Probably just a little progress at the time for hotwire MAFs, (most people use a larger honeycombe type element now). If you want to simply demonstrate it's function run a tap and watch how the water flows. Then run it with a fine mash under it, (don't remove your MAF mesh just for this experiment), and note the change in flow characteristics.
Overall impact on power output, naff all. Possible low speed driveability impact......perhaps. More than likely a refinement from the ECU side to give good low speed airflow and help keep emissions under finer control. Afterall back the the day the CG series engines were marketed as being much better than the earlier GA series in terms of 'green' status.
