The very first thing you should do, or anyone should do when they have severe problems such as this, is retrieve the codes from the computer. There's a good explanation on how to do this on Corral.net under the Electronics section of the technical articles. All you really need is a piece of wire with spade connectors on each end. I keep one in my glove box now.
Can you describe a little more about what you mean by removing the air intake off of the MAF? Did you just pull the hose off of the throttle body side of the MAF sensor? Did you actually disconnect the connector going to the MAF?
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351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible