Ok, I need a new MAF, and I've gone through two remanufactured ones from Borg Warner and both are crapped out. So, I'm trying to get away from rebuilt ones and get a new AC delco one (the kind my car already had). Dealer wants 290 for it, GM online wants 190?!?!? IS THAT CRAZY?!?!

Some please tell me where I can get a NEW one!!! Are there any like on Jegs? Summit? TPIS? HELP PLEASE! My car hates not moving.

BTW, is speed density better than MAF? What's the side effects of running your car with the MAF dissconected?

Thanks All. Payce.

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85 2.8L Sport Coupe 5-speed.
Mods: Hpertech chip and powerstat, MSD 6A-L, Crane fireball coil, Accel Cap and Rotor, Dynomax hi-flow cat and catback system with a dynomax magnum race bullet muffler on the i-pipe, K&N filterchargers, Gutted Air Boxes, 8mm Wires, Eibach Sportlines and Tokiko springs/shocks setup, Global west sub frames, Suspension techniqs front and rear sway bars, and good ole 88 IROC wheels with Kumo Ecstas on em!
"It's not the ricers, it's those damn V8's!"

Wins: 2000 V6 Accord, 69 302 Mustang, 2000 Auto VR6 Jetta, 89 Toyota MR2, 90 Civic Si, 76 350 Camaro, 2000 3.8 5-speed Camaro, ~68 Chevelle 350, 92 CRX Si.

 

MAF is better, more precise and stuff. plus MAF will respond quicker. but is more expensive. both of them together is best. like mustang 5.0

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- David
88' GTA 5.7L TPI MODS---> air foil, K&N, Shift Kit, 180* therm, TB bypass, Gutted CAT, Flowmaster 80 Series

 

ok, so where do i get one at a reasonable price?

 

I've had my $100 "rebuilt" one from Strauss Auto since '97, no problems... give it another shot, you'll get lucky eventually. Try another store/brand. At worst, get a junkyard one. Inspect the junkyard one to make sure the orange frequency film is completely FLAT, and not wrinkled or creased.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

Thanks man, but is there anyway to fix a broken one? I broke mine doin a 5th to 3rd downshift, goin from 2.8k RPM to 5.8k all the way up to revlimiter (6.2). After that run it broke, hehe. I didnt notice a little wrinkle on the film inside the MAF. Anyway to fix?

BTW, I've had the screen off for 5 years, would that shorten the lifespan?

Thanks all.

 

800-995-0296
Ask for Saul, tell him Karl sent ya.
He sell AC Delco stuff new & cheapo.
Tell him you want the cheapest price!
Make sure you tell him what the other places charge, too!

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

As far as I know, there's no way to break a MAF sensor just by driving.

However, if you've gone thru this many sensors so quickly, you might have a wiring problem, and not a sensor problem. I have the "code 34 chart" posted here: https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/002116.html It'll tell you how to trace all the wires. And as a bonus, since you have an '85, all my wire color locations, and relay locations, are correct for your car. All you really need for this test is a voltmeter.

I had a bad connector on my MAF sensor. The car would run great; I'd play with the wires going to the sensor, and the car would stumble and set code 34. It got to be so bad that if I hit a large bump the code would set. I pulled a MAF harness out of an '86 Camaro, and hooked it onto my car. I got it for $5, where Pep Boys wanted almost $20 for the connector alone.

The MAF harness uses two wires to go back to the computer. It uses a common "ground" point.... a ton of ECM grounds go to one bolt on the back of the passenger side head. The other wire is the MAF signal wire. All the other wires go to electrical connections at the front of the car.

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

Well, I had the same exact problem 5 years ago, same condition: the car bucks and all, it stumbles when you bang the sensor and no code. That's why I was able to recognize it the moment it happend. Now, it just might be coincidence that it did it right after that "spirited" run or it might have just been ready to go and that last downshift let it loose.

I know its the sensor thats bad because I've tried a few, each giving different results. Although I may check the wiring is ok to make sure its not blowing my precious MAF sensors away! What do you think?

 

Hm; yeah, tapping the sensor shouldn't point towards a wiring problem. Didn't those MAF's have warranties?

There is a service bulletin regarding a conversion from MAF to SD. My dad's old '87 Oldsmobile had it. It involves a new chip, a MAP sensor (SD), and some wiring. The MAF relay is disconnected. The MAP sensor patches in to the MAF signal wire. The new chip runs the SD software. There was a sticker on the car that said "this car has been updated to speed density software, see TSB # ????". Too bad we don't have the car, I could've gotten the TSB number for you.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

Just for info, which is better, MAF or SD? What are the plusses or minuses of each?

 

MAF! it is more expensive when it screws up, but it allows for more precise air flow measurement, unlike SD which used Engine Speed and Vacume to decide wut the airflow is based on preset values in the computer. MAF is supposed to respond quicker and stuff. I cant remember the rest, but if no one has posted anythign else then tomorrow i will right the rest of it.

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- David
88' GTA 5.7L TPI MODS---> air foil, K&N, Shift Kit, 180* therm, TB bypass, Gutted CAT, Flowmaster 80 Series

 

I second MAF.

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1989 Firebird. Modded.
700r4-->t5 w/ram clutch
Cold air, 1.6 rockers, 21lb injectors, 3" y-pipe, random tech cat, 3" ipipe, flowmaster 80 series 3" in 3" out hand made stainless tips, Lakewood LCA's, Msd 6a, Msd coil, Wonder Bar, 180* stat,

First 1500 bucks gets the car..runs great. no problems. needs paint.

http://www.geocities.com/graemeg1984/New.html
rather run last in a full out race, than to NOT have run at all"
See my car Here!
In Memory of #3 Dale Earnhardt

 

Another thing, what should be done with that screen? Some say it smooths the flow, others say it restricts, while others say it protects? Whats the real deal?

 

Considering that were kindof on the topic of MAF's What do u guys think about Porting the MAF to increase airflow. I read its like the best thing in the world then ppl tell me you should never do that. what the dilly?

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1985 Firebird.She's X-rated

 

Firebirds need the MAF screens because of the bend in the MAF housing. It straightens the air flow to pass over the middle of the sensor. I'm not sure about Camaros, but I think their MAF is a straight tube, so I guess it can go w/o the screen. I myself have taken out the screen, didn't really notice anything. (I shouldn't have, because I didn't know it smoothed air flow)

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Stock 2.8 MPFI auto w/ Flowmaster 80 Series, More to come......
New Pioneer Head Unit
Targa E-910 7-Band Equalizer w/ crossover
2x 10" Pioneer subs powered by 300 Watt Jensen amp
2- 6x9" Pioneer (rear)
More to come..... (hey, i dont got a job yet)

 

When people say gutting the maf, that just reffering to taking out the screen right?