Old news...and it CAN mess things up. Your sensor is calibrated for the 80mm MAF WITH the post there. Removing it can change your A/F mixture, and has been known to give some ppl a CE light and cause surging.
Don't get me wrong, I did this on my 96GT and had no problems. But I wouldn't say it helped either. My Cobra came with a 77mm C&L which I replaced with the original MAF because I've heard of, and may have experienced, similar problems as stated above. Simply for the same reason. The C&L uses your factory sensor, whereas the Pro-M's come with a new sensor calibrated for that specific MAF.
I just want it to be clear that this procedure is not as "risk-free" as you think. Just because you didn't have any problems doesn't mean that the next guy won't...or you won't later.
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T-Bones 1997 Cobra
Wht/blk, Pro 5.0, 4.10's, aluminum driveshaft, FRPP throttle body, C&L MAF, K&N, off-road H, Flowmasters, s/f connectors, FRPP pro springs, BBK caster/cambers.