"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor" on the Focus?

Blue01Street · Oct 15, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

What do you guys think of this:

Its from a 96-01 Mustang and its all plastic. Its going to be a little tricky designing an adapter plate to hold it but I think its doable. (I was wrong before when I thought that the 95 Mustang sensor was all plastic.)

Do you think I should still plan to fab the adapter plate out of plastic? Or does the fact that the sensor is plastic negate any heat sink possibilities?

This is the IAT that I use. It is the same one that the Lightning Truck uses. Thats the MAF that I use so I had to use the seperate IAT. I just drilled a hole in my intake and put a rubber grommet in it then pushed the IAT into the grommet. It's been working that way for about a year. It wires to the original (outside) wires from the MAF connector.

Penguini66 · Oct 15, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

^^^^^^ Thanks for the info.

So, it looks like this type of sensor will work with the Focus ECU. Since the sensor will be under pressure, I might do something slightly more fancy than just a grommet. Looks like this is a go. Thanks for all the help. I'l let you guys know how it works out once I get rid of my SFMS and re-locate the IAT sensor. Although I'll be changing so many things at one time (MAF, Injectors, re-locate IAT, 4 bank SCT chip) it will be hard to notice the impact of just one component.

Gigaherz · Oct 15, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

Well, you won't be the only one doing this.

Good info in this thread penguini.

1turbofocus · Oct 15, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

But why change it it does very little if anything ,I have played with this on my car and didnt like the way it ran and there was NO power gain

If you have enough controle over the ECU to tune for boost you can also tune for hot/cool air charge

Tom

CharlesWA · Oct 16, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

Why is it bad for the ECU to know the actual air temperature before it goes into the engine?

The better the info that you feed the ECU the better it can do managing the engine. Why not take advantage of its capabilities? I would think that not utilizing the IAT in the right way would be a "band aid" solution to proper tuning, and we all know what you think about those.

1turbofocus · Oct 16, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

I am open to try things and have tryed this and saw no gain in tuning/safety or power so why go through the trouble to remove the wiring buy a sensor and make another hole

Tom

Penguini66 · Oct 16, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

The post turbo IAT sensor IS beneficial if you program the ECU to take advantage of the readings.

Edit: But Tom, you do have a good point. If the ECU isn't taking advantage of it, it may be a waste. Especially if that's what your research and testing showed.

Penguini66 · Oct 28, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

Well, you won't be the only one doing this.

Good info in this thread penguini.

Bump...Gigaherz, did you try this yet? Anyone?

I'm just getting ready to give it a shot this weekend. Hopefully I'll have my adapter plate by then.

Penguini66 · Nov 3, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

I didn't get my adapter plate yet but I did pick up a pigtail with the IAT connector on it at the local junkyard. At least I think its the right one. I left the sensor at work on Friday. And I left the connector/pigtail at home today. I'll verify it this evening. I found it on a late 90's(I think) Taurus.

And just as an update for anyone considering the SCT software. They are now saying that for proper tuning, it is a MUST to re-locate the IAT sensor to after the blower.

Penguini66 · Nov 10, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

Well, the relocated IAT/ACT is up and running. I don't have any way to datalog the singal, but nothing's gone wrong yet. In total it cost me $4 at the junk yard for the pigtail and $18 at NAPA for the sensor. I had a friend make the plate for me. And I had to pick up some screws. Then I just cut the two outside wires on the MAF and butt spliced into the harness.

JeffN · Nov 18, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

Btw, in case anyone is wondering the SCT software allows you to add or remove spark based on the IAT/ACT temp reading... so as air charge temp increases you can back off the advance a bit.

With the IAT/ACT located on the MAF, on a blown car, you have to make some assumptions about how much heat your blower will contribute to the air charge temp, and that change may be non-linear. You can actually vary the spark advance as a function of load, RPM, and IAT/ACT temp, so you could develop a pretty good table keeping the sensor located at the intake IF you had good specs on the temperature contribution of your blower at various load/rpm combinations. But it would still be easier and more accurate to just MEASURE the IAT/ACT measurement as it enters the engine.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to mount one of those things on my JR intake.

This company makes all kinds of temperature sensors, mounting hardware, and insulators for preventing heat soaking: http://www.tempco.com/Sensors/temp_sensing_hub.htm.

