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Mustang ECU and aftermarket MAF

377

Sr. Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2012
Messages
372
Loc.
The Bluegrass State
I have been slowly collecting parts to convert my rig to EFI. When I started the process I had a motor,harness and ECU out of the same car. But that along with the 16 ft trailer it was sitting on was stolen. So now I am collecting individual pieces. I found a C3W computer recently but it was just the computer, if I understand correctly the MAF has to match the computer. Can the computer be reflashed to match an aftermarket MAF? Thank you in advance for your help.

377
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
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Jun 4, 2002
Messages
35,719
EFIguy will step in, I'm sure.
The MAF has to match the computer. So long as it is the right part it will work, doesn't have to be the MAF the computer was born with, but does have to be one with the correct programming in it.

-or-

You get the computer programmed to match the MAF you are going to use. At which point you can use nearly anything. Suggest using a factory MAF as any future servicing you will be able to find the part again. Aftermarket MAF can leave you screwed if it ever needs to be replaced 3 years after the company goes under or quits making that one.

The MAF has a calibration to it. For X amount of air flowing through it send voltage Y. Some MAFs (especially one "calibrated" for larger injectors) have a funky shape to this XY curve. It is how they calibrate the MAF, send the wrong voltage to the computer. On the surface this sounds like a simple fix. Say you get one for 30Lb injectors. Programming is for 19Lb injectors. The meter measures the air, puts in the 19/30 correction "calibration" and tells the computer that the engine is only receiving 19/30 the amount of air it is really receiving. The computer than fires the injector short, but being oversized makes up for it. That almost works. Injectors have a response time to them that is part of the computer programming, that is ignored. The timing is calculated based on load but now the computer doesn't really know the airflow thus doesn't know the true load and the timing is whack. And many other subtle programming parameters that are now completely off since the load isn't really known.

Have you considered trying to find a whole Explorer V8? Since it sounds like you are starting over (that sucks) the Explorer V8 is one nice complete package to use. Not only the EFI but the good intake and the best accessory drive all in one package.
 

surfer-b

Contributor
Bronco Guru
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Sep 7, 2006
Messages
2,987
Here is some info I just copied from a Mustang forum, the 1st paragraph should answer your Q, EFI Guy can confirm if this is ligit.
The A9P is based on slightly older code (GUF1) so there are some differences between it and the A9L (GUFB). The A9P's brother EECs that are 100% interchangeable with it are the C3W and C3W1. They are to the A9P the way all those other EECs mentioned are to the A9L. Notice the codes GUF1 and GUFB. Those are memory strategy codes. All EECs following the same strategy can be loaded with the same parameters of any other EEC of the same strategy.

The A9P code is missing some idle control logic that the A9L has. And the settings in the code that's common between the two are fairly different. It's quite possible for someone to notice the difference between an A9P and A9L, but surprisingly MOST people with manual trannys don't. In fact, the only people that notice the difference are people with automatics that replace their A9P (tuned for automatics) with an A9L (tuned for manuals). What they notice is when they put the tranny in gear, the engine could stumble or completely conk out when the tranny loads up the engine in drive/reverse. With a tuning device, this is 100% tunable for in the A9L because the A9L has ALL the code the A9P has...just different settings/parameters.

The A9T is another EEC that follows the same memory strategy as A9P. The A9T was tuned for the State Patrol 5.0L Mustangs in the late 80s and early 90s. They are rich-tuned in Closed Loop, but at WOT run a bit leaner than stock A9P. The stock 5.0L GT EECs are notorious for being overly rich at WOT to the point of loosing power. Presumably Ford made the assumption that people would put mods on the engine and to be safe, it is rich-tuned...better to be too rich than too lean. Another benefit the A9T has over the A9P is a higher spark advance at WOT and non-WOT conditions. I have no clue what mechanical differences there were between the stock GTs and the State Patrol 5.0Ls, but the tune is certainly different and obviously directed to improve performance. The only non-performance difference in the tune is a slightly higher EGR flow likely to help with NOx emissions due to the higher spark advance.

