Leaving the MAF unplugged

[BlackDogSociety]

I have a 94 Ranger 5-speed 2.3L with multi-port fuel injection and 260 K miles on the original engine with no major engine work. I recently removed the air muffler and re-built the CAI using 3" ABS pipe. I got a noticeable increase in responsiveness and even documented a 5% - 9% increase in MPG. However I still use the stock air box and the standard air filter designed for my truck.

I understand that the computer for my truck uses the TPS by default to determine how much fuel to use whenever there is no signal from the MAF sensor. Since I have already reduced the air restriction on the intake if I unplug the MAF in theory it will further lean out the A/F ratio and give me better MPG. In a test I did this morning it ran almost like it did with the MAF plugged in, with a cold and then warm engine.

My question is how can I tell if it's too lean? What kind of signs will I need to look for? And what could be the long term effects if I leave it unplugged indefinitely?

Ultimately I plan on adding a Hydrogen Injection system, no not one of those on-board electrolysis system, a true H2 injection system using a H2 storage tank. My goal is to top 40 MPG in my old truck.

Any thoughts from anyone?

 

[RangerFabWorks]

this aplies to turbo cars from what ive done, but when you disconnect the maf, the computer goes into rich mode, meaning your car runs more rich so as not to detonate. im not sure if this is how your truck would be but this is one 5 different cars ive worked on and it all ended the same. oil is dilluted with gas.

 

[CheapRanger]

I recently removed the air muffler and re-built the CAI using 3" ABS pipe. However I still use the stock air box and the standard air filter designed for my truck.

Thoughts, yes

 

[BlackDogSociety]

Actually my Ranger now gets just under 24 MPG with the modifications I've done so far. I had an ICM failure that caused occasional periods of misfires. It was so bad that I finally took it to the shop and they replaced the ICM. But before they did the unburned fuel from the misfires burned in the CAT causing it to get red hot. This burned out O2 sensor and cracked the CAT at the seam. I replaced the CAT but decided to do a little testing before I replace the O2 sensor. See the data here:

http://www.neosbiosphere.com/project/mileage.htm

After driving my truck with the MAF unplugged for about 80 miles I have decided to plug it back in. With the MAF unplugged there was a hesitation in acceleration and I think it will hurt my MPG gains. Thanks blackwidow67 it does look like the computer goes into a rich mode...