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Mass Air Checklist

  • Thread starter Thread starter 87GTVertDude
  • Start date Start date Dec 5, 2011
8

87GTVertDude

Member
May 17, 2011
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Boston MA
Dec 5, 2011
#1
  • Dec 5, 2011
  • #1
Hi, I want to do a speed density/mass air conversion on my 87 GT vert (auto). I had a 90 7Up LX, and the previous owner did a 70mm upgrade. I just found the leftover parts (see pics). From looking at the other posts, I now need some new gaskets, harness, and computer to finish, correct? I was wondering if anyone knows the part numbers of those item and/or what vehicles I can get them from. Thanks for your help. The new forums look great!

View attachment 163306
View attachment 163308
View attachment 163310
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
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Dec 5, 2011
#2
  • Dec 5, 2011
  • #2
You don't need to go back to the stock throttle body and spacer to do a mass air conversion.

You WILL need an A9x computer, meter housing, and connector with roughly 6 feet of wire harness. There's a couple pins you have to swap at the EEC and a jumper wire to install.
 

Blown88GT

Founding Member
Nov 13, 1999
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Dec 5, 2011
#3
  • Dec 5, 2011
  • #3
Your pics show parts you don't need for the conversion. EEC, MAF & harness are the primary items, along with hoses & clamps to connect all together. Since your '87 has no CE light, you don't even need to swap the pins. Swapping pins prevents the setting of eroneous codes. I ran for years with the Ford Mass Air Conversion Kit which only maps one pin to another.
 

ID89GT

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May 26, 2008
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Dec 5, 2011
#4
  • Dec 5, 2011
  • #4
If it were me I would buy the 89 maf engine harness. Plug and play with no wiring. Then the correct computer, maf sensor that is calirated for the injectors you have, and I think you will also need a new intake piping from the air filter housing to the throttle body unless the one you have can be modified to work
 

jrichker

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#5
  • Dec 5, 2011
  • #5
MASS air conversion instructions from http://www.stangnet.com/tech/maf/massairconversion.html FREE
A9L (5 Speed) computer from junkyard $100-$150
A9P (Auto or in a pinch, it will work in a 5 Speed car) computer from junkyard $100-$150
70MM MAF from 94-95 Mustang GT - $40-$70
MASS Air wiring harness kit $30-$85

The whole thing is probably less than $300 using junkyard parts.

A9L computers are 5 speed only
A9P computers are automatic, but will work with a 5 speed.


The conversion harness seems to work well for most folks. It avoids the compatibility problems in using a harness from the junkyard. Simple and cheap, actually less work that swapping the wiring harness.
Conversion Harness kits & parts
http://www.mass-air.com/
http://oldfuelinjection.com/index.php?p=54


If the idea of moving & soldering wires scares you, here's a list of compatible Mass Air wiring harnesses.

Copied from bbunt302
Just for reference, here's a list of all the compatible years:

89 harness should work for 86-89 as long as you're using mass air.
90 harness will only work in a 90. (B/c of air bags and dual dash connectors)
91 through early 92 harnesses should be compatible (single dash connector, fuel pump relay under driver's seat)
Late 92 through 93 harnesses should be compatible (single dash connector, fuel pump relay under the hood)


Larger MAF to go with Mass Air conversion:
94-95 Mustang GT MAF - $40-$100. It is 70 MM instead of the stock 55 MM on regular stangs built prior to 94. It uses a slip on duct on the side that goes to the throttle body and a 4 bolt flange on the other. You need a flange adapter to fit the stock slip on air ducting that goes to the air box. Wiring plugs right in with no changes. *1 *2

*1.) Metal flange adapter http://www.kustomz.com/cat3.html Buy the TR70 for $44.95. Or spend some time on eBay looking for one that may fit.
Try AutoZone and ask for 81413 - Spectre / 3 in. Aluminum Intake Mass Air Flow Sensor Adapter at $12.00. You may have to order it online.

*2.) MAF & sensor interchange
The 94-95 Mustang 5.0 MAF & sensor is also found on:
1995-94 Mustang 3.8L F2VF-12B579-A2A,
1994-92 Crown Victoria 4.6L F2VF-12B579-A2A,
1995-94 Mustang, Mustang Cobra 5.0L F2VF-12B579-A2A,
1994-92 Town Car 4.6L F2VF-12B579-A2A,
1994-92 Grand Marquis 4.6L F2VF-12B579-A2A,

Evidently the –A1A, -A2A, AA, etc. on the end of the part number is a minor variant that did not change the operating specs. You should be able to ignore it and have everything work good.

