What is this?

[Pyrohazard]

My question is what is this things purpose and do I have to have it? This is the part that sits in line right after the air box. I have a cold air intake. It will greatly improve my performance if I can take it out. Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

[R34skylne]

thats a mass air flow sensor it measure the air flow that goes into the intake. I wouldnt take it out and if you do it will throw a check engine light. It also shouldnt hinder your performance at all.

 

[mike1305]

It should hurt feul economy if the engine cannot detect the amount of oxygen entering the plenum and cannot give the correct ratio of fuel. Leaving it there shouldn't hurt you much if you can squeeze it between the pipe and filter assembly of the intake.