Going back to the factory MAF..........

[Boost]

A1 Cardone, <$100, Tropical Auto Parts

Make sure you open the box and check to get the one that has the connector that points down and not the one that points sideways (Camaro).

 

[Silver 6]

I had an email for the information on the MAF from Advanced. It was a Micro-Tech brand, part number 49-1022, lifetime replacement, and cost was $74.99. And the plug points down. I believe that was less than the cost of the rebuilt they offered.

 

[zam70]

The MicroTech brand has never worked for me. IMO they are junk and should be avoided...others might have different experiences though.

 

[flynavy]

Ok now I'm curious... everyone besides 86Brick seems to be heavily interested in this LS1 MAF setup. Whats the big advantage?

 

[86brick]

I spoke with a guy down here that had put an LS1 MAF/Translator setup on his car (this was a low 11 second TR) and he had some problems with it running lean and popping at the track....... At first he thought it must be the coil pack so he changed that but still it was popping and running lean so finally he decided to try and put the factory MAF sensor back on and after he did his running lean/popping problem went away....... Last time I went to the track with my car it seemed to be running leaner than it should be and I had to run higher FP than I normally should to keep it safe/rich (800-820 O2's with 20-22lbs of boost) so I think I might be having the same problem due to this LS1 MAF/Translator setup (I could be wrong)...... Another reason is I want my car to look like a pretty much bone stock TR when I pop the hood but that's a bit hard to do when you see this big old 3.5" LS1 MAF sensor and a little black box that says "Translator" on it........ Also, I have seen plenty of fast cars down here running the factory MAF sensor (one guy down here has run 10.11 @134mph with a factory MAF sensor) so I really doubt it is helping me any and I like to keep things on my car as simple as possible (for now) so that I can just take it to the track and have a little fun without having to worry about problems......... Basically I think the factory MAF sensor is the best way to fly for me cause I tend to think Buick got it right the first time when they installed these MAF sensors (ask Red Armstrong and he'll tell you the same thing)

BTW, thanks for all the suggestions and from doing a little research I think I'll try and stay away from the hourglassed ones (seems they are more problematic than the others)........

 

[turbo buicks]

Originally posted by 86brick
I spoke with a guy down here that had put an LS1 MAF/Translator setup on his car (this was a low 11 second TR) and he had some problems with it running lean and popping at the track....... At first he thought it must be the coil pack so he changed that but still it was popping and running lean so finally he decided to try and put the factory MAF sensor back on and after he did his running lean/popping problem went away....... Last time I went to the track with my car it seemed to be running leaner than it should be and I had to run higher FP than I normally should to keep it safe/rich (800-820 O2's with 20-22lbs of boost) so I think I might be having the same problem due to this LS1 MAF/Translator setup (I could be wrong)...... Another reason is I want my car to look like a pretty much bone stock TR when I pop the hood but that's a bit hard to do when you see this big old 3.5" LS1 MAF sensor and a little black box that says "Translator" on it........ Also, I have seen plenty of fast cars down here running the factory MAF sensor (one guy down here has run 10.11 @134mph with a factory MAF sensor) so I really doubt it is helping me any and I like to keep things on my car as simple as possible (for now) so that I can just take it to the track and have a little fun without having to worry about problems......... Basically I think the factory MAF sensor is the best way to fly for me cause I tend to think Buick got it right the first time when they installed these MAF sensors (ask Red Armstrong and he'll tell you the same thing)

BTW, thanks for all the suggestions and from doing a little research I think I'll try and stay away from the hourglassed ones (seems they are more problematic than the others)........

OH, OK.

 

[TT/Ameasap]

Hey Brick, I just got back from Advanced discount auto and will have a new cardone unit free of charge tomorrow morning.

Last one lasted 3 months.

Know A guy that has the same problem that your having with the Translator.



HTH
Bo

 

[86brick]

Originally posted by TT/Ameasap
Hey Brick, I just got back from Advanced discount auto and will have a new cardone unit free of charge tomorrow morning.

Last one lasted 3 months.

Know A guy that has the same problem that your having with the Translator.



HTH
Bo

Yeah I think I will try the Cardone unit considering ATR wants $240 for the Tomco unit that they sell........ Either that or maybe (fat chance) I can find somebody selling a low mile or unused OEM Delco unit for a fair price and by fair price I mean no more than say $200-$250

It's at least comforting to know I'm not the only one having a problem with this Translator box thingymajig

 

[salvageV6]

I would email Bob Bailey the version numbers on the translator box and chips inside it. Same with the extender chip itself.

Maybe some upgrades to the software version are in order and will fix your problems reasonably easy.

I wouldn't sell my new in the box MAF's for less than $300 and I do know they work.

