very good info to know j.fro thanks a lot!
i am suspecting the MAF as well i was just trying to make sure i have the right one and after thinking some more about it i realized that i most likely have the newer model MAF but even with my 2001 year model engine that i recently replaced the DME is still from a 2000 year model. i guess i mistakenly kept thinking 2001 year model for everything related to the engine. wrong..
so i will double check the part number on the MAF i have installed and buy the older version. if this is indeed the problem i will smack myself over the head