At what point does a stock EVO8 MAF max out,or SD tune become a necessity ? Coming from the LS world,we can max one out on a stroker at around 6-7 psi and then move into PE tables for tuning.Does the smaller CID engine allow greater range before the MAF is an issue ? As I understand,these cars use the MAP for EGR funtion,NOT tuning or fuel /VE table info ? Sorry,all this is new to me,and somewhat difficult to find in search mode.

 

There are advantages to both setups. The MAF setup can take you well into the 500whp range. The MAF sensor is a restriction and power can always be had by converting to Speed Density, no matter the power level. BUT, you can still make plenty of power with the MAF setup and you still retain the features that come a long with the stock MAF setup. Ease of use, ease of tune and setup, are just a few. SD conversion takes time and can be more difficult to setup and tune. I suggest keeping the MAF until you reach the 500whp mark. Then, at that point, you should decide to go further with MAF or convert to SD.

5-10whp can be had from eliminating the MAF sensor on the stock turbo. These number will increase as the power level increases and/or you move to a larger turbo. Another advantage of converting to SD is the fact that you can use a 4in intake, if you run an aftermarket turbo that will allow the use of such an intake(i.e. Stock Frame turbo, t3 or t4 flanged turbo kit or any turbo with a inlet of 80mm or larger) You decide.

 

Mellon has put down 705 awhp (Dyno vid posted on here somwhere) with the stock ECU and Stock MAF. I believe that is the current tops for the stock MAF setup.

 

Thank you both for the response.I dont intend(at least not yet) to breach 500 whp so I suppose its not a concern at all right now.I suppose in the future I will look into it if it shows to be an issue,I do like the daily drivability of a MAF tune vs typical SD tune,at least what I have experienced.

 

Actually Sd drives better than maf...just takes time to set up

 

But man once it is setup its the only way to go.

Alot depends on cams to me. I can make most turbos work with the MAF, but bigger cams that have alot of airflow change in the lope cycle create a really bad feedback loop. With a MAP based setup the load stays fairly constant vs vacuum so its not a problem.

SD.

 

wrong. AWD Motorsports has the record for MAF and stock ECU. They made 719awhp. I made 591awhp with stock MAF and ECU, and my car drives just fine on pump with ID2000s and E85. It's really all about your tuner. With the right tune, alot can be accomplished on the stock ECU and MAF

 

good info!

aaron, did i hear you the other day something about you doing a write up on why maf is truly better then sd? or was that vice versa?

 

That will be a magazine article It is going to be why SD is better than a MAF.

 

Can't you upgrade the MAF if you wanted to stick with a MAF? If I was to push my car that far I would need to stick with MAF because I live in the mountains and I change elevation quite often.

 

The most elevation change we have done is 6000 ft (sea level to the lodge at Mt. Bachelor). I would like to test it on some cars that operate above that (or take mine higher) but in the first mile up it doesnt seem to affect it much.

 

I am almost a mile above sea level now. But I travel up the mountains leaving the city and If I get up there to fast with a MAF I have issues. Lol it makes me look like a newb driver because I kill the car.

 

dont even bother with the MAF, i just converted my car to SD recently and the car drives SO much better on it than it ever did with the MAF

 

SD= doesnt matter the power level, removes alot of problems and issues that MAF throws @ the car

 

So living in the mountains as previous poster stated,I may change elevation approx 2500ft + in 1/2 hr of driving. The other issue is I suspect that to do an SD tune on these,the MAF is zero'ed or "failed" in order to enter SD mode ? Thus,setting codes which will fail our OBD2 emissions test. I know,cant have it all,and on my other car,I keep a MAF based tune just for emissions purposes.Everyones opinion seems to vary on the drivability,most with a spot on SD tune are VERY happy,and most are not experiencing elevation change as drastic as we do. Maybe I am asking too much,I guess I can see what the car does and go from there.