I'm not sure about 8.1 but at least on 4.3 it'll run with the maf unplugged (defaults to speed density). I had to on my old ZR-2 when it's maf got coated in mud after a mudding.
If it have sparks, it may be injecting too much fuel/too rich and won't start.
It have camshaft position sensor? If so, you can try to unplug crank shaft position sensor and try to start it. It'll take longer cranking though. GM did a nice job and made it to run without some sensors for in case some of them going bad although it can get finicky if some of them still somewhat working and PCM try to use its data and cause problems.