I've been wondering lately if it would be OK to unplug the MAF on my LT1 and take it out of the loop, letting the PCM default to speed density.

This is a car that's used almost exclusively on the dragstrip, meaning W.O.T.

I envision driving to the dragstrip, removing the intake parts, unplugging the MAF and sticking a filter onto the TB.

I'm perfectly willing to experiment with this, but I don't want to do it if it could harm the engine, hence this post.

What do you think?

 

Your car can't default to speed density because it dosn't have a MAP sensor. Only the 93 cars have MAP sensors. You will find that with the MAF unpluged your car will idle, but as soon as you give it gas it will lean out and die.

Also it's a bad idea to just install a filter on the throttle body, the super hot air the engine will be ingesting will actually cause you to loose power. Get a good cold air system like SLP, K&N, Moroso, etc, etc

 

I totally agree with the second paragraph, but all LT1 cars have MAP sensors. The MAF sensor will be used by the PCM weather its in closed loop or power enrichment or WOT.

 

ALL LT1... and ALL LS1's.... and just about every car I can think of has a MAP sensor. Where do you come up with this erroneous info?

MAP is used by the PCM as a measure of engine load. It is one of the "lookup" values for spark timing, volumetric efficiency, BLM Cell limits, etc.

 

i was under the impression that if you disconnect the MAF, your computer will default to speed density mode...and Im pretty sure you can drive it without the MAF and it wont lean out and die. and LT1s 93+ have map sensors.

 

none of this matters when you car is at WOT!!!

at WOT your car goes into open loop.
MAP and MAF are both load sensors. MAP has been used for years but they added MAF in 94 to calculate for humdity. Regaurdless, its just for driveablitiy.
if it is really just a dragstrip car, i say unplug any drivabiliy sensor you want.

I also dont see any problem with connecting an air filter directly to your TB as long as you dont have a hood attatched. Or get a hood with a big scoop to get cool air.

 

Well, I was planning to use a plastic shield to keep hot radiator air away from the filter. I just didn't see the need to clutter up my post with items that don't relate directly to my central question.

So is the consensus so far that it would be perfectly safe to disable and bypass the MAF at the dragstrip?

I realize that I may not go faster, but that's something I can find out at the strip. I just want to make sure that I wont HURT anything.

 

TTT

Can I get a confirmation on this...?

Need to make sure that, regardless of what RESULTS I may get, this is NOT going to cause actual harm.

 

It won't hurt your engine, and if I remember right, in open loop, the only sensors that are not used are the O2's.

 

It wont hurt it at all. I've done it before. It just has the fans on all the time, and it will throw a code, which you can just delete. No big, go for it

 

But what filter will you use to try this? is there one predone to connect to our throttle bodies... I have a 93 and want to try this..

Tim

 

As stated before, you don't want to do this. The IAT readings will go way up, causing you a loss in power overall.

 

"Will not fit LT1."

 

Tried this before on my 95 ... wont run without Maf plugged in. Not sure about 94s..but I thought this was the case with 95s and up.

 

An...air filter what's that?

I just ran at the track a couple times with nothing but the elbow. Sounded cool