Interestingly the A9L has a similar cousin EEC that follows its strategy called the X3Z. The X3Z is the EEC used on the 93 Cobra. It is NOT a direct drop-in for the A9L because of 2 very important differences amongst 100s of minor differences. The X3Z was tuned expecting 24lb injectors and a 70mm MAF which is the main reason it isn't a direct swap. But because it follows the same strategy as the A9L, you can load an X3Z tune into an A9L using the TwEECer or Moates chip.

One of the most interesting differences about the X3Z is it supports Decel Fuel Shut-Off (DFSO) where none of the Mustang GT tunes have this enabled. What this does is turns off the injectors when the RPMs are held high at closed throttle by a manual tranny. So for instance, if you have DFSO enabled and coast down a hill in gear, the EEC will literally stop firing the injectors so you burn no fuel going down a hill. This does create additional engine braking as compared to an engine without DFSO enabled. Higher compression and stroker engines experience a fair amount of additional engine braking,
 

xcntrk

Bronco Guru
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Jan 12, 2012
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Loc.
NOVA
A lot of information above about the MAF sensor and calibration to the computer. Do you have an actual MAF housing yet? What about throttle body?

If I had it to do again I would just buy an aftermarket MAF (sensor and housing) and matched throttle body rather than sourcing those stock parts used and overhauling them. Sure it's a little more money but you can get a 65-70mm MAF/TB with the maf sensor still calibrated for 19lb injectors (stock 5.0). This allows you to uncork the restrictive 55mm stock MAF/TB inlet with something larger, while maintaining the same 19lb injector size so the computer is happy. So unless you have a larger displacement or stroked motor, 19lb injectors should be just fine.

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com...M-Mass-Air-Meter-For-19LB-Injectors-86-93-W-S

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com...hrottle-Body-And-EGR-Spacer-50L-Mustang-86-93
 

EFI Guy

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All Fox body Mustang MAFs will interchange with any Fox Mustang PCM. The only exception is the 93 Cobra (X3Z) mentioned above.

Some people (I'm NOT one of them) run the larger 94-95 mustang MAF on a stock Fox body PCM without issue. While the transfers are not the same they are very close. Probably closer than any "calibrated" MAF.

The Mustang PCM can't be flashed directly, but you can write a custom chip to install in them if you are running an aftermarket MAF. If you were going to go that route I'd just upgrade to an 2005-2010 OE Ford slot MAF (from the junk yard). Drop it in an aftermarket housing and call it a day. It's cheaper than the aftermarket offerings and yet much more accurate than the Fox era MAFs. But, that requires a custom chip, which runs about the same as an aftermarket MAF.


The last one I did using a 3" tube and my generic 3" transfer and had fuel trims within 3%.

That sucks to hear about your trailer. I hope they find the guy pinned underneath it! If you are stuck starting completely over then you might look in to the Explorer option a little more. The parts are easier to find, better flowing than stock Mustang stuff, and newer tech in general. But.... I may be a little biased... Details in the link in my sig.
 
OP
OP
3

377

Sr. Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2012
Messages
372
Loc.
The Bluegrass State
Guys,
I really appreciate your answers. Garry, you and I actually spoke about you working on my old PCM and harness. I have one thing I am not completely tracking you on. I can use my C3W PCM with a 2005 to 2010 MAF but I will need a chip? As for the explorer stuff it really interests me but in my area it seems most exploders are the V6 variety . I do have an exploder front dress/Wild Horses Saginaw conversion. I really like that set up. Garry if it isn't a problem could you pm your phone number. I would like to give you a call so I can talk to you about reworking a harness when I get one. Thanks again I really appreciate your help.

377
 

EFI Guy

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Correct. The transfer functions are different, hence the need for the chip. The plug is also different, so you either solder on the pigtail that you get with the MAF or buy the adapter plug.

PM incoming.
 
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