Also see www.forfuelinjection.com for help with the harness parts http://rjminjectiontech.com/?p=10, and connector pins, http://rjminjectiontech.com/?p=11
 

Blown88GT

Founding Member
Nov 13, 1999
2,283
524
164
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Dec 6, 2011
#6
  • Dec 6, 2011
  • #6
jrichker said:
MASS air conversion instructions from http://www.stangnet.com/tech/maf/massairconversion.html...
Click to expand...
That's a very good writeup, but fails to mention one very important fact about the 60-pin connector. In order to insert or remove pins, the red retaining shell must be removed. Gently pry it out with a small screwdriver and/or needle-nose pliers.
 
8

87GTVertDude

Member
May 17, 2011
40
0
7
Boston MA
Dec 6, 2011
#7
  • Dec 6, 2011
  • #7
jrichker said:
MASS air conversion instructions from http://www.stangnet.com/tech/maf/massairconversion.html FREE
A9L (5 Speed) computer from junkyard $100-$150
A9P (Auto or in a pinch, it will work in a 5 Speed car) computer from junkyard $100-$150
70MM MAF from 94-95 Mustang GT - $40-$70
MASS Air wiring harness kit $30-$85

The whole thing is probably less than $300 using junkyard parts.

A9L computers are 5 speed only
A9P computers are automatic, but will work with a 5 speed.

The conversion harness seems to work well for most folks. It avoids the compatibility problems in using a harness from the junkyard. Simple and cheap, actually less work that swapping the wiring harness.
Conversion Harness kits & parts
http://www.mass-air.com/
http://oldfuelinjection.com/index.php?p=54

If the idea of moving & soldering wires scares you, here's a list of compatible Mass Air wiring harnesses.

Copied from bbunt302
Just for reference, here's a list of all the compatible years:

89 harness should work for 86-89 as long as you're using mass air.
90 harness will only work in a 90. (B/c of air bags and dual dash connectors)
91 through early 92 harnesses should be compatible (single dash connector, fuel pump relay under driver's seat)
Late 92 through 93 harnesses should be compatible (single dash connector, fuel pump relay under the hood)

Larger MAF to go with Mass Air conversion:
94-95 Mustang GT MAF - $40-$100. It is 70 MM instead of the stock 55 MM on regular stangs built prior to 94. It uses a slip on duct on the side that goes to the throttle body and a 4 bolt flange on the other. You need a flange adapter to fit the stock slip on air ducting that goes to the air box. Wiring plugs right in with no changes. *1 *2

*1.) Metal flange adapter http://www.kustomz.com/cat3.html Buy the TR70 for $44.95. Or spend some time on eBay looking for one that may fit.
Try AutoZone and ask for 81413 - Spectre / 3 in. Aluminum Intake Mass Air Flow Sensor Adapter at $12.00. You may have to order it online.

*2.) MAF & sensor interchange
The 94-95 Mustang 5.0 MAF & sensor is also found on:
1995-94 Mustang 3.8L F2VF-12B579-A2A,
1994-92 Crown Victoria 4.6L F2VF-12B579-A2A,
1995-94 Mustang, Mustang Cobra 5.0L F2VF-12B579-A2A,
1994-92 Town Car 4.6L F2VF-12B579-A2A,
1994-92 Grand Marquis 4.6L F2VF-12B579-A2A,
Evidently the –A1A, -A2A, AA, etc. on the end of the part number is a minor variant that did not change the operating specs. You should be able to ignore it and have everything work good.

Also see www.forfuelinjection.com for help with the harness parts http://rjminjectiontech.com/?p=10, and connector pins, http://rjminjectiontech.com/?p=11
Click to expand...


Wow! Astounding amount of information. I will be tackling this stuff pretty soon, but we've been having some 60 plus degree days here in Boston, so I haven't put the car away yet. Even with the 3:73 gears, this car just isn't as fast as the 90 LX was. The mods on the LX were the 70mm, Accel Super Coil, BBK cold air, shift kit, and also 3:73s. Thank you so much for all your help.
 

Cobra912

Active Member
May 1, 2005
1,777
11
39
Wish I was anywhere but here
Dec 6, 2011
#8
  • Dec 6, 2011
  • #8
Mass air conversion should be a sticky if it isn't already.

While it is super simple, I'm not sure why everyone feels they need to convert to mass air when the mods they have done won't make a lick of difference whether it's SD or mass air. Change the HCI and then do the conversion......IMO
 
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