NAPA/Echlin made is my third spare stock type MAF and it ran okay for daily driver use in my car, a few years back.

Never raced that aftermarket MAF however.

There really are upgrades and improvements to the translators perhaps giving it another chance is a good idea.

 

[86brick]

Originally posted by salvageV6
I would email Bob Bailey the version numbers on the translator box and chips inside it. Same with the extender chip itself.

Maybe some upgrades to the software version are in order and will fix your problems reasonably easy.

I wouldn't sell my new in the box MAF's for less than $300 and I do know they work.

NAPA/Echlin made is my third spare stock type MAF and it ran okay for daily driver use in my car, a few years back.

Never raced that aftermarket MAF however.

There really are upgrades and improvements to the translators perhaps giving it another chance is a good idea.

I thought about sending it back to Ramchargers, but I really would be pissed if it didn't fix the problem and I would like to get this issue resolved as quick as possible so I can get back to the track....... On a side note I don't blame you for not selling those in the box MAFs for less than $300 considering I've seen a couple sell for as much as $500 Hold on to those suckers and maybe one day they'll be worth $1000!

 

[U1ARUNIT]

As an extremely pleased T+/Extender user I will boldly say that if you are having problems with this setup you probably don't understand it and need some help tuning it, even though they really are self explanitary.

I have used several other chips(not going to mention names) with a stock GM MAF sensor and none of them even come close to the idealness that I have with the T+/Extender setup. It is easy to tune and even easier to just set it and forget it. No fooling with fuel pressure settings, just twist a knob or two if necessary and go. Just that simple. IMHO, Bob's chips are probably the most high tech and industry leading compared to all other chip setups. The amount of STANDARD features included boggles the mind and that is not even taking into consideration the extra things that the end user can set to his/her liking with the Extender Extreme setup for 55# and larger injectors.

Regarding Red Armstrong.. Of course he isn't going to like them, he doesn't offer them for sale. He is still working on his own version that reads higher GPM of MAF but so far I have been told it's till in testing. Has been for quite some time now.

The reason everyone wants to buy it should be very obvious to you.

 

[getchasum]

Know I should have, but I didn't take the time to read all the post. Anyways I've got 4 GOOD working oem MAF's. I would be interested in a trade in one of them for the trans and LT unit you have. All I can tell you is all 4 work 100% PERFECT and are off fairly low mile cars! For how long they work, that's allways a crap shoot. All I can tell you is they work perfect now. send email if interested.

 

[86brick]

Originally posted by U1ARUNIT
As an extremely pleased T+/Extender user I will boldly say that if you are having problems with this setup you probably don't understand it and need some help tuning it, even though they really are self explanitary.

I have used several other chips(not going to mention names) with a stock GM MAF sensor and none of them even come close to the idealness that I have with the T+/Extender setup. It is easy to tune and even easier to just set it and forget it. No fooling with fuel pressure settings, just twist a knob or two if necessary and go. Just that simple. IMHO, Bob's chips are probably the most high tech and industry leading compared to all other chip setups. The amount of STANDARD features included boggles the mind and that is not even taking into consideration the extra things that the end user can set to his/her liking with the Extender Extreme setup for 55# and larger injectors.

Regarding Red Armstrong.. Of course he isn't going to like them, he doesn't offer them for sale. He is still working on his own version that reads higher GPM of MAF but so far I have been told it's till in testing. Has been for quite some time now.

The reason everyone wants to buy it should be very obvious to you.

Mark, I don't have the Translator+ or an Extender chip so I can't play with the timing and/or air:fuel adjustments (don't know where you got the idea I did)........ I simply have a Translator and an LS1 MAF....... I'm using Red's 93 street chip and his 108 race chip with this setup....... As far as the statement about Red not liking them because he doesn't sell them that is your opinion and he never told me he doesn't like them rather he has said that he thinks the factory MAF is plenty good for our cars well into the 9 second range (that has already been proven by him and several others)......

I didn't want this thread to turn into an argument of LS1 MAF vs. factory MAF or a Ramchargers vs. Red Armstrong debate....... Both the factory MAF setup and the LS1 MAF setup are being used with good results as well as the various chips that are out there......

Different strokes for different folks

 

[turbo buicks]

Originally posted by 86brick
Mark, I don't have the Translator+ or an Extender chip so I can't play with the timing and/or air:fuel adjustments

ummm, i got a regular translator (v 5.2) and LT1 MAF and i can adjust fueling but not spark. did the earlier translators not come with fueling adjustments? BTW, you dont need an Extender chip to play with the fueling.

