944 S2 MAF Sensor Kit

[Latitude48]

I'm a subscriber to the NC944ER YouTube channel, which is about the author's NA 944. He recently tested and reviewed a new MAF system made by Storch Vehicle Electronics in Germany, https://www.storchve.de/en/i/porsche. Storch uses a Bosch MAF sensor and fits their own electronics to convert it to an equivalent AFM signal. The units are plug-n-play and easily reversible back to stock. I'm seriously considering one to replace the 35-year-old AFM in my S2. They are also available for the 951.

Here's a screenshot from the website:

[Latitude48]

I ordered the MAF for my 944 S2 and it was shipped today, so I guess it's my Halloween treat

[Spokayman]

It’s always good to see other alternatives on the market.
I think it’s more expensive than another brand I was looking at earlier this year, and I’m not sure if it works any differently or has any advantages over other products.

Please let us know how it all goes when you get it and use it.

[Britmat]

This exact mod has been very much on my list of things to look into… am very keen to hear about updates once you get it installed and tested..!

And if anyone knows of any other options out there for S2, please share…

[NC944er]

I'm glad you enjoyed the product review video! It was a pleasure working with Storch and testing one of their products. Julius, the owner, was always very responsive to email inquiries and happy to share additional technical information about his designs and how they work. Very refreshing!

And yes, it's great that the S2 cars are finally getting some love in the MAF kit department. I'm not aware of any other options for the 16v cars. Like others, I'm looking forward to hearing about your experience with it.

[Latitude48]

This exact mod has been very much on my list of things to look into… am very keen to hear about updates once you get it installed and tested..!

And if anyone knows of any other options out there for S2, please share…

In 2021 I traded some emails with John at Vitesse Racing. VR developed a MAF for the 944 S2 that fits in place of the AFM and used their own chip, which read the MAF signal directly without translation. The price at the time was $1995. The original kit was developed sometime around 2005 and got some refinements along the way. I don't think VR ever marketed them seriously.

In the future, the best "bang for the buck" for the 944 S2 will be the Focus 9 Technology MAF system when Joe eventually releases them with a standalone MAF controller (much like the Storch VE). This will have USB-C input for Firmware updates. Eventually, eventually, eventually... there may be a new F9T DME for the 944 S2, but that's going to require more reverse engineering since those DMEs have built-in knock detection.

I noticed in the F9T installation outline instructions for the 944 MAF that it says to disconnect the factory altitude switch since the MAF already compensates for altitude. I wonder if the Storch VE installation instructions also say to do that. If not, why not? Guess I'll find out soon.

[NC944er]

I noticed in the F9T installation outline instructions for the 944 MAF that it says to disconnect the factory altitude switch since the MAF already compensates for altitude. I wonder if the Storch VE installation instructions also say to do that. If not, why not? Guess I'll find out soon.

The Storch MAF installation instructions include the following note:

“If existing: disconnect the altitude correction sensor.”

I also asked Storch a similar question during my testing and this was the response:

“Regarding the altitude sensor: not all Porsche 944s aren’t equipped with one. It activates around 5,000 feet above sea level to change the DME to a high-altitude fuel map. If such a switch is installed, it needs to be disconnected when using our MAF kit, as the PLJ-MAF includes its own precise altitude correction. Even for those cars operating below 5,000 feet, the switch has no effect anyway.”

[Latitude48]

I noticed in the F9T installation outline instructions for the 944 MAF that it says to disconnect the factory altitude switch since the MAF already compensates for altitude. I wonder if the Storch VE installation instructions also say to do that. If not, why not? Guess I'll find out soon.

The Storch MAF installation instructions include the following note:

“If existing: disconnect the altitude correction sensor.”

I also asked Storch a similar question during my testing and this was the response:

“Regarding the altitude sensor: not all Porsche 944s aren’t equipped with one. It activates around 5,000 feet above sea level to change the DME to a high-altitude fuel map. If such a switch is installed, it needs to be disconnected when using our MAF kit, as the PLJ-MAF includes its own precise altitude correction. Even for those cars operating below 5,000 feet, the switch has no effect anyway.”

There's an image of the altitude switch in the PET. It's located above the DME in the footwell. The map change takes place at 1000 m, which is 3280 ft.

I wrote to Storch about the lag in response in neutral that was noted by one of the commentors on your YouTube video and Julious said they are working on a completely different signal processing approach that will significantly reduce this effect, but it's not ready for production yet.

[Tom]

I noticed in the F9T installation outline instructions for the 944 MAF that it says to disconnect the factory altitude switch since the MAF already compensates for altitude. I wonder if the Storch VE installation instructions also say to do that. If not, why not? Guess I'll find out soon.

The Storch MAF installation instructions include the following note:

“If existing: disconnect the altitude correction sensor.”

I also asked Storch a similar question during my testing and this was the response:

“Regarding the altitude sensor: not all Porsche 944s aren’t equipped with one. It activates around 5,000 feet above sea level to change the DME to a high-altitude fuel map. If such a switch is installed, it needs to be disconnected when using our MAF kit, as the PLJ-MAF includes its own precise altitude correction. Even for those cars operating below 5,000 feet, the switch has no effect anyway.”

There's an image of the altitude switch in the PET. It's located above the DME in the footwell. The map change takes place at 1000 m, which is 3280 ft.

I wrote to Storch about the lag in response in neutral that was noted by one of the commentors on your YouTube video and Julious said they are working on a completely different signal processing approach that will significantly reduce this effect, but it's not ready for production yet.

The DME's altitude correction is just a fixed percent reduction in fuel (not a high-altitude fuel map per se). If you look in the Carpokes TunerPro XDF file, it is a single cell correction factor, which you can modify when burning your own chip. Typical MAF sensors measure the actual mass of air, so don't need all the correction factors that the barn door needs -- so I find the reference to "precision altitude correction" very curious...

[Latitude48]

The Storch VE MAF for my 944 S2 was delivered today. The product was packaged very well and arrived quicker than expected. Everything about dealing with Julius at Storch VE was easy and professional. The unit looks very well engineered and should be easy to install.

However, it could be awhile before I get this insalled as I spent 9 hours in the hospital as an outpatient on Tuesday for a radio frequency ablation of my right heart atria to cure an a-flutter rythmn. The procedure took 3-4 times more than normal and turned out to be quite involved, so I'm supposed to take it easy for at least a week or so, with minimal bending... like no working in an engine compartment, ha, ha.