I think I know what the other guy is talking about with the vette and unhooking the MAF causing the power-loss thing, but this isn't the same problem at all. This problem isn't even consistent.
I'm not talking about the Maf Rationality Test. I've never seen a good explanation, but it is said the 1998 MAF is involved in torque measurements and shifting. But if you had the problem with the MAF hooked up that's not it. Unless you had changed MAF values.