so i recently installed a 3" cold air intake and the engine started running really rough.

i checked for vacuum leaks and there were wasn't any.

then i tried unplugging the MAF and it ran like normal minus the lack of power above 3500 rpm.

i cleaned the MAF and reinstalled the original air intake and there was no problems at all.

i had the power back and everything. so i tried to put back the cold air and it continued to run rough and almost stall and there was no power.

any clues as to what it could be?

 

I think you solved your own problem in your post.

 

When you install an intake the car will always run rough ive never installed an intake where the car ran normal like it did with the stock intake. With those cone filters it needs to work itself in. It takes at least a good couple weeks before the car will run normal. Also did you disconnect the battery when you installed the intake if not you need to disconnect it and connect it about 10 min later so the ecu resets. The best way to know if your ecu reset is when you put your key in the ignition and when you go to start it your gauges should go all the way up and back down.