Cold Air Intake

I'm new here. I'm not an idiot but I'm beginning to feel like one.
 
I am an FC freak and I'm currently "pimping & primping" my 88 FC Coupe (Non-Turbo).
 
After being off the road for two years, I'm dinally knees deep in this baby. Recently I &^% up my air meter assy. (MAF) I would rather not spend the coin to replace it since I am planning on installing a custom cold/ram air system that I am in the process of fabing. When it's finfished and WORKING properly I will post pics. It's a really neat idea.
 
Now my baby spits and sputters (only allows me to use one inch of throttle pedal before engine dies).
 
I have locked the air chamber (MAF) open about 50%- no help. If I disconnect it entirely the car becomes a paperweight!
 
My question:
 
When installing a cold air intake; must you still maintain the MAF meter? If not; how is the meter bypassed?
 
Thank all of you for offering your INVALUABLE input and lessons learned. It is GREATLY appreciated by a newcommer to the rotary world like me!
 
RICH

You cannot bypass the AFM running stock Engine Management.

You should be able to find a used one for 40 bucks or less

or you could go with an RTek ECU and delete it completely.

there are some options out there

autozone sells parts to make one its alot better