V6 Discussion and questions about the base carbureted or MPFI V6's and the rare SFI Turbo V6.

87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-18-2010, 01:44 PM
  #1  
Member

Thread Starter
 
overide's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

So I'm trying to work a plan for my car... I never knew there were different maf types (digital vs analog) I've been told the 2.8 1987 60* got a digital MAF? that most others are analog?

really? Why on earth?
Old 11-18-2010, 06:08 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
86ttopbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Manchester,PA
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 86 Firebird SE
Engine: 2.8L
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Most of the 60* V6's got those God awful frequency film MAFs that go bad on the average of about every year. I swapped in a Ford MAF and waved good bye to those issues for good.

Last edited by 86ttopbird; 11-18-2010 at 06:28 PM.
Old 11-18-2010, 10:28 PM
  #3  
Member

Thread Starter
 
overide's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Originally Posted by 86ttopbird
Most of the 60* V6's got those God awful frequency film MAFs that go bad on the average of about every year. I swapped in a Ford MAF and waved good bye to those issues for good.
Hmmmm ford swap... gonna check this one out
Old 11-20-2010, 10:51 AM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
Apolo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Guanajuato, Mexico
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: Camaro 1987
Engine: V6 2.8l MPFI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Originally Posted by 86ttopbird
Most of the 60* V6's got those God awful frequency film MAFs that go bad on the average of about every year. I swapped in a Ford MAF and waved good bye to those issues for good.
how do you did the swap, maybe a little tutorial? its necesary a repro on the ecm?
Old 11-20-2010, 08:44 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
bl85c's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: right behind you
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '85 maro
Engine: In the works...
Transmission: TH700 R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

See this thread.

Last edited by bl85c; 11-20-2010 at 08:47 PM.
Old 11-21-2010, 09:46 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
86ttopbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Manchester,PA
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 86 Firebird SE
Engine: 2.8L
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Old 11-22-2010, 10:43 AM
  #7  
Supreme Member

 
TomP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Central NJ, USA
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Originally Posted by 86ttopbird
Most of the 60* V6's got those God awful frequency film MAFs that go bad on the average of about every year. I swapped in a Ford MAF and waved good bye to those issues for good.
I've been on my same frequency film MAF (Strauss Auto remanufacturered) for almost 15 years now; I guess I lucked out. But that's a cool swap idea, if this one ever goes on me, I'll have to check that out.
Old 11-28-2010, 12:42 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
86ttopbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Manchester,PA
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 86 Firebird SE
Engine: 2.8L
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

You must have been lucky indeed because those MAFs are terrible. The 165 ECM/Ford MAF swap is well worth the effort. It takes all of about 2 hours to complete (that is burning a new prom chip included).
Old 11-28-2010, 08:25 AM
  #9  
Supreme Member

 
Gumby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: NWOhioToledoArea
Posts: 8,113
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 86-FireBird
Engine: -MPFI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

That is backwards, the V6 film ones last forever cause its protected, its the one on the V8 cars that blow out if you look funny at them as its exposed.

I was most apparent in the MAF screen removal fad days, you could remove a V6 screen with a sledgehammer and it still worked. The V8 ones needed surgical precision and then still half went bad.

Last edited by Gumby; 11-28-2010 at 08:36 AM.
Old 11-28-2010, 02:42 PM
  #10  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
bl85c's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: right behind you
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '85 maro
Engine: In the works...
Transmission: TH700 R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Not what I've seen over the years. The film starts to warp and the car runs like crap even if the maf doesn't fail outright. Hotwire mafs stay more consistent as long as the wire doesn't get contaminated.
Old 11-28-2010, 05:44 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
86ttopbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Manchester,PA
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 86 Firebird SE
Engine: 2.8L
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Name:  100_0146.jpg
Views: 69
Size:  45.3 KB
If the film on the MAF looks like the attached pic, its garbage. The car will not run right. period. See how the orange film looks like a skate board ramp? It is supposed to be flat. This happens quite frequently. The Ford hot wire MAFs do not have this problem as long as the wire is clean. I have seen these MAFs go for 15 years without a failure.
Old 11-28-2010, 07:03 PM
  #12  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (6)
 
evilemokid94's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Elwood, IN
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Car: 1986 camaro Sports Coupe
Engine: L31 350
Transmission: 89 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 gov lock
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

this is kind of off topic but how do you guys get those metal maf retainer rings off and on? i broke mine getting it off but i got a new one and i cant get it on now!
Old 11-29-2010, 09:10 AM
  #13  
Supreme Member

 
TomP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Central NJ, USA
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Originally Posted by bl85c
Not what I've seen over the years. The film starts to warp and the car runs like crap even if the maf doesn't fail outright. Hotwire mafs stay more consistent as long as the wire doesn't get contaminated.
Actually in my one diagnostic message, this person kept changing their MAF every year which I found incredible: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/v6/1...af-sensor.html I've seen a mix through the years, probably depends on other things (like manufacture quality, or what abuse (overheating) the car went through).

