Well, I've been working on this issue since I bought my 87 IROC last week. I hooked up a code reader and returned a code 36...bad mass flow sensor. I drove over to advance just to swap one in and see for myself. No change in my situation, and still throwing a code 36.

Next, I took the IAC out and cleaned real good. I also opened the air adjustment screw abit. I am either stuck with the car wanting to take off in drive or sputtering and sometimes dieing. Car dies right around 500 rpm.

Engine runs great and shifts smoothly once moving. I'm thinking I have a wiring issue? I doubt that the other MAF I tried was bad.

 

Do you have an ALDL cable? It might be interesting to datalog and see exactly what data the ecm is getting for your maf.

 

my 86 iroc has a power source right up near the fuel pump by the break boster on the driver side of the car. relay start their and see if you are getting power to the MAF.

 

A little more info on code 36 - a new MAF aint gonna fix the problem below. IROC 86 above may be spot on with your problem. Unfortunately, I don't have a wiring diagram for the relay.
Corky
36MAF sensor burn-off voltage was missing. Check MAF sensor burn-off relay and terminal "D" on MAF.