 

[Intercooler]

I think I have about the earliest version available and inside you can switch from 3" to 3.5" and also set the fuel from lean to rich in percentages. My translator is pictured on GNTTPE.ORG with the cover off where you can see all this info. I wouldn't go back to a stocker but that is just me. It just takes some tuning and O2 numbers are worthless. EGT numbers will give you a better feel of what is taking place.

 

[BEATAV8]

Hi Brick, I'd be willing to trade you one of my stock MAF's for your LS1 unit. I have 3 of them stockers laying around. I'll send it, you can try it and make sure you like it, then send me the LS1 piece when you are sure you are happy with the stocker. How's that sound?

 

[U1ARUNIT]

Originally posted by 86brick
Mark, I don't have the Translator+ or an Extender chip so I can't play with the timing and/or air:fuel adjustments (don't know where you got the idea I did)........

Since you cannot run a new type MAF w/o a Translator one can only assume that you did have one. I added the Extender chip info to my post just to let you know that it really works for me.

Red once told me that he doesn't like them so no I am not assuming that he doesn't.

Blaming the Translator and LS1 MAF for your problems is okay with me I am just saying that I am sure that it can be fixed. Besides if you are only running a regular chip you will not benefit from the ability to read the increased fueling and this will only allow more airflow which could cause a lean condition. huummm...

 

[86brick]

Well I was told not to touch the fueling unless I had an Extender chip therefore I haven't.......... Rather than buy an Extender and play around with this Translator thingymajig (HP in a box, right?) I would like to keep it as simple as possible (as I said before in this thread) and get me a stock type MAF and run my regular RA chips....... It might not make sense to some, but it makes plenty to me because I know how I like my car to run and how to tune without playing with all of these adjustments........ The stock type MAF and Red's chips are dummy proof and are perfect for a guy like me that just likes to add some $7.50 a gallon gas, one of his race chips, and just play with the boost/FP until I see some nice safe O2 #'s (yeah I know Jesse they are useless and I need to get an EGT)..... Funny thing is I have never blown a HG or done any damage by just watching some O2 #'s and looking to see if I have any knock (detonation) on the good old ScanMaster....... Hell, I guess I'm one of those guys Geno mentioned before with the plug and prey chips LOL!

Until I can afford a FAST system and a Stage motor I will keep it simple cause that is the cheapest/safest way for me to have a little fun at the track with my Brick, I mean Buick

BTW, I am going to buy a Cardone unit or possibly a rebuilt OEM unit and then when I take the LS1 MAF off I will be looking to trade it for a good OEM Delco unit or just sell it so I'll keep all of you guys in mind that want to trade..........

Thanks again for all the replies

 

[Mike Licht]

Originally posted by 86brick
Well I was told not to touch the fueling unless I had an Extender chip therefore I haven't.......... Rather than buy an Extender and play around with this Translator thingymajig (HP in a box, right?)Thanks again for all the replies

Well who ever told you that was giving you bad info. You can certainly use the fuel adjustments with this unit. The problem is that after the computer sees 255 it will no longer add fuel. If you are still lean you have a chip problem or too small fuel injectors or pump. The Translator will NOT make the car run lean unless you adjust it to make it run lean. I certainly understand you do not uderstand the function of the unit or how to use it. I also understand if you just want it to be simple, no problem. But don't make statements that are simply not true because you don't understand the system or have bad info from someone. I am the source of this product (Bob and I work together) please give me a call or drop me an e-mail if you need help or an instruction manual. Oh yea, HP in a box? - YES!
Mike Licht

 

[86brick]

Originally posted by Mike Licht
Well who ever told you that was giving you bad info. You can certainly use the fuel adjustments with this unit. The problem is that after the computer sees 255 it will no longer add fuel. If you are still lean you have a chip problem or too small fuel injectors or pump. The Translator will NOT make the car run lean unless you adjust it to make it run lean. I certainly understand you do not uderstand the function of the unit or how to use it. I also understand if you just want it to be simple, no problem. But don't make statements that are simply not true because you don't understand the system or have bad info from someone. I am the source of this product (Bob and I work together) please give me a call or drop me an e-mail if you need help or an instruction manual. Oh yea, HP in a box? - YES!
Mike Licht

I understand where you're coming from Mike and I probably shouldn't have jumped the gun and said the Translator was causing my lean condition (guess I could have played around with this thing a bit, but I'm too lazy and like to keep it simple)......... I know for a fact it has nothing to do with my injectors or fuel pump considering I have 009's (42.5lb injectors) and a hotwired 340 Walbro fuel pump and my combo is very mild (the basic little bolt-ons with a TA-49 turbo, stock IC, and even the stock DP/elbow at this point)....... You and Bob Bailey are smart guys and I'm just a dummy that uses your ScanMaster to tune my car

BTW, I knew the HP in a box comment would get your attention

Later.