IAT Sensor Location
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Teching In
Joined: Jun 2017
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IAT Sensor Location Hey folks, i have searched and i see lots of different information on where the IAT sensor is being. I have seen people put it on the outside of there cone filter i have seen people tap there intake material and put it inside the intake tube. I am trying to figure out the benefits and downsides to both. I am also curios about the MAF i have seen that has the IAT built into it. Will that work on my set up and if so what kind is it. I have a 99 ls1 and i have the stock MAF and the stock IAT sensor. Just trying to figure this out so i don't ruin my engine. Thanks Folks
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Maf with IAT built in wont plug into your harness. You could convert but no need. Put it somewhere where it doesnt get false hot reading from the engine bay, they are prone to heatsoak in a stock location which is right above the radiator. Try to move it away from the radiator or engine heat so it can get a better accurate outside air temp if thats where youre pulling air from.
the thing with the IAT sensor is this: location does matter because the ECM uses a bias between ECT and IAT to help calculate air mass. the air entering the combustion chamber will not be the same temperature as the air entering the filter, so IAT placement does matter.
it is advisable to put the IAT sensor near the same location in the intake tract as it would have been in a stock vehicle if possible. using a fast-acting thermistor is also advisable to avoid the affects of a heat-soaked sensor.
with a custom setup that does not mimick the stock routing, and especially in your case where you are dealing with an engine swap, trying to place it in an ideal location is out the window.
so my advice is to get a good tuner or tune it very well yourself, moreso than trying to find the ideal location. just make sure the IAT sensor is in the airflow, and do not place it around any bends. if it does end up in a bend, try to place it on the outside radius.
as for heatsoak with the s10/blazer intake, it's pretty unavoidable. with the radiator hose, as well as hot air being blown from the radiator right onto the intake. insulating the intake tract as much as possible, using a heat shield, and rerouting the intake are all advisable. you seem to have taken a lot of these steps.
it is advisable to put the IAT sensor near the same location in the intake tract as it would have been in a stock vehicle if possible. using a fast-acting thermistor is also advisable to avoid the affects of a heat-soaked sensor.
with a custom setup that does not mimick the stock routing, and especially in your case where you are dealing with an engine swap, trying to place it in an ideal location is out the window.
so my advice is to get a good tuner or tune it very well yourself, moreso than trying to find the ideal location. just make sure the IAT sensor is in the airflow, and do not place it around any bends. if it does end up in a bend, try to place it on the outside radius.
as for heatsoak with the s10/blazer intake, it's pretty unavoidable. with the radiator hose, as well as hot air being blown from the radiator right onto the intake. insulating the intake tract as much as possible, using a heat shield, and rerouting the intake are all advisable. you seem to have taken a lot of these steps.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 23
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Awesome thanks. I am waiting on the tune to basically get my best run times in the best weather. So i can actually see where the tune helps me gain. I dont want to go out there run 12.4 today then go out when i get my tune and run a 12.2 just because the weather is better so the tune is still in the books just not right meow.
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I have mine in my intake manifold and don't recommend it, plan on moving it to the pipe this winter. I found that have some sort of air box helps keep air temp down, blocking engine heat from the filter. Also brings the temp down faster after it heats up from sitting at a stop light or something.