midnight50blues

I dont't have air mass flow sensor on the intake. Did 87 come with it? My 89 did. I was looking around and saw 88 have mass flow sensor too. I was told that 87 was the faster 5.0 because of had less restriction. Is it true?

Wish I still kept my 89

PJB

'86-'88 had speed density instead of mass air.
Before you do any major work to the motor (cam, heads, etc) youll need to convert it to mass air.

midnight50blues

I'm planning to get some cams later. Why do I need mass air? What does mass air does? When I install mass air, do I take out speed density?

PJB

Youll need to swap computers to a mass air one.
SD doesnt respond well to mods.

BTW- theres only one cam in a 302.

DIMMER

Or do like me and swap to carb. But a maf is a eazyer conversion.. Reasion y you need to swap is speed density runs off vacume and with larger cams they produce less vacume there for it makes your SD useless. Cause it cant read the vacume. With MAF it measures the air comming into the intake there for you can put a cam in it with lobes the size of garbage cans if you wish lmao. Doesnt matter what the vacume pressure is with MAF. But this is just the basic idea of it all. Hope that helps.

hunter5.0

you will need to find a 5.0 at a junk yard if you have a 5sp you will need a A9L computer or if you have a auto you will need the A9P you will also need a mass air harness out of a 88 or 89 you can get one out of a newer car they just had air bags so theres a couple extra connectors to confuse the swap . Its not a hard swap at all i just did mine yesterday it took me about 3 hours total that included taking it off the other car and taking my sd out and installing my A9L and harness but dont waste your time with speed density it can not be modded

nyfreakinrican7

1988 was the crossover year some have speed density and some have mass air systems. Check the local junkyards,ebay and these forums for the parts you need to make the conversion it will be well worth it in the end.

Rt1Rebel

The speed density system you have is faster than mass air, both stock or for minor bolt-ons, but as has been mentioned, you will need to convert if you plan on heads, forced induction or a cam swap. I'd stick with it as long as you don't do any of the major upgrades mentioned.

The speed density is fasterbecause it tends to run lean on the air /fuel ratio, especiallyat WOT. I wouldn't be surprised if the restriction of the stock MAS wasn't also a factor.

midnight50blues

Thanks to everyone for your advice. I'll keep the speed density system till I'll do something major.