318ti.org forum

Go Back   318ti.org forum > Technical, Maintenance and Modifications > Air Filters/Intakes

Notices

Air Filters/Intakes Air filters and cold air intake systems.

.
» Recent Threads
1999 M-Sport For Sale
12-31-2023 05:10 PM
Last post by Coop540iT
03-23-2024 06:39 PM
1 Replies, 100,124 Views
Once again 318ti owner...
03-20-2024 12:39 PM
Last post by two30grain
03-22-2024 02:04 PM
1 Replies, 63,036 Views
What brakes do I...
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
Last post by huirtera
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
0 Replies, 60,270 Views
Reply Share/Bookmark
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-09-2009, 04:20 AM   #1
Dusty_Hale
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Longmont, CO
Posts: 30
iTrader: (0)
Default VAF to MAF conversion

I have the old style VAF meter in my ti. I'm wondering if there is a swap I can do to make it a MAF type system. I was looking at the connectors on the 1994 328i MAF sensor, and the connector on the VAF meter in my car. They're the exact same. Can I just do a direct swap and dump a MAF in my car if the connectors match up and couple together? Or is there some other proceedure that I would have to follow? Or, trial and error, put one in and see if it works? One of my instructors says it might work, it might not, but if it does, there will be a small power gain. And I mean small, like a couple of horses for getting rid of the restriction that is the VAF meter.
Dusty_Hale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2009, 04:57 AM   #2
tiFreak
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: asdfasdf
Posts: 10,002
Vehicles
iTrader: (8)
Default

I'd give the trial and error a shot, worst thing that happens is the car runs like sh*t and stalls
tiFreak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2009, 05:01 AM   #3
cooljess76
NOBODY F's with the Jesus
 
cooljess76's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Ventura California
Posts: 7,824
iTrader: (6)
Default

I'm pretty sure I have a MAF leftover from my swap, shoot me a fair offer and it's yours. BTW, I'm in SoCal if you're in a rush to try this.
cooljess76 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2009, 06:23 AM   #4
Dusty_Hale
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Longmont, CO
Posts: 30
iTrader: (0)
Default

Hell yeah, I'll take it! If you're within driving distance of me, I'll just come out, put it in really quick and see if it runs. If it does, I'll be more than happy to take it off your hands.

Anyway, PM me and I'll get you my phone number.

EDIT: I noticed you're in Ventura. Looks like I have an excuse to go on a road trip! You're in the 805, right? My dad works in Fillmore, so it's not that much further than when I go to visit him on the weekends.
Dusty_Hale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2009, 07:22 AM   #5
cooljess76
NOBODY F's with the Jesus
 
cooljess76's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Ventura California
Posts: 7,824
iTrader: (6)
Default

To be honest, I'm fairly certain that it's not going to be a simple "plug and play" modification. Reason being is that the two items work off of different principles. The MAF sensor(newer style) has a strip of film that heats up at a perscribed interval. The film is then cooled by the incoming airflow and a measurement is calculated and relayed to the ECU which then controls how long the fuel injectors stay open. The older style used on '95 318ti's is called an Air Flow Meter(AFM). It measures air by volume rather than flow. Basically the air passes through a trap door where it is metered and a signal is sent to the ECU. I'd start by getting a bentley manual and reading the pinout for the Mass Air Flow Sensor and compare it to the pinout of the Air Flow Meter. I'm thinking the AFM won't have the same type of heating element that the MAF does. You'll more than likely need to tackle a software issue and very likely rewire a corresponding connector for the MAF.

I still need to check and see if I still have my M44 MAF. IIRC, it's still attached to my old airbox in my trunk. Anyway, I'll PM you my phone number and you're more than welcome to swing by or I can just as easily mail it to ya. I'm 100% positive that it's in perfect working order. My car ran awesome and passed emissions with flying colors just prior to yanking the M44 out for my swap.

I just re-read your first post and the sensor you were looking at was from a 6cyl. There's no such thing as a '94 328i, as they didn't come out until '96 when BMW switched from the OBDI 2.5L M50(325i) to the OBDII 2.8L M52(328i). Either way, the 318ti's OBDII 1.9L M44 MAF sensor will be slightly smaller in diameter than the 6cyl MAF.

