86 5.0 smog question

Thats a mass air flow meter, but an '86 has the speed density set up; so your MAF is just "there". It shouldnt hurt anything performance wise, but I dont know how the Cali smog inspectors would feel about it though.

It looks as though the previous owner was going to convert it to mass air, if you want to convert it to mass air later then at least you have the meter.

The speed density uses a few different sensors to "guess" the amount of air coming into the engine, (thus supplying the proper amount of fuel.) The mass air system actually meters the amount of air coming into the engine. ( More precise, fuel efficient, powerfuel, etc.) I don't know exactally what parts you have, so I dont know exactally what you need to complete the MAF conversion, but if all you have is the MAF sensor, first step is a MAF computer...

fordkid said:

Where is the speed density set up located, is it in a different place, or is the Mass air flow metter in place of it. For future information, What is the pluss side of converting to mass air flow, what else would I need to do in order to finish the conversion.


Thanks
Ford Kid

Click to expand...

The main sensor in a speed density car is the MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure) sensor located in the middle of the engine compartment mounted on the firewall just behind the driver's side of the upper intake.

Strange that there is a mass-air meter with no other supporting mods, and it looks to be a stock meter, too. Check around that side of the engine bay, are there any loose wires that look like they could reach the plug? My worry would be that the car already has a MAF computer (A9L or equivalent), and the car is running in limp mode, though it seems like it would be running really rough. You can look at the computer, which is hidden under the passenger side kick panel, and see if it is an SD computer or MAF. See my website link below.

If the car runs fine, yank that meter out (replace the gap with some tubing, look into speed density specific CAI intakes, BBK has an adapter) and wait until you really need or really want to run mass air to complete the conversion. The speed density setup will run fine on the stock motor, and can handle most basic bolt ons. With that meter being a stock unit, and just sitting there with no purpose, its actually hurting your performance, and may stop you from passing emissions just because its not supposed to be there in that year car.

In any event, do some reading at Ford Fuel Injection. This website has a TON of information regarding the inner workings of that car, and will help you find a solution.