It's not that the maf is overloaded w/ air (the maf mount is the same diameter, cause it's still stock), but the 98's and 99's maf's are prone to failure, on some vehicles the maf can be cleaned and not be replaced. The maf is the only true weak link in our engines. Your maf could have malfunctioned because of the intake, but probally not. It was probally just it's time to go. I am aware of the problems w/ the mafs, but am not too concerned, cause the 2000 models do not have a big a problem w/ the mafs, though they still do malfunction.

And to the notion of wrapping the tubing w/ header wrap, I want the new intake to look stock, hence the stock black paint. And the wrap will only give minimal gains if any.