[quote=GATORB8;384685]I would tend to rule out the maf because changing the plugs temporarily fixed it. How did the used plugs look when they were pulled?[/quot

i didnt have the cai at that time and the plugs werent horrible but it wasnt pretty either

 

Plug condition can help you figure out what is going on. Any look like any of these?

 

Sounds like a noisy cam phaser! Do you have a check engine light?