LMK if you're still interested, I'll post pictures of the connector on the MAF tomorrow. I no longer have the M44 engine harness, so if the plug is different than the one on your M42 harness, you'll need to source a pigtail.
cooljess76 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2009, 08:39 AM   #6
cooljess76
NOBODY F's with the Jesus
 
cooljess76's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Ventura California
Posts: 7,824
iTrader: (6)
Default

Here's a good deal, this guy is asking for less than I would and it's a 6cyl MAF:
http://cgi.ebay.com/BMW-96-328is-e36...d=p3286.c0.m14
cooljess76 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2009, 06:05 AM   #7
Dusty_Hale
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Longmont, CO
Posts: 30
iTrader: (0)
Default

I'm getting a $440 check next week, I should be able to make a fair offer by then. Also, I have no credit card, so I can't make an Ebay account. I was wondering, if this idea actually works, would you like to take my VAF meter and try to sell it? At service shops, they usually go for over $150. I'll check Harout's to see what they would sell a VAF type sensor for.
Dusty_Hale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2009, 07:02 AM   #8
pnosker
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 2,440
iTrader: (4)
Default

It won't work. They work off different outputs. You might be able to get the connectors to work but the ECU will just throw up at the data. I don't even know why you would want to do this on a stock ti. You're much better off spending that money on a chip which will give you up to ~8 hp and a few hp/tq at peak.
pnosker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2009, 07:41 PM   #9
mohaughn
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,525
iTrader: (1)
Default

It won't work by simply plugging in a the newer style MAF and going on about your business. You need to use a signal converter to properly calibrate the signal from the new sensor to what your DME is expecting to see. To do this right you also need an AFR/wideband O2 sensor.

Splitsecond sells their ARC/MAF update unit, and people have run that with success. I've never seen a before/after dyno chart to know if they saw any power gains. I would expect it isn't much as you don't peg(5 volts) the barn door style sensor at full throttle.
mohaughn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2009, 12:27 PM   #10
Dusty_Hale
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Longmont, CO
Posts: 30
iTrader: (0)
Default

Ok, so it's not "Plug and Play" like I hoped it would be. But still, is this a conversion that is worth doing, or should I keep my behemoth of an air meter? I was thinking of going with a chip since there is a Dinan dealership within 10 miles of me, would the Dinan shop carry the items I need to do the conversion should I decide to do it?
Dusty_Hale is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2009, 08:12 PM   #11
pnosker
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 2,440
iTrader: (4)
Default

It's not worth doing. The M44 does not even get close to requiring the full airflow of the AFM. Unless you supercharge it, or turbocharge it, you won't need to do it. They use the same size AFM on the e34 535i which has much more airflow.

Instead, go get a chip from Dinan or some other tuner (ebay has a lot of cheap clones too).
pnosker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2009, 10:54 AM   #12
Dusty_Hale
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Longmont, CO
Posts: 30
iTrader: (0)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pnosker View Post
(ebay has a lot of cheap clones too).
I don't trust Ebay anymore. I've gotten too many bulls--t parts from there. I think I'll stick with Dinan products for now.

Last edited by Dusty_Hale; 08-12-2009 at 10:55 AM. Reason: Not enough Info
Dusty_Hale is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
s52 conversion into a ti. 318ticruiser Lounge 42 10-18-2008 03:41 AM
awd ti conversion 318tian Misc 47 03-11-2008 09:58 PM
1.9L to 2.1L/2.3L Conversion HuGo Engine 4 03-23-2007 10:01 PM
e46 conversion? 318racer Lounge 21 03-19-2007 01:55 AM
Manual conversion kit the51 Transmission 10 03-27-2006 06:17 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:04 PM.


.
Powered by site supporters
vBulletin Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©1999 - 2024, 318ti.org
© vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2
[page compression: 101.29 k/120.51 k (15.95%)]

318ti.org does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or products discussed.