Q about CAI and IAT sensor

[jeffmsp]

hey guys,

If you pull out your IAT sensor and place it somewhere hot the temp reading will retard timing after 4800rpm right, so then if you have a CAI you are just advancing the timing since the IAT reads colder air right? Any ideas about where to put it so that I am not adding timing or retarding? The gains of my AEM seem to about equal the gain you would get advancing a disty a few degrees, I think that it the only reason these things make any difference, the rest it just sounds and faster spool from what Im gathering here.

Thoughts? Does this sound right? Did anyones else notice a drop in low,low end torque with the CAI (like 1500-2800rpm)

 

[jersey_emt]

The IAT belongs in the intake piping. I suggest you keep it there.

Just my $0.02

 

[Puckpimp71]

As long as it's near the filter and secured, I don't think it's going to hurt anything. A few degrees temp isn't going cause problems. I noticed a drop in low TQ like you. I think it's from the air taking a slightly longer path to the engine. Yesterday I switched my Injen to SRI since the temps are dropping a bit down here and low end tq jumped up significantly, at least according to he butt dyno. On the highway, I think my car preffered the CAI set-up, but who knows? It's all just a big guess on my part.

 

[low_psi]

Yea, just keep it in the intake

Puckpimp- where did you put your IAT sensor when you made it into a SRI?

 

[Puckpimp71]

I just but near the bottom of where the intake sits now. Kinda by the hole where the CAI originally went through.

 

[low_psi]

its not in the pipe?

 

[mp5jeff]

mines not in a pipe been running it like that for a while...although the car is down atm, but once its up again ill be running it the same again

 

[mp5jeff]

placing it in the filter, or placing it around the filter won't make much difference, the air is going to be pretty much the same temp....

 

[Puckpimp71]

yupyup IAT isn't some high-tech unstable piece that's going to short at a moment's notice. It's a thermometer covered in plastic. As long as the temps it's reading are close to what's actually going in the engine, you'll be fine.

 

[Matthew]

The IAT belongs in the intake piping. I suggest you keep it there.

Just my $0.02

werd. currently i have a nice battery light because my IAT sensor was sheared off.

 

[Puckpimp71]

What in the world is in that area of the engine bay than can shear it off???

 

[Matthew]

the sheet metal around where a CAI would go. i had it lined completely with vacuum hose that i cut a slit in, except about 1 inch, where the IAT managed to slip to and get sheared off. i ahvent talked to mazda yet, but i cant find one anywhere. youre looking at 30+ at least to replace.

 

[Puckpimp71]

Hit the junkyards and I'll bet you won't spend more than $5. Cut the old one out and solder the new one in. Put it in a secure place where sheet metal won't cut it and you're good to go. Check some online junkyard databases if there isn't one near by.

 

[Matthew]

i tried but they dont have the sensor listed as a part. so i ordered the part from autozone, when it got there it turned out their part for an IAT is actually the crank pos sensor. no luck.

 

[Puckpimp71]

Isn't the IAT aka an "ACT" Air Charge Temp sensor? Maybe try that as a search term.

 

[Matthew]

i dont know, is it?

 

[ForceFed]

hey guys,

If you pull out your IAT sensor and place it somewhere hot the temp reading will retard timing after 4800rpm right, so then if you have a CAI you are just advancing the timing since the IAT reads colder air right? Any ideas about where to put it so that I am not adding timing or retarding? The gains of my AEM seem to about equal the gain you would get advancing a disty a few degrees, I think that it the only reason these things make any difference, the rest it just sounds and faster spool from what Im gathering here.

Thoughts? Does this sound right? Did anyones else notice a drop in low,low end torque with the CAI (like 1500-2800rpm)

I noticed a SIGNIFIGANT drop in low end torque and even proved that the top end lacked power as well...my trap speeds decreased by about 2-3 MPH...I was having a hard time hitting triple digits in the traps...this was on an Injen but i am sure they are near identical.
Matt

 

[ForceFed]

Isn't the IAT aka an "ACT" Air Charge Temp sensor? Maybe try that as a search term.

You are CORRECTAMUNDO!
Its also know as an ACT !
Matt

 

[Matthew]

i tried car-part.com no luck, any other sites like that?

 

[ForceFed]

Dude ,you will have a hella hard time finding that part used unless you got a pick and pull parts yard close with a pro or P5 in it....just buy the new one....well worth it...time is money.

Matt