3FE MAF conversion - has it been done?

[onewhippedpuppy]

In the world of older sports cars it's a rather popular trick. Has it been done on a 3FE?

The "swinging gate" style AFM on the 3FE is a rather obvious restriction to the airflow. Just picture it for a minute, the air essentially has to "force" it's way past the AFM to reach the intake. Contrast that with a hot-wire MAF, which is essentially an open tube with a small probe inserted into the airflow. Has anyone converted a 1JZ MAF to work on a 3FE? Fitment should be easy, but it would require tweaking the MAF output to match the AFM output so it would work with the original ECU. Obviously this could be done using Mega-Squirt or similar a similar stand alone EFI system, but that's a LOT of work and $$$$.

For a data point, I have a Porsche background. Replacing the 944 Turbo AFM with a MAF is an easy 40-50 HP. On the much less powerful NA 944 I think it's worth 15-20. There's also an MPG gain as well.

 

[ThePookieBear]

Hmmm... I like the sound of this. I know Landtank or someone has a better MAF, but I don't think they've modded it to work with the 3FE. I'm still amazed you can go from sports cars to this and not be bemoaning the lack of power.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

I think the Landtank MAF is an upgrade to the existing 1JZ MAF. I can't find anything about upgrading the AFM to a MAF, except universal kits that require AFR tuning. That still would be a feasible option, it would just require a little tuning.

Going slow can be fun too. Plus I still have a 370 HP Jaguar XJR if I want to go fast. My days of sports coupes ended when I had kids.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

I forgot to post the link, universal kits are here: Split Second

 

[Moby]

I forgot to post the link, universal kits are here: Split Second

I've been eyeing the Split Second unit for years but have never pulled the trigger. Someday maybe...

 

[alkaline747trio]

What about the PSC1-004 on that site. It looks as if it would be easy to install and easy to get going...not a tuner like their other options, just a AFM to MAF converter.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

The PSC01 still requires tuning via laptop. That's why their kits include a meter to read AFR. Most of those universal kits require you to tune the MAF signal to achieve the proper AFR, either via the ARC2 that mounts inside your vehicle or the PSC01 that tunes via laptop.

Some of the vehicle-specific kits (from other vendors) include an ECU chip that accounts for the differences between the AFM signal and the MAF, so there's no tuning required.

I'd just be very curious if the 3FE benefits enough from the upgrade to make it worth the money. You could likely use a 1JZ compatible MAF, install your own AFR gauge, then use a signal calibrator like the PSC01 to tune. Maybe a $500 project, but worthwhile if you could gain 20 HP and a few MPG.

 

[retrofive]

Subscribed Im interested in the outcome of this one.

 

[Beowulf]

Simon and a few others did some research and were a bit discouraged but there were a few possibilities they still needed to explore. As I recall, there was a voltage conversion issue that nobody felt comfortable with trying to hack. Advanced search, 80-Section, Author=semlin, Keywords (MAF, AFM, convert) or some combo. You might have to put an "*" following the 3-letter acronyms.

-B-

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks Beowulf! The only datapoint is a conversion on a 22RE that the owner seems happy with, only verified via butt dyno.
VAFM restriction. real or imagined? - Page 2 - YotaTech Forums

Here's the primary mud thread, lots of reading here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/151783-93-94-truck-vaf-maf-conversion-project.html

It does sound as if the AFM to MAF conversion is a popular mod in the older Supra community. I'd be curious about the gains on a NA Supra going from AFM to MAF. Looking at gains on a turbo Supra is apples to oranges when compared to an NA 3FE.

So, from the effort I've read about thus far on Mud, it appears that the biggest issue is trying to plug and play. For someone willing to do some AFR tuning, it's 100% feasible if you're willing to spend the money for the correct equipment. The biggest question is in regards to the potential benefits.

 

[RockDoc]

I need to take a look through the cited threads, but a quick question. Does anyone have any flow bench data for comparison of the AFM and a suitably sized MAF at appropriate flows?

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

I need to take a look through the cited threads, but a quick question. Does anyone have any flow bench data for comparison of the AFM and a suitably sized MAF at appropriate flows?

No. Probably the closest anyone came is using a shopvac to provide a consistent flow then logging the output from both the AFM and MAF. That was the approach used by the Yotatech member on his 22RE conversion.

Ideally you would have a flowtube that could provide a constant rate, then log the output for each at a number of data points.

 

[RockDoc]

No. Probably the closest anyone came is using a shopvac to provide a consistent flow then logging the output from both the AFM and MAF. That was the approach used by the Yotatech member on his 22RE conversion.

Ideally you would have a flowtube that could provide a constant rate, then log the output for each at a number of data points.

I mean in terms of flow restriction, not calibration. I'm assuming the big benefit you are looking for is improved flow... (or is it a better data feed?) As far as calibration, would the easiest solution not be to run the two in series on the intake (or a flow bench) and data log them at the same time?

 

[matt.mcinnes]

Bypass and go straight to MAP

 

[abclin]

Subscribed, real POWA!?

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

I mean in terms of flow restriction, not calibration. I'm assuming the big benefit you are looking for is improved flow... (or is it a better data feed?) As far as calibration, would the easiest solution not be to run the two in series on the intake (or a flow bench) and data log them at the same time?

That would work, but you'd have to have some form of data acquisition system to log the output voltage.

The advantage of a MAF over an AFM is lower restriction. The MAF is essentially a tube with a small probe in the center. The AFM has a swinging spring loaded door that the air must force open.

 

[akarilo]

I doubt this conversion would result in a noticable gain in the 3FE's stock configuration; after all, it is basically a glorified tractor motor. It does however respond well to forced induction.

LC Engineering plays with the 3FE alot if I'm not mistaken; they might have tried this conversion on one of their race motors. If not, then it's probably not a worthwhile venture. You could allways give them a shout before you get too involved, it might save alot of time and hassle.

LC Engineering

 

[landtank]

I have a prototype of a pcb for inverting the signal of the MAF to a VAF type. No testing as of yet and hopefully will get busy on it soon.

Can't wait for feedback on this one

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

akarilo, I'll send LC an email. They don't have any 3FE MAF kits listed. They do have a 22RE MAF conversion kit that uses a Tacoma MAF and the Split Second PTC box. The 22RE kit yields 12 HP and 23 lb-ft at the wheels on a stock truck per their claim. That looks to be about a 16% improvement in torque on a 22RE, which isn't exactly a high-performance piece either. 16% on a 3FE is 35 lb-ft.
http://www.toyotacatalog.net/M1WebG...UniqueID=44E2CD23-1BC5-4771-90CE-EF8B987AC046

Sounds interesting Rick, I think you'd find a market with FJ80 and FJ62 owners. Assuming you were able to find a linear relationship between the AFM and MAF, I doubt it would be a difficult project.

 

[akarilo]

I've noticed several people posting about Split-Second products. I used their additional injector controller, (AIC-1 I think), on the FJ62 turbo project and was very pleased. Some of their products do require programming via/ laptop, but who doesn't have one of those these days? It was a very simple learning curve to boot.