SD vs. MAF - Northern California Ford Owners

This is topic SD vs. MAF in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners .

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Posted by 87Saleen (Member # 1549) on :

can someone please post pictures of both. thanx

Posted by 93ex-chp (Member # 1688) on :

Well if your car has a metal tube/sensor between the airbox and the throttle body then you have mass air.. if not you have speed density...

Posted by hidnn.o.s. (Member # 1219) on :

87's and non California 88 stangs all came as speed density from the factory so unless you know you have mass air chances are you don't.

Posted by 91sleeper (Member # 779) on :

And if you do have speed density switch it over to mass air its alot more accurate.

Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on :

Mass air is not "more accurate" than speed density. Mass air is more "addaptive" compared to speed density.

Posted by 91sleeper (Member # 779) on :

I read that reads air more accuratley because on mass air it reads incoming air after the air filter and on speed density it reads it inside the manifold.

Am I wrong? This is just what i have read.

Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on :

You're often wrong [Wink]

Speed density is fine for stock heads/intake/cam.

With mass air, the EEC will "adapt" when you change your heads/intake/cam.

If you re-tune a speed density EEC for your new aftermarket heads/intake/cam you'll be fine.

Posted by 91sleeper (Member # 779) on :

Well I know if you are just going to do basic bolt ons that its fine to stick with the speed density but if you are going to go all out and major heads cam intake stoke or w/e else then its the best to switch over.

Maybe I just don't explain myself enough.

[ December 16, 2002, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: 91sleeper ]

Posted by 87Saleen (Member # 1549) on :

I have mass air.

Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on :

quote:
Originally posted by st5150:
You're often wrong

Posted by gR40coupe (Member # 698) on :

speed density, cars also ran better than mass air cars stock.

Posted by Mikal (Member # 652) on :

SD cars run better when tuned =)

-Mike

Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on :

Actually, if the mass air meter isn't a restriction in the induction path, then a tuned engine will make the same power weather its SD or mass air.

SD vs mass air is another Coke vs Pepsi battle [Wink]

Posted by 1sic91blackgt (Member # 868) on :

[ December 16, 2002, 10:29 PM: Message edited by: 1sic91blackgt ]

Posted by 1sic91blackgt (Member # 868) on :

quote:
Originally posted by st5150:
You're often wrong

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ya and im sure ur always right 88gt [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Mikal (Member # 652) on :

How often is the MAF not a restriction? [Wink]

SD rules.

[ December 17, 2002, 11:30 AM: Message edited by: Mikal ]

Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on :

As long as the diameter of the MAF is equal to or greater than the diameter of the air boxes outlet, the diameter the tubing to and from the MAF and the throttle body diameter, then the MAF sensor won't be the restriction in the intake path.

Posted by WildStang (Member # 905) on :

i haven't seen much of a topic on SD before, but i've been noticing a large increase of highly tuned modular guys switching over to SD. Why are they doing this? Is it just for a cleaner looking engine bay or does SD have a significant gain on a highly tuned modular?

Posted by hidnn.o.s. (Member # 1219) on :

quote:
Originally posted by WildStang:
i haven't seen much of a topic on SD before, but i've been noticing a large increase of highly tuned modular guys switching over to SD. Why are they doing this? Is it just for a cleaner looking engine bay or does SD have a significant gain on a highly tuned modular?

Posted by WildStang (Member # 905) on :

an example would be gabe's yellow mustang. i believe it's speed density now, i know he got rid of the mass air on it.

Posted by chosen1 (Member # 1906) on :

in the past, i was avoided sd cars because i always figured a mass air conversion would be in order down the line; so why not just get a mass air car? anyways four mustangs later, i bought my first sd car and i swear this car is faster than my previous mass air cars, stock. i am actually quite satisfied with it, it seems to pull better than expected, and to think that a sd computer is like 10 bucks on ebay, why not?

Posted by hidnn.o.s. (Member # 1219) on :

Speed density is great for stock or very mild bolt ons, but from what I understand you cannot change between injectors, cams, etc...

Posted by WildStang (Member # 905) on :

sounds like it would be a cool mod to do to a modular, what would i need to switch over to speed density?

Posted by hidnn.o.s. (Member # 1219) on :

So you are going to keep the car mainly stock and not change any major components or injectors?

Speed density sounds like a cool modification [Confused]

Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on :

You guys are completely missing the big picture here. It doesn't matter which one you run as long as the EEC is tuned. Mass air cars generally are easier to tune and definately more "adaptive" to heads/intake/cam modifications.

Spend your time and money on proven mods like sticky tires, gears and underdrive pullies [Big Grin]

Posted by Mikal (Member # 652) on :

"As long as the diameter of the MAF is equal to or greater than the diameter of the air boxes outlet, the diameter the tubing to and from the MAF and the throttle body diameter, then the MAF sensor won't be the restriction in the intake path. "

And how often is that? [Wink]

There is always a restriction. Air has to flow in and through it. (it may be small tho)

No restriction with SD. [Smile]

-Mike

Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on :

Lets get realistic here. Take a speed density car... stick in a MAF in the intake track and dyno before and after it. Come back and tell me how much RWHP the MAF caused.

People often miss the BIG picture when modifying cars.

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