For starters I have a'89 iroc 305tpi auto with just over 80k. I bought this car after it sat for 8 years. I put an alternator on it and drove it 300+ miles home with no problems. Since then I've put Taylor 10.4mm plugs, new coolant temp sensor, water pump, radiator, all new fluids, had the fuel pump checked out along with the injectors. It started running like crap. And turns out the timing was off 6 degrees and the MAF was bad. So I got a new ecm, fixed the timing and got a new granatelli adjustable MAF. The car has been running fine for the last 6 months. I have been been periodically adjusting the MAF (probably more harm than good). But lately it's had a TERRIBLE lopey idle. And has been hell to start (keep foot on gas for 5min until it idles fine) and the gas mileage is AWFUL and the CEL comes on but goes right back off. My guess is the crappy MAF. But I have no idea. Keep in mind the coil and cap have not been replaced. Also runs EXTREMELY rich and a little black and and white smoke. Someone please help! Also the plugs have been "filed out" for sometime

 

Probably the MAF going bad again, those things don't last.
OHM out the injectors if any are below .015, be suspect.
Vac leaks ? CB a ton of things.

White smoke ? check antifreeze levels, check oil ... for loss or contamination-
head gasket starting to go.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...s-dumbies.html

Report back what you find

Possibly not your best investment

Unless you are datalogging to see the changes not helping things

 

I checked the oil and it was a little low And I unplugged the MAF and it actually ran better.

 

Sounds like a bad MAF, painful, but they don't last long.

NAPA warrants their reman'd ones for 12 months, and they are $200. There is a core charge of $50.

I'm hearing of many MAF failures lately.

The MAF should have 3 hair thin wires inside, take a look and see if they didn't burn off. They also sell MAF cleaner at the auto stores, but that is wishing. Some say if you have a K&N filter, the oil burns them out prematurely.