I just recently swapped a new LT1 into my 1997 trans am because the old one developed a knock. When the swap was complete i drove the car for a few weeks and it developed a wierd idoling problem and would only run for about 30 seconds before sputtering and shutting off.

I cleaned the MAF censor and the air filter and tried it again with the same outcome. I then got curious and unplugged the MAF censor and the car runs beautifully. Any idea why this is happening?

 

Your MAF sensor is toast.

 

You need to do some testing or monitoring with a scanner. I might not be the MAF, it could be wiring to it or even something else. Unplugging a sensor is not a real good way to prove something wrong or troubleshoot. The computer will alter how it controls the engine when an important sensor is unplugged. That could lead you down the wrong path.

 

when you unplug the maf your car should shut off unless u take it off really slowly

 

i wouldnt run the car alot with it off because it may go into speed density and then you got a bigger problem

 

Running in speed density mode shouldn't be a "problem". How do you unplug a MAF slowly?