Pros/Cons of Speed density tuning HCI LS1

[BADNBLK]

Hey guys I'm still pretty wet behind the ears on the LS engine stuff and in the process of piling my parts for my engine swap, but had a couple questions on Speed density tuning?

I'm mainly planning on running a custom twin air intake, and the MAF placement may become an issue. I have seen many running without MAF using a speed density tune. A buddy of mine is trying to tell me that removing the MAF from the system and tuning around it will likely offer more headaches than benifit. I thought I'd check with some of you guys here that I have seen running no MAF first.

Thanks in advance
Brandon

[71RS/SS396]

My experience has been that part throttle/cruise manners are better with the MAF.
The tuning will get more involved with speed density but not impossible. GM went back and forth between the 2 in the era your car was built and ultimately stayed with MAF for it's efficiency. Why are you going to use a twin intake? If it's for aesthetics than I get it, but it won't increase the airflow, the flow will be restricted to the amount of air the single tube can flow after the split.

[BADNBLK]

It is merely for aesthetics that I plan on using the air intake in a "twin" design. I prefer a balanced look as possible underhood. So using a 4" tubing running to both side of the radiator is more form over function at this point, but I have done lots of form over function in other areas. Do it once and do it right. My car is really used all around from day to day cruise, to autocross, and some drag... not sure how much that will change when running a couple hundred more HP than current. Thanks for the input, and I fully expect to need some dyno tuning time to sort everything out when we get there.

Anyone else have experience or advise on the subject?

[Mkelcy]

It is merely for aesthetics that I plan on using the air intake in a "twin" design. I prefer a balanced look as possible underhood. So using a 4" tubing running to both side of the radiator is more form over function at this point, but I have done lots of form over function in other areas. Do it once and do it right. My car is really used all around from day to day cruise, to autocross, and some drag... not sure how much that will change when running a couple hundred more HP than current. Thanks for the input, and I fully expect to need some dyno tuning time to sort everything out when we get there.

Anyone else have experience or advise on the subject?

If it's really form over function - and this may be a silly idea - you could have one of the two tubes completely blocked off and run a MAF on the functioning tube.

[BADNBLK]

If it's really form over function - and this may be a silly idea - you could have one of the two tubes completely blocked off and run a MAF on the functioning tube.

So your against the speed density tune then? I could do so, but a MAF would look crazy silly on just one side of the intake...

This is very similar to what I am planning. May twin air intake tubes in not the best way to describe this.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/03/intake1_zps1a30ecad-1.jpg (http://s808.photobucket.com/user/BADNBLK91/media/camaro/LS1%20swap/intake1_zps1a30ecad.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/03/intake2_zpsbb82114e-1.jpg (http://s808.photobucket.com/user/BADNBLK91/media/camaro/LS1%20swap/intake2_zpsbb82114e.jpg.html)

[mitch_04]

If you have the room to put a MAF but are worried about getting an accurate reading due to the turbulent airflow caused by the pipes merging just ahead of it, you can put in a honeycomb just like the factory. That would help "straighten" out your airflow to get a good reading. Combine that with a newer card-style MAF and I think you would be OK.
Combine this
http://www.treadstoneperformance.com/product.phtml?p=2096&cat_key=467&prodname=HoneyComb+MAF+Mass+Air+Meter+Airflow+Stra ightener
with this
http://www.treadstoneperformance.com/product.phtml?p=2604&cat_key=467&prodname=GMC+Silverado%2C+Sierra%2C+Chevy+Tahoe%2C +Yukon%2C+Suburban+MAF+Flange+Adapter


Just my 2 cents...

[BADNBLK]

If you have the room to put a MAF but are worried about getting an accurate reading due to the turbulent airflow caused by the pipes merging just ahead of it, you can put in a honeycomb just like the factory. That would help "straighten" out your airflow to get a good reading. Combine that with a newer card-style MAF and I think you would be OK.
Combine this
http://www.treadstoneperformance.com/product.phtml?p=2096&cat_key=467&prodname=HoneyComb+MAF+Mass+Air+Meter+Airflow+Stra ightener
with this
http://www.treadstoneperformance.com/product.phtml?p=2604&cat_key=467&prodname=GMC+Silverado%2C+Sierra%2C+Chevy+Tahoe%2C +Yukon%2C+Suburban+MAF+Flange+Adapter


Just my 2 cents...

Good suggestion! Thanks. That site is great BTW all sorts of neat goodies I want to buy in addition to everything else I wanna buy.

[TheMeat]

Speed Density tune on my car with 5" intake pipe. No driving issues that I can tell.

Find a tuner that knows what they are doing and it will not be an issue for you either.

[Typhoon1015]

MAF may be a bit more refined, but a SD tune can work just as well.