09-15-2009, 10:27 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT
Posts: 1,450
Car: 86 T/A, 83 Z/28 Engine: 5.0 TPI, 350 2 X 4 bbl Transmission: 4 speed auto, 5 speed manual Axle/Gears: 3.23 posi, 3.73 std | MAF Options
So long story short a defective MAF burn off relay burnt out my MAF sensor. In the process of trying to figure out what would be a good replacement I have come across a few possibilities. The car in question is a bone stock 1986 Trans am 5.0 TPI automatic. If anyone has any input on other options not mentioned feel free to speak up I’m all ears. The 2 things I’m not considering however are used MAFs and converting to MAP. I don’t really want to buy a used MAF because even used ones are fairly expensive for being what they are, used parts with no warranty what so ever. Converting to MAP I’ve toyed with the idea but I like MAFs ability to compensate for changes and the simplicity of tuning (even though i don’t have tuning abilities yet). Also by the time I got done swapping to MAP ide be in for just about the same cost as just buying a MAF sensor and a good bit more work too. Thanks in advance for reading my long post but maybe if tuns into a good thread it may have potential to be made into a sticky to save time in the future?
1 New:
A few local places can still get new MAF sensors. They are fairly expensive by comparison to rebuilt units and at autozone at least only warranties the new MAF for 3 months vs 3 years for their rebuilt units. To me it makes sense a rebuilt one would be better as its cheaper and has a longer warranty but are the new ones good enough to warrant their expense?
2 Aftermarket:
Places like summit racing have aftermarket MAFs like Granetelli’s that are not only cheaper than a new factory replacement but also don’t seem to use the hot wire as their means of sensing the air flow. It seems this would be a more reliable set up? I’ve heard mixed things about them mostly about tuning issues (if someone could expand on that ide be very interested). I'm wondering if anyone had personal experience with them on stock motors or other recommended brands (website links welcome).
3 Other MAFs/translators?:
In the process of searching trying to find if this has been covered elsewhere I came across people commenting on the possible use of Ford MAFs or other MAFs with translators? Because someday I hope to drop in a fairly hot 350 it seemed an interesting option as the factory MAFs seem to be a bit of a restriction and if I’m going to spend the money might as well get something good. Does anyone have a website I can refer to get more info on translators or have any comments on using other types of MAFs in place of the factory one?
4 Rebuilt potential?:
It seems kind of crazy to spend $160 minimum to buy a MAF when all that’s wrong is the sensor wire burnt out. Has anyone had any success or even tried to rebuild one of these units?
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