Scott,

I don't know if you have the stock airbox or have modded it but
Jim's point is about the domed screen inside the airbox above the MAF, not the screen on the MAF itself. Apparently the screen inside the airbox is designed for proper airflow over the MAF and removing it will cause idle/stalling problems. It has nothing to do with the airbox itself, just the domed screen inside it. Just another thought!

Randy
'94 E500