So24TtVvCsA" title="1996 thru 1998 toyota 4runner cold air intake update + MAF repin" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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Chuckles,

When you say no difference, does that mean the connector wires do not require re-pinning? Just a straight swap of everything from the MAF sensor to the airbox?

No difference in how the engine runs.


You do have to repin the connector which was pretty easy
 
If you'd like to do the swap you can find a photo of the repin order in my build thread. It's moving the black wire from the end to the second position and moving the others down one spot.

The main reason why you'd want to switch to the 99+ design is replacement costs. The 96-98 MAF sensor costs almost $300 new. The 99+ one can be found for about $60. If your old turbine style MAF isn't breaking though I don't think it is worth the time and cost. The parts you will need are the airbox and the MAF sensor. The intake can be re-used if my memory serves me right. At a junkyard the airbox is around $50 and the sensor around $30.

If you are supercharged or doing a forced induction conversion then there's other obvious benefits as you open up the intake tube significantly and dramatically increase air flow.
 
Well, it's finally time to do the modification. MAF is getting worse.

One thing I did not mention in my original post, because it was not clear when I did the original research, is that the 1999+ setup has a slightly different air tube resonator (17893-62070).
Also the 1999+ air tube has 2 rubber sections with a big plastic tube in the middle that they attach to.
I watched sleepydad's YT video linked at 10-19-2022, 06:48 PM...and then the fear of the different setup went off.

But gamefreakgc's comment that "The parts you will need are the airbox and the MAF sensor"...which I do have.

So my question is, has anyone done the 1999+ MAF conversion with the 1999+ airbox, but kept the old 1996-1998 style air tube resonator and 1996-1998 air tube?

Another question is has anyone done it with the old style resonator and air tube, but then went back and installed the 1999+ correct setup and did you notice a meaningful difference?

I thought this was going to be an easy layup after quickly reviewing the previous posts. Well, at least I'm aware of what I missed the first time.
 
Another question is has anyone done it with the old style resonator and air tube, but then went back and installed the 1999+ correct setup and did you notice a meaningful difference?
There may be a *slight* difference in sound, but there won't be a difference in performance. The intake snorkel in the fender is the limiting factor for airflow unless you do other mods (deckplate, etc.).

You can also go with an Airaid MIT or similar for the intake tube.

What is your goal? Stock performance and sound? Any particular upgrade (sound/power)?

-Charlie
 
There may be a *slight* difference in sound, but there won't be a difference in performance. The intake snorkel in the fender is the limiting factor for airflow unless you do other mods (deckplate, etc.).

You can also go with an Airaid MIT or similar for the intake tube.

What is your goal? Stock performance and sound? Any particular upgrade (sound/power)?

-Charlie

Stock performance and sound. Want to avoid the interrupted air intake under heavy pedal operations.
 

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