Mass Airflow Sensors?

[toastychicken]

Do Mustangs/F-bodies have Mass Airflow sensors? I've heard two things about them:

1. That since/if the MAF knows how much air is coming in (pressure-wise), it will limit the amount of air it allows into the engine, and therefore nullify any extra air you add.

2. That the MAF will measure the air, then increase fuel to keep a proper A/F ratio, and therefore give an increase in power.

The first option would keep the same A/F ratio AND quantity as stock specs, while the second option would allow the same A/F ratio with increase quantity (and therefore power).

Anyone know how exactly they work?

[OnequickZ28]

I know that all fourth gen F-bodies have them (execpt 1993s, thank god). Since I have a 1993 I never reall took the time to learn much about them, althought I blieve that number 2 is what they do.

[Brazen6.0]

1 is false and 2 is 1/2 right.

most late model cars have now a MAF and a MAP. MAF measure the quantity of air going thru and then instruct the ecm to throw in the fuel, which in turn is monitored by the O2 in closed loop operations. MAF air react better to mods, because they "see" the extra air geting "sucked in". Now they also use MAP because a MAP measure the load on the engine. MAP systems by themselves are very picky compared to MAF system on how much mods you can throw at them befor they give you the orange light of death. Exemple: on a MAP alone system, you decide to run a solid roller cam that has enough duration to make you shack your teeths, your vacum pressure at idle will be low, and the map won't understand what's going on and go a-wire. On the other hand, the MAF will see it, and adjust for it the best it can. Now, some MAF have maximum readings, meaning after so much air going thru them they just go full rich. That is a totally different discussion now...but back to the point, today's car uses both in order to get the best of both world.

exemple of cars:
85-89 camaro have MAF only systems.
90-93 have MAP only systems
94 and up have MAP/MAF systems

(not sure if the MAP/MAF systems started on 94 or 95 models...)

[Grannynational]

In my car the MAF sensor is maxed out at 255grams per second, witch is about 14psi, but above that say 25psi for the track at wide open throttle the car goes into closed loop an your AF ratio will be directly affected by Fuel pressure, and or your chip/ecm tuning.

Joe

[HORSEpower]

MAF systems are better, because they can give accurate readings to the computer at a wider band of engine operations. Most speed density stang guys will convert to MAF when they decide to mod the car heavily.

Kurt

[toastychicken]

Ah, thanks for the replies. Helps me trying to figure out (beforehand) how to get more power into the GA.