Pontiac Repair: 92 Sunbird RPMs Problem, mass air flow sensor, mass air flow

Question
Hi, I have a 1992 Pontiac Sunbird SE 3.1L V6 with 210,000km. When i rev the car, while driving or in park, the engine will not go past 3000rpms. It sounds as if it is hitting a rev limiter or surgeing. The motor was rebuilt around 20,000km ago and as far as i know, it never did this before then. My friend has the identical car and her's doesn't redline until 6500rpms. I've been told it could be the mass airflow sensor or that the heads simply aren't torqued correctly. Could these be the problem? Any help would be greatly appriciated.  

Answer
Hi
I am sure you are hitting the Rev Limiter. If it does it in park, I am sure that is what it is.
While driving, It MAY be the MAF (mass air flow sensor), it could also be the Catalytic Converter. It could be a partially plugged fuel filter or a weak fuel pump.
I would check the basics first.
Is it time for a tune up?
If the heads were not torqued I think you would also be having a coolant loss problem (either internal or external).
Just advice from experience.
Hope this helps.
Good Luck
Pawl