Note that all we need to do to adjust the voltage range is add a resistor so there is no need to buy a Ford sensor. Just need to figure out the current running through the stock sensor (which can be measured with a voltmeter at the MAF) and then take some readings of actal temperatures to calibrate the sensor. The resister value can then be selected to produce comparable voltage ranges in the sensor you buy. I am hopeful that I can slide one of these sensors into the small vacuum inlet hose opening in the JR intake that was previously used for the JR fuel management unit (which fuel management unit is now unused thanks to SCT).

Hypnotic · Nov 18, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

I found it on a late 90's(I think) Taurus.

And just as an update for anyone considering the SCT software. They are now saying that for proper tuning, it is a MUST to re-locate the IAT sensor to after the blower.

Just a tip for all of you messing with the IAT, ANY massair equipped F150 has that sensor also.

sct · Nov 19, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

We have actually refused to tune cars without the IAT in the discharge. It's that important!!! You really really need to know the air temp post compressor so you can control spark if the inlet air heats up due to outside temp increase, heat soaked cooler, etc. Otherwise you have to tune for "worst case" scenarios and leave lots of power on the table, or take a chance of letting the smoke out of the motor when it gets hot.

The easy way to do this is with a Lightning sensor. It's brass threaded and has a standard IAT connector. Just drill and tap a 3/8's NPT hole somewhere in the discharge piping or manifold if necessary.

By this time you've spent $3000+ on your Focus for the blower/turbo/etc. Spend the extra $40!!!!!

Penguini66 · Nov 19, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

I looked at the brass NPT sensor. And was concerned about heat soak. So I went with an all plastic one even though it was a little more difficult to mount for a pressurised application. Sorry I don't know much about the Lightnings. But is the sensor you're talking about designed for a blown application? Do you know if its resistant to heat soak?

Hypnotic · Nov 19, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

The easy way to do this is with a Lightning sensor.

LOL...didnt I say that in the post before his?

P-51 · Nov 19, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

Yup, I don't like these metal bodied ones... I'd have to have a look at the head design tough. All I know is this Bosch sensor form Pectel sucks.

Hypnotic · Nov 19, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

I looked at the brass NPT sensor. And was concerned about heat soak. So I went with an all plastic one even though it was a little more difficult to mount for a pressurised application. Sorry I don't know much about the Lightnings. But is the sensor you're talking about designed for a blown application? Do you know if its resistant to heat soak?

These same sensors are used in the new (99-03) Supercharged Lightnings. There are several of these trucks pushing over 14-16 lbs of boost on the eaton, and some as much as 18-20 lbs with the Autorotor (Kenne Bell). While the stock, and even upgraded, intercoolers work very well, the piping is still in "hot" locations. I asked around, and no one has mentioned ever having any issues with the sensors.

Hypnotic · Nov 19, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

What do you guys think of this:

Thats the same sensor that is used on the 1994-1996 F150's with the massair setup. I have only sprayed mine, so I wouldnt know about it handling the heat, but with it being plastic, probably not.

P-51 · Nov 19, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

These same sensors are used in the new (99-03) Supercharged Lightnings. There are several of these trucks pushing over 14-16 lbs of boost on the eaton, and some as much as 18-20 lbs with the Autorotor (Kenne Bell). While the stock, and even upgraded, intercoolers work very well, the piping is still in "hot" locations. I asked around, and no one has mentioned ever having any issues with the sensors.

Well, this all leads back into what we are saying. The Lightings probably are getting head soaked, but they were tuned conservatively to avoid problems.

That's why I did. I mean, I have a similar sensor, and you can watch it... go from 80 degrees while on the freeway, then climb to 180degrees in one minute sitting in traffic. I have data logs.

The result is, I have to fuel and time it for the worst case scenario. When I put on a better one, I can add a little more timing when cool, and pull it at high temps.

Hypnotic · Nov 20, 2003

Re: \"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor\" on the Focus?

The Lightings probably are getting head soaked, but they were tuned conservatively to avoid problems.

You evidently dont know who Jim D'Amore of JDM, Sal of PSP, or Johnny Lightning are. These guys are tuners on the

wicked

edge of new Lightning performance. THESE are the guys that still use these sensors, and have new L's in street trim running 18-20 psi with 1/4 mile times in the low 11's to high 10s IN DAILY DRIVER STREET TRIM!!!!!
Heat soak? with that much power and those times? I sincerely doubt it.

"IAT = Intake Air Temp sensor" on the Focus?

Blue01Street

Penguini66

Gigaherz

1turbofocus

CharlesWA

1turbofocus

Penguini66

Penguini66

Penguini66

Penguini66

JeffN

Hypnotic

sct

Penguini66

Hypnotic

P-51

Hypnotic

Hypnotic

P-51

Hypnotic

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