MAF WAI question, any tricks to bypass, reuse etc?

[855R]

1995 Mazda B2300 (Ranger 2.3) 5 speed, 2WD.

I replaced the whole air filter assembly with a high flow filter connected to the intake tube with a PVC pipe. But the MAF sensor is molded into the filter housing. So I just unplugged it and have been driving 2 days without the MAF. It hunts for idle on startup, but otherwise seems to run great. I don't know if the better throttle response is from unplugging the MAF, or from the new intake setup.

The problem though, is that now my Scan Guage reads 9999mpg. So if you're looking for the magic bullet, just unplug your MAF for an instant 10k mpg! Other readings are still available like Load, air & water temp, open/closed loop, TPS, etc.

I thought maybe the MAF unplugged would shove me into open loop all the time, but in reality it actually stays in closed loop mode now, whereas I used to have to keep an eye on it and drop the throttle once in a while to keep it in closed loop.

I guess my question is, has anyone bypassed their MAF in their WAI? Or is there a trick to fool the MAF with resistors or something? My reading is suggesting that the unplugged MAF will result in a lean condition, which is really a good thing anyway, correct? My engine's not high compression, turbo or anything like that, and actually needs to run hotter. I was planning on a hotter thermostat anyway.

It would be nice to read my mpg in real time, but if I get a few extra mpgs out of the mod and have to gauge it by the gas pump, then so be it.