MAF Sensor and cold air intake

[Badley]

I am currently working up my cold air intake on my 68 Camaro. I am running a LT1. I am trying to learn a bit about the role of the Mass Air Flow sensor. Is there a advantage of running a MAF over having your computer switched to Speed density? Is there a 4 inch MAF sensor out there that will be plug and play with the LT1 computer? Is there one brand of MAF sensors out there that is better than another?

Jason