AFAIK, the MAF can be as far from the TB as it needs to be...i believe someone moved the MAF collar to the hole in the fender for a custom CAI.
like ProjectSE-R said, just keep everything in between the MAF and the TB completely airtight...no leaks or holes, because then the engine won't know exactly how much air its taking in.
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1991 Sentra SE-R
Cone intake, NismoBorla Exhaust, 19* timing, 2 12" Kicker Competitions, 125K miles