Not sure about how honda MAFs are but I do know that the subaru MAF sensor is extremely twitchy and does not like certain filters (prone to blowing).
In a nutshell the air filter is there to make sure atmospheric cr@p, dust, twigs, small children, etc. don't get into your air/fuel mix. the MAF sensor is a little sensor that sits inside the pipe between the engine and the airbox measuring the intake of air amongst other things. There are (correct me if I am wrong) 3 main types of filter:
- Paper (Standard)
- Oil coated Cotton (e.g. K&N57i)
- Oil coated Sponge (e.g. HKS, Pipercross)
With an oil coated filter, too much oil means that oil will seep through and get into the fuel mix and mes your MAF up. Not enough oil means that the filter will not do it job properly and you will get dust and rubbish getting into your engine.
All of that said - IMHO Induction kits make a great sound
(yes, I am a big kid!) and if you want to go down that route then as Chris says - some form of cold air intake is required. How to do this?
- Tubing piping air up from the brake cooling ducts onto the induction kit.
- Tubing from the front of the engine bay onto the induction kit.
- (My favourite) Get yourself a CF bonnet made with a mini scoop in it to duct cold air down onto the kit.