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I don't know which year switched from MAF to speed density, but they both do the same thing, and that is provide the ECM what mass of air is entering the intake so it can decide what pulse length the fuel injectors must have in order to maintain the proper air to fuel ratio for the throttle setting and engine load.
In the early L98s ('95-89) air flow into the engine is measured directly by the MAF; in the '90 & 91 L98s it is computed from MAP sensor and other sensor values. The later LT1s used a different MAF, but not sure if the early LT1s used MAF or SD.
The MAF based L98 is easier to modify as it doesn't require an EPROM change till more extensive mods have been done, if at all; whereas a SD based L98 usually requires EPROM changes to match fuel properly to computed air flow. Also it is much more difficult to get the EPROM mapping correct with a SD system.
The SD system is sensitive to mods that change manifold pressure (like cam change) while the MAF is not.
The MAF based L98 is easier to modify as it doesn't require an EPROM change till more extensive mods have been done, if at all; whereas a SD based L98 usually requires EPROM changes to match fuel properly to computed air flow. Also it is much more difficult to get the EPROM mapping correct with a SD system.
This is simply not true. It's very easy to set up the VE tables in a SD system, and it's much more accurate than the early MAF systems because there's no scaling involved. There's also no 255g/sec limitation on airflow like the early MAF systems...
TNT-
How's the Haltec? How much was it and what did it come with??
I know that my friend with a '94 is jealous as hell that my intake is less restrictive than his. If he says something about my car I just say "according hose" and he shuts up:lol:. Then I rub it in that my car is more free flow than his.
I did a post way back on this. Somebody gave some real detailed information on the differences. I'll try to fnd it for you.