Hi all!

A little while ago I tried to install a normal pod air filter...and of course I experienced all the problems that I read about, the air mass sensor not being able to detect the swirling air, compensating with adding more fuel and then black smoke...lovely. ;-(
I know there is a pod available especially for magna's but with that aside...is there any way to over-ride the air mass sensor? Any way to to be able to have swirling air coming in without the air mass sensor getting in the way? I tried just disconnecting the air mass sensor...lol...nope no luck. ;-)
Would an aftermarket computer be able to replace the stock air mass sensor? Or tweak it so it can handle swirling air?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

P.s. If the above doesn't seem to have a solution or doesn't make sense...what happens with the air mass sensor when a turbo is installed?

all u need to do is drive it lots and ignor the car for about 2 months than it works fine i had the same problem...... i even droped paint in me air hole thingy car was abit ****ty for a few weeks then it workerd great

all u need to do is drive it lots and ignor the car for about 2 months than it works fine i had the same problem...... i even droped paint in me air hole thingy car was abit ****ty for a few weeks then it workerd great

Ummmm...... I've got no idea what this guy is talking about, but in answer to your question - yes, using a full aftermarket ECU will allow you to bypass the mitsubishi MAF sensor. A piggyback will not give you this ability however - must be a full replacement. As far as turbo applications go - it obviously isn't an issue, as the MAF in our magna's is the same unit used in EVO's (I'm pretty sure), not to mention the rising number of turbo magnas getting around nowdays. Off the top of my head - I'd say these beasts are probably using oval pod filters, but I can't be sure of that of course.

Having said that - There are numerous members of these forums running round pod filters in their MAF sensor equipped vehicles, and I've not heard of many reporting the symptoms you are reporting. Possibly your MAF sensor has been stuffed by running the filter over oiled?? (it apparently happens), in which case it might be worthwhile checking the ECU for an error code. If running with the MAF unplugged gave the same results as with it plugged in - sounds like theres definetly a problem with the unit. Hope not for your sake - I've heard they're expensive.

IIRC some aftermarket ecu's use a map sensor instead. I know microtech dont use an air flow meter. Not sure with any of the other ones.

thanks for your help this far...but the engine wont run if the air mass sensor is unplugged. the engine starts and dies right away i'm guessing because the air mass sensor (engine) thinks its not getting enough air.
the stock air mass sensor cannot detect swirling air (eg. pod filter) but a turbo is swirling action on steriods, so how could the stock sensor detect the swirling air from the turbo?

thanks again ppl!

p.s. smp_ezy23 - you said your magna took 2 months to come good after adding a pod...i can't imagine that would be good for the engine? thanks for ur input.

has anyone here actually added a pod or turbo to their magna? did they have any probs? etc.

thanks for your help this far...but the engine wont run if the air mass sensor is unplugged. the engine starts and dies right away i'm guessing because the air mass sensor (engine) thinks its not getting enough air.
the stock air mass sensor cannot detect swirling air (eg. pod filter) but a turbo is swirling action on steriods, so how could the stock sensor detect the swirling air from the turbo?

thanks again ppl!

p.s. smp_ezy23 - you said your magna took 2 months to come good after adding a pod...i can't imagine that would be good for the engine? thanks for ur input.

has anyone here actually added a pod or turbo to their magna? did they have any probs? etc.


I've got a round pod on my car, when i got it and had a look at the adaptor (to the mass) it blocked off a fair bit of the honeycomb section. So i made a spacer between the pod and mass, fixed the flat spot drama. The car seems to run ok with it.

The reason why turbo cars etc don't have a problem with the MAF unit is because it is running befor ethe turbo so it is merely sucking air through the MAF unit, and hence not doing anything more or less than it does N/A.

Your symptons are classic of the MAF sensor not being compatible with the air cleaner setup. Some designs are worse than others. Some cars don't experience it at all and others get it really bad.

I always figure the cost of a $80.00 filter setup V running a $160.00 filter V damaged engine, to me its a no brainer. Use the one that is garaunteed not to damage anything and you can't go wrong.

just leave the standard filter...nuffin wrong with it.