86ttopbird actually in that picture it looks fuzzy, not like a skateboard ramp. I know what you mean though. And like I said, I lucked out, I've only had 3 MAF's. My original was shattered in 1995 in an accident. Replacement (junkyard) only lasted 2 years- the film got a ripple in it. Then I got this remanufactured one - and it's been fine ever since. OK so I guess that's only 13 years, not 15. I'll let you know in two years what happens.

Regardless it's still an interesting idea to swap for Ford. Although if it came down to me having to make that choice for my car, I'd probably concentrate my efforts on an SD upgrade (unless that's no longer the "hot ticket" around here).
Old 12-07-2010, 10:22 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
86ttopbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Manchester,PA
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 86 Firebird SE
Engine: 2.8L
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

It is personal preference really as to whether to go with SD or Mass Air. For me, I prefer to use the Mass Air system. It's what I know how to tune and I like the idea of the ECM being able to directly measure the amount of air entering the engine and not guessing at it by measuring vacuum. The Ford MAF swap is the ticket though. I also have the #15 Ford injectors too. They are disc type Bosch injectors. Really smooths out the idle alot and the acceleration is not choppy like with the old junk Rochesters.
Old 12-08-2010, 05:05 PM
  #15  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (8)
 
Maverick H1L's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: LeRoy, NY
Posts: 7,240
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Engine: 2.7L V6
Transmission: 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Originally Posted by 86ttopbird

If the film on the MAF looks like the attached pic, its garbage. The car will not run right. period. See how the orange film looks like a skate board ramp? It is supposed to be flat. This happens quite frequently. The Ford hot wire MAFs do not have this problem as long as the wire is clean. I have seen these MAFs go for 15 years without a failure.
I was wondering when someone was going to dig that out... That was my last one before I went and found an AC/Delco MAF on eBay (the store didn't want to take the one before it because the elbow was broken on installation due to not being the right size to fit on the air filter can properly, and this one had the elbow knocked off, after said breaking on installation, for use in my air intake) because I wasn't about to shell out another $80 for one that MIGHT last me another year. That posted a code 33 (finally, right before it went into the trash can) and 45. And yes, it looked like a skate ramp, not like the usual surface of a lake. And no, it wasn't modified, the plastic funnel inside that directs air over the film wasn't there fresh out of the box. That's aftermarket build quality for you .

:edit: I'll be switching to a Ford (not liking the idea, but they work) MAF with the MegaSquirt.
Old 12-08-2010, 08:04 PM
  #16  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
bl85c's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: right behind you
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '85 maro
Engine: In the works...
Transmission: TH700 R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Do they have MAF support now?
Old 12-08-2010, 10:38 PM
  #17  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (8)
 
Maverick H1L's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: LeRoy, NY
Posts: 7,240
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Engine: 2.7L V6
Transmission: 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Originally Posted by bl85c
Do they have MAF support now?
MS2 with the MicroSquirt code can use MAF only, MAP/MAF blend, or MAP with onboard MAP for baro correction... But the MAF has to use an analog voltage signal.

http://www.microsquirt.info/mafmap.htm
Old 12-09-2010, 09:04 PM
  #18  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
bl85c's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: right behind you
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '85 maro
Engine: In the works...
Transmission: TH700 R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Interesting way to use a maf! Converts it to VE and uses that for fueling.
Old 12-09-2010, 09:54 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
86ttopbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Manchester,PA
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 86 Firebird SE
Engine: 2.8L
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

I had to use Mav's pic because I could not find mine at the moment. Hope you don't mind Mav Anyway, here is the MAF I removed when I did the Ford swap. Same old lumpy frequency film. I am glad I don't have to worry about that crap any more.
Old 12-10-2010, 07:36 PM
  #20  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (8)
 
Maverick H1L's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: LeRoy, NY
Posts: 7,240
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Engine: 2.7L V6
Transmission: 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?

Looks like you got the same el-cheapo POS parts store "new" MAF I got the last time. I think that if I can find a chance, I'll have to get a pic of what an OEM MAF looks like inside to illustrate the reason why NOT to get an aftermarket, even if the manu says it's "new".
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
InfernalVortex
Electronics
10
04-20-2021 11:31 AM
sheachopper
Cooling
11
07-31-2019 11:27 AM
Lbibb
Camaros for Sale
1
05-05-2016 12:00 AM
usafirebird
Engine Swap
3
09-29-2015 11:58 PM
Eric-86sc
Interior Parts for Sale
1
09-28-2015 11:37 AM



Quick Reply: 87 2.8 car... Digital MAF?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:07 AM.