I would highly recommend the VE or E60/N60 maf or larger. Especially if you are going to be revving it high. The gains wont be much, but will be more with mods.
The myth about the maf not making power is more for the DE guys that only rev to 7,500 or so. The gains are made high in the rpm range. ie above 7K
DE maf is only 2.5" diameter if I recall. All others are 3" and larger
THE VE CAME WITH A 3" MAF FOR A REASON
N1 VE's which are 1.6L's use a 3.5" MAF btw