Hi gang. New to the 3rd gen scene. I've been wanting one for a while but now the timing is right.

On the MAF equipped cars, do they adjust the fuel curve if you do mods? I plan on doing all the bolt ons, and already have a Vortech supercharger waiting to go on.

I've helped several guys build up their 5.0 MAF equipped Mustangs(yeah I know, YUK), and zero computer mods were needed. In fact, my best friend just came back from the strip with a 122 mph timeslip in his hand.

Does GM's MAF do the same good job of compensating for mods as the Furd setup? I hope so! I have my eyes on this real nice '90 Z/28 and would love to scarf it up! Thanks, my friends!

 

The 90 Camaro you mentioned will not have a MAF. 89 was the last year for the MAF in a thirdgen. 90-92 used a barometric pressure sensor (MAP).

 

I was going to convert it to MAF. If that's not feasible, I'll pass on it and look at an '89 or earlier MAF car.

 

You can convert it to maf if you want to, but it will be a pita. The Maf will generally stay with you as long as you dont do major mods(bolt ons are fine). The supercharger you are going to have to tune for. But since that requires a fuel injector change I see no problems. Just adjust your afr tables.

 

Keep in mind the ferd guys don't do computer mods, because they can't. They are giving up power just like you'll be doing if you don't look into computer tuning. GM MAF equiped cars will acount for minor mods such as headers, and filter changes, but you'll quickly get out of wack with things like injectors, intakes (HSR), or blowers. The ferd stuff is more adaptable than the GM stuff no doubt. It seems that the ford code is more basic and because of this can stand changes to the motor better. The GM computers are more complex and therefore are more easily "upset" by mods.The map sensor equiped cars are the ones to get if you want to run boost. You can change the code the ECM runs on to the code that orignally came in the syclone and typhoons ($49). Which can see boost, stock can't. Then you can tune your car without the need for finicky FMU's.

 

Thirdgens are a little different, people here switch from MAF to SD. In a nutshell, the reason is that there arent 15 million different size and brand replacement MAFs available, there is stock, stock, and stock. You'd be better off with MAF on a supercharger though IMO, unless you feel like making a bunch of other changes.

 

The MAF cars are more forgiving on making mods. However if you do big changes you will still need to have the computer reprogrammed. If you are set on a MAF car try to get an 1989 model. It will have all the latest features.

 

On the general map sensored car

How may bolt ons and what are they can you do before tuning is needed? I'm assuming headers and catbacks and intakes.

 

just about anything screws up a Map car.

 

Here are my plans:

Supercharger (8 psi)
Headers
Good exhaust throughout
Ported stock heads
Ported stock intake
Maybe underdrive pulleys

I don't plan on doing any cam changes....MAYBE a mild cam, no more than 215 @ .050, but I doubt it. I will probably rebuild the engine to stock specs, other than the ported 083's. They can be made to flow well enough with a port job.

That's about it that would mess with the calibration. I do plan a gear change and a torque converter change, but that's about it.

Guess I'll have to find a shop nearby that does dyno tuning and chip burning! Thanks guys!

 

Madmax-why do you feel MAF is better with a supercharger?
have you delt much with MAF and Supercharging before?...just curious.

 

I have one setup like that now.

I think if you go with SD, you really need to run the Sy/Ty and a 2 or 3 bar MAP and program it all. Utimately, thats the best setup. As it is with the thirdgen MAP, once the reading pegs it has no clue what is going on. At least with the MAF, it is still able to read the airflow until the MAF maxes out. I've only had that happen at WOT in the upper RPMs and the stock tune with out of the box Vortech patches (FMU, boost retard) work just fine with it. Partial throttle in boost it seemingly knows what to do, the AFR is always in line even with the FMU disconnected.

 

How much boost are you running with you set-up?
Any other mods like heads/cam?

 

Although that may be true, my car is MAP and has longtube headers, dual exhaust, and CAI and runs better than before.