I know you are running a non vgt turbo so I don't think it matters as much... but here is some food for thought for the vgt guys
Take this for what it is worth because it was not a personal experience... "hearsay"... Can't know exactly what was going on because it was not being data logged... but this is what we think happened to someone I know. On a really hard WOT run he got a little bit of water/coolant under the motor and got the maf wet... it confused the vgt vanes and slammed them shut sending back pressure through the roof. Truck fell right on its face and immediately blew the head gaskets... BAD!!! Turbo was fine
So... I don't claim to know exactly what the MAF sensors function is but I have always understood that the vgt solenoid is controlled by MAP, MAF, and EBP sensors (depending on inferred vs non inferred). I would imagine a non-vgt turbo would not need the maf sensor... but I would be afraid of the affects of running a MAF sensor just dangling under the hood if it in fact does control the vgt vanes. At least cover it and keep it protected.