GM MAF translator

[DSM_GSX01]

yes i am going to be buying a GM translator and i had some question about it? i have been doing some reading and looking for my answers but cant. one of them is do i need any kind of dsm link or anything after install?

 

[bryanwheat]

yes i am going to be buying a GM translator and i had some question about it? i have been doing some reading and looking for my answers but cant. one of them is do i need any kind of dsm link or anything after install?

Are you buying a gm maf or a maf translator. With the maf translator you don't need anything else but the gm maf sensor. Why are you buying this setup? For the money there are better setups out there.

 

[DSM_GSX01]

the translator and that replaces the stock MAF correct? and i want to buy this because i am gonna be rebuilding my engine and making modifications on it. and what other setups are there?

 

[bryanwheat]

the translator and that replaces the stock MAF correct? and i want to buy this because i am gonna be rebuilding my engine and making modifications on it. and what other setups are there?

No the translator doesn't replace the stock maf sensor. You use a gm maf sensor to replace the stock maf and the translator translates the signal to be compatible with the stock ecu. Unless you are planning on making 500+ horsepower you don't need anything like this. The stock maf is perfectly suitable. What are you planning on doing to the engine modification wise?

 

[DSM_GSX01]

maf_translator_dsm.jpg

i am getting my cylinder head done right now. its 97-99 head. and i want to go with forged pistons and rods and crank. i dont know what brands to use though. and i got a stage 3 tranny rebuild

and i see how the translator work now. and so you take the old one out and put the GM one? also it goes after the intake and before the BOV correct?

 

[bryanwheat]

maf_translator_dsm.jpg

i am getting my cylinder head done right now. its 97-99 head. and i want to go with forged pistons and rods and crank. i dont know what brands to use though. and i got a stage 3 tranny rebuild

and i see how the translator work now. and so you take the old one out and put the GM one? also it goes after the intake and before the BOV correct?

None of what you listed will make any more power so the stock maf is perfectly fine. When you get a bigger turbo and injectors it would be a good idea to go with ecmlink or ecuflash and a black box ecu.

 

[DSM_GSX01]

i have a bigger turbo already. i am also getting injectors for it. and i have a walbro 255 fuel pump.

 

[snowborder714]

If you want to talk yourself into getting it (possibly to vent your bov), then you can do that. But there are people who have put down some quick times and a lot of horsepower on a stock MAS.

Is there a specific reason you want to go to a GM MAF? Vent bov, getting a good deal on a setup, something else? Ideally, I'd suggest using stock MAS and then switch over to a speed density setup. The GM MAF has it's issues, which I'm sure you can read about if you search (mainly in regards to weather changes).

Bryan's guiding you in the right direction.

 

[bryanwheat]

which I'm sure you can read about if you search

Do people do this anymore?

 

[DSM_GSX01]

it gets in my way and i think i will be a good investment. sense it vents ## BOV will it be louder? also speed density i will look it up.

 

[snowborder714]

Good investment? Nope. ECMlink would be a good investment.

Yes, your bov will be louder if you vent it.

FYI, you can't really tune with the MAFT if you plan on trying that. It's one of the most useless tuning devices available.

 

[ed1380]

I'm running a gm maf and I love it. No worries about boost leaks or car being undriveable after you pop off a coupler. It definitely cleans up the engine bay, and gives you the opportunity to run a cold air intake. Obviously it gets rid of the stock maf and the need for stupid oval filter adapters, etc.

 

[DSM_GSX01]

so what do you suggest i get so i can tune my car?

did u have any problems with it? also it goes between your BOV and your intake right?

 

[ed1380]

yup it's between the bov and tb.

You can do a rough tune with the maft. You can also run maft + safc, if you're goals are under 400hp

 

[DSM_GSX01]

ok so ecmlick is a good way to tune your car? and speed density will that work with the ecmlink?

ok if you do a rough tune how do you do that?and whats safc

 

[bryanwheat]

ok so ecmlick is a good way to tune your car? and speed density will that work with the ecmlink?

ok if you do a rough tune how do you do that?and whats safc

Yes and yes, all of this information is on this site already if you use the search button at the top of the page.

 

[synthetek]

ok so ecmlick is a good way to tune your car? and speed density will that work with the ecmlink?

ok if you do a rough tune how do you do that?and whats safc

Ecmlink will allow you to run speed density or gm maf, without the need for a maf translator, and would be a lot better than going with a maft + safc.

 

[DSM_GSX01]

ok thanks.i have looked and haven't even heard of speed density. thanks

 

[ed1380]

Ecmlink is awesome but expensive. $500-600 plus $90 for the GM maf cable. If you're getting the maft for cheaper than $90 by all means get it and run it until you save up for link. And then when you get link, just set the maft for zero tune and do all your tuning with link.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Well lite is the way to go to get started, you can run sd too, i got link full and lots of nice features if you get a translator grab a palm pilot. I got my translator set up for less than link lite off ebay i was fortunate to get everything i needed a few years ago,

 

[DSM_GSX01]

yea i have been wondering about dsmlink and what it offers? i have been reading up on it for about a year. i have been wanting to install one but i have heard there a bit expensive. if the speed density cable can work with dsm link then isn't a GM MAF translator a waist of money?

 

[92AWDHX40]

No it isnt its a great place to start, sd isnt just throwing parts in the car, and expecting it to run like a stock car. Get link if you choose and you can always run sd later, pick any maf you want, but you need to start somewhere until you learn more about link and how it works.

 

[ed1380]

yea i have been wondering about dsmlink and what it offers? i have been reading up on it for about a year. i have been wanting to install one but i have heard there a bit expensive. if the speed density cable can work with dsm link then isn't a GM MAF translator a waist of money?

Speed density isn't just a cable. It's calculations based upon manifold pressure and air temperature. You need to wire in a map and iat sensor, then build and tune a VE table. It's fairly complicated IMO

 

[DSM_GSX01]

i agree i need to start somewhere and also learn more about how it works. i just dont know where to start at? i have been reading on dsmlink for about a year n want to install it. the thing that i am wondering is where i should start and with witch of these parts?

 

[92AWDHX40]

get link, and the gm maf, get a translator, plug it all up, and watch the demos it will walk you through the basics, thats how you get started. Again you have to start somewhere, so make this